IR2BT Infrared-to-Bluetooth converter now on sale, PS3 owners rejoice

Although the PlayStation 3 is quite the lovely Blu-ray player in most respects, one issue has nagged remote junkies from day one: the absence of IR. Now, however, the highly-anticipated IR2BT Infrared-to-Bluetooth converter is on the market, and sure enough, it promises to transmit "all 51 Sony Blu-ray remote codes including the PS button for Power On / Off." The unit itself measures in at 4.5- x 3- x 1-inches, operates on a pair of AA cells or a mini-USB connector and doesn't even require you to own a soldering iron. Ready to control your PS3 via a universal IR remote without getting a degree in electrical engineering? Hit up the read link and hand over your $55, bub.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[Casper42 @ Mar 28th 2008 12:45PM]

Lets see, $55 for an IR to BT adapter, or $13 for a PS3 IR Remote kit with IR-USB Adapter included.

Tough choice

I will say the only good thing I can see is you can hide the PS3 if you like since the BT part of all this doesn't require line of sight.

[Sandy @ Mar 28th 2008 1:21PM]

It's so you can keep using you £300 or $600 all in one all singing all dancing remote.

Not so you can go an buy some cheap IR remote to use it with.

[jmpage2 @ Mar 28th 2008 12:53PM]

The problems with the Nyko (and other) USB solution are numerous.

1. Takes up 1st controller position on the PS3
2. Can't power PS3 on or off
3. Very slow and unresponsive compared to the BT remote
4. Can't do many other remote functions like subtitles/eject/etc/etc/etc

This is not cheap but solves all of the above probs. If you just want cheap basic control of a movie then the Nyko at $13 is hard to beat.

[Jason @ Mar 28th 2008 12:54PM]

The problems with the Nyko (and other) USB solution are numerous.

1. Takes up 1st controller position on the PS3
2. Can't power PS3 on or off
3. Very slow and unresponsive compared to the BT remote
4. Can't do many other remote functions like subtitles/eject/etc/etc/etc

This is not cheap but solves all of the above probs. If you just want cheap basic control of a movie then the Nyko at $13 is hard to beat.

[JT @ Mar 28th 2008 12:57PM]

And with that $13 remote/adapter are you able to turn the machine on and off? didn't think so, which is a major selling point for this device.

[BEN! @ Mar 28th 2008 1:05PM]

Yeah, I use the Nyko dongle with my Harmony remote and the responsiveness is terrible. I almost broke down and bought a bluetooth PS3 remote.

[eric f. @ Mar 28th 2008 1:36PM]

the responsiveness of the Nyko + my harmony 880 is great. you should try reloading the nyko codes from harmony...

[eric f. @ Mar 28th 2008 1:36PM]

the responsiveness of the Nyko + my harmony 880 is great. you should try reloading the nyko codes from harmony...

[Casper42 @ Mar 28th 2008 1:59PM]

Like I even use the Nyko remote, what do you think I'm new. harmony 880 here. The fact is they dont sell just the IR-USB Adapter.

As far as taking up a remote port, who actually plays their PS3 with the remote plugged in? They are wireless for a reason.

I will admit I didnt see the PS Button ability which would be nice, but you have to get off your phat ass to load the movie into the machine anyway, and in doing so the machine turns on. So how much does this really help?


I'll tell you what, drop the price on this Adapter to under $40 and I would totally consider it.

[BigD145 @ Mar 28th 2008 4:10PM]

@JT

Most people don't turn it off in the first place. If the PS3 is plugged in, it's still on. You need to get off your butt and physically disconnect the power cable. Power buttons on remotes are just an illusion. You might as well rename them 'restart.'

[Nathan @ Mar 28th 2008 4:27PM]

Casper, per your comment that

"I will admit I didnt see the PS Button ability which would be nice, but you have to get off your phat ass to load the movie into the machine anyway, and in doing so the machine turns on. So how much does this really help?"

I use my PS3 for BD titles, but MOSTLY I use it to stream media from my PC, apart from games. This does NOT turn on the PS3 like inserting a disc does. And usually when I want to stream something, it's because I am on the couch and there's nothing on cable that looks good, so I switch up to my digital library.

For that scenario, which I can't imagine is just my own, it would be nice to have my expensive universal remote w/ LCD and blender attachment be able to turn the damn thing on.

[JT @ Mar 28th 2008 5:09PM]

@BigD145

By "off" I obviously mean standby. Even though it may as well be considered "off" as it doesn't charge the controllers or power my usb-powered hard drive.

[Tech^Cellfish @ Mar 31st 2008 3:58AM]

My PS3 is behind me and covered so my screen won't reflect the IR light. Anyway I can do fine with a Harmony and the PS3 remote.

