Ask Engadget HD: What's the best remote for Sony's PlayStation 3?
"I'm in the same boat as so many others: I have a PlayStation 3 and would like a universal remote. I know I can get a Bluetooth remote to just handle the PS3, so I guess that's an option, but I would love to find one with Bluetooth and IR / RF to control multiple components. What's my best option here?"
We'd also like to ask if anyone has any experience with the IR2BT Infrared-to-Bluetooth converter, though a sufficiently equipped BT / IR / RF remote would obviously be ideal. Let it rip, PS3 owners!
Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
DEEZNUTZ @ Oct 8th 2008 12:13PM
No magic solution yet. I have the PS3 BD remote so I deal with two remotes at the moment (Harmony).
As tempting as the IR2BT solution is, I am reluctant to spend another $50+ just to get IR support. Instead, I am waiting for SONY to include HDMI-CEC (Bravia Theatre-Sync) in the PS3 via a firmware upgrade, which has been rumored to be in the pipeline. This would allow me to control playback on the PS3 via my TV or my receiver, which both support HDMI-CEC.
Only works if your TV or receiver also support HDMI-CEC, so it's not a solution for everyone.
Damn sony, such a simple detail they assumed would be overlooked. It's the small stuff most people sweat.
PS3user @ Oct 8th 2008 12:23PM
I currently use the IR2BT with a Harmony 880 remote. It works flawlessly! Although, however, the early batches had to be reflashed with new software once the in game XMB PS3 update hit. (had to send it back to IR2BT) Hope it doesn't happen again. Overall, very satisfied with the product.
Brad @ Oct 8th 2008 12:25PM
I picked up a $10 Nyko Blu-Wave remote from EB's clearance rack. Plugged in the USB dongle and programmed my Harmony remote to do all the heavy lifting.
Works perfectly. My only grip is that the USB dongle always takes up controller #1, so I need to manually reconfigure my PS3 controller when I decide to actually play some games.
Brad @ Oct 8th 2008 12:31PM
Hmm.. My comment got wiped out... (?)
I just spent ten bucks on a Nyko Blu-Wave that I found on EB's clearance rack. Works great!
Brad @ Oct 8th 2008 12:32PM
Oh wait.. there's my original comment.
I fail.
Bruzer @ Oct 8th 2008 12:38PM
I have the IR2BT with the MX700 and it's perfect. No issues. Have it plugged in using a mini-USB power plug from an old phone.
Mark @ Oct 8th 2008 12:41PM
I have the Harmony One remote and the IR2BT converter and it is wonderful. However, you will be lucky if you can get an IR2BT because they sell out in about an hour after more stock is added. They should be getting some more in over the next month as they have finished the upgrade process for older customers. There is also the PS3IR-PRO which i have not tried.
Aaron @ Oct 8th 2008 12:45PM
Not sure what the big deal is.
I have the cheapo little IR remote from some nockoff that has the ir/usb stick.
I then programed my harmony. The ONLY thing I can not do is TURN ON the ps3. Does that suck, somewhat, but since I generally leave the ps3 on, its not that big a deal.
Is all the fuss I keep seeing about the ps3 remotes all because of a missing "ps3" button?
Ryan @ Oct 8th 2008 12:52PM
Why can't Logitech (or Sony?!) just make a remote that supports the PS3s Bluetooth? I love the fact that I don't need line of sight to control my PS3 and I just can't see giving that up for a remote that should include it. Somebody should realize that, as of now, the PS3 is the best selling blu-ray player out there and make a universal remote that supports it. I just can't see spending up to $300 for a remote that cripples functionality that I already have.
andyg8180 @ Oct 8th 2008 2:39PM
The REAL question is why didnt sony put in an RF or IR piece in something they boast as "The best bluray player on the market"
If i have a home theater, i have one remote for all my remotes... Not one remote for all my remotes aaaaaand a PS3 controller... gay hay hay
Prey521 @ Oct 8th 2008 3:08PM
Are you kidding? Why should any company go out of its way to support 1 stinking component when 99.9 percent of the rest of the market either uses ir or rf? Sony dropped the ball BIG on that one.
