Last year, we wrote about how to remotely control a computer using an Android device and related applications. However, there is not always a need for full access to the PC - most often at home we need to pause the movie, switch the song or start the program. At work moments, such a need may be managing a presentation and showing slides. This category is made up of programs that emulate PC input devices: mouse, keyboard, and gamepad.
In this article, we will try to look at several applications that can turn your smartphone or tablet into wireless keyboard, mouse and gamepad for the computer, as well as in the remote remote control media players and basic programs. Each of the considered utilities works in tandem with the server part, which is separately installed on the PC. For applications to work, the mobile device and PC must be in the same local network, Internet connection is not required.
Unified Remote
Let's start with perhaps the most popular application in this category - Unified Remote. This program, like most of the heroes of our review, is presented on Google Play in free and paid versions. But even in its basic functionality, it can easily replace a mouse and keyboard and offers the user several advanced options for managing popular programs and PCs. Moreover, all this application can do right out of the box, without additional manipulations and settings.
There are few settings in the server part of Unified Remote. Here you can set the connection port manually, allow receiving Bluetooth connections and enable password protection for the connection. The application itself does not stand out for its exquisite design, although it corresponds to the Material Design concept. The main attention was paid to the control modes, the so-called "remotes" (Remotes), which are conveniently grouped by the name of the PC program or the tasks of use. AT free version utilities, 18 consoles are available to the user. In addition to the mode for controlling the mouse and keyboard, the program contains its own full-screen Russian keyboard, separate blocks of multimedia, numeric and function keys.
Particularly interesting are the modes for managing some system settings and PC in general. For example, the user has access to the Start menu, all disk partitions (including system folders, Desktop, My Documents) and can easily open files or run any program on the computer using the built-in file manager. Unified Remote also allows you to launch the task manager with the ability to switch between active programs, remove tasks, and end processes. Well, in Power mode there are options for shutting down, restarting or sending the PC to sleep.
The paid version of the application (UAH 32) contains more than 40 additional control templates (including custom ones), support for voice commands, the ability to create widgets and quick actions. In addition, owners of smartphones with an IR port will be able to turn their device into a real universal remote control thanks to the support of IR and the corresponding control mode. Overall, the Unified Remote leaves a very good impression, and its functionality really impressive.
Max Remote
This utility offers a considerable number of ready-made remote control schemes. The application looks very ascetic, however, the interface is quite convenient, and all elements are easily accessible to the user. Max Remote features include mouse, slide, browser, computer power control. The application has ready-made templates for running some popular programs on a PC and provides command line. Each of the functions is accompanied by brief information about its purpose in Russian. The only thing that Max Remote lacks is full keyboard support, although there is a number pad and text transmission as an additional option.
A feature of the application is the emulation of various types of gamepads, including the most popular ones for game consoles. In the program settings, the user can associate buttons with controller actions and change the acceleration, accuracy, and refresh rate of the mouse cursor. The main advantage of Max Remote is the ability to easily create custom control schemes for any program and even your own gamepads. The disadvantages of the application include the lack of some types of controllers, such as Xbox, and full keyboard support.
There is also a paid version of Max Remote Full on Google Play, which promises no ads and no restrictions when creating custom control schemes. To tell the truth, the free version also does not contain any ads and unavailable features. In this case, the application looks like a very interesting option as a universal Wi-Fi remote control for PC.
PC Remote
The PC Remote program appeared on Google Play relatively recently. The application was originally developed for the platform Windows phone and that's where it became popular. On Android, the utility is in beta status and so far cannot boast of full functionality. At the moment, the program lacks several interesting options, such as the ability to view and transfer files from and to PC, create virtual wireless networks on a PC and connect a mobile device to it, create custom control schemes.
PC Remote allows you to connect to a computer via a Wi-Fi connection, provided that the client and server are on the same network. In the next updates, the developers plan to add the ability to connect via the Internet.
The control schemes in the application are divided into three categories, which are responsible for the basic input, system volume, computer power functions, control of Power Point presentation and audio, video players. As for the emulation of the main input devices, their implementation in the program turned out to be not entirely successful, sometimes inconvenient. The mouse mode is the touchpad and scroll area. There are no settings for sensitivity and cursor movement speed in the application. There is no keyboard as such, there is only a block of function keys and some frequently used combinations, such as "copy", "cut", "paste" and others. The typing process is carried out using system keyboard Android.