[Max @ Mar 28th 2008 12:45PM]

I've been using my harmony via the Nyko remote, but this sounds much better since I can turn the damn thing on and off and I get the USB port back.

[mcheddadi @ Mar 28th 2008 12:46PM]

Gamepad is fine for me. kthxbai

[Mark @ Mar 28th 2008 12:59PM]

using a game pad to control a blu-ray player that SHOULD be controlled on the couch by a remote?...

[allong @ Mar 28th 2008 12:57PM]

I bet this is the first time Engadget is posting a photo of a product made in the USA - nice ruler!

[kir @ Mar 28th 2008 12:57PM]

My goodness, it's like I can't feel my fingers no more

[buystuff @ Mar 28th 2008 12:58PM]

I cant order one looks like the "initial 200" are allready sold out!

[Airik @ Mar 28th 2008 1:01PM]

I'm trying to buy one and they're not available in their store and they don't answer their phone number.

[Jason @ Mar 28th 2008 1:05PM]

The IR2BT owner has just posted that the original 200 are sold out. They will be making 100 more per week available over the coming weeks.

[Darren @ Mar 28th 2008 1:05PM]

I am leaning more towards this, I don't turn my system off to worry about power.

http://www.schmartz.com/main.sc;jsessionid=C0E1E3DEFBDD80967E261C8D89E656A3.qscweb26

[shawn.lomas @ Mar 28th 2008 1:09PM]

I ordered one last night just when I was cleaning out my old bookmarks and I thought I'd check his site for an update. I was like order # 40 something. I cant wait to get this thing. Finally I can use my Harmony with my PS3 because quite frankly, the only use my PS3 gets is as a media player. That's all.

[Mike @ Mar 28th 2008 1:13PM]

You should just get a Nyko then. The new update 2.20 has eliminated the PS3 from providing power via usb in standby mode even with Remote Access turned on.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13473893

I bought this device, and I can't wait until I receive it. The creator posted several youtube videos that show you how it works if anyone is interested.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=UAg8aMoc0q0&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=rPQjdicWn4A

[IR2BT @ Mar 28th 2008 1:11PM]

Yes, the first 200 are sold out - sorry. We plan to have at least 100 more available each week until we are able to build up an inventory.

Bruce Mitchell
IR2BT Devices, Inc.

[buzzbean @ Mar 28th 2008 1:30PM]

Are you in communication with companies like Harmony letting them know about your product? It would be great if my harmony remote would map to the ps3 remote.

[Jason @ Mar 28th 2008 1:33PM]

The IR2BT is already in the Harmony database so I would guess that they've already got that part completely sorted out.

[JPJ @ Mar 28th 2008 1:37PM]

Bruce Mitchell... Bah 200 units is all you made WTF. Guess I'll forget about this and just keep using my Sony BT remote. Not gonna sit until the next 100 units come out and then miss them too. Nope f'that. I'll wait till the next company that comes out with the "next best universal IR BT solution". Just goes to show people from Florida have fried brains from to much sun.

[eugene @ Mar 28th 2008 1:44PM]

jpj, wow, what a dick you are. Maybe these guys aren't a huge operation. Christ, they go out an make something that a lot of us have been asking for since the PS3 came out and all you can do is bitch about the small production runs? What a silly entitled little whining child you are.

[JPJ @ Mar 28th 2008 5:53PM]

eugene.... back in Febuary '08 PS3 sales reached the 10 Million Mark! Not to mention it was done four months sooner then Xshit 360 had done. And you are gonna sit their and defend 200 IR2BT units for the (wait lets spell it our for you), TEN MILLION Play Station 3 consoles! 200... Well whatever, hey listen when you get Bruce Mitchell's salty cream out of your eyes, give me a call I have 200 IRBT Dildos I'm sure you'll be intrested in.

[eugene @ Mar 28th 2008 3:35PM]

JPJ: And? What's your point? Is this Sony making these units? Or Nyko, or madcatz or logitech? No. do you know how big ir2bt is as a company? What their production facilities are capable of? What their start up capital was/is? Do you know anything other than your own petulant infantile rantings?

[low tech @ Mar 28th 2008 3:48PM]

Don't feed the trolls.

[JPJ @ Mar 28th 2008 5:01PM]

Keep going, show us how stupid you are.


#1. Yes ir2bt was 200 units big!
#2. Yes, their production facilities are 100 units per week!
#3. As a consumer I don't care what their start up capital was/ is! Nor is it my problem! If a company is going to market with a product that many PS3 owners want and will continue to just want, at these production numbers! Do the math. I'll say it one last time 10million2twohundred. O dam see what i did there. Chances are...Not.


eugene sorry. I'm done with your bending over, getting fisted up your ass. Bruce Mitchell owned slut!

