Using my Media Controls on Keyboard

crapoo16 · 11-02-2008, 08:54 AM

Hi, hopefully this is enough information but I have an HP keyboard with media controls that came with my HP computer installed with XP Media Center. Anyways, theres buttons like Previous, Next, Play/Pause, Stop. They work when the iTunes window has focus, but not when any other window has the main focus, and I'd really like to be able to change songs without alt tabbing when i'm playing games or something. The buttons work when I'm full screen and using Windows Media Player but I just don't like the way Windows Media Player is, and I store all my music with iTunes since I have an iPod so its convenient for me.

Is there any way I can configure it to work?

linkinkampf19 · 11-02-2008, 10:36 AM

Are you using an HP computer as well atm? Most of the time there should be drivers installed for the keyboard. Otherwise, I would suggest looking them up on support.hp.com.

MrTroy · 11-02-2008, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linkinkampf19

Are you using an HP computer as well atm? Most of the time there should be drivers installed for the keyboard. Otherwise, I would suggest looking them up on support.hp.com.

I think he has the drivers otherwise those buttons would not work, there is actually a small program that starts when the computer starts that utilizes these "special" keyboard functions. They work well with Windows Media Player, like you said. And I believe that they were designed for use on WMP.

Unfortunately it sounds like you are stuck with having to have the iTunes window open to use those controls.

KT_ · 11-02-2008, 01:44 PM

I would return the keyboard and get a Logitech one. Logitech is a better brand for keyboards and mice. I have the MX5500 and I love it. The media buttons work no matter what window is in focus.

Anonymous D · 11-02-2008, 03:04 PM

I have a Logitech wireless mouse and keyboard with the buttons like that. Mine came with some software to set the buttons to certain cammands. But they dont work on anything except WMP unless its the main window. So I just use WMP so I dont have to alt tab it. Im sure you could set it up to work on Winamp or iTunes, but I am just used to WMP.

wanabedriver · 11-02-2008, 05:17 PM

Try look into 'global hotkeys'. I googled it, but it seems that the only ones for itunes are third party apps.

crapoo16 · 11-02-2008, 07:00 PM

Okay, I got the program iTuneskeys and its working for me, I can't use the media controls for my keyboard but I was still managed to find keys that I don't use during the game that I could set, so thanks for that wannabedriver.

11-02-2008, 08:54 AM	#1
crapoo16 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 129	Using my Media Controls on Keyboard Hi, hopefully this is enough information but I have an HP keyboard with media controls that came with my HP computer installed with XP Media Center. Anyways, theres buttons like Previous, Next, Play/Pause, Stop. They work when the iTunes window has focus, but not when any other window has the main focus, and I'd really like to be able to change songs without alt tabbing when i'm playing games or something. The buttons work when I'm full screen and using Windows Media Player but I just don't like the way Windows Media Player is, and I store all my music with iTunes since I have an iPod so its convenient for me. Is there any way I can configure it to work? Last edited by crapoo16; 11-02-2008 at 09:48 AM.

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11-02-2008, 10:36 AM	#2
linkinkampf19 God That Smelled Good Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 315	Are you using an HP computer as well atm? Most of the time there should be drivers installed for the keyboard. Otherwise, I would suggest looking them up on support.hp.com.

11-02-2008, 01:44 PM	#4
KT_ Not KT_ Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Arkansas Posts: 1,698	I would return the keyboard and get a Logitech one. Logitech is a better brand for keyboards and mice. I have the MX5500 and I love it. The media buttons work no matter what window is in focus.

11-02-2008, 03:04 PM	#5
Anonymous D FFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUU Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2,581	I have a Logitech wireless mouse and keyboard with the buttons like that. Mine came with some software to set the buttons to certain cammands. But they dont work on anything except WMP unless its the main window. So I just use WMP so I dont have to alt tab it. Im sure you could set it up to work on Winamp or iTunes, but I am just used to WMP.

11-02-2008, 05:17 PM	#6
wanabedriver Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 185	Try look into 'global hotkeys'. I googled it, but it seems that the only ones for itunes are third party apps.

11-02-2008, 07:00 PM	#7
crapoo16 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 129	Okay, I got the program iTuneskeys and its working for me, I can't use the media controls for my keyboard but I was still managed to find keys that I don't use during the game that I could set, so thanks for that wannabedriver.