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Posts with tag RemoteControl

Remote Buddy exemplifies the need for a universal remote

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 26th 2008 at 4:14AM


Pictured above, dear readers, is all the proof you need that a universal remote really is the best option if you have 4+ units that you use on a regular basis. This borderline-comical storage unit has enough room for four of your favorite clickers and one ice cold beverage, but oddly enough, there's no basket for holding your day-old tater tots or marginally stale Fritos. Still, it does boast a built-in panel that will automatically buzz a lost remote in case you misplace it, which totally makes up for any other oversights in design. Of course, we'd recommend putting the $59.98 that this costs towards a decent universal remote, but at least this piece is less embarrassing than the infamous Remote Wrangler.

[Thanks, Juergen]

ESPN Ultimate Remote gets reviewed, panned

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 19th 2008 at 8:01AM


Apparently we aren't the only ones miffed by the WiFi-enabled ESPN Ultimate Remote. After peeling this thing out of its dumbbell-esque packaging, critics over at PC Magazine were simply unimpressed from the get-go. For starters, this thing actually belts out the network's theme song when you turn it on. If that's not reason enough to hold tight to your three Benjamins, you should also know that it "didn't execute any of its fancy web tricks gracefully," and setup was anything but simple. It gets worse. Reviewers stated that it was uncomfortable to hold, the buttons were too tightly packed and you're not able to send / receive emails from just any email address. If you really need more convincing that this thing probably isn't a good buy (particularly with all those other alternatives out there), check out the full review in the read link.

[Via ZatzNotFunny]

RF4CE Consortium aims to develop RF standard for entertainment control

by Darren Murph, posted Jun 13th 2008 at 7:40AM

Whittling down the amount of remotes in one's living room has long since been a challenge for the amateur home theater builder, and while there are some decent universal solutions on the market, the RF4CE Consortium is hoping to make things painfully simple. The group has been formed in order to "drive the adoption of an open radio frequency (RF) entertainment control specification based on IEEE 802.15.4." If you'll recall, this isn't the first time we've heard that standard called, as it's also used in MaxStream's XBee Xtender. Notably, Freescale is hoping to incorporate its Synkro technology into the specification, and in an ideal world, we'd see said protocol filter into DVD players, AV receivers, set-top-boxes and all manners of components. Let the IR-to-RF transition begin, we say.

Read - Sony's RF4CE Consortium release
Read - Freescale's RF4CE Consortium release

AMEX offers up RM-mp1 media center remote

by Darren Murph, posted May 23rd 2008 at 8:23AM


Though we'd certainly like to see a few hands-on shots of this beauty just to quiet that annoying doubter in the rear of our mind that this is merely a concept, AMEX's RM-mp1 is reportedly the real deal. Said remote features wireless USB, support for Windows Media Center, a built-in touchpad / laser pointer and a black or white motif. Beyond that, details are admittedly scant, but we'll certainly be crossing our fingers that this mystical device crosses the waters to America in short order.

Conceptual remote could slip right into Bang & Olufsen's lineup

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 27th 2008 at 2:57PM


Although we're seriously concerned that this concept wouldn't play nice with our current stack of components, we're still willing to let it into our hearts based on beauty / design alone. Dreamed up by Joris van Gelder, this wannabe Bang & Olufsen remote simply stays put on one's table and controls volume by being lifted up or down and manages channels by sensing when someone flicks their fingers up / down in the middle. Honestly, we can't see this thing gaining traction in all but the art deco sect, but be sure and check out the demonstration video in the read link below before passing judgment.

