Wireless (input) Gaming dilemma

scottscott Medina, Ohio Icrontian
edited August 2005 in Gaming
After many months I think I have "permission" from the wife to put a computer next to the 50" widescreen TV. I would have had an immediate OK if The Longaberger Basket Company made PC cases . ;) But they don't .
So just to try things out I hooked up to the TV with compenent video and 2 channel speakers through the TV. Playing HL2 and Far Cry on a 50" 16 : 9 screen is very cool !! :thumbsup:

OK here is the problem , The recliner couch that is in the optimum position is about 12 feet from the screen. To Play I had to put the PC as far as the wires would go from the TV and the keyboard and mouse wires still would not reach the couch so I had to pull the couch closer. ( I was smart enough not to let my wife see this mess on her living room floor )

So obviously I need a wireless mouse and keyboard.

Next problem

I am a trackball user. And a thumb ball at that. I can't find a wireless one. When I was playing on the couch I had the keyboard in my lap and the track ball next to me. It worked very well. If I could make the switch to a "mouse" would it work on the couch ? or would I have to have a board or something.

OR

Do the gamepads for PC's work very well ? I used to have a Hammerhead controler and could not get used to it playing HL and went back to the keyboard and mouse.

If the Keyboard and mouse are my only options I would appreciate some suggestions. And for you guys that have them , would someone test the tracking on "couch fabric"

Thanks alot guys. I appreciate the help.


Scott

Comments

  • scottscott Medina, Ohio Icrontian
    edited August 2005
    I did find this one

    http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=211023

    But it says it has a 6 foot range. need 12

    and a couple more buttons would be nice.

    Scott
  • scottscott Medina, Ohio Icrontian
    edited August 2005
    bump


    "Class......Bueller........anyone ?"



    Scott
  • MadballMadball Fort Benton, MT
    edited August 2005
    Most wireless keyboard and mice wont work well from more than 6 feet from the reciever. You'll need to look for one that is made for a HTPC and has a more powerful transmitter. Or you could get a Bluetooth set like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16823126138 .

    You probably won't fine a wireless trackball that will work at a distance though.
  • scottscott Medina, Ohio Icrontian
    edited August 2005
    Thanks Madball !

    I talked to Logitech this morning and he agrees that bluetooth is the only safe bet. To bad that set you linked to is so ugly. And 3 pcs.

    They will haveThis out in the next few weeks. I like it a lot better.

    Thanks again


    Scott
  • botheredbothered Manchester UK
    edited August 2005
    I use a Saitek p3000 gamepad, I don't use a keyboard for games. (it's a long story and has been covered here several times) The reciever for the pad is next to the PC and works well from over 12 feet away, just tried it. My new MX1000 (reciever also next to the PC) works from around 10 feet away. You could move the recievers a little closer when gaming and use both of these with ease.
  • rykoryko new york
    edited August 2005
    i have a lite-on wireless with built in trackball in the upper right hand corner for my htpc. I got it from newegg a few months ago, but it doesn't look like they carry it anymore...but i would highly reccommend it if you can find one.

    you could try one of these...

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16823190006

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16823172006
  • scottscott Medina, Ohio Icrontian
    edited August 2005
    Thanks bothered !

    Are both the joysticks on that pad uni-directional or is one of them left-right and the other up-down ?


    Scott
  • scottscott Medina, Ohio Icrontian
    edited August 2005
    ryko

    what is the model # on your lite-on

    Scott
  • botheredbothered Manchester UK
    edited August 2005
    scott wrote:
    Thanks bothered !

    Are both the joysticks on that pad uni-directional or is one of them left-right and the other up-down ?


    Scott
    Both unidirectional and can be programed for any key or combination of keys.
  • rykoryko new york
    edited August 2005
    scott wrote:
    ryko

    what is the model # on your lite-on

    Scott

    model no.: SK-7551

    I should mention that, even though newegg listed my keyboard as a lite-on, the box nor keyboard doesn't have any lite-on logos or markings anywhere so it might not actually be a lite-on.

    In very small printing on the back of the keyboard it says, "Silitek Corporation +" so you may want to try searching for that. I will post a pic a little later...

    edit:// pics added!
  • scottscott Medina, Ohio Icrontian
    edited August 2005
    Thanks Guys !

    I think I am gonna try the Saitek gamepad.


    Scott
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