Despite the shortcomings in the form of a small number of supported control programs, the lack of multimedia keys and the ability to create your own schemes, the developers have added a remote desktop display function to the Android version of their application, which allows the user to fully control the computer. As a result, PC Remote looks a bit ridiculous - chaotically scattered functions with far from ideal implementation leave not the best impressions of the program.
Remote Mouse
As the name implies, Remote Mouse is an application for remote mouse control over a Wi-Fi connection. The description says that the utility offers full-featured mouse support, in fact it turned out that the program has much more features, however, you will have to pay for them. But first things first.
Remote Mouse is perhaps one of the few programs in this category that has a friendly and attractive interface, and the only one that allows the user to change the background image of the touchpad design. The mouse mode is combined with the touchpad and is implemented very well in the application. There are left, right and middle (wheel) buttons corresponding to the main actions of the manipulator. The default settings make it easy to control the cursor and perform more complex manipulations - select text, drag objects. However, the user can adjust the sensitivity, scroll speed, enable or disable certain mouse actions, and even swap the left and right buttons. The application also supports typing using the keyboard mobile device, computer power management and switching between running programs. All this is available to the user for free. Paid features can be purchased separately - these include a horizontal keyboard and touchpad, a remote control for the browser and multimedia keys with support for popular media players and PowerPoint presentations.
Remote Mouse cannot be called a multifunctional remote control for remote control of programs on a PC, but the application copes with its tasks perfectly. Of the minuses, it is worth highlighting the rather severe restrictions in the free version of the utility and the high final price (~120 UAH) when opening all paid functions. Moreover, the developers considered this insufficient and decided to add more advertising.
Ultimate Gamepad
The main and only function of Ultimate Gamepad is gamepad emulation: the application allows you to use any Android smartphone as a wireless game controller for PC. The screen of the program turns into a virtual gamepad with directional buttons, 4 main and 4 additional buttons. The app connects to your computer using Bluetooth or WiFi connections. The response to pressing is very fast, so you can comfortably play even racing simulators.
The utility settings allow you to associate the gamepad buttons with the keys on the keyboard, adjust the strength of their response and range. It is possible to connect multiple devices to one PC.
Of course, the Ultimate Gamepad will not be able to replace a full-fledged controller with its physical buttons and tactile sensations. Nevertheless, this option is quite possible to use, especially since the application is free and without ads. Of the shortcomings, it is worth noting the small size of the buttons, the presence of only one type of gamepad and the inability to create multiple profiles for different games.
Results
The choice of application mainly depends on the purpose of its use. To some extent, each of the considered applications can replace the keyboard or mouse (with the exception of Ultimate Gamepad). The developers of these utilities have tried to fill them as much as possible with all possible functions for remote control PC, while sometimes forgetting about the quality of their implementation and ease of use.
If you have not yet decided what exactly you want to control on your PC, but you need a universal remote control for all occasions, then the choice will be between Unified Remote and Max Remote. In its paid version, Unified Remote contains the largest number of ready-made control schemes for the most popular programs and other features for remote PC control. In addition, this is the only utility that contains a full-fledged full-screen keyboard with a Russian layout. In turn, Max Remote can control not only the mouse and keyboard, but also the gamepad, and also allows you to easily create custom remotes for any program.
Today we have on the agenda another computer remote control, slightly different in basic principles from the previously discussed models. There is nothing surprising in this - despite the fact that the idea itself was not born yesterday, and there are not so few implementations, this market still cannot be considered saturated. Moreover, it still cannot be considered too massive. As a result, as it usually happens, we are not even seeing competition between different products, but the use of different basic concepts, since all of them have their own consumers. Someone needs a semi-finished product that can be customized as you like, and even if such a setting is not always easy for an unprepared user, those who need this option know what they are getting into. And what they can get in the end too. These are, for example, kits from RedRay (which you can even buy as a real kit and assemble it yourself - a dream of a lover to solder and invent something) or IRLink receivers. Compatibility with a wide variety of consoles, powerful, flexibly customizable software included - in general, everything is in the hands of the user. If something goes wrong with the latter, then he himself is to blame. ;) But with a successful development of events, the result is able to exceed all expectations. The “guest from other worlds” from ATi looks completely different. Basically, RemoteWonder is a complete solution. Moreover, completely finished - the use of radio communication makes it a "thing in itself" - household appliances, as a rule, are designed for the IR range. Own driver provides basic functionality, and plug-ins are intended for players and other software. In general, the use of this remote control is somewhat simpler than in the case of the above developments, but there is less flexibility.
