Similar keyboard to the Microsoft Media Center board?

[JTScribe]

I'd like to upgrade to something that uses RF or a non-line-of-sight communication method. I like the ergonomics of the MS keyboard - stick one side, buttons on the other - but I don't see anything that looks similar. Anyone have any recommendations?

[Scallica]

Have you looked at the Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Keyboard 7000?

[JTScribe]

Hmm. I'll have to see if I can find one to get hands on. It's not doing much for me from just a pic.

[tony_park]

These may be alternatives:

Genius Media Centre Controlboard Wireless Keyboard

Keysonic Mini Wireless Keyboard with Touchpad

or the obligatory:

Logitech Mini Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard

[adam1991]

I discovered, by happy accident, that bluetooth isn't the answer. You want something that uses its own receiver. This is important for an HTPC, because you want a keyboard that works whether or not Windows is booted up, so that it acts like a wired keyboard even during hardware start and gives you access to BIOS functions. And bluetooth works only once Windows is booted.

[StumpyBloke]

Not strictly true, my Microsoft Wireless 8000 Bluetooth works from power-up.

[adam1991]

Ah. So, some motherboards are doing bluetooth that way, then?

[newfiend]

Yep my Microsoft 8000 keyboard works at boot also via Bluetooth. Its a great MC board both the 7000 & 8000 wireless entertainment desktop sets are excellent. I like the 8000 better for the backlit keyboard.

Sent from my WP7 using Board Express

[adam1991]

Seems to me that would be a motherboard requirement, for bluetooth to work at immediate power on--driven at the board level instead of at the OS level. That would mean built-in bluetooth, as opposed to a dongle plugged into USB.

What motherboard do you have?

[STC]

It depends on how the bluetooth module is designed. I think most Microsoft ones are constructed to appear like a regular keyboard / mouse at the USB plug, so to the PC, it's just the same as a wired keyboard / mouse.

[Fleadh]

These may be alternatives:

Genius Media Centre Controlboard Wireless Keyboard

Keysonic Mini Wireless Keyboard with Touchpad

or the obligatory:

Logitech Mini Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard

I have the keysonic one and its crap. The H1,2,3 ,4 buttons cannot be mapped to anything with a switch which makes them nest to useless.

[JTScribe]

Only problem with the 7000/8000 boards is they seem to have skyrocketed in price . . . $200? Ugh.

[JTScribe]

Raising this one from the grave as my ZV7 starts to die . . . . anything new and exciting? They they even make keyboards with Green buttons any more?

[erkotz]

I believe that MS keyboard is IR, which probably makes it a pain to use, given that you need LOS

[tad]

I got this Logitech a few weeks ago and really like it.
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wireless ... d+trackpad

It doesn't have the built-in media commands like the MS one, but I use my remote for that.

[foxwood]

I have an IOGEAR GKM561R for use with my HTPC. No complaints.