Is Windows 8 + Wiimote the perfect HTPC setup?

FuturDreamz

Spacemonaut
Member
Messages
740
Think about it. Windows 8 has a nice clean interface that is very touch-friendly, which makes it incredibly easy to use with a wii remote. It also is not locked down at all - it can do virtually ANYTHING your current pc can do (though you might prefer to only use the apps that are ported over to metro)

All you need is the driver, bluetooth, and a couple ir emitters. And maybe a wireless keyboard.


thoughts?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Tansformer Book Flip TP500LN
    CPU
    Intel i5-4210U
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce GT 840M
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" Touchscreen
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    1TB Hybrid
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000
darn. I was hoping that at least someone would be interested in this.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Tansformer Book Flip TP500LN
    CPU
    Intel i5-4210U
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce GT 840M
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" Touchscreen
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    1TB Hybrid
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000
What about Kinect? It's actually far superior; just I forgot about it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Tansformer Book Flip TP500LN
    CPU
    Intel i5-4210U
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce GT 840M
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" Touchscreen
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    1TB Hybrid
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000
You made the program?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Y520
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ
    Motherboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Memory
    4GB DDR4-2400
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 (2)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 5400 RPM
    Keyboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 Proteus Core
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Other Info
    PC:

    AMD Athlon X4 760K
    8GB DDR3-1866
    AMD Radeon RX 460
    Seagate 500 GB 7200 RPM
Wow! Too bad I don't have a Wii (or Wiimote) so I can test it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Y520
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ
    Motherboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Memory
    4GB DDR4-2400
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 (2)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 5400 RPM
    Keyboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 Proteus Core
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Other Info
    PC:

    AMD Athlon X4 760K
    8GB DDR3-1866
    AMD Radeon RX 460
    Seagate 500 GB 7200 RPM
Aww I sold my HTPC :(

But thank you! I've been asking for this for a while!

How well do the edge gestures work?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Tansformer Book Flip TP500LN
    CPU
    Intel i5-4210U
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce GT 840M
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" Touchscreen
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    1TB Hybrid
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000
Wow! Too bad I don't have a Wii (or Wiimote) so I can test it.
The only things you need is a Wii Remote and a Wireless Sensor Bar, I got both of those for under $45

Aww I sold my HTPC :(

But thank you! I've been asking for this for a while!

How well do the edge gestures work?
The edge guestures works very well! I have specifically programmed the app to handle these guestures well. It might be tricky to do it the first time but when you get it its flawless.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Now I really wish I had my HTPC! I was looking forward to doing this for a long time!

Does it work as a primary input? Or do you find yourself reaching for a mouse?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Tansformer Book Flip TP500LN
    CPU
    Intel i5-4210U
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce GT 840M
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" Touchscreen
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    1TB Hybrid
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000
Now I really wish I had my HTPC! I was looking forward to doing this for a long time!

Does it work as a primary input? Or do you find yourself reaching for a mouse?
Haha I'm sorry to come with these news now ^^
No it is very accurate and it is no problem sitting in the couch and navigate everything in the Metro interface. You might want to increase the size of the UI to see from a distance but I have provided a link on how to do that on the website. I plan to do a little tool to do it without going to the registry. But the app does not work with "high-DPI" settings on the desktop yet, so that might be trickier to navigate with the wiimote , but its doable. Just make sure to have a original Nintendo Wiimote, because the 3rd party ones may be less accurate in the IR readings.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Original original or original with motion plus?

And how well does it work in the web browser?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Tansformer Book Flip TP500LN
    CPU
    Intel i5-4210U
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 SDRAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce GT 840M
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" Touchscreen
    Screen Resolution
    1366 x 768
    Hard Drives
    1TB Hybrid
    Mouse
    Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000
Original original or original with motion plus?

And how well does it work in the web browser?

The app only work with original original for the time being. To be honest i didn't know there were any differences in pairing until I looked it up now. But I'll look into implementing both.

It is not heavily tested in the web browser but as far as I have tested it works as expected. Watching YouTube in the browser works well.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
This is interesting stuff, guys and/or gals. I have subscribed to this thread and I look in from time to time. I'm interested, but don't have the time to implement it yet. Good stuff! :thumb:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Original original or original with motion plus?

And how well does it work in the web browser?

The app only work with original original for the time being. To be honest i didn't know there were any differences in pairing until I looked it up now. But I'll look into implementing both.

It is not heavily tested in the web browser but as far as I have tested it works as expected. Watching YouTube in the browser works well.

I can report that Wii Motion Plus controls also work, it is just some newer model that will have difficulty pairing. Read how to identify if you have a newer Wii Remote and how to connect it with different software here New Nintendo Wii Remote Connection Issue

And regarding web browsing ive browsed around a bit and it seems to work without any trouble, its very convenient to scroll by dragging.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
I'm very interested by this thread.

I just built a windows 8 machine as an HTPC after using the Roku and Apple TV, both falling short in certain aspects the windows 8 machine wins at. the MAJOR downside of windows 8 is control of the interface, the force to use a mouse.

So, enter this thread. How do you use a wheel mouse action with the wii remote? Like, when in Hulu, I scroll down and the screen panes to the right. How do I mimic this action with the Wii Remote? Are there any videos with this in action?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
My solution is based on emulating a touch screen, which means with Windows 8 being made for touch screens, the only thing you need to do is to hold the A button on the Wiimote and drag it left or right or up or down to scroll anything on the screen, like you would dragging it with the finger. You can also do zoom and rotate guestures by holding the B button to add a second touch point/finger.

I might do a video on how it works when the application reaches a more final state. It's on its 9th beta for version 1.0 right now, but I keep adding features so it never reaches a stable release haha. Right now I'm working on implementing the ability to use the Wiimote and Nunchuk or Classic Controller to emulate an XBox 360 controller, so you can use it to control any game with xinput support (=almost all new games).

Please keep me informed how it all works for you if you decide to try it out :) If you are planning on buying a new Wiimote, try to get hold of an older Wiimote manufactured before November 2011 since newer ones are incompatible with Microsoft bluetooth drivers.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
That sounds very, very cool. My wii motes should be pretty old. Lemmie scan the thread for instructions on how to install this to my computer.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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