Ricavision's Vista MCE SideShow remote does Bluetooth at 100-meters

Just one day after seeing the first "officially announced" SideShow remote for Vista Media Center Edition, out pops this slider from Ricavision. Their loquaciously named remote -- the Microsoft Windows Vista SideShow Media Center Remote Control -- is a confirmed IR and Class 1 Bluetooth device. That gives you a 100-meter (or so) operating radius when coupled with the included USB RC6 (IR) receiver and Class 1 Bluetooth receiver. Nice, however, what's most notable is that sweet, sweet 2.5-inch QVGA LCD display for Microsoft's promising SideShow technology; a bit of magicking that hooks the remote into a suite of Media Center "Gadgets" allowing you to extract and display information related to your media. In short, you'll have damn-near full control over your media center's TV recordings and schedules, music library, radio presets, and collection of pictures and video. Better yet, the remote works with any Gadget assigned through Vista's SideShow Control Panel like eMail, calendar, and RSS feeds just to name a few. Great, now add a touchscreen and hack that thing in half and we'll be able to carry it around in our pockets. Nevertheless, we'll have to give this, and other SideShow remotes a thorough hands-on at CES in January to see if they're worth the premium. Otherwise, you'll just be in suspense, wondering how to spend the $199 the MWVSMCRC will cost ya when hitting in April, 2007 -- that would just be mean. More product renderings after the break.

Read (not live until CES in January)

[Patrick @ Dec 21st 2006 9:40AM]

oooh...nice...I hope Logitech comes out with a Harmony remote with SideShow.

[John Miller @ Dec 21st 2006 9:40AM]

Microsoft keeps beating Apple to the punch on everything HTPC-wise these days. Last week a friend tried to convert me by showing me how his Mac Book had a Media Center-type interface and a remote. I had to deflate his helium-filled head with my HP laptop with XP Media Center Edition that's been out for YEARS.

All that aside, this gadget looks sweet! Can't wait for Vista to (finally) come out.

[Ken @ Dec 21st 2006 9:43AM]

Very nice design. I look at that remote and think "Microsoft", but in a good way :p

They did a good job hitting the Vista theme IMO

[Sean D. @ Dec 21st 2006 10:16AM]

Very cool, but it'd be cooler if this thing also had Skype-phone-like capabilities.

[The S @ Dec 21st 2006 9:48AM]

Hehe, why do you need a Zune when you can slap a hardrive on this thing?

[Matt @ Dec 21st 2006 10:16AM]

That remote would fit right in with the design of my apartments living room. (Futuristic style with tempered glass and brushed steel)

$150 would be the right price in stores. I bet there will be 10 or 20 similar devices coming out in the next couple weeks. Very nice looks compliment the great media center in Vista. Get ready for the next level of entertainment convergence.

[GioNYC @ Dec 21st 2006 10:17AM]

Very nice. But will the buttons light up like a cell phone when working the controls in a dark living room?

[Joel B. @ Dec 21st 2006 10:20AM]

I can't remember a time where I saw 6 positive comments about a Microsoft product in a row here on Engadget.

Yes, this thing looks beautiful! I can harely wait until the new Vista PCs start dropping in!

[everrette powell @ Dec 21st 2006 10:27AM]

for $200 dollars this thing better turn my oven on and off when i am at work hitting the botton

[Pip @ Dec 21st 2006 10:28AM]

That is one slick looking remote. Seriously.

[Dp462090 @ Dec 21st 2006 10:38AM]

I have too agree, infact that it maybe the coolest looking remote I've ever seen.

[Rick Lyon @ Dec 21st 2006 10:59AM]

Looks nice admittedly, hurts saying so. However, I do question the up, down, and side buttons as they seem that they will be difficult to use compared to a joystick or circular wheel.

And why have channel buttons the only ones marked with text labels? Rather odd.