[Via textually]

Nintendo launches TV Guide Channel in Japan, enables Wiimote to control TV

by Darren Murph, posted Mar 4th 2008 at 11:05AM


For Wii owners not located in Japan, get ready to weep. Why? Because users in the aforementioned nation now have access to an incredibly fascinating new channel and you, well, don't. Details on the TV Guide Channel are still a bit fuzzy (read: lost in machine translation), but based on what we've pieced together, users can surf through shows on the EPG, share their favorites with friends, see how popular a program is (using demographic data, too) and even receive an e-mail / SMS alert 30 minutes prior to a flagged show's start time. Best of all, however, is the ability to use your Wiimote as a television remote. You heard right -- owners can use their Wii controller (via the sensor bar) to dictate volume, switch channels and flip back and forth between their shows and the TV Guide Channel. Now, how long must the rest of the free world wait? Check out the gallery over on Classic for a few more looks at what you're (probably) missing out on.

[Via NintendoWiiFanboy]

Continue reading Nintendo launches TV Guide Channel in Japan, enables Wiimote to control TV

Universal's dual-use KP-900 wireless keypad / remote gets official

by Darren Murph, posted Feb 13th 2008 at 9:17AM


Remember that intriguing KP-900 that came our way courtesy of the FCC late last month? Turns out, this creature is getting all official on us today, with Universal proudly proclaiming that its newest IR / RF dual-use remote will be debuting at the Electronic House Expo in Orlando next month. The multifaceted gizmo is made to be retrofitted into any home that could use a wall-mounted home automation controller and a sophisticated home theater remote, and it should be hitting authorized dealer locations next month for $599. Not bad, not bad at all.

[Via Widescreen Review]

Russound intros RF / IR-capable RFR-E5 remote

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 6th 2008 at 12:04AM


Last we heard from Russound, it was teaming up with Lifeware to create the Viiv-compliant Media Console, but this CES, it's doing it up solo and introducing a svelte new remote. Beyond the slender design, high-resolution display and the mid-mounted clickwheel, the RFR-E5 manages to stand out even further by including support for both IR and RF. The two-way design enables it to act as a "true multiroom remote control," and it can also rely on IP / Zigbee RF to communicate with an ACA-E5 Multizone Controller. Furthermore, you'll find a rechargeable battery, white LED backlighting and a cradle complete with an Ethernet port for connecting to the firm's aforementioned ACA-E5. Sadly, Russound has yet to mention how costly this one will be, but it should be available through certified integrators in Q2.

Reboot your home theater remotely with PS Audio PowerPlay

by Erik Hanson, posted Dec 29th 2007 at 10:02PM

PS Audio PowerPlay web server screenshot
While the corporate IT world has long had access to remotely-controlled power for servers and data centers, it's pretty cutting-edge stuff for home theater, with PS Audio releasing the first line of Internet-connected power management devices. Ranging in price from $600 to $1,995 and scheduled to release in Spring 2008, the four products in the PowerPlay line differ in number of switchable and isolated plugs, but all offer a web interface to toggle power, schedule reboots, and monitor power quality. There is an RS-232 port for hardwired power control as well as IR blasters for turning devices back on after a reboot. Now you can reboot your TiVo without ever stepping foot in the house.

Universal Electronics' Nevo Q50 remote gets reviewed

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 20th 2007 at 10:12PM


Just over three years have passed since we first took a look at Universal Remote's NevoSL, but now the new and improved Nevo Q50 has been taken in by the folks over at Remote Shoppe and tested extensively. In short, the Q50 was widely regarded as a fantastic remote, with a beautiful design, well-constructed button layout and impressive programming feature set. Moreover, the improved battery life and "huge IR library" that's at your disposal sure helped matters, and the only real digs noted were its lack of a tilt-activated backlight, slightly subpar touchscreen resolution and the inability of the NevoStudioPro software to function with the older NevoSL. Of course, with a $699 price tag, this remote certainly isn't for everyone, but if you've been looking for some serious horsepower in a home controller, you owe it to yourself to hit the read link and take a gander.

