Sonar X3b and Windows 8(x64)
I need a solution for a remote control from a record cabin.
Frontiers Alphatrack and Tranzport is no longer available with Windows 8 and 64-Bit. They did a great job in the past.
I need to have a remote-control with a small display witch shows the measure and tracknumber.
And I want to select different tracks for recording takes on different tracks.
I could not find any Controller which shows measure and tracknumber. And I could not find a controller which lets me choose the record track. (Frontier was the only one)
I'm considering just to use a laptop that duplicates the screen of the main audio computer, over a VNC-Server.
 
I'm surely not the only one with this problem.
Has anyone a stable resonable solution up to 300$ ?
I don't want to use a smartphone or iPad. This should be a stationary solution.
   
Greetings from Germany
 
 
 

nevemind, should have read further about no ipad or smart phone.  I use an ipad myself
 
 
 
 
JR

I use TeamViewer on a laptop to control the main computer in the control room. Works great. Here's the website: http://www.teamviewer.com/en/index.aspx

 I'm on Windows 8 x64 and I got my Frontier Design Transport to work using compatibility mode when installing. 
  I don't remember exactly how to do. I think when the install fails , W8 asks if it worked on an older OS. I think I chose Vista or XP and it installed and works fine.
  
 

Thank you.
The Frontiere Tranzport is running.
After Installation I got a message that the Windows version is wrong. It cannot install.
The compatibily mode has never worked in numerous trials .
   
But now I went into the Directory "c:\program files\TranZort.
Right-Click the file "tranzport64.inf" --->  "Install"
Now it works.
Problem solved.
 
 
 
 
 
 

How about just running another monitor via hdmi and use a wireless keyboard/mouse ?
 
According to this show, up to 30 feet of hdmi length should be ok..
http://youtu.be/acG1S0UnC-o
 
But the same can't be said about the wireless keyboard, you might have to get a USB cable extension to pull the keyboard receiver closer..
 
I'm thinking more like home / amateur studio point of view.

I will test it with a HDMI-monitor in a view weeks. Currently I have no monitor with HDMI connection to test it.
I'm happy that Frontier Tranzport and Alphatrack is runing in Windows 8 (x64) with a trick (right-click the *.inf --> install).
This has solved my problem.
 
I will still try to install an additional viewing-monitor for the future. With HDMI or VNC or teamviewer.
But for now I am satisfied with my old Tranzport.
Frontiere Tranzport is better than Keyboard or mouse.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Laptop with TeamViewer free on it. That's what I use.

A Korg USB Nanokontrol goes for $50 US, and is nice to have even when you're right at the monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Who needs mouse or keyboard noises on a vocal track? The rubber buttons on the Nano eliminate that and are just a better way to actuate Mute, Solo, Record Arm, and transport controls. Fits very easily on a music stand and doesn't use much real estate anywhere else either.

I have mine on three 10 foot USB extension cables, plus the included 5 footer, giving me transport, pan and fader control for 8 channels up to 35 feet from the DAW. The cable runs thru wall mounted half inch open brass screwhooks, so I can easily move it anywhere, including at the DAW and still keep the cable tidy and out of the way. (I use wall/ceiling hooks and carabiners for Mic and temporary cable routings as well, very handy! Keeps em off the floor, and I assume they last longer when clodhoppers aren't walking on them.)

I found programming the Nano problematic while using the 30 foot USB extension cable, so I left the long cable in place, unplugged the Nano and jacked it directly into the computer for setup. Normal operation works fine on the extension cable.

With a second monitor and a Nano, the OPs issue would be fully resolved.

I also pipe a secondary/supporting DAW's HDMI out to a 65 inch LCD TV in the playback/rehearsal room, under flown 250 watt stage monitors, using a 30 foot under floor HDMI cable, no issues

Being a listening area, as opposed to being used for mixdown/mastering, I'm able to use lesser quality audio chain components. Multiple DAWs throughout the facility feed HDMI to this area, and audio is obtained thru both RCA effect send outs on the LCD unit, as well as discrete underfloor balanced cable home runs. These all, plus separate DVD and BlueRay players feed a consumer grade 16x4x2 mixer w onboard effects, dedicated GEQ, and the power amps. Rehearsal with any recorded video or audio, or even near realtime collaboration via Skype is a snap.

I can feed both audio and video in the reverse direction as well, to the 3 tracking/mixdown/mastering rooms, but at this point the consumer grade components in the rehearsal room become a liability.

For remote DAW control in this case, I use wireless mice. Up to 40' range, and I walk to the DAW console if typing is required. All my DAWs handle multiple simultaneaus mice, wired and wireless, without issue. I'm going to attempt adding wireless keyboards to the mix, but there are two modes of potential problems, distance and keyboard conflict.

Will update when possible.