Mciahel Brown @ Oct 8th 2008 1:08PM
I use the Mad Catz 3-port HDMI switcher. It comes with an IR remote for controlling playback, which I programmed my harmony to emulate.
It works pretty good, the only problem is it cant do power on/off and it occupies controller slot #1, so some games that are programmed to respond to controller 1 only (like mgs4) require resetting the controller number.
PeteCE @ Oct 8th 2008 1:17PM
While many hate the Bluetooth remote; I love it. The reason? I punched a hole in my bedroom wall, and ran a set of component cables out to the living room TV. The Bluetooth remote then means that no line-of-sight is necessary, and I can use the single remote to control my PS3 regardless of what TV I have it to output to. 1 Blu-Ray player, 2 TV’s. It’s a beautiful thing.
Michel Cochegrus @ Oct 8th 2008 3:03PM
I actually like Bluetooth remotes, you don't actually have to point at the tv or ps3 to be able to control, I'm actually hpoing for a bluetooth to IF for the TV, not for the PS3
eric f. @ Oct 8th 2008 1:23PM
Nyko Blu-Wave + my Harmony 880. I can't turn off the PS3, but I can at least eject the disk by remote.
fatpants @ Oct 8th 2008 2:35PM
I've never understood the point of using eject from the remote. You're still going to need to get up and take it out of the machine.
Cheesehead Dave @ Oct 8th 2008 4:19PM
Actually, with one of the recent firmware updates, a "Shutdown System" option was added to the XMB.
Still can't turn *on* the system though, but if I'm popping in a movie anyway, it'll already be on.
/Also is annoyed by it taking up the controller 1 position.
Cheesehead Dave @ Oct 8th 2008 4:22PM
Actually, with one of the recent firmware updates, a "Shutdown System" option was added to the XMB.
Still can't turn *on* the system though, but if I'm popping in a movie anyway, it'll already be on.
/Also is annoyed by it taking up the controller 1 position.
Michael @ Oct 8th 2008 1:29PM
I use the Logitech Harmony "for Xbox 360" remote and the PS3IRX1 from Schmartstuff.com. It's not the best solution in the world, but it works for me for now. It's cheaper than the IR2BT product, but not by much and doesn't allow you to use every feature. They have a full feature solution like BT2IR that I have not tried that is $100 (vs the $55 for IR2BT). The good thing about it is that it's not always sold out like it's competitor.
Michael @ Oct 8th 2008 1:30PM
er... that BT2IR was really supposed to be IR2BT, but I'm sure you guys figured out what I meant.
Mack @ Oct 8th 2008 1:46PM
I have a total of 6 remotes on the coffee table, one of which is the PS3 remote. Works fine enough for me. Don't want to spend any more money than I have to. Plus it's great exercise doing the remote control shuffle. Works out your arms and legs (getting up from the couch) and hand-eye coordination trying to figure out which remote goes with which component.
JBDragon @ Oct 9th 2008 11:13PM
I used to be the same way. Had a pile of remotes and did the whole move from one remote to the next. It was a pain, and I could never find a Universal remote that really was Universal and could replace everything so I kept on playing the remote game. Then the Xbox 360 came out and along with that, the Harmony 360 Remote. I got it, got it set up, and said WOW. Never looked back. When the battery's died on me and I didn't have any replacement battery's at home, I was at a loss and had to dig out all my remotes and figure out how the hell I was doing everything before. After that hell experience, I got a bunch of replacement battery's so would never have to go though that hell again. Then one of the main buttons started going bad and finally failed on it, so I replaced with with a Harmony 1000. It's even better amd it's Rechargable.
