Logitech diNovo Mini
by Logitech
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List Price: Our Price: $109.00 You Save: $40.99 (27%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $68.00 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
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for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Logitech diNovo Mini
Customer Review: Excellent HTPC Control in the Palm of your Hand
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been using a PC in my Home Theatre System for over a year now, and it was frustrating to try and find an all in one device that would allow the kind of control an HTPC requires. I was using just an inexpensive Logitech Keyboard and mouse combo, which was bulky and required unsightly storage on my entertainement center. The problem with HTPC control is that items like the presentation pointers or accelerometer mice are fairly expensive and only solve the pointer issue, a keyboard is still needed for surfing video downloads. Gigantic million-buttoned universal remotes might run the Media Center in windows but one is stuck again when it comes to good keyboard control.
The DiNovo Mini solves all these problems in one flexible handheld device. I am tall and have large hands, while my girlfriend has small hands. I was concerned when I ordered a device like this that comfort and accurate control would be an issue for one or the other of us, but we can both use it with ease.
The dual mode which allows use of Windows Media Center is great for popping in DVDs and pausing while watching. Then we can flip the switch and use the mouse and keyboard controls to watch movies and videos online. Or switch out and look up actors on the internet. This device is just at home surfing the web as it is navigating Media Center.
It is also small enough that it finds a home with my remotes on the end table. Its design is elegant and stylish.
I Love this device.
There is only one negative. The touchpad can be extremely twitchy from time to time, file selection and button clicks can be a bear when the cursor blips to the far side of the screen for no apparent reason. I am unsure if this is a device issue, or a driver issue, but the touchpad will occasionally bind up and the cursor will freeze for a moment and then jump across the screen. But this is a minor annoyance that may go away with a few driver updates, and given all of the other plusses to this device I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for HTPC control in a compact device.
Good Work Logitech!
Customer Review: Perfect Home Theater PC Solution
Summary: 4 Stars
This device was the fourth solution I tried and I believe I will be sticking with the DiNovo mini for my Home Theater PC. My HTPC is located along with all my other media gear for the Living Room and Master Bedroom in a closet in the hallway with no line of sight connection to either room.
Prior to buying the DiNovo Mini I had several iterations of HTPC control.
First, I ran an active USB extension cable from my media closet to the living room wall fished down through the wall but being tethered to the wall behind the loveseat was suboptimal, also my toddler wanted to constantly pull and chew on the wire.
Next I tried a 2.4Ghz wireless RF keyboard with integrated touchpad which was not nearly responsive enough, constantly receiving interference from the phone, wifi and RF remote control systems I'm using.
Then I tried a Bluetooth separate keyboard/mouse which was not convenient for use on my couch and was quite large and troublesome to store in the living room.
After having the DiNovo Mini for a few weeks now I can easily say this is the best solution by far. You won't be typing 100 words per minute on one of these but for basic web navigation (IE: Netflix) and Windows Media Center, XBMC or PowerDVD manipulation for watching content from your HTPC this is a nearly ideal solution.
Some key factors for me that I love about the DiNovo Mini are :
Small enough to easily be stored on/around your couch/chair without being intrusive yet large enough to house easy to manipulate controls.
Bluetooth technology allows you interference free operation.
Built in rechargeable battery keeps the device functional without being a constant battery sink.
All in all I'd say even though it's a little pricey, this device fits the HTPC bill QUITE nicely if you're looking for a wireless windows environment controller. Especially considering many of us running HTPC's are often 500-5000$ into remote control solutions already and are still lacking a good HTPC wireless control solution.
Customer Review: Handy controller, but a little slow for games
Summary: 4 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
When I first pulled this product out of the box I wasn't so sure of it. The buttons looked small and close together. I thought that I was going to have problems typing with it. Luckily, that was not the case.
After a simple installation of the software, which also synch'd up with my G5 mouse, I was off and running. I am not a Media Center user. Most of my multimedia needs are met with Nero or various Adobe products. I must say though, with the ease of control of this device I may start using Media Center more. The diNovo Mini is very intuitive to any user who knows their way around a keyboard. Most of you typical buttons are where you would expect them.
