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Ask Engadget HD: What's the best universal remote out there?
Ah, the wonderful world of remotes. Just in case shopping for a new HDTV wasn't overwhelming enough, actually digging through heaps upon heaps of lackluster, poorly designed remotes is enough to drive anyone to falling back to the tried-and-true "five remotes at a time" method. This week's question is one that many are simply afraid to ask for fear of having to sit through a lecture of an answer -- thankfully, Joel can skim through your responses as time allows. I'm looking for a universal remote that's highly flexible, extremely versatile and well-designed. I hesitate to start calling out my list of components because I tend to change things up on a somewhat frequent basis. Basically, I'm trying to narrow my choices of units that can control my HD DVD / Blu-ray combo player, AV receiver, television, HD DVR and HTPC, if that's even possible. Oh, and I'd prefer not having to purchase the most expensive one on the market, as cost is a concern. So, there you have it. Roll this one around in your gord for a tick and dish out any personal experiences you've had (successes or failures) with particular remotes.Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.[Image courtesy of UseIt]
Ricavision kicks out VAVE100 universal MCE / SideShow remote
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]
Art Lebedev's Pultius remote: one button for every channel
Here's a human-interface challenge for you: what's quicker, typing in a three-digit channel number on a traditional 0-9 keypad, or locating a physical button for that channel in a 20-inch long rainbow gradient of 102 identically-sized buttons? Art Lebedev is apparently hoping to solve that age-old dilemma with the Pultius remote, a concept created in response to a challenge to "design a remote control with as many buttons as there are channels on TV." Since it's just a concept, there's no word on price or availability, but really, haven't we all learned not to expect that sort of thing from Art Lebedev at this point?
Universal Remote intros versatile MX-980
Hot on the heels of Universal Remote's MX-810 comes the oh-so-versatile MX-980, which aims to allow "professional installers to more quickly and efficiently customize and automate" sophisticated home theaters and entire home AV systems. The wand-style device sports a 320 x 240 resolution display, RF capability, an open programming architecture, and the ability to be programmed by any Windows-based machine with a USB port. Other subtle niceties include a motion sensor that automatically turns on the display when the remote is picked up, blue backlighting for all the buttons, a small integrated speaker, rechargeable Li-ion, and built-in compatibility with the firm's MSC-400 Master System Controller. If you hadn't already recognized, URC is clearly aiming for the high-end crowd with this one, and it's safe to say the $599 pricetag further substantiates that very point.
Niles IntelliControl IC2 remote does it all with no screen
Although we're unabashed fans of super-complicated macro-and-touchscreen universal remotes, a lot of people just want to smack a button and have their home theater work without having to squint at tiny screens or worry about state-based macro operations. Niles Audio is hoping to to capitalize on that market with the IntelliControl IC2, an all-button RF remote that's optimized to control most home theater devices without the use of a screen. The included HT-MSU control unit / repeater has 8 IR / RS-232 outputs and connects to the IC2 via ZigBee, meaning the system can potentially be expanded further, although Niles hasn't announced such support yet. The company is expected to announce the IC2 at CEDIA in September, but if you're hoping to chuck your Harmony, you'd better start saving pennies: simplicity will cost you $999.
GE's Flip universal remote brings ugly back
We've can't say we've ever really understood the appeal of integrating remote functions into cellphones (except for some sly TV-B-Gone action) but we're even more confused by the GE Flip universal remote, which appears to finally bring the worst in cheap-o flip phone design to the low-end universal remote market. Sadly, GE apparently thinks looks alone will move this thing, since otherwise it's a relatively standard four-function universal -- even the press release kind of peters out after mentioning the design. That design, by the way, seems to have a pretty glaring weakness: when the unit is closed, it looks like the IR transmitter will be pointing the wrong way. Ouch. The Flip appears to be available now for $18.99.
Universal Remote's MX-810 gets previewed
Universal Remote's company name leaves little unsaid about what its core competencies truly are, and its latest professional-series remote recently got a bit of hands-on time with the crowd at Electronic House. The MX-810 Pro Wizard was purportedly designed to work with setups ranging from a single room to an entire home, and sports a color LCD, 44 hard buttons, RF / infrared compatibility, rechargeable Li-ion, and hot keys for powering up select groups of components. Interestingly, this unit also includes 32MB of built-in memory to store commands that control "up to 24 activities for each of 24 different devices programmed into eight LCD pages." Of course, this also means that you'll need at least a week of vacation to actually program this $399 gizmo once it hits your doorstep in July.[Photo courtesy of Tony Scarpetta]
Philips SJM3151 universal remote mirrors your iPod screen
While Philips' latest universal remote lacks the genius design seen in the prototype book iteration, it's tough to deny the utility here. This universal remote may not sport the most luxurious button layout, but it does manage to control up to six devices and play nice with your iPod; moreover, the SJM3151's built-in LCD screen touts the ability to mimic your player's screen, so you can sneak a peek at what's on deck without squinting to see the faraway dock. Interestingly, this remote not only packs the infrared abilities we've come to expect, but it also speaks ZigBee in order to transmit signals "up to 300 feet." Of course, this multifaceted device won't run you cheap, as interested buyers will be asked to cough up $180 to procure one when it lands this fall.
DirecTV remote can control your 360
Instructables stumbled upon a nifty little trick getting their DirecTV universal remote to work with the Xbox 360. After a few simple steps and about 5-10 minutes of cycling through codes, they were able to power up the Xbox and even get some DVD playback functionality out of it. The cool thing about this is that it opens the door to the possibility of other universal remotes being programmed to work with the 360. For example, DirecTV isn't available in Canada, but Shaw Cable has a similar service with its own set top box and universal remote that can manage every component of your home theatre, and if it can be configured to control the Xbox 360, that would be very convenient indeed. Full instructions and brief video after the break.
Use a universal remote with PS3
Universal remote fans -- after trying a Logitech Harmony remote, we can't go back to one-remote-per-device -- will run into trouble on the PS3; its standard remote works over Bluetooth, not IR. So the PS3 remote gains the ability to work in other rooms, but it loses the universal appeal of IR blasting. Remote Central documents the process of adding an old PS2 IR receiver so that you can use that PS2 remote -- or a universal model -- with the PS3.The steps seems simple enough; all it takes is the PS2 IR receiver dongle and the PS2-to-PS3 gamepad adapter. The translation loses some of the functionality of the PS2 remote -- 14 common commands work, but 35 don't -- but it may be enough to watch Blue-ray movies with a universal remote.See also: Universal remotist finds fault with PS3, console lacks IR port[Via Engadget]
Apple files (another?) patent for universal remote
According to Macnn, in August 2005 Apple filed for a USP&TO patent titled "Apparatus and method to facilitate universal remote control." Thing is, we already saw a similar (the same?) patent application filed by Apple back in April 2002. Perhaps this is just a tweaked resubmit due to the original's rejection, we don't know. Still, since the time of either filing, we've seen Apple release their Apple Remote and more recently, the announcement of their initial foray into the living room with their iTV video streaming box. So a move to develop a universal remote with a large, touch-screen display capable of auto-discovering and then controlling infrared or Bluetooth devices certainly makes more sense than ever before. Just think, your brand new wireless video ipod could also control Apple's product line-up and living room traditionals like the television, DVD, and stereo. Oh wait, we already know how to do that... and so does iRiver.[Via Cult of Mac]
Logitech goes mid-range with Harmony 670 Universal remote
You can't hit the high-end without giving us less demanding folk a taste of freshness as well, so Logitech is appeasing the mid-range crowd by dishing out the Harmony 670 Universal remote. Boasting the same incredulous functionality traits we've grown to expect from the Harmony lineup, the 670 improves upon the Harmony 659 by placing crucial DVR controls in a "more central location" and adds color-coded "one-touch" buttons to make common tasks easier to execute. This remote is also Logitech's first to feature the Harmony 7.0 software, which makes wading through 175,000 devices in its online setup bank a tad simpler to grasp by reducing it down to "four easy steps." It also sports a backlit keypad, built-in LCD screen, and options to add "additional control functions and custom activities" as your home theater addition grows. The Harmony 670 is available now for a very middle-of-the-road $149.99.
Logitech's Harmony 1000 Advanced Universal touchscreen remote
If you felt Logitech's Xbox 360 remote was just too focused for your tastes, the Harmony 1000 should provide the depth and breadth you're craving in a universal remote. Upping the ante on its long-standing lineup of home entertainment controllers, its new flagship unit sports a sleek silver and black finish, a 3.5-inch color touchscreen, internet programmability, rechargeable batteries, and a slew of one-touch activity options. Aside from completely pimping out any living room table, you can control nearly every electronic facet of your home via the IR emitter, and if you toss in the RF-enabling Harmony Wireless Extender ($149.99), you can dictate the gadgetry in any room of your crib. Sporting the Smart State Technology also found in the Harmony 890, the 1000 allows for automated control of various systems / activities with a single button press, and with an online stockpile of 175,000 devices at your disposal, setup shouldn't cause too many headaches. If you have enough remotes to supply a small Radio Shack, and you're looking for one ring remote to rule them all, the Harmony 1000 can get your setup(s) under control for $499.99 later this fall.[Thanks, Gristle]
Sirius Conductor enables whole-house sat radio fun
Breaking with the tradition of beginning nearly all of its product names with the letter "S" (see the recently released Stiletto, Starmates, Sportsters, Stratus and old school S50 for reference), Sirius has announced a new in-home satellite radio tuner known as the Conductor. Instead of lugging your Sirius boombox all over the house, you'll now be able to hook the tuner directly into your rack-mounted receiver (though you'll still need to snake that antenna outside) and operate it from almost anywhere in your pad thanks to the handy RF- and IR-equipped remote. The LCD-sporting universal remote can also control up to five other members of your home theater family, and if you're willing to shell out for an extra Sirius subscription, it has the ability to rock two separate audio zones with a compatible SiriusConnect tuner. (Howard in one room and Martha in the other -- does life get any better than that?) Scheduled for a November release, the Conductor system will set you back $150, but if you've already got yourself a lifetime sub, this would seem like a must-have item (well, as long as you don't mind eating the transfer fee).[Via Orbitcast]
Microsoft demos SideShow-enabled products at WinHEC
Microsoft seems to have big plans for their SideShow auxiliary display technology -- besides the laptop and remote control implementations we've been expecting, they're also using the software for products that we didn't even know we needed, such as digital photo frames that overlay the picture with IMs and Outlook data. The frame, which is being manufactured by a company called A Living Picture, was one of three devices that Microsoft's senior project manager for Windows Client Greg Graceffo showed off at today's Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC), along with a modified Logitech G15 gaming keyboard and a universal remote from Exceptional Innovations. EI's remote, which will launch at the same time as Vista (whenever that is), looks particularly promising, as it allows the user to view program guides, RSS feeds, and other infoswag on the same gadget that can control both home theater equipment and home automation devices. As for the keyboard, well, keep reading if you're interested in seeing what an Outlook appointment looks like on a three-line LCD...
