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Media Center Bathroom Extender

What? A Media Center PC for the bathtub???
No, not really. What I have done is repurposed a Xbox controller w/ built in LCD as a second display and controller for the Media Center PC in my bedroom. This allows me to change songs, pause, change volume etc.. without leaving the bathroom. I use it while reading a book in the bathtub. I would not reccomend it for DVD or TV viewing as the screen is very small. I suppose it would suffice for TV programs where the image is not that important like a news program.

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15 Comments

Feel free to leave comments about my hack.

By tom, at 10:09 PM

Can you make it all work wirelessly with a Logitec Cordless Controller?

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=1581,CONTENTID=6110

By MOOKIE, at 9:58 AM

...Or any of the other wireless controllers???

By MOOKIE, at 9:59 AM

You could use the drivers I talk about with a wireless XBOX controller to control a Media Center PC, but you would not have the screen. Atleast in my configuration, that would defeat the purpose.

By tom, at 10:02 AM

Posted by beBoy

Hi, your entry described how you set up to control your XP MCE comp, but what did you do to the screen? How did you hook it up (I personally haven't seen that controller before so I'm curious how the plugs are like).

By Anonymous, at 2:50 PM

I am also interested in how you setup the screen?
how did windows detect it.. was there any trick?

please reply to rattler_at_nerdthings.com

By Anonymous, at 10:41 PM

You dont need any of that crap... If you have windows media center you most likely have a remote that came with your system. My remote that came with my ATI Radeon 9600 all in wonder works off a radio frequency so it works through walls. All you need to do is download a plugin for the audio program you use to change tracks.

By Anonymous, at 9:56 PM

How did you find the keyboard commands for Windows MCE? Are they posted somewhere? Trial and error? I'm looking to control MCE completely with a keyboard so I can program my learning remote with an IR keyboard to control MCE.

By Anonymous, at 12:49 PM

Same here, how is the screen sent over usb to the controller. What native resolution is the screen (320x200 or ...?).
Are there linux drivers that can handle this screen'ed controller?

By Anonymous, at 4:50 AM

where can you find this controler i think its not being made anymore cause noone has it

By Anonymous, at 7:02 PM

how do you put the joytokey file into the folder all it is writeing

By Anonymous, at 4:19 PM

hey, i modified my wireless controller to usb. it wrks perfectly with the latest release of xbcd.. so no cord cutting required. i just soldered the usb plug into the reciever. btw.. great idea.. i just need to find me a screen....

By Twiggy, at 9:14 AM

hi Tom just wondering if you know where i can find the controller iv looked a fair few places.... if you could point me in the right direction that would be great

By ToMMa, at 6:36 AM

iv been trying to hook the screen up as an extended desktop using an s video to rca adapter. Its not working, can u tell me how u set up the video. Email joe009876@Yahoo.com

By Anonymous, at 1:17 PM

What are the key board commands for Windows XP 2002?

By Anonymous, at 8:58 AM