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New Media Center Keyboard From Microsoft
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New Media Center Keyboard From Microsoft
New Media Center Keyboard From Microsoft
Published by Mike
12th July 2005
New Media Center Keyboard From Microsoft

NEW from Microsoft!

A 3-in-1 infrared (IR) keyboard, mouse, and remote giving complete wireless control of your computer running Windows XP Media Center from up to 30 feet away! [click image]

Do away with multiple devices cluttering up your living space, launch digital media, surf the web, play movies and send instant messages in the dark, all from the comfort of your sofa.

Key Features

- Easy to Use: No special software or setup required.
- Sleek Profile: Compact design made for easy use on your lap.
- Backlit Media Keys: No more triple-tapping to enter text or fumbling with the remote to play movies, control your Media Center PC - even in the dark.
- Green Start Button: One button quickly launches Media Center PC functions.
- Sleek, All-in-One Design: Enjoy clutter-free living with this 3-in-1 keyboard, integrated mouse, and remote.
- 30-Foot Infrared Wireless Range: Control your Media Center PC effortlessly from up to 30 feet across your living room.
- Key Lock: Stow it away when you are done—the Key Lock keeps your keyboard from being turned on by mistake.
- Television Control: The convenience of TV power and volume control built in.
- Easy to Navigate: You are in command with cursor control and Click/Right-Click keys.

Price: AUD$199.95 (Inclusive of GST)

Please Note: This hardware will require the Update Rollup 1 for eHome Infrared Receivers to be applied. The update contains multiple fixes for the eHome Infrared Receiver reference hardware as well as adding support for the Microsoft Media Center Keyboard. The only way to enable support for the new keyboard is through having this update either preinstalled on a system, or downloaded using Windows Update.
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  #1 (permalink)  
By OffBeatMammal on 12th July 2005, 07:41 AM
Re: New Media Center Keyboard From Microsoft

sweet !

I'm guessing it can't be used before Windows kicks in though, so if you need to go BIOS tweaking you still need to find a real keyboard.

Would be shiny if it also has a couple of programmable keys for (eg) turning on the TV, changing channel to the right input, turning on the powered speakers and controlling their volume... do away with all the other remotes

Not sure I'd be able to pursuade the missus that a hulking great keyboard is as practical as the usual remote though !
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  #2 (permalink)  
By OffBeatMammal on 12th July 2005, 07:45 AM
Re: New Media Center Keyboard From Microsoft

BTW can't see the mouse on it - do the 4 directionally arrows on the RHS work as a rocker mouse or am I missing a really obvious trackball type affair someone on the layout !

and (I'm rambling, but I think I need a coffee !) I hope it has a built in recharger, or a SplashPower charging affair to make it even closer to perfect !
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  #3 (permalink)  
By impact on 12th July 2005, 07:51 AM
Re: New Media Center Keyboard From Microsoft

I want one...

Even done the windows update http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en to load the software ready for it... (Well I hoped it just fixed some other IR issues....)

No programmable keys

Yep the arrow keys on the right are rocker types for mouse - will be reaaly strange to use ?
Normal batteries... Has there been a device released yet with SplashPower (followed that stuff for the last 3 years... pity it aint taken off as yet!)

And no sign of availability as yet in Australia.....
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  #4 (permalink)  
By Mike on 12th July 2005, 07:53 AM
Re: New Media Center Keyboard From Microsoft

It already can power the TV on and off - and since I'm guessing it's designed to replace/add to the current remote system, you'd think it "should" offer limited programmability

As for it's size, I agree, it will be difficult to ditch the current remote for mainstream use, especially if it doesn't provide DOS support, my current wireless keyboard does but it's not an IR unit.

We'll have to wait for Brent to surface and inform us. [hint]
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  #5 (permalink)  
By OffBeatMammal on 12th July 2005, 08:02 AM
Re: New Media Center Keyboard From Microsoft

Quote:
Originally Posted by impact
Yep the arrow keys on the right are rocker types for mouse - will be reaaly strange to use ?
Yeah, not sure about that. Had to use a DataHand keyboard for a while and gave up because I couldn't get my head around the toggle switch driven mouse (only worked horizontally or vertically... it was next to impossible to curve it)

Quote:
Originally Posted by impact
Normal batteries... Has there been a device released yet with SplashPower (followed that stuff for the last 3 years... pity it aint taken off as yet!
me too. I keep hoping just one product will actually ship and then the ball will start rolling !
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  #6 (permalink)  
By Kryten on 12th July 2005, 08:31 AM
Re: New Media Center Keyboard From Microsoft

IR is interesting. So I guess you have to point it at the remote receiver?

I think radio would have been a better bet. I have one of the funky black radio keyboards and it works great with high use applications (like Doom3, Sims2, etc).

K.
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  #7 (permalink)  
By Shan on 12th July 2005, 08:48 AM
Re: New Media Center Keyboard From Microsoft

It looks a lot prettier than the BTC9019 a lot of us are using, but I'm not sure it's going to be more practical. I think I'd still prefer to use a handheld remote for 90% of the time and just whip my (RF therefore not as picky about line-of-sight) keyboard out from down the side of the sofa if I have to do any typing.

I have no complaints about the BTC product yet (even the mouse delay doesn't bug me anymore) although, like I said, the M$ is certainly prettier.

Looking closer, I think that could be a laptop style 'Trackpoint' in the top right corner - that could be good! Certainly better than rocker keys.
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  #8 (permalink)  
By benneh on 12th July 2005, 09:29 AM
Re: New Media Center Keyboard From Microsoft

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kryten
IR is interesting. So I guess you have to point it at the remote receiver?

I think radio would have been a better bet. I have one of the funky black radio keyboards and it works great with high use applications (like Doom3, Sims2, etc).

K.
Have to agree with you here, sure include infrared for controlling other hardware like tvs, but why no radio or bluetooth, keeping line of sight with a receiver could be pretty hard when it could be used on the coffee table, on the couch etc.

What would be really cool, is if they made the remote control part detachable!

For those with poor eyesight, looks like the mouse is controlled from the pointer stick on the top right labelled "pointer". Looks very similar to the type you find in the middle of laptop keyboards.
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  #9 (permalink)  
By OffBeatMammal on 12th July 2005, 09:34 AM
Re: New Media Center Keyboard From Microsoft

Quote:
Originally Posted by benneh
For those with poor eyesight, looks like the mouse is controlled from the pointer stick on the top right labelled "pointer". Looks very similar to the type you find in the middle of laptop keyboards.
d'oh... thought the label said Power!
I've got so used to watching DVDs on the 68" that I can't cope with the 14" on my laptop these days (age slowly setting in !)
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