Ricavision kicks out VAVE100 universal MCE / SideShow remote

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 1st 2007 at 9:57PM


Following up on the RICA 100 that Ricavision unveiled in May is the VAVE100, which doesn't deviate too far from its past siblings in the design department, but does offer up a 2.4-inch QVGA LCD, a shiny green MCE button and SideShow functionality. As we'd expect, this thing is a Class 1 (~50 meters promised) Bluetooth device with A2DP support, and it comes with its own docking station, a BT transceiver and a power charger. The remote enables users to control over 20 different components from up to 50-feet away via IR, and the buttons are backlit to keep you from fumbling around in the dark while trying to switch tracks. Unfortunately, you won't be using one of these to control your new gear (you are asking for new gear this year, right?) until next February, but you will save $25 by pre-ordering now for $274.

[Thanks, Ronald]

Philips' new Prestigo SR-M8015 remote control "tablet"

by Joshua Topolsky, posted Sep 10th 2007 at 5:16PM


Have you ever wanted to control things? Lots of things? How about everything? If you've been answering yes while psychotically nodding your head and smiling, you may like to know about the Philips Prestigo SR-M8015, the remote control with the crappy name and totally out-of-control footprint. The new addition to the company's Prestigo line is actually a large "tablet" remote, with a plethora of buttons at your two-handed disposal (including access to 15 separate devices), a color LCD screen in the center, and the totally antiquated / sexist "his and hers" option -- just in case you can't agree on any presets with your spouse / lover / good "buddy." Apparently the finish will go from drab, black plastic, to ultra-sexy chrome with "hot-stamped" detailing. No word on price or availability, but the SR-M8015 is expected in the next few months for around $150.

Buy Star Trek: TOS HD DVD and a Toshiba HD DVD player, get an uber-rare Phaser remote

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 6th 2007 at 10:55AM

If you somehow managed to hold off on picking up a Toshiba HD DVD player along with eight free titles, and you eat, sleep, and breathe Star Trek, we've got a feeling your resistance is futile. In an admittedly interesting promotional move, Toshiba has teamed with CBS to offer those who purchase Star Trek: The Original Series HD DVD box set and any Toshiba HD DVD player a "limited edition Star Trek Phaser remote" that will operate Tosh's HD DVD players. Regrettably, there's no mention as to how many of these things will actually be handed out, but if you're even remotely (ahem) interested, we'd be on the ball as soon as the set lands.

Bang & Olufsen shows off Beo 5 remote control

by Darren Murph, posted Sep 6th 2007 at 9:01AM

Shortly after blessing us with a sneak peek at its BeoVision 8, Bang & Olufsen is now showcasing its interestingly-designed Beo 5 remote control. This device seeks to dictate your AV system and dabble in home automation, and touts a "square glass display with soft touch keys, an aluminum ball with tactile keys and a volume wheel," and a simple charging base as well. Of course, it wouldn't be a B&O unit without a few fanciful extras, such as the adaptive backlight in the LCD, macro support, and an "intelligent" interface that "presents just the relevant menus and controls" on the display. Unsurprisingly, there's no word yet surrounding price or availability, but feel free to check out a few more shots of the Beo 5 in the gallery.

[Thanks, klaus]

Gallery: Bang & Olufsen shows off Beo 5 remote control

Remote Solution's RH60 touchscreen remote hits the FCC

by Donald Melanson, posted Apr 10th 2007 at 5:22PM

It looks like those looking for a little all-in-one control of their overwhelming electronics collection will soon have another option at their disposal courtesy of Remote Solution, with the company's RH60 touchscreen remote recently passing through the FCC's all-important hands. Looking as much like a PMP as a remote, the fully-programmable device boasts a decently-sized 3.9-inch LCD, with both IR and ZigBee wireless connectivity, along with 64MB of Flash storage and 64MB of SDRAM. At least some of that space appears to have already been put to good use by Remote Solution, with a version of Tetris coming pre-loaded on the remote, along with a basic memo app and an alarm clock. Of course, the FCC doesn't have much control over price, which means we'll have to wait a bit longer for any word on that, as well as any indication on exactly when it'll be available.




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