Pioneer shows off iPhone remote controllable Blu-ray players
By Richard Lawler 
posted April 20th 2010 1:58PM
posted April 20th 2010 1:58PM
posted April 20th 2010 1:58PM
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why?
@One Love
Why don't they just use Bluetooth connectivity? iPhone OS 3.0 was supposed to bring Accessories APIs to take advantage of wireless (Bluetooth) or wired (30-pin dongle) connectivity. Why do you have to use an extra Wi-Fi dongle in this?!
@Kensai Could not agree more - should have used bluetooth, should have published the control specs and let others develop solutions for other platforms.
So sick of the iphone and the closed ecosystems it's creating.
Morons need to learn to RTFA. The dongle is for the bluray player. Apple *did* provide the necessary documentation to do this over Bluetooth, but pioneer decided to use wifi instead. Hey, how well does your (insert non-iPhone phone model here) work with your bluray player? Yeah, that's what I thought.
@BigFatDuck What are you going on about? We're saying Pioneer should've used Bluetooth for control and bemoaning that instead they chose a kludgy wifi method instead that makes it very unlikely this kind of setup would ever work on any phone other than their officially sanctioned iPhone app.
There's no blame being thrown at Apple.
Seriously over complicating things for nothing.
Need to mute the TV real quick?
1) Turn on iPod/Phone
2) Unlock
3) Wait for WIFI connection to be established
4) Send mute signal
I could walk to the TV in that time.
@Evan I think the key word is "could" walk to the TV. But we all know that won't happen. Hence how several of us have discovered antiques roadshow because we couldn't find the remote to change the channel.
@Evan
1) You turn your iPhone off?
3) What wait? Wouldn't it already be connected?
The screen lock thing might be annoying. But one positive would be you already have your iPhone in your pocket, when the standard remote is lost down the back of the sofa.
Doesn't it come with a remote?
I know people are skeptical, but this will sell. And it won't be the last device like this.
People with complex setups are starting to use iPod Touches and iPads as a remote to control everything in the room (including the lights and windowshades!). Right now they have a wi-fi receiver (computer) that receives signals and communicates to the other devices. Direct control of the Blu-ray player would make things more straightforward and thus work better.
Since they are used in expensive setups, devices like this can command a price premium, and thus you'll see more of them I'm sure.
@spin cycle
My father just purchased a set of Sonos equipment, and, rather than buying their overpriced remote, he purchased an iPod Touch.
@spin cycle
People with complex setups buy a real remote, like a Harmony or X10. The iphone is and always will be a hack toy.
@spin cycle
My Android phone controls my Tv and HTPC, it's handy and occassionally useful when i lose my remote.
However I would not spend extra on a Bluray player or any kind of entertainment device just because it had this feature.
But then people who can afford an iPod touch or iPad just to use as a dedicated remote probably have more money than sense.
@wraith404 I use a Harmony One. But it won't control a truly complex setup. And the Harmony 1000 series sucks. You'd be much better off with a Touch.
@wraith404
Harmony and X10? X10 is a joke that should have died in the 80's and Harmony is maybe suitable for a bedroom.
People with more complex systems will use products like Crestron, AMX, Savant, and RTI. Two of these already have iPxx apps, and the other two will release theirs this year. To say that type of integration is a hack is completely unjustified and biased, not to mention uneducated. Do your homework and you will see how dominant the iPxx format will become.
@wraith404 Harmony is not serious enough for many. Logitech UI is lame. New iphone apps with remote and integration with services are actually promising, more useful and actually cheaper than overpriced Harmonies.
Not downing iPhone or anything but I think that these manufacturers are being to one sided. Why not make gadgets that can be operated by both iPhone and adroid phones? What the big idea behind "Apple Support" because I know for a fact that there are millions of people who own an adroid based phone too!
@hero785 They don't seem to care about Android or Android users.
Forget iPhone/iPod/iPad control, how about a simple web based interface/API that anyone could use to build an app?
@zargon Agreed. And while we're at it, make it an open standard so other manufacturers can integrate it in there devices and dev can make apps for all kind of platforms.
Sick of the iOnly mentality.
@zargon And point of web interface? Dude, learn basics of software development first. Buzz words don't help you much here.
@alex904 Wow, who stuck a stick up your ass? You must be a software developer, because you fit into that stereo type, a self proclaimed know it all douche bag.
I will admit I am not a software developer by career path, but I do develop basic stuff from time to time. However, I do not see what the point of learning "the basics of software development" has anything to do with this. The point is, use an interface that any devices on your network can access. While most of us are tech oriented, not everyone would understand software development jargon, but I think most people understood the concept of my comment.
I've used the iPhone as a remote for the computer while connected to TV via HDMI. I don't see the sense in doing it with a device that comes with a nice dedicated remote.
iBagofhurt remote? AWE-SOME!
Forget Blu-Ray players, what they need to do is get back in the HDTV game and stop playing games.
Actually they are a little late to the game. The new Sony BluRay players already support an iPhone app for remote. Any model that has built-in wireless can run the app and models with wi-fi adapters (BDP-S370 & BDP-S470) only need a adapter to join in. Only bad part is these models have to use a Sony adapter...
@mojomann I have a BDP-S370 hardwired to Ethernet, and I run the BD Remote application fine on my wife's iPod Touch, without a wireless adapter for the player. The Ethernet cord runs to my WRT54G, in the basement, and obviously the iPod Touch connects wireless to that.
@tiepair I will also agree that it's mostly pointless. I control the player via it's own remote generally. It seems like more of a "Hey, look what I can do" thing.
"Boogie Down Production" Control?
I'm still waiting for the day that I can use my iPhone as a BD romote for the Playstation 3
@Redstripe8 That would be too useful, wouldn't it?
Welcome to The Age of Pointless.
This is actually a really great feature. I can't wait for the 2010 Pioneer Plasma that has the same functionality to match. oh, wait..err
@hated one
Droid does.
http://tumblr.androidappsonly.com/post/411556495/pocket-blu-turn-your-phone-into-a-blu-ray-remote
Nice. There's an iPhone app to control your tivo, now there is one for the blu-ray player too. And there have been plenty of times where I just can't find the remote at the moment, and using my phone would be so much quicker.