What is the GotView remote in this regard? Ideologically, development is closest to Remote Wonder: it is a complete solution. The kit includes a special remote control and a USB receiver, which, unlike the Canadian design, uses infrared communication rather than radio: this option is cheaper (in the case of a retail price, about twice, which is quite noticeable). But in terms of software, we generally have a “third way” - the company's specialists decided not to reinvent the wheel, but to rely on the standard HID driver of the operating system. Windows systems. The attractiveness of this option has grown precisely in recent times - if earlier even the simplest multimedia keyboards required special drivers, then in modern systems many functions are supported initially, and at a very good level. Of course, this somewhat reduces the possible scope of the remote control (“ Scorpio" Was generally independent of the OS, and the rest are capable of at least working with any version of Windows), but in some cases it is quite possible to go for it. The packaging of the remote indicates that it is compatible with Windows XP and Windows XP MCE, the site also indicates that it works with Windows 2000, although the latter is no longer so important: on this moment According to statistics, XP occupies about 80% of the market, and MCE is the best suited for home entertainment media centers (which is the name of the system), just because of the initially laid down focus on performing basic functions without a mouse and keyboard - namely from the remote control. Again, the remote control works fine with Windows XP x64 (although this is not officially announced), while many competitors have problems with this just because of the inoperability of specialized drivers. And with the fact that support for promising operating systems is still more important than outdated ones, I think no one will argue.
In general, the concept in a nutshell is expressed as “plug and play”. The user only needs to connect the receiver to a free USB port, and install two AAA batteries in the remote control, which are also included in the package. And that's it! No drivers, no mandatory settings - many functions are available immediately after connection. Of course, for the convenience of using the remote control in conjunction with various programs, it makes sense to configure these very programs, but this already applies specifically to convenience - theoretically, all operations can be performed in mouse emulation mode, and some system functions will always work without presetting. Thus, the remote is convenient for those users who simply want to perform multimedia-related tasks that arise before them on the computer. Enthusiasts should look for another solution, but they are still in the minority.
Now let's get acquainted with the device in more detail.
Receiver
There is no point in talking too much about it. Let me just say that in this case (which is clearly visible in the photographs), aesthetics was given far from the last importance. Unlike many domestic receivers, this “box” looks pretty good, so you don’t need to hide it from prying eyes. However, in fairness, the utilitarian nature of cases is often designed just for the fact that an enthusiastic user may want to solve the issue with the receiver case on their own, inventing something new and unusual, and GotView deprives us of such freedom, but these are already standard laws of dialectics - it is impossible to get everything at once. In the case when there is no “creative itch” for modding everything that comes to hand (and this is true for the vast majority of users), the receiver is more likely to like it than vice versa.
He does his job very well. Declared work at a distance of up to seven meters, which could not be verified - in the case of IR we are talking about line of sight (or almost direct), and such a piece free space I didn't have it in my room. But I liked the undemanding to the exact “aiming” of the remote control at the receiver. However, there is nothing super-outstanding in it - everything just works really the way it should work.
Remote controller
Above, I mentioned the ATi Remote Wonder for a reason - the remotes are quite similar. Of course, not one to one, but they have a lot in common. Apparently, first of all, this impression arises due to the presence of both there and there a special round “pad”, primarily designed to emulate a mouse: it immediately gives out that these are specialized remote controls for computers (in models oriented to household appliances of such no, but it is with them that other devices on the market work). Again - not too traditional for household appliances The case made of smooth silvery plastic makes these consoles related and distinguishes them from others. On the other hand, there are notable differences between the remotes. For example, Canadians preferred emulation of a mouse and keyboard at the same time, while GotView decided to introduce two modes of operation, switched by a special button. This approach is a little less transparent (when mastered), but allows you to more fully use the available buttons. In general, everything has positive and negative sides, so everyone must choose for himself - what is more important to him. But we will talk about the buttons in more detail a little later, but for now we will finish with the remote control itself as a whole. In general, it is very convenient :) Of course, the concept of convenience for everyone is different, but there are also general principles ergonomics, and they, just in this case, are observed. The shape itself is different from so many almost "straight" remotes for household appliances, so the device fits very comfortably in the hand. At the same time, the most frequently used buttons are easily reachable with the thumb, they themselves have well-chosen sizes (moderately large, moderately small) and are quite logically placed. In general, if this is not an ideal for remote control (since the ideal is generally unattainable), then it is close to it. A plus is also the rather low weight of the device (100 g), achieved not least by using only two AAA batteries, which the modern element base allows (for comparison, the first version of the Remote Wonder used four AAA batteries, and its modification three ; great amount remote controls for home appliances are powered by two AA batteries, each of which is exactly twice as heavy as AAA).