Guess what, No Blue-Tooth support, and yet I have no need to point the Remote at the TV or anything else as It's setup to use RF on all my hardware!!! If Blue Tooth was so great to control devices, how come no company is using it including SONY, other then the PS3? Why isn't Sony using it for their TV's? Receivers?, other Blu-Ray players??? The PS3 is advertised as this great Blu-Ray player, and yet Sony was to cheap to add a $1 IR port to it. MS got it right this time and Sony dropped the ball. In fact that's one reason I haven't gotten a PS3 yet, I'm hoping a PS3 Slim comes out and it has a IR port built-In. To me it just seems silly of Sony to not include a IR port. I refuse the whole 2 remote thing. I'm done with that garbage, and I'm sure not going to spend $50 for the always out of stock IR2BT adapter, or spend $10 for a USB solution that doesn't power on the unit. No thanks, I'll wait.
helicine @ Oct 8th 2008 1:59PM
I use the PS3 remote. My biggest gripe is randomly finding the PS3 unintentionally powered on because someone (or the cat) accidentally bumped the PS3 button. Outside of that, I love it. I was concerned about battery life, but I got a year out of the pair that came with it.
redman042 @ Oct 8th 2008 1:59PM
Nyko + Monster AVL 300 Harmony Remote in my custom projection home theater. Works like a charm. This allowed me to use a PS3 as my Blu Ray player in a very dark room where the standard non-backlit PS3 remote just wouldn't cut it. Only a few downsides: the Nyko can't turn the PS3 on or off; and I have a problem where cursoring left/right on the Monster causes multiple clicks to be read on the PS3. I'm sure if I muck around with timings on the Harmony, I could fix it.
Chad @ Oct 8th 2008 2:22PM
The PS3IR-PRO by Smartstuff looks like the perfect solution until you see it's $100.00 If that doesn't scare you off you can actually order it (as opposed to IR2BT which is perpetually sold out)
http://www.schmartstuff.com/ps3irpr3.html
Haven't tried it myself but I've researched extensively and this was the best solution I found.
Andy @ Oct 8th 2008 3:41PM
I've got the schmartsolutions IR to bluetooth converter. It works great right out of the box, plus it is easily firmware upgradeable in case Sony switches anything around (as they are prone to do!). Have a Universal Remote Control MX810 sending an RF singal to an IR blaster to the PS3IR PRO to the PS3. Works great, everything is neatly out of sight.
Kevin G @ Oct 8th 2008 2:43PM
i thought this was engadget? are you all really using logitech harmony remotes????
seriously? come on people! you don't have to spend a lot to get a remote that's 1000% better than harmony. it's not a question of price, it's a question of whether you need an online "wizard" to program it. i would think the readers here would be more than capable of this, and would understand the horrific weakness embodied by the harmonies... in the consumer AV world, harmonies are a joke. period.
look at the URC RF30:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880120003&nm_mc=OTC-C173T&cm_mmc=OTC-C173T-_-Digital+Media+Remote-_-Universal+Remote+Control-_-80120003
$70 gets you a much more capable platform, which can then be paired with an MRF100 for another $50 if you'd like to locate ALL your gear in another room, not just the PS3.
i was confused when i read the line "That dreaded Bluetooth control protocol cuts out the vast majority of remotes from consideration". that's crazy talk. also, someone mentioned that sony "overlooked" the IR sensor. i laughed out loud. how many bluetooth remotes has sony sold, and how much more profit is there in accessories than components? helloooo....
full disclosure: i'm a custom installer who routinely installs $1k+ control solutions, so i may be a tad biased, but again, the URC i mentioned is cheap, much more customizable and easier to use than any harmony. harmony = the bose of the control industry.
DEEZNUTZ @ Oct 8th 2008 3:46PM
Really? A joke? Look at how popular harmony remotes are... because they work, they are easy to program online. (you don't need an overpriced custom installer like you to come in, charge $100 just to add a VCR to the remote using a proprietary software not available to the consumer directly)
I have thrown everything at my harmony to see what it does and does not support... still has yet to disappoint.
