Control your PlayStation 3 with IR

Ok, so the PS3 certainly has its strengths (like the built in Blu-ray player, for instance), but there's definitely a few gripes following it around as well. A (very understandable) complaint from AV freaks has been how the home-theater-centric console strangely lacks an IR receiver, and instead, Sony opted to offer up its proprietary Bluetooth remote to control the BD movie action from afar. Those looking to dictate your PS3 with that (presumably costly) universal IR remote, take heart, as the clever folks at Remote Central have whipped up a way to add infrared functionality to your IR-less machine. Aside from a PlayStation 3 and a desire to further integrate it into your home theater setup, you'll need a PSX/PS2 Controller-to-USB adapter as well as an original Sony DVD remote for the PS2 (model SCPH-10172) with external IR receiver (model SCPH-10160). Of course, the aforementioned remote should prove trickiest to find, as the current models lack that crucial external receiver to account for the built-in version found in the slim PS2 units. By connecting the external IR receiver to the adapter box, and then plugging the resulting combination into a USB port, you've created an unsightly way to talk to your PS3 via infrared. So if you've got integration on the brain, or just don't feel like shelling out the funds for that newfangled Bluetooth remote, be sure to hit the read link for the full skinny, and give yourself something productive to do over the relaxing holiday vacation.

[Via CEPro]

[Daniel @ Dec 24th 2006 11:20AM]

http://digg.com/gaming_news/Control_your_PlayStation_3_with_IR

[Geoffrey Sperl @ Dec 24th 2006 11:31AM]

Another strike. I didn't realize there wasn't IR built-in on this thing. I just got my Harmony 880 working the way I want it - why would I move from a PS2 that works with my single remote to a PS3 and two remotes? Sony, will you please wake up and do something correctly, like IR and upscaling, with the PS3 rev B?

[par @ Dec 24th 2006 11:39AM]

Why would you want IR when you have the superior RF (bluetooth)?

[adam @ Dec 24th 2006 11:50AM]

most people who are home theater buffs only want to use one remote. i really don't think that 2 remotes is THAT big of a deal, but there are people who are really anal about their home theaters and want 1 remote to control them all. haha (i just watched clerks 2)

also par, IR would allow for 3rd party manufacturers to make remotes easier than bluetooth because sony may use a proprietary command interface for the bluetooth.

[Jonathan Keim @ Dec 24th 2006 1:31PM]

I'll sell my reciever to those that are interested.
www.thegizmoshack.com Go to the contact page

[TK @ Dec 24th 2006 1:33PM]

I think using bluetooth is really cool, but I still wish the PS3 had a infrared reciever built in so I could use my Harmony 880. I can control everything else with it.

I did pick up the PS3 bluetooth remote a couple days ago and what I do like about the bluetooth is that I can have it pointing absolutely anywhere and the remote works perfectly since it doesnt need a line of site like infrared.

[walk2k @ Dec 24th 2006 1:35PM]

This might be a viable option for people that had a PS2 and already have the IR remote, and/or already have the codes programmed into their Harmony.

Most of the buttons don't work though, and the old remote with IR receiver is hard to find. Probably better off with the Bt remote, and waiting for Harmony or others to bring out their Bt/IR hybrid remotes.

Bluetooth is superior. You wanted next-gen, you got it!

[krazykarls.tk @ Dec 24th 2006 2:13PM]

With this, could you use the remote on your computer?
Because I have the receiver and would like to know before I buy something like this.

[haldanej @ Dec 24th 2006 11:21PM]

Yes you can use this setup on your PC, I've been using it like this for quite some time now. By default your computer will recognise the remote as a joystick, but there's a simple program available for free called joytokey(google it) which allows you to convert joystick commands to keystrokes or mouse commands. Then just set up each key of the controller to a corisponding shortcut for whichever programs you want it to run with. You can also set up multiple profiles for different programs, and one of the buttons on the controller can switch between the profiles. Takes a few minutes to set up the first time, but it works quite well.

[Steve @ Dec 24th 2006 3:15PM]

I have all the parts laying around, I'll get this a try and report back on the outcome.

[krazykarls.tk @ Dec 24th 2006 3:30PM]

Thanks

[Blindelf @ Dec 24th 2006 3:20PM]

um, aren't 'the funds for that newfangled Bluetooth remote' like 25 bucks? and it has the BluRay specific buttons, etc. single-remoters are kinda
dumb, besides anal, if they're gonna spend more
$ to use a clunky workaround.

[JOse @ Dec 24th 2006 4:41PM]

what a joke!!!

[nanoware @ Dec 24th 2006 6:14PM]

all that crap costs more that the BD remote which is only 24$ and is basicly a PS3 controller also minus the analog sticks, i love the BD Remote, its amazing and cheap!

[Dave @ Dec 25th 2006 3:52AM]

Perfect.

[paul wachsman @ Dec 25th 2006 10:02AM]

like the play stanion 3 like to have it

[Jon @ Dec 25th 2006 11:59AM]

Just another plus for xbox360 and minus for ps3.

[jason @ Dec 25th 2006 10:23PM]

I run a source by circuit city in canada and we have a few after-market remotes left for the ps2 with the ir reciver... (seriously inexpensive)and we sell the usb attachment as well (the one pictured) all of our stores and presumably circuit city in the states can get these if you want to do this.....

so just ask an associate :)

[sfmike @ Dec 29th 2006 3:29AM]

Hey guys,

I lost the software disc for my remote. Can someone help me out and upload/torrent an ISO of their disc?

Thx, Mike

[B. Shears @ Jan 9th 2007 10:56AM]

I think it's a good move by Sony to push bluetooth. TVs and other devices that are still IR dependent should update to a new technology like bluebooth so you can have universal bluetooth remotes that control everything. I'd think HDTVs and blu-ray players would already be doing this.

[captain underpants and the bringdown gang @ Jan 25th 2007 4:50PM]

someone needs to make a wii control the playstation 3 (for the ulitmate pwnage)

[eric f. @ Feb 1st 2007 1:48PM]

You guys are wrong about this being clunky or that the Sony remote is a better option. I just found the necessary generic version components on ebay for $16.95 shipped, and I'm not happily controlling my PS3 with my Harmony 880! :)

You can hide the IR receiver behind your tv or somewhere and just point in that direction . nice.

[eric f. @ Feb 1st 2007 5:58PM]

the above word should have been "now", instead of "not". doh.

[robtwilk @ Feb 17th 2007 9:46PM]

I have the Sony SCPH 10172 Remote with IR adapter, and the Radio Shack 26-729 USB/PS2 adapter. It is hooked up as described in various forums, but:

It will NOT work my PS3. Even if I get the movie started manually. The PS2 remote does nothing. It is brand new, and I used fresh batteries.

I bought the remote from Hong Kong (eBay), the disc included is PAL, not NTSC, but should that matter?

[eric f. @ Feb 18th 2007 11:57AM]

Check out what i got that works:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericfischer/376692759/