I like the fact I can start Media Center with just a push of pre-programmed button. However, this button is also a gripe for me. When you are done with Media Center and you press the button again, I would have expected Media Center to close and XP to start up again. Instead the controller sent a shut down command to my PC. In order to close Media Center I had to use my mouse (minor annoyance).
The keyboard felt comfortable and is usable outside Media Center. I liked that I could relax in my chair type emails without being hunched over my desk.
The wireless connection works well. I used the USB transmitter they provided in order to get the best results. This worked fine while I was doing tasks like reading email. But for games I found the keyboard to be un-responsive at times. Several times I would have to hit the keypad more than once in order to get the keyboard to respond. And I know distance was not an issue because I was 3 feet away from the machine and had an unobstructed view of the transmitter.
All in all, this is a great little device. Especially for someone looking for a smaller alternative to a wireless keyboard.
Customer Review: Another decent performer
Summary: 3 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
There are a number of companies that you can always expect to deliver quality products... Logitech is one of them. Over the years, I have owned countless numbers of mice, keyboards, speakers, presentation pointers, webcams, and remote controls from Logitech. With their prices on par with other brands, why not go for products you know will last?
The diNovo Mini came at a right time. I was debating on how to set up my Media Center PC, and came across this. My jaw dropped and I got this one.
My first reaction when holding it in my hand was that it was beautiful, and lightweight. I can definitely see using this as the designers intended (i.e. controlling a media pc connected to a tv from a couch). I found the diNovo Mini very easy to use,
The only real complaints I have is that the keyboard takes a little getting used to since the layout is offset to the left to make room or the innovative d-pad/touchpad. I also wasn't pleased to find that my built-in bluetooth didn't find the Mini, but once I plugged the included bluetooth adapter into a USB slot everythimg installed by itself and it worked perfectly. From the reviews, some people seem to be having some success with their bluetooth. Perhaps its hit or miss?
The only other thing I would have liked to have seen more comprehensive PVR controls. Maybe version 2 would have make better use of the lip down cover which doesn't do anything but make the unused controller more sleek looking. A second screen that has basic PVR controls would be great. Hmmm...maybe a cross between the Harmony One and the diNovo Mini.
Overall, I think Logitech has done a decent job building the DiNovo Mini, but missed some of my admittedly high expectations. Perhaps it'll be updated in future revisions or updates? Keep up the good work Logitech!
Customer Review: It makes me sad, I wanted to love it.
Summary: 3 Stars
Well well, where to begin. I sat and druled over this thing for months. I waited untill the price was right then bought it. Had it for 5 days then returned it. From the pictures and in theory this should be the most amazing, perfect HTPC keyboard. Well Theory-Shmeory.
First impression. "wow the clam shell on this is a lot cheaper feeling than the pictures make you think" (as in made out of the type of plastic you see on thouse $1.99 cell phone face plate covers. Yeah really.
Second thing i noticed. Verry pretty lights, looks super high tech other than the clam shell cover. Beautiful really.
Pretty much down hill after that i am affraid. Connect it sit back on my couch and, hmm the mouse sure is not very easy to use, in fact I would say that from 6ft away on a 32"lcd it is not useable for anything but maybe double clicking a desktop icon. Maybe. Thats not a big deal for me really as I use event ghost and have hot keys for everything. as long as Hulu-Desktop and XBMC work well I am a happy camper. Well Disapointment again the arrow keys are hit and miss, all of them (it appears to be in the interfacing not the mechanics) well except for the down button which others have reviewed as does not work (I read these before i bought it and I thought to myself, man i wish people would stop writting negative reviews becasue they got a defective product. :)) well that changes when a large number of the prodcuts have the same defect.
To make a long story short, It just lacks fit and finish in every aspect. For the price point $150. MSRP that really is not OK, if it were $25 and sold at Ross I would understand, but its not.
I can cmopare this with several other wireless keyboards that i have owned or used and it is a complete bottom of the list failure. I am sure in the future they will figure it out (or some one else will) For now I have found the (to-date) best option in the form of the EFO HTPC keyboard mini keyboard/touch which works perfect and is way cheap, and looks like my blackberry.