Too many remotes on your coffee table?

[tonepub]

Here's the solution:

http://www.tonepublications.com/gear/the-ultimate-remote-control-is-here/

This is a very cool little device and I am excited to say we got it before Gizmodo...

 

[amey01]

Looks like it has potential, but there are a few problems I can foresee:

* Does the dock need line of sight to your IR components?
* Does the dock need power - the last thing I want is a power cable going across the room to my coffee table!
* Is it easy to shove away when you've finished - you'll see from my system photos - there are actually NO remotes on my coffee table - they are all put away after use!

 

[tonepub]

It does need power.

Haven't played with it enough to see how much of an angle it can be away from components.

Not sure why you'd "shove it away". I would guess you'd use it as a charger for your iPod....

 

[MickeyVee]

oh my.. looks sweet.. currently using the Harmony 1000.. only problem is the power cord..
It would definitely be a contender if it was rechargeable.

 

[DrJRapp]

Jeff

Just a couple of quick questions. Does it emit its IR out the back front or all around? How wide is the IR signal, ie: how far off center does it seem to activate a device?

 

[tonepub]

Don't know about that yet, but I'll bet if you sent the thinkflood guys an email they could elaborate...

They've been pretty forthcoming with info.

Worst case, it's going to be sold on Amazon, so you could probably just return it if it did not work properly for your needs.

 

[Beakman]

There is also this for windows mobile:
http://www.wincesoft.de/html/remotecontrol_ii.html
Had (have) it on my siemens simpad, 'till the touchscreen went bad (age related). There's also a remote for palm phones but their ir's are too weak for any distance.

 

[tonepub]

Red Eye is talking about Blackberry support next....

 

[SteveInNC]

It makes me wonder if Logitech/Harmony has patents on some of the underlying technology. I know that Harmony was the first (and only so far) remote that I've seen that dealt with devices in terms of "activities". Most other remotes have macros, but they aren't usually smart about the current state of devices. The Harmony remembers what is already on and what inputs are selected so that it doesn't have to repeat steps. This is particularly significant for devices that don't have discrete on/off or select functions for particular inputs. Harmony also lets you compound devices similar to the description of this, so that you can have lighting scenes set, etc., and control volume via another device when you select a particular activity like "watch DVD". The Pronto seems to be the closest in terms of general progammability, but I'm not familiar enough with it to know if it maintains state information.

 

[JonFo]

... The Pronto seems to be the closest in terms of general progammability, but I'm not familiar enough with it to know if it maintains state information.

It does not specifically, but there are ways of maintaining state that people have come up with that allow a good pronto set to behave much like the Harmony's.
But it's not easy.

 

[Rvega003]

Are there no custom installers in the house. If not I'll waive the baton for them. While the harmony does to a certain extent, "remember" on-off commands its internal memory is based on keeping everything in a sequence. If anything is done manually the whole thing goes down the drain and you will find yourself abusing the help button to no end. Harmony's database is pretty well equipped but many of the devise pages are shared for a range of models and years. You may see that a single cd player may have commands like change disc in the Harmony. This is understandable because if Logitec had to design pages for individual devises a Harmony 1000 would run you 3 grand so it groups devises that have shared codes. This brings me to my point. The Harmony line is an affordable, novice alternative to a top end custom programed remote. If a Harmony preforms better in your system than a Pronto or universal MX that is a reflection of your programing skill. The code database's are more in depth and the ability to customize the layout allows you to build a design that is bulletproof to a specific system, something no logitec remote offers. I have 2 harmonys, both of which where given to me, both of which broke, and both of which where tossed in a desk in a favor of a Pronto TSU3000 I spent 2 months configuring from the ground up (with the help of remote control central's excellent download database). Now when I select an activity, it acts hassle free on the first push. Now when I want to search my DVR, I don't have to cycle through 6 pages to find the proper command. Everything is more ergonomic, everything works the way I want, not a approximation of what I want within the limitations of Logitec's cookie cutter program.

 

[amey01]

If a Harmony preforms better in your system than a Pronto or universal MX that is a reflection of your programing skill.

......and if you need any form of "skill" to use or programme a damn remote control then that is a major failing on the manufacturer's part. Life is too short for me to waste time developing my "remote control" skills.

You can have the best product in the world, but if it is not usable by real human beings (as opposed to nerdhead techos) then there is no point.

I know - I work in IT and have to continually remind my techos of this.

 

[Rvega003]

Again you fail to see the larger picture. Consumer electronics is a massive industry set to cater to audiences of all walks of life, social or economic. While many of this forum are socially affluent (to buy Logan's you almost have to be), many of the postings will show we are hobbyist, that we enjoy getting our hands dirty in the assembly of our system, that the journey provides as much enjoyment as the destination. There is a market that just wants the destination and has no time for the journey. The client that wants a multimedia explosion, but does not want to demo speakers, match electronics, program remotes, or hook up anything himself. He wants to swipe a credit card and push a button. The well informed salesperson will act as his designer and liaison with an experienced installer who will do the rest. This is the market that RTI, URC, the Pronto brand, and at higher levels of complexity Niles, Control 4, and the heavyweight Crestron cater primarily to. Amey your comment shows a complete