Working in mouse emulation mode
Everything is quite simple here - with the round button we control the cursor, the buttons located under it Back and OK perform the work of the left and right keys, respectively. Is it convenient to use it? It strongly depends on the program. Trying to do something useful on the standard desktop Windows desktop when using a conventional monitor and a resolution of 1280x1024 and higher, the task is extremely difficult and thankless. But in the case of programs originally optimized for full screen mode, low resolution and remote control everything is very cool. However, unfortunately, GotView does not supply its own universal software of such a plan, unlike, for example, IRLink. So running the normal version Windows mode you are unlikely to use mouse emulation actively enough. MCE is a completely different matter - the system itself is designed for such a logic of work, so there are no problems with it.
Working in keyboard emulation mode
Let's start first with the fact that it will work under regular Windows XP. Without additional settings not much. The round button now controls the cursor, Back emulates Backspace, OK- as expected, Enter, and the button next to it - Tab (very convenient when working with some dialog box). Of those located just below, the browser launch button works - such buttons have long become standard for multimedia keyboards and have gained support from the system itself. A priori, I expected that the volume and Mute buttons would behave in exactly the same way - like those located on multimedia keyboards, they would adjust the volume level in the system, but it turned out to be in vain. They control the "local" volume, which means that their use in a number of applications will require prior configuration. Player control buttons without configuration may or may not work - depending on the player itself: WMP is controlled with them normally, but WinAmp will have to be configured, since by default this application uses other hotkeys. The setup is quite simple, since all buttons in any case issue codes corresponding to keyboard keys when using modifiers. And of the eight application control buttons located on top under normal Windows, only two work - the button to turn off the computer and close the current application.
The situation changes significantly with using Windows XP Media Center Edition. As I said, each subsequent operating system Microsoft supported more virtual media keys (mapped to actual buttons on various HID devices, if available) than before. In the case of XP MCE, also specifically designed for remote control, this approach has reached its logical conclusion. It is not surprising that the GotView remote control, originally designed to work with standard OS tools, is deployed in full force under the control of this system. In particular, all eight function buttons located at the top, etc. start working. Actually, there is nothing surprising in this - if you look at the MS requirements for remotes designed to work with MCE and for the described device, it becomes clear that it was made just with the expectation of using it in this system. And by the set of buttons, and by the codes they generate.
What I didn't really like about the work is that the control can only be carried out by the foreground application. Other models of consoles, and keyboards too, using their own drivers, are able to send commands to inactive applications. However, when watching a video, you won’t be able to feel inconvenience about this, but in the case of other applications, it’s quite possible.
Use with TV tuners
Why did GotView even start producing multimedia remotes? Yes, in general, in many respects just because of the tuners, which the company has been dealing with for a long time and successfully. Again, the analogy with ATi Remote Wonder suggests itself, which is sold not only as a standalone product, but also as a set with All In Wonder family cards. In the same way, the described remote control is attached to latest model from GotView - USB2.0 DVD Deluxe. This tuner with USB interface is the best suited for use with the repeatedly mentioned Windows XP MCE due to support for hardware video encoding, and in general - is an extremely interesting model. But the remote control is also convenient to use with other tuners of the company, fortunately, which is quite natural, its software works with it without any settings at all. In general, it is quite possible to use this to your advantage, since older tuner models, for example, were equipped with somewhat less convenient remote controls.
Price
The average retail price of a remote control in Moscow, relevant at the time you read this article, is N/A(0).