Seems like your ego is the joke pal. As prey said, get over yourself.
Chad @ Oct 8th 2008 3:57PM
I'm confused.......Did you mean to post that comment in AVForums cause that's where it belongs. While I agree the Harmony series of remotes is not a commercial grade device it is perfect for the person who can't afford to pay someone hundreds of dollars to program every time they want to make a change. The Universal remote you linked to is very capable but would fail the consumer ooO...aah test. It's perfect for the boardroom but the lack of a color screen would likely get a pass by most consumers. Logitech knows what the majority of people want and packages accordingly. We just happen to not be part of the "majority" on this one.
rothgar @ Oct 8th 2008 8:06PM
That it terribly ugly!!
it has a wife factor of about -200.
I am all about function over form but I got my harmony 550 for $60 and it was easy enough to set it up with everything including my modded xbox (with remote ir sensor for turning it on).
It even works perfectly with my MythTV.
Michael @ Oct 9th 2008 3:20AM
Serious question for you regarding your comment:
My favorite feature of (and reason I have) the Harmony remote is the one press "activity" button that turned on and set everything I use for that particular activity (I'm sure you know what it is, but for other readers: i.e. - I press "Play Blu-ray" and my TV turns on and is set to the input, my receiver is turned on and set to the input, and my PS3 is... well, already on.)
Does that remote you linked to above have a similar function?
This function is what really sold my wife on the remote. "You mean, I don't have to learn how to use all this stuff you set up? All I have to do it say, 'Watch Movie' and it does it for me? You may get one!"
Prey521 @ Oct 8th 2008 3:14PM
Seriously, get over yourself dude. The Harmony series may not be the best universal remote out there, but you name me an easier to program and better selling remote? Harmony's are great no matter how high in the air you have your nose.
Brad G. @ Oct 8th 2008 3:36PM
+1 for IR2BT
I use the IR2BT solution with my MX850 and it's flawless...I absolutely love it. Well worth the price. In fact, I've yet to purchase a game for my PS3, it's sole purpose is to play Blu-Ray and act as a media center in my dedicated home theater. I'm happy with my set up.
Ryan @ Oct 8th 2008 3:57PM
PS3 Bluetooth, and that's it. Though oddly (and intermittently) enough, when I switch over to the "Watch DVD" function on my Harmony (870), the PS3 powers on...
mikejonas @ Oct 8th 2008 4:11PM
Chalk me up in the "Nyko Blu-Wave + Harmony" column. Powering up the PS3 is a hassle, but other than that, it does the job.
Note that you CAN turn off the PS3 with this solution: There's a "turn off console" option on the XMB nowadays.
mlwarren0 @ Oct 8th 2008 4:14PM
I use the schmartstuff PS3IR-PRO with the Logitech Harmony 670. It works better than the IR2BT because it has a built in macro for the PS3 off sequence so I don't have to continually hold the remote pointed at the PS3 until it shuts off and it can be updated. I was one of the early adopters that got bitten when Sony changed the off sequence with the IR2BT.
IoHek @ Oct 8th 2008 4:23PM
I also use the Nyko Blu-Wave and Harmony but do have this annoying problem of the dongle becoming overloaded, as if it was receiving many IR commands at once and it stops responding. I have to unplug it from the PS3 and plug it back in to get it to work. Anyone else experience this?
I've found the power issue to not be a big deal as the PS3 turns on when I insert a disk and I just make a habit of taking it out when I'm done and turning it off then, too. Or as mikejonas mentions, go to the XMB and use the "turn off console" command.
Wryker @ Oct 8th 2008 4:37PM
You can use the Nyko to turn off the PS3 - just use the XMB and click over to the left - you can turn it off there.
