[gkinberg]

Hi all, sorry to clog the page with a thread that I'm sure has been discussed before, but I can't seem to locate what I'm looking for.

As the tittle say, I want to control media center from my listening position. I have a CAPS like PC build that is connected to my home network via an ethernet cable. My operating system is window 7 (32 bit) home premium. I wanted to use the program Remote Desktop Control but  as I've discovered, I think you need windows 7 professional version to hook up computers and use one to control the other. I may consider VNC or some other software to try achieve the same effect; I'd just rather not install additional software onto my CAPS build that I don't need. Ultimately, I'd like to use my laptop to control my headless CAPS to play music and change songs.

I've tried Gizmo but initially, I don't love it. It seems slow and it is a lot different that the media center interface. I seem to remember that people have discussed ways to do what I want but I can't seem to find the info. Thanks for any help. Garth

[Peter J]

Perhaps you could borrow an Ipad and see if Jremote is more to your liking. While it's not the same as the desktop environment, it suits my needs for the time being, the corresponding app on iphone, less so.  I'm in the midst of getting my own music server into play so my experience is very limited, so take my advice for what it's worth. 

Another possibility is to simply upgrade the OS on your laptop. I would think Windows 7 Pro should be cheap now. One thing I've resigned myself to is that a digital storage and playback system will always be in flux somewhere in some way, so incremental changes will be the nature of the beast. Come to think of it, that's the way audio systems in general evolve for many folks.

[Mike B.]

jriver offer a remote control for media center for $35. It is simple to implement if you have a spare USB input on your computer server.

[mojave]

Ultimately, I'd like to use my laptop to control my headless CAPS to play music and change songs.

In JRiver on the CAPS go to Tools > Options > Media Network and click "Use Media Network to share this library and enable DLNA."

Install JRiver on the laptop (you can install on all your computers, including work computer, with one license). If you are on the same network, you should now see the CAPS library as available under Playing Now. Click on it to load. Now you can play the CAPS library on either the laptop, or control the CAPS from the laptop just as if you were at the CAPS. In other words, JRiver will look the exact same on the laptop as it does on the CAPS and your selections will play back on the CAPS.

This is off topic, but I share my library at work and let others use WebGizmo to playback on their own computers. I set it so that the only view they currently have is Christmas music.

[TJHUB]

I didn't want to spend the money, but nothing beats JRemote on an iPad to control J.River remotely.  Initially, I wanted to control my CAPS with my netbook, but I couldn't get Remote Desktop to work, and Webgizmo sucks.  JRemote looks amazing, it's blazing fast, and functionally fantastic.  I'd gladly buy an iPad all over again to use JRemote.

[Russtafarian]

It's the tablet control interface that makes computer audio the killer app for high end music systems IMHO.  Jremote controlling Jriver absolutely rocks, even on the Ipod Touch that I use. 

You can get a refurbished Ipod Touch for $129 at the Apple store.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC540LL/A/refurbished-ipod-touch-8gb-black 

Russ

[mr_bill]

For those of you using JRemote with an iPad to control JRiver:
Are you using a CAPS type server hooked up USB to a Dac for your high end system?
Are you also ising a preamp or the volume control in JRiver?

[gkinberg]

Thanks a lot gang for the input. I still have a lot to learn with respect to J. River but so far am sparingly using the mojave suggestion of controling playback through the playing now section of my laptop. I didn't know that was an option. While I like this, it seems limited because I haven't figured out yet how to put new songs into the playing now section. I probably just need to play around more.  I have yet to try Jremote on my wifes iPad. We'll see.

you guys are great. Garth

[gkinberg]

For those of you using JRemote with an iPad to control JRiver:
Are you using a CAPS type server hooked up USB to a Dac for your high end system?
Are you also ising a preamp or the volume control in JRiver?

Caps to external sound card to preamp to amp to speakers. Disable volume control in J. River Media center. In the process of purchasing benchmark DAC1 usb that I hope will provide a nice upgrade. Then only thing with a volume control will be the Preamp.

[Trismos]

I use a wireless mouse just fine. And a wireless keyboard when necessary.
Unless you're one of the rare folk who don't have a big screen t.v. or one of those that believe that this option is less than audiophile.....

Or perhaps your server is in another room?

[adydula]

gkinberg,

I use Jriver 18 from a DIY HTPC running win7 64 bit pro. HDMI vid to a receiver to a 58 Plasma display. I have a IOGear wireless usb keyboard with track ball mouse controller integrated in the keyboard. I have tried several usb wireless keyboards and keep coming back to the IoGear wireless keyboard:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002H0BOBA/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

Its only $30 or so.

I run JRiver in Theater mode or the normal mode...I can easily see the selections from across the room.....select and play etc..and I dont have to have a remote, or a iPad, or android device to add complexity and cost....just right to the JRiver app itself....Theater mode makes it simple and easy.

I keep thinking of getting a IPad etc and using Gizmo etc and have tried it, this way the 58" plasma display would not have to be on....but it adds more cost and Gizmo isnt as nice to me as the JRiver app itself..

All the best
Alex

[gkinberg]

OK, so here is the deal. For better or worse I chose to go the hard-wired route to my "CAPS" like audio computer. Largely to eliminate as many possibilities for “noise” as possible, so the wireless keyboard and mouse are out. Also, I’d just assume not have my large power hungry plasma on all the time.  What I’d like to do is see and control the library on the caps from a remote computer or ipad. I think that I can probably do that after I understand Jriver better. I’m still learning.

[kgturner]

If using an iPad, then JRemote is the clear choice to control your audio computer. I run JRemote from my iPhone and it's great! I have very few paid for apps on my phone, but JRemote is the one app purchase I've never regretted. If you wanna use a laptop, I'd look into just controlling your audio computer through remote desktop connection over your home network.

Kevin T

[ecramer]

Ive been running jriver 18 with gizmo on my kindle fire seems to work good so far.

[Austin08]

For me, MC18 and My river on ipod, jremote on ipad and gizmo on my android phone. All are working perfect without a tv.