Remote control solutions
Below some of the existing solutions for remote controlling the PC are listed:
| Solution | Connection | Software | Remote | Price |
| ATI RemoteWonder | USB | Win/Mac | inc. | $40 |
| Cyberlink | USB | Win | Inc. | $20 |
| Firefly | USB | Win | inc. | $50 |
| Firefly mini | USB | - | inc. | $30 |
| GC-IRE & GC-RC1 | 232 | - | - | $170 |
| Girder | (soft) | Win | - | $50 |
| IR2PC | 232/USB | - | - | 26/42€ |
| IRAssistant | (soft) | Win | - | Free |
| Ira-3 | 232 | - | - | $22 |
| IRTrans | 232/USB/IP | Win/Lin/Mac | - | 99/145€ |
| LIRC | 232 | Linux | - | Free |
| PB Fast Media | 232 | Win | inc. | $14 |
| PC Commander | 232 | Win | - | $115 |
| PCIR | 232 | - | - | £35 |
| PCRemoteControl | (soft) | Win | - | 15€ |
| RedRat | USB | Win | - | £75 |
| Sconi | USB | Win | - | 30€ |
| Streamzap | USB | Win | inc. | $40 |
| uICE | (soft) | Win | - | $20 |
| USB-UIRT | USB | - | - | $55 |
| WinLIRC | (soft) | Win | - | Free |
| X10 MouseRemote | 232 | Win | inc. | $50 |
Notes:
- When the connection is listed as (soft) then it means it is a software-only solution.
- If software is not named, the solution is hardware-only plus controlling software has to be obtained separatedly.
- If the remote control is not named, you may use any standard model remote control.
- Some of the prices are approximate and many don't include the shipping expenses.
If you are looping for somethings more economical, you can try some of the proposed solutions in the section Do it yourself.
For an explanation on why an IrDA port is not good for remote control take a look at the IrDA and what it is not for page.
What about HTPC?
The concept of using the computer as a multimedia center is what is known commercially as HTPC (Home Theather PC).
One of the requirements for HTPC is that the remote control be included. Of course, HTPC also involves a software which would bring together all multimedia reproduction through easily manageable software menus. This type of software is usually called 'media center.
Not all the proposed solutions in this page are complete 'media center' solutions. Some just provide the hardware and/or the connection between such hardware and the final application.