this post was submitted on 17 Dec 2009
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Is there a touchscreen tablet/remote device I can use to wirelessly browse through Windows Explorer and queue up/control music and movies to play through Winamp and VLC? (self.gadgets)

submitted 8 months ago by Amrosorma

I'm not looking for media center PC style options. Just something that will work with my desktop :)

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TheUsher -3 points-2 points 8 months ago[-]

Winamp, is that still developed? I haven't heard of that being used in ages.

PracticalPanda 4 points5 points 8 months ago[-]

Winamp from 10 years ago is still better than the majority of Windows media players out there currently, IMO.

sunshine-x -2 points-1 points 8 months ago[-]

You won't want to hear this, and I'm likely about to be downvoted into oblivion for even mentioning this, but you appear to like tech/gadgets so I'll take a second to tell you about what Apple has done in this area.

Using iTunes and an touch/iphone, you can remotely control iTunes on your Mac. It's really quite a clean and effective solution, but obviously isn't very helpful for you with Windows etc.

geoffp82 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

You can use the itunes remote for windows itunes also, i use mine to mess with my brother when he's listening to music.

m-p-3 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

I think you can configure iTunes to answer only to a specific remote, right?

geoffp82 1 point2 points 8 months ago[-]

You can but if you have a brother who is computer illiterate you can just set it up before hand. :)

A_Pickle -1 points0 points 8 months ago[-]

If you have a touchscreen Windows Mobile phone and are tech savvy and patient, you could try Dikeytus. It turns your touchscreen phone into a very customizable input device, including mouse input (via the touchscreen, acting like the touchpad on a laptop). I've been trying to get it to work on my media center, though, and it doesn't seem to want to take.

It's worth mentioning that VLC has a web interface built-in that you could use, (though, obviously, you'd need a browser-capable device to be your "remote").

There's also a VLC remote control application for Windows Mobile.

Also, I found both MP3Caster and AjaxAMP. Both of these are Winamp plugins that offer an interface through a browser, but both also use relatively desktop-relegated web standards: MP3Caster uses the Java Runtime Environment, and AjaxAMP obviously uses AJAX.

There is, lastly, a remote desktop solution called VNC. There's a freeware Windows XP/Vista/7, Linux, and Mac OS X client here; and a Windows Mobile VNC client here. I'm pretty sure there are VNC clients out for Symbian S60, Android, Blackberry, and iPhone as well... but I can't tell you which would be the best apps for those devices...

frank44 -1 points0 points 8 months ago[-]

iPod Touch

kingtubby 4 points5 points 8 months ago[-]

If you use iPod/iPhone there is a winamp remote and a VLC remote.

georgefrick 3 points4 points 8 months ago[-]

And an android app.

PracticalPanda -5 points-4 points 8 months ago[-]

And my axe.

spoids 8 points9 points 8 months ago[-]

Gmote.

joshuajonah 3 points4 points 8 months ago[-]

Are you sure? Because it sounds like you're looking for a HTPC.

Amrosorma [S] -1 points0 points 8 months ago[-]

And how would you control the HTPC? Additionally, media center style software just doesn't have much appeal to me.

joshuajonah -1 points0 points 8 months ago[-]

You could use a remote, an iPhone, pretty much anything. If you want to sit on the couch and browse folder/do anything on a machine, it's much better to use something made for the purpose. Maybe you just haven't found the right HTPC software yet.

I recommend Plex on Mac and Boxee on linux. If you have Windows, I recommend using another OS.

Amrosorma [S] 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

Haha, there's really no decent HTPC software for Windows? Damn.

If Linux could run Ableton Live and Photoshop, I'd use it.

danjayh 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

There is a version of Boxee for windows.

learycm 1 point2 points 8 months ago[-]

There is plenty of decent HTPC software for Windows.. Windows Media Center (especially Vista/Win7 varieties), Sage, MediaPortal and even MythTV (though you have to build it yourself, and I've never tried the Windows version).

I would venture to say a very large proportion (if not most) of HTPCs run some version of Windows.

jtablerd 5 points6 points 8 months ago[-]

actually, I've used XBMC, for years on my modded xbox (which is still my htpc), and since they released for xp, I've been using that as well.

DashingLeech 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

I use XBMC on an ASRock Ion running linux. It's got HDMI directly out to my 46" LCD HDTV and optical directly to my 5.1 receiver. The Ion and XMBC does 1080p video spectacularly in linux using VDPAU. (It won't do well in Windows on the Ion platform though because there is no equivalent to VDPAU yet.)

I also use a Logitech DiNovo wireless keyboard which is fantastic.

This setup is so awesome, if there's anything that beats this quality for the price then I want to know about it.

sunshine-x 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

it's fantastic, as long as you don't want to play anything with a high bitrate or in HD.

jtablerd 0 points1 point 8 months ago* [-]

9.11 RC1 was released today, it's playing my 720p mkv and x264 files very smoothly
*edit: on my windows machine

sunshine-x 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

yea, on anything except an original xbox, xbmc is excellent for pretty much all median. On an original xbox, forget any HD or high bitrate.

joshuajonah 1 point2 points 8 months ago[-]

Photoshop and Ableton live work fine through Wine.

