[nofinator]

We do the same and it works well. We prefer a handheld keyboard/mouse to control it. We've tried several and the Lenovo N5902 [1] is our favorite by far.

It's also useful to have the Unified Remote server [2] running on the media computer so you can control it from your phone when you need to.

[1] https://www.newegg.com/p/09N-00A7-00001

[2] https://www.unifiedremote.com/

[NikolaNovak]

Thumbs up for the Lenovo keyboard/mouse combo. I preferred the trackball one, but the "trackpad"-y one works well too. It feels good in hand, it's nicely sized, fits easily in the drawer of nightstand table, and works well :).

(not sure if it's discontinued btw; I struggled to find it in Canada last few years; but there are seemingly-identical unbranded alternatives usually available on amazon, e.g. https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08H8LH7GP/ )

[ipcress_file]

I think they are discontinued.

I needed another one for work a while back and ended up buying one of these (at $15, not the current price): https://www.amazon.ca/Computer-Accessories-Wireless-Keyboard...

It's actually relatively good, but not as good as the N5902.

[electrotype]

How do those compare to a Rii?

https://www.amazon.ca/Rii-Wireless-Keyboard-Compatible-Raspb...

Of course it's not a real keyboard and mouse but it works fine.

I do use an universal remote most of the time though (Harmony 700), but I use the Rii when I exit Kodi and I'm back to my HTPC's Linux environment. The Rii is then enough to open a browser and YouTube, for example.

[rocmcd]

For anyone in the market for a remote, I have one of these[1] and it's pretty awesome. I'll have to check out the Lenovo as well.

[1] https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WJGSXT8

[ipcress_file]

I've been using these for close to a decade now. We have two. They're so good, but very hard to find now. When the time comes, I'll scavenge parts from both to keep one going.