Kevin G @ Oct 8th 2008 4:45PM
you don't need a macro to turn off the PS3:
USBIRX3:
49D09
PRONTO HEX:
0000 0067 0000 0015 0060 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0030 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 0229
this has been working for quite some time, not sure if a recent firmware update has disabled it as i don't own a PS3, but haven't had any clients call me yet wondering why the PS3 won't shut off.
Patrick @ Oct 8th 2008 4:51PM
I use the Sixaxis. It cost me $0 extra. :)
Prey521 @ Oct 8th 2008 5:00PM
YAWN
Jared @ Oct 8th 2008 5:19PM
I have both the IR2BT and the Nyko. I had the Nyko first and switched the IR2BT after I read about it. This big difference is the Nyko only gives your remote the capabilities of the ps3 controller WITHOUT THE PS BUTTON. The IR2BT does EVERYTHING the sony remote does.
So if you want the perfect solution you must get the IR2BT i often forget it is even there. There is no question if you want a fully integrated solution using a ps3 in your home theater IR2BT is the way to go. My only gripe is it is a little slow running the macro to turn off the PS3. But that is because the PS3 has now shutdown command. You need to program the remote to hold the PS button for 1.4 sec and then down 4x up 1x then x x. I have been really happy with it.
Michael @ Oct 8th 2008 10:02PM
I HATE the place ment of the play stop and pause buttons who was the moron who decided to stack them? one above the other? and who was the even bigger idiot to put the stop button IN THE MIDDLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Im always pushing stop by accident when I mean to press pause or play
RemoteShoppe @ Oct 8th 2008 11:54PM
There are USB dongle solutions from Intec, EZRemote, Nyko and a small company called Schmartz. The Schmartz solution (PS3IRX1) is twice the price of the others but it is also the most reliable of them. The Nyko is a close second but if you plan on "teaching" the codes to your learning remote you may have problems because of the inconsistent IR strength.
I have both the IR2BT and Schmartz PS3IR-PRO and they both offer the same full control as the Sony BT remote. They are both IR to Bluetooth converters. The big difference between them is that the Schmartz is field upgradeable while the IR2BT but be sent back for firmware upgrades if Sony ever changes the BT profile as they did in the last update. The Schmartz PS3IRPro also has a IR mini-jack plug so you don't have to tape on an emitter in more advanced control systems.
Richie @ Oct 9th 2008 11:22AM
I am using the Schmartz PS3IRPro adapter. Then my control4 system is controlling it. Love it and it works like my PS2 does that has an IR port built in. Its really nice when all you want to do is watch a movie cause you just bring it up with Control4 and then shut it off.
PTzero @ Oct 9th 2008 2:06PM
I use the IR4PS3 + Harmony 880 combo. Some assembly is required for the IR4PS3 but it wasn't difficult at all and works perfectly.
Marc @ Oct 9th 2008 2:25PM
I have the PS3IRX1 from Schmartstuff.com. This thing works flawlessly with my Harmony 880 and it blends in with the front of the PS3 so you know even know its there. Just program the Harmony to the PS2 commands off of the logitech web site and your set.
Nash @ Oct 10th 2008 3:36PM
I'm using the IR2BT and a Harmony One. Works perfectly. I have the IR2BT plugged into my cable box USB port so it's always on. Great for BD playback as well as navigating the XMB and PS Store without having to grab my DS3. As far as the power off, I don't even use it because sometimes I like to start downloads and switch activities while the download is going. When I want to turn off the PS3, I have the INFO button assigned as the PS button and I turn it off like I would with the DS3. The sexy factor off the IR2BT + One is worth the money. No remote clutter on the table, and the girlfriend can watch TV without screwing up my stuff!
Erick @ Dec 1st 2008 12:28PM
I just bought a Sony Bravia KDL-40XBR6. Is it possible to use the remote to control my PS3? If not, will a simple firmware update on the PS3 allow this to happen? Thanks!
~e