You can use Boxee on Windows but it doesn't do it any justice. Other than MediaPortal, Windows is a horrible HTPC platform.

This has a lot to do with no standard to remote software in the Windows world. In linux, lirc will do anything you want it to. I currently have it set to dim the lights with 120v 30amp solid state relays when I start video playback and bring them back up when stopping.

[deleted] 8 months ago[-]

[deleted]

joshuajonah 1 point2 points 8 months ago* [-]

I use hooks in Boxee for when video is started and stopped to call a script. The script sends outputs to serial cable which is wired to relays that control the lights.

It's a good DIY project for those looking to learn about applied electronics. Have fun! :D

simucal 4 points5 points 8 months ago[-]

iPod Touch with Jaddu VNC.

Poromenos 1 point2 points 8 months ago[-]

Jaadu VNC is awesome. I don't know if it's worth the pricetag if all you want is a remote, but it's amazing. Airmote is much better and cheaper if you just want a remote.

SanjayM 3 points4 points 8 months ago[-]

Grab a wiimote, they have drivers for controlling the mouse. Works great, and even "officially supported" in alot of linux HTPC setups.

m-p-3 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

Now I need to get a bluetooth dongle for my desktop, which I use from time to time on my TV.

maskaler 10 points11 points 8 months ago[-]

I use my iPhone with the VNC free app.

PracticalPanda -1 points0 points 8 months ago[-]

I think you mean *VLC Remote Free. I didn't realize there was a free version; checking it out now. Thanks.

maskaler 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

Sorry - I was referring to Mocha VNC Lite.

mackie 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

both apps would work for this purpose

PracticalPanda 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

Yeah I know VNC would work too, but I figured he made a typo because searching for "vnc free" doesn't turn up anything.

Poromenos 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

Or Airmote, it costs like $3 and it is awesome. Doesn't need anything more than a run-of-the-mill VNC server, either!

maskaler 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

I've not tried that as I prefer to pay nothing and have full OS functionality, albeit slowly and with a lot of swiping across the iPhone screen!

MrShlee 6 points7 points 8 months ago[-]

I used my homebrew enabled Nintendo DS :)

Lets me control my PC remotely, and also acts like a streaming wifi enabled internet radio.. with headphone attachment for speakers :)

MrShlee 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

I'll try and find the software..

in_vitro 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

I would also like to know

geebs61 2 points3 points 8 months ago[-]

What are you using to do that? The last time I used any of the homebrew VNC or media apps they were pretty primitive still.

iofthestorm 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

Yeah, same here, last time I tried them they were all ridiculously slow.

cranktheguy 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

An iPhone/iTouch with this.

greenknight 4 points5 points 8 months ago[-]

I had success with VLC's http interface on my n800. I ended up learning reverse polish notation in the process.

jxmitchell 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

I use a mouse.

artiface 5 points6 points 8 months ago* [-]

My Droid does it just fine.

Winampdroid

Android VLC remote

Or if you prefer Gmote or VNC (there are several VNC options - i use this one)

TaxExempt 1 point2 points 8 months ago[-]

No screen, but a great bluetooth keyboard and mouse in the palm of your hand.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=dinovo&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=5706429947652587302&ei=TWoqS8qtDJOcswPmkqi5BA&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=image&resnum=3&ved=0CBMQ8gIwAg#

jkillian 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

Bluctrl is something that allows you to control the comp via blackberry.

supersocialist 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

In the iPod Touch/iPhone vein, I like the $2 "Air Mouse Pro" quite a bit. It has some very handy button pads (full sets of function keys on one, media controls on another, etc) that show when the built-in keyboard is hidden, and has both touch screen and tilt control.

badfish 1 point2 points 8 months ago[-]

Google the SmartDevices Q5 and the Q7. There are several flavors of it.

m-p-3 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

SmartQ 7

tlvictory 2 points3 points 8 months ago[-]

Check out the logictech dinovo mini wireless keyboard. Palm sized combination keyboard and touchpad. Includes a bluetooth dongle.

Plug it in like a regular wireless keyboard. Nice and small, backlit keys.

[deleted] 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

A bit hard to type on, but good enough. Also excellent range. All in all a good choice. Of course, VLC on my iTouch allows me to control it all from another part of the house, so ....

JimBean 3 points4 points 8 months ago[-]

If you are using Win Mobile version 6.x use this. You must have .NET 3.5 installed on your device. http://garr.dl.sourceforge.net/project/vlcremote/vlcremote%201.x/VLCRemote%200.94/VLCRemote094.CAB

Works awesome. To see how to configer VLC, go here: http://wiki.videolan.org/Control_VLC_via_a_browser

[deleted] 0 points1 point 8 months ago[-]

Are there any inexpensive Win Mobile devices with WiFi?

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