Greetings, I wanted to find out what options were available in the way of PC-based remote control software.

I am looking for software that will be able to control a fairly complex home theatre setup. My ideal system is one which will have a customizable (programmable) PC-based interface which can run on a tablet-PC with a stylus touch screen.

Ideally, I'd like to transmit the signals with RF, but infrared would be acceptable.

I know there is a product out there called MainLobby which may do some or all of what I am looking for. Are there others that I should be looking at as well?

Thanks for any and all assistance!

Jonathan Weinberg

You need to come over to the HTPC sections of AVSforum...

Check threads on Netremote or my favorite MainLobby... A Combination of MainLobby on the client touchpad and Girder with TCP/IP plug in on the host and you have a Crestron killer at pocket money prices...

Also if music control is desired look into Media Jukebox on the Server (now supports multi room and ASIO outputs) and Glissando on the client (search AVS Glissando has no webpage but I can send you the executable or put you in touch with the developer if you need anything custom...

I personally control HTPC's and a mutli PC home net including 640GB of RAID storage for ripped DVD jukeboxing etc all with GUI's some of which are fully animated in flash.. Try that with a pronto !!!!

Come join the AVS disussions..

Phat Phreddy
AVS HTPC moderator

BTW forgot to mention... RF may not be the easiest of integration but I would strongly suggest a 2 way protocol unlike IR... 802.11 is great for this (have a look at sonicblue progears with magneasium case / XGA TFT built in 802.11) blue tooth is possible (think IPAQ with bluetooth built in and Netremote) but it would depend on if you are thinking touchpanel or PDA...

Netremote will load all the color CCF's and translate them into PDA use... Some Girder work gives you a pronto pro interface and wireless 2 way PC control... Plus you then get album cover art / playlists etc back on the PDA... Sweet...

This is the way I am going for whole house integration... Carry your PDA through the house and manipulate the playlists or zones from your hand with full access to the whole library..

Phat Phreddy; when you say netremote are you referring to neremote.com or some type of utility tool.i just picked up a pda the compaq ipaq h3975 it comes with bluetooth. and this has been my vision all along to be able to automate whole house A/V and control it remotely with a wireless pda thanks for your input!!!