[JT @ Mar 28th 2008 5:18PM]

@JPJ

Hope you enjoy waiting for your "next best universal IR BT solution" while fumbling around with your multiple remotes.

I'm sure that after the initial batch of IR2BT sold out in less than a day, he will increase production.

I checked his website religiously for 3 weeks waiting for these to become available, and luckily for me, I got one. Not that difficult for you to do the same.

Do you also bitch at Nintendo for the lack of Wii's available?

[eugene @ Mar 28th 2008 5:33PM]

JPJ,

so many assumptions, so little reading comprehension. Try re-reading the original post: We plan to have at least 100 more available each week until we are able to build up an inventory.

The important part would be: UNTIL WE ARE ABLE TO BUILD UP AN INVENTORY.

But hey, go on with your tantrums, I'm sure mommy will come up soon with some milk and cookies. Try not to get so worked up while waiting for unreal tournament to load, okay?

[rv @ Mar 29th 2008 12:36AM]

Jpj, you have to understand something. In business, there are companies that aren't trying to sell to as many people as possible. These companies fill a market niche, and this company is obviously one of those. Not all 10 million will buy a $55 ir adapter when a game controller will work, however, a small amount will. Also, this is probably something the company owners do part time, and I would assume this is their only product, as their name is IR2BT.

You are right in one respect though. The consumer doesn't have to care about the production capacity of a company, and does have the right to get upset about selling out. You are going overboard, though.

[Mr Awesomer @ Mar 28th 2008 1:17PM]

I love how they put it next to the ruler to show HOW FLIPPIN' HUGE it is.

[Jon Acheson @ Mar 28th 2008 1:18PM]

$55 dollars to downgrade to IR? I guess if you have sunk big bucks in an uber-remote, maybe it would be worth it.

OTOH, if your remote doesn't have bluetooth, it's not really all that uber, is it?

FWIW, the bluetooth remote is one of my favorite features on the PS3.

[shawn.lomas @ Mar 28th 2008 5:53PM]

Yeah... it's nice under the sheets... controlling JUST the PS3 and all....

Fact of the matter is that Logitech has yet to add a bluetooth module to their design for good reason. There is only 1 popular product that uses BT. Go figure.

[mike01205 @ Mar 28th 2008 1:27PM]

When you have a TV, Receiver, Xbox 360, Stereo, and a PS3 you realize how great a Universal Remote is. If you press Watch a Movie, it turns on your receiver and puts it on the right input, puts on the TV and changes to the correct input, turns on your device and starts to play the movie. When you want to turn it off, all you do is hit the off button and all the devices turn off.

You have fun fumbling around looking for all your remotes, I'll enjoy the convenience of a all in one remote. This device is a god send to those of us that were looking for a solution to watch Blu-Ray on our PS3s.

[stompntom @ Mar 28th 2008 1:38PM]

The Bluetooth remote is good but no backlighting and no volume control is weak.
The fact the PS3 has no IR port is very sad and a huge miss for Sony - I want to use my harmony remote and while it doesn't have Bluetooth in this model I am sure they will soon it still is pathetic Sony didn't include a 5 cent IR port on their $600 machine

[Jonathon @ Mar 28th 2008 5:21PM]

@stompntom - I agree they should have probably put IR in the PS3, but if they did (and this is probably NOT the reason they didn't) the remote manufacturers could continue to not produce Bluetooth remotes. By not including it, the remote manufacturers now have some incentive to make their (at least higher end) remotes have Bluetooth if not initially just for supporting the PS3.

If you look at it one way (few current remotes, old remotes incompatible) then consumers got screwed.

But if you look at it in a different way (more bluetooth remotes) then they actually may benefit in the long run.

[SuperDre @ Mar 28th 2008 5:58PM]

At the moment there is no universal remote which supports BT and IR. there are enough which support RF and IR though..

[webon @ Mar 28th 2008 1:19PM]

R2D2?

help me Obi-wan, you are my only hope!

[retro77 @ Mar 28th 2008 1:29PM]

All 5 PS3 owners are happy now....grats!

[JT @ Mar 28th 2008 3:12PM]

nice try at humor, but unfortunately you failed.

[retro77 @ Mar 28th 2008 3:15PM]

Thank you!

[NxP3 @ Mar 28th 2008 1:35PM]

What's the big deal? You can get a IR remote for the ps3 a long time ago, it plugs right in the usb port, then you can use any damn universal remote if you want to program it.

[mike01205 @ Mar 28th 2008 1:39PM]

Have you used that NYKO dongle? It is very slow and non responsive at times. It also doesn't turn on and off the PS3 or eject the disc.

This device does all that and more.

[JT @ Mar 28th 2008 3:12PM]

look at the replies to the first post and you'll understand.