Total
It's time to sum up. With them, everything is quite simple - the remote control has a lot of advantages, but there are also disadvantages, which are their direct continuation. On the one hand, it is very convenient that special drivers are not required for operation, so the remote control can simply be connected to a computer and used. On the other hand, own software is not always a disadvantage: in this case, you can control programs in the same way that use different combinations of “hot keys” to perform the same actions (which is possible when using profiles or if the application is “familiar” control program remote), and regardless of whether they are in the foreground or launched as background process. On the one hand, the remote control looks good and is very convenient, on the other hand, there are already too many remote controls in a modern house, so many computer users will not want to buy another one. In general, as always happens, you need to decide exactly what you want to get and what you can refuse. It can be argued that the the best way fit Windows users MCE, owners of GotView tuners and those for whom simplicity is more important than functionality. If you want to use an existing remote control from household equipment, or completely control the management of the computer, you will have to purchase something else. However, if this is not necessary, then the GotView remote will be very good choice, and at a very reasonable price.
But all these examples are reviews various models TV tuners, which until recently were the main and only specialization of the company in the Russian market.
GoTView surprised us a little today. AT model range The company has a device, albeit close to TV tuners (partly their assistant), but performing other functions - this is a multimedia USB remote control for controlling a computer.
What, why and how...
The idea of controlling a PC with a remote control has long attracted many who dream of beer, a sofa and an evening movie. The remote control for the computer is a kind of final brick in turning a soulless box into a home entertainment center.
The remote control would help to work at a distance with video viewers, with audio players, with the same TV tuners. Ultimately, this device should be the same integral part of the computer as the remote control of the music center, i.e. manage all the functions of the "machine" without getting up from the couch - here it is, the noble end goal! On multimedia applications, the functional use of the remote control should not end. It would be generally "chocolate" if this device would completely control all other programs - presentations, office applications, work with files. In the end - you give a comfortable job on the couch!
On the Internet on the "iron" forums you can find a lot of questions, answers and detailed instructions, about how to independently supply a PC with a remote control, and there are many alternative software for controlling such a thing.
For those who do not want to arrange a "Skillful Hands" circle at home, some of the manufacturers computer peripherals has long been producing ready-made solutions. But here's the problem - there are very few such offers, and finding something similar on sale is even more difficult.
That's it for those who have long been "in the know", but can not find a suitable remote control device, GoTView has prepared its own surprise. And this surprise is not an easy one. The fact is that, unlike the vast majority of its competitors (although, of course, there are only one, two, and counted ...), the GoTView remote control does not require any software and works as a keyboard and mouse emulator. So let's start looking...
Specifications
- Number of buttons: 41
- Connection interface: USB
- Operating range: not less than 7 m
- Dimensions: 187x55x32 mm
- Weight: 98 grams with batteries
Equipment
The remote control comes in a nice compact transparent plastic tube along with an external USB IR receiver, a pair of AAA batteries and a brief but concise instruction manual in Russian.
Here is such a simple simple kit.
Design and appearance
Geometry
The GoTView remote control has a very cunning ergonomic shape, thanks to which it sits in the hand like a glove, but ... This "but" concerns the length of the remote control. Without changing the position of the hand (without moving the remote control in a clamped palm), the thumb can easily reach absolutely all the buttons, with the exception of the eight buttons of the top two rows.
In order to comfortably work with them (especially with the top row), the remote control in your hand will still have to be moved. On the other hand, the same will happen with the remotes of any home audio / video equipment that have a large number of buttons, so for all the conveniences of the body geometry, call this feature lack of language does not turn.
Design
For the design in this case, you can safely put five points. Front appearance such a device as a universal remote control should have only one task - to harmoniously fit into any environment.
With this task, the remote control from GoTView copes perfectly. High-quality silvery plastic, gray buttons, white inscriptions - on the one hand neutral, on the other - elegant seasoned style. The only button that really stands out, and it should stand out, is the red Power button.
Button layout
The number of buttons on the remote from GoTView number 41 looks very, very impressive. This amount should definitely be enough to fully control the system. As with any good remote control, all the buttons of the new device are divided into groups and have different shapes for quick memorization. After a couple of days of using the remote, you will easily find most of the buttons on the remote without looking at it.
When you hold the remote in your hand, there is a round rubber four-way joystick right under your thumb, simulating either cursor keys or mouse cursor movement. Below it are three control keys (again, either the mouse or the Enter, Back buttons).
A little lower - a group of buttons for managing multimedia applications (Play, Stop and all that ...).
Even lower are the volume rockers and the large round button for calling the browser. Why it is so big is needed - it is not clear, but on the other hand, its location is remembered "with a bang"!
At the very bottom is a large group of fifteen buttons, ten of which are channel numbers (or tracks being played). But the other five - mute, record, shuffle, repeat and toggle (switching the mouse / keyboard operating modes), in my opinion, are not very well located. Toggle, as an important functional button for setting up the remote control, where it would be more logical to place it just instead of that hefty browser call button; and place the remaining four together, and not scattering them on different sides of the group. However, this is a personal opinion, and others have the right to disagree with me.
At the very top there is another group of eight buttons. They are responsible for calling any applications, and turning off the computer with the remote control. Each button has a corresponding picture, but keep in mind that this is just for ease of remembering, because. All buttons are customizable for any program.
A useful "chip" in the remote can be called a bright red LED, located directly above the joystick. This LED lights up every time you press any button on the remote control. Thus, the user is sure that he clicked.
I will not talk much about the IR receiver. Let me just say that GoTView decided to choose a completely desktop version of the receiver - a plastic case, slightly larger than a matchbox, modest round rubber feet.
The only thing that confuses is the too low weight of the device - it is possible that from time to time it will try to fly off the table.
Is it possible to put this "beast" for design and ergonomics "five"? Boldly! The remote control is comfortable to hold in your hand, it is convenient to press the keys with excellent feedback, and it's just nice to look at it!
I have an LCD TV connected as a second monitor to my computer. Watching a movie on it is quite convenient, but sometimes there is a need to rewind a little or pause. At first I used a radio keyboard, but as it turned out it was not very convenient due to its size and unstable signal from the sofa. Therefore, I decided to buy myself a remote control ...
Having walked through the surrounding shops, I did not find anything for myself (our town is small, the choice of goods in electronics stores is small). So I turned to online stores. Because I had no experience of online shopping abroad, I decided to order something cheaper (in case I didn’t come, so as not to be in a big flight). I climbed several sites, I didn’t find it cheaper than on gamesailor. So I bought this device there (as well as a little more little things for $ 20).
The parcel went for quite a long time, 40 days (and who came up with the idea of sending parcels to the Far East through Moscow ...). But still got to me safe and sound.
Everything was packed in a small but strong enough cardboard box full of sealant, all devices were wrapped in pimply polyethylene.
So, here is the console itself:
There was no packaging as such, just a plastic bag. Also in the bag was a manual for 1 page. 
A gasket was inserted into the battery compartment so that the battery would not be discharged while the device was not being used (it runs on 1 CR2025 battery, but for some reason it says 2 AAA in the manual).
The dimensions of the remote control are approximately 12 by 5 cm. However, you can evaluate the dimensions yourself in comparison with other remote controls that come to hand: 
Made from medium quality plastic. I think scratches will appear during operation.
The signal receiver has a wire about 60 cm long, which is very convenient, because. allows you to position it as you like. For example, there are receivers that do not have wires. They have to be connected to the front side of the system unit, and the number of USB ports on the front side is usually very limited. With our sample, this problem will not arise. We stick where we want, we arrange it as we want so that nothing interferes with the successful reception of the signal :)
We connect this miracle to the PC. Windows (XP) informs us about the discovery of a new device (HID keyboard). Everything worked fine, all buttons work. 4 multi-colored buttons need to be customized. In order for them to launch something, you need to specify in the properties of the shortcut of the desired program (the shortcut must be present on the desktop) in the line " quick call» combination Ctrl keys+Alt+ A(B,C,D) for each button respectively.
The reception quality is good, at least from 4 meters separating my computer from the sofa. On the seller's website, the reception distance is 8 meters. The manual says 18...
Declared Windows support 2000, CE, XP, MCE (Before I got acquainted with the manual, I didn't suspect such a thing :)), Vista. On the seven I think there will be no problems either.
For the sake of interest, I decided to check how the device behaves on a netbook with installed Linux. (Linux Mint 9 Rosinka). After connecting Linux, unlike the windows, he did not report anything, but the device worked. The truth is not quite the same as in Windows. For example, the “A” button (one of the customizable ones) displays some kind of context menu, it’s not clear why. The button to call the browser opens the explorer, the button "My PC" opens the choice of desktops. The “Power” button does not turn off the computer (although this is even good, otherwise when you watch a movie and press the “Power” machine instead of “Close”, a lot of obscene expressions immediately come to mind ...). The rest of the buttons seem to work as they should.
And now a fly in the ointment: a slightly inconvenient mouse control button, it works a little hard, and the sticker on the receiver has also peeled off. I didn't seem to find any more flaws.
In general - a good device for your money.
Home as an HTPC (for watching movies from the Internet), a broken, screenless netbook Asus Q200E with Windows8 was bought. The Ace Stream Player installed on it copes with its task perfectly, the only thing that was not convenient was to control this computer through wireless mouse(especially when the mouse functions are mainly pause/play and rewind/forward). The considered options for buying special remotes for controlling the HTPC did not suit me (for the price, and because this is another extra remote at home). It was decided to use the remote from the TV, for this ....
FLIRC was bought on the official website on sale for $12.95, shipping to Russia $6.9 - total $20 - about 1500 rubles at the exchange rate on the day of purchase. From UWB to Yekaterinburg, the parcel arrived in 20 days. The tracking number was first tracked on the USPS website, after crossing the border on the Russian Post website. In a small package there was only the device itself, and an order form. 
photo 1.
After unpacking. 
photo 2.
Preparation for work.
FLIRC is a universal programmable USB IR receiver designed to work with any remote control.
Since this is a USB device, before you start using it, you need to download from the official website (www.flirc.tv/downloads) and install drivers and software for its use and programming. 
fig.1
After installation, you must restart your computer.
After connecting the device to the computer, it is defined as several HID - compatible USB control devices, as well as a HID - keyboard. The device does not contain indicators of its operation (bulbs, etc.) 
fig.2
The first thing to do after connecting the device to the computer is to update its firmware (FirmWare) (because the new software does not work correctly with devices that are not of its version). To do this, run the FLIRC program (GUI) and through the menu "File" -> "Advanced" -> the button "Force FW Upgrade" - flash the device. 
Fig.3
Preparing for FLIRC programming. (I myself did not expect that it would not be so easy).
1. Replace the batteries with new (preferably high quality) batteries in the remote control that will be used to program the FLIRC.
2. Calculate all the buttons on the remote control that are NOT involved in controlling the TV when the HTPC is connected. (for example, my remote control's digital buttons are used to switch the channel even when the HTPC is connected). Only non-used remote control buttons can be programmed by FLIRC.
3. Wrap the FLIRC device with foil (food, aluminum in 2 layers), and short the tip of the foil to the metal part of the connector USB devices. (On the flirc.tv forum - it was recommended to turn off the lights (incandescent bulbs), instead of wrapping the device in foil)
photo 3.
For the fig? - I don’t know how it will be with you, but I lost two days until I understood this chip - the IR receiver in the FLIRC device is very sensitive and reacts to very weak signal(it picks up IR radiation almost from the palm of the hand, which makes it impossible to program it), and turning on the checkbox in the File -> Advanced settings -> Noise Canceler menu puts it into the insensitive blank mode. My remote control easily pierces a double layer of foil from a distance of 10-30 cm.
Programming (teaching commands) FLIRC.
The essence of programming is to record an IR signal from the remote control and associate a HID command with it (emulation of pressing a key on a PC keyboard). That is, in fact, FLIRC converts button presses on the remote control into keystrokes on the keyboard. Therefore, FLIRC can be programmed on one computer, and used on another, since the commands are recorded inside the device itself.
1. It is necessary to clear all commands that have been written to the device. Via FLIRC software (GUI) menu File -> Clear Configuration. 
fig.4
2. It is necessary to set the operating modes of the device, through the FLIRC software (GUI) menu File -> Advanced settings - uncheck the “Builtin Profiles” checkbox (needed only for MCE), in general, do as in Figure 3. 
fig.3
3.Command recording via FLIRC software (GUI).
3.1. On the keyboard, press Win + R, enter CMD.EXE, go to the folder cd “C:\Program Files (x86)\Flirc\”, execute the command “flirc_util.exe keys”
fig.5
The inscription “No Keys Found” should appear - if this inscription is not there, then repeat steps 1 and 2. And note that after “flirc_util“ you need to type .EXE
“No Keys Found” means that no commands have been written to the device memory and you can start recording them.
3.2. In the FLIRC (GUI) program, select "Full Keyboard" through the "Controllers" menu.
3.3.1. An image of the keyboard will appear on the screen, at the bottom there will be an inscription “Click a key to start recording”, 
fig.6
3.3.2. on the keyboard that appears on the screen, use the mouse to select the left “Ctrl”, left “Alt” and “1” buttons - the inscription “Press the button to be prepared with ‘lconrol+lalt+1’” will appear below 
fig.7
3.3.3 Point the remote control at the device and press the “1” button on the remote control, the inscription “Press the button to be prepared with ‘lconrol+lalt+1’” will disappear and “Recorded successfully” will appear. 
fig.8
We actually wrote the command into the device, when you press the “1” button on the remote control, the FLIRC device will send to the computer the simultaneous pressing of the keys on the keyboard left “Ctrl”, left “Alt” and “1”.
3.3.4. To check the recorded command, press the “1” button on the remote control, the left “Ctrl”, left “Alt” and “1” should be highlighted in green on the on-screen keyboard. 
fig.9
3.3.5. In the open in paragraph 3.1. window, repeat the “flirc_util.exe keys” command. 
fig.10
The screen will display the recorded command under "Index" - "0" will be "key" - "left_ctrl+left_alt+!".
3.4. If, when checking in paragraph 3.3.4, the left “Ctrl”, left “Alt” and “1” were not highlighted in green on the screen, then this means that instead of a command from the remote control, the device recorded thermal noise - this happens quite often, even despite to shield the device with foil. The recorded noise command must be deleted from the device by pressing the "Erase" button (or by the command "flirc_util.exe delete_index X" - where "X" is the index of the last recorded command.) 
fig.11
3.5. Repeating points 3.3.1. - 3.3.5. and going through all the unused buttons on the remote control to fully program the FLIRC device. I do not recommend using letter keys on the keyboard for keyboard shortcuts, because when switching the input language from "EN" to "RU" they will not work. Use numbers from 0 to 9 and function keys"F1-F12", in place with various key combinations "Ctrl, Alt, Shift"
Here is an example video of points 3.3.1-3.3.4
copy:
copy: h8x.ru/online/video262023.html
4. Writing a command through the flirc_util.exe software.
To control the mouse cursor on the screen from the TV remote control, you can also use the FLIRC device, for this we will use the special features of Windows.
4.1. Through the "Control Panel", go to the "Ease of Access Center" in "Make the mouse easier to work with" 
fig.12
Select "Pointer control settings", set the checkboxes and sliders (to the maximum), as in the following figure. 
fig.13
Click the "Apply" button and now you can control the mouse cursor using the numeric keypad by disabling the NumLock key.
4.2.Find nine (3x3) adjacent buttons on the remote control, they need to be programmed for keystrokes on the numeric keypad
4.3. On the keyboard, press Win + R, enter CMD.EXE, go to the cd folder “C:\Programm Files (x86)\Flirc\”
4.4. Execute the command “flirc_util.exe record_api 0 89”, and press the button on the remote control responsible for moving the mouse down-left. The team will be recorded. 
fig.14
4.5. Press this button on the remote control again, the mouse cursor should move down-left on the screen.
4.6. If the mouse cursor does not move, delete the last recorded command as in paragraph 3.4 and repeat paragraphs 4.4.-4.5 until you get the desired result. 
fig.15
4.7. In the command “flirc_util.exe record_api 0 89” - numbers from 89 to 97 - correspond to keys from 1 to 9 on the numeric keypad, code 93 corresponds to key 5 - that is, pressing the mouse button. Repeat steps 4.4. - 4.6. for all nine remote control buttons, respectively.
Setting up Ace Stream Player to work with the remote control.
Select hotkeys in the Ace Stream Player settings, and simply click the necessary buttons on the remote control. Restart Ace Stream Player.
Turning on the computer from the button on the remote control.
For the FLIRC device, the function of the wake-up button "WAKE" is declared, but for it to work, it is necessary that through Computer BIOS it was possible to enable the USB wake-up function, I used a netbook and I did not find such a function in it, that is, when falling asleep, the USB power is turned off and the FLIRC device simply does not work.
Conclusion.
To work in HTPC, the foil must be removed from the FLIRC device. Since no extra commands are written in the device, it will not respond to thermal noise.
Pros:
The device works and performs the declared functions.
Minuses:
There was no instruction in Russian (already fixed :)
Rewarding non-participants:
photo 4.