[Michael @ Dec 21st 2006 11:13AM]

wasn't bluetooth to some xbox fanboys a bad idea when it came to remote controllers on some game console? sorry but i cant remember what the name of that bluetooth enabled system was...im sure others will be able to.

[Trojan @ Dec 21st 2006 7:34PM]

The difference Michael, is that this is an IR Remote, the Bluetooth is there to enable the Sideshow display, not for the remote functionality. It's a somewhat difficult to get data back to the remote, through the IR receiver on your PC.

[Ben Hobbs @ Dec 21st 2006 11:47AM]

Michael,

Did that bluettoth enabled controller look just like this one?, because at least here we can see a use for the bluetooth stuff (i.e 2-way controls, LCD display, interactivity etc...) whereas, bluetooth stuffed into a circa 1991 cd player remote doesn't really serve any purpose.

[Nash @ Dec 21st 2006 12:02PM]

Since the topic has been breached, I will once again beg for a bluetooth Harmony PS3 remote. Will this thing work the PS3, cause it sure is purty!

[Scott @ Dec 21st 2006 12:07PM]

So, Microsoft just made a remote that might work for the PS3.

[Shmoe @ Dec 21st 2006 12:39PM]

This is awesome. I hope the power button will turn on more than just an extender or Xbox 360 though. That's one problem with the first-gen remotes for MCE, you still had to use your other remotes to turn on other gadgets. If this doesn't, surely Harmony will come out with something similar, though hopefully as good looking.

[Robert Andrews @ Dec 21st 2006 4:01PM]

Wait Wait hold the door. For $199 maybe a lil less, u could get a great pocket pc, with wi fi, bluetooth, touchscreen, remote features, plus support for more?? Haven't you guys seen Rudeo Media Control, or anything? I have personally used them, and they are a great deal. I dunno, you can find cheap pocket pcs on ebay. I got a great one, and so I personally think you could the all in one, and people are ignoring that.

[3rdsun @ Dec 21st 2006 6:04PM]

who ever said the nav buttons need to be replaced by a circular/scroll wheel must be one bitter apple fanboy. BTW it's for Microsoft not by Microsoft

[Christian @ Dec 21st 2006 10:26PM]

I so hope this works for PS3 since I want a remote that can connect through almost everything I own.

[Dave @ Dec 22nd 2006 7:17AM]

This thing is sick. I, for one, don't think that $200 for this remote is bad at all. As presented, it wouldn't fit my needs because I need a remote with RF capability for multi-room use. Now if you can push the remote codes through BT to an IR blaster, we're good on that one. Also, one minor nit: because we watch mostly Tivo'd programs or DVDs, the transport controls are more important that the volume and channel up/down. I would swap those controls.

[doctorSpoc @ Dec 22nd 2006 10:05AM]

with Salling Clicker and a cell phone with bluetooth you have a nice bluetooth remote... especially with a smartphone you'll have a really nice interface too..

[Damir Vukovic @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:18AM]

NICE ONE.LIKE TO BUY ONE.WHEN???
I AM FROM LONDON
CAN I USED ON MY LAPTOP WITH HAOPPAUGE WIN TV-NOVA-T USB2 VISTA PREMIUM MEDIA CENTRE????

[aspiron @ May 13th 2007 8:49PM]

Soooooooooooooo.... I guess this isn't coming out?

[trevor @ Jul 10th 2007 4:31PM]

where and when can i buy one?????????????????????

[RONALD @ Oct 5th 2007 5:09AM]

The RICA100 with RC6/BT charging cradle will be available in January of 2008 with an MSRP of $299.

[Nicon @ Oct 24th 2007 6:30PM]

I have one - I will sell it ... i just don’t have the need for it anymore or the time to play with it. I built an interface for my home automation. I now have touch screens in my house and don’t need it.

check out http://blog.rvpc.com/index.php/unboxing-ricavisions-vista-mce-sideshow-remote/

let me know - I have been putting it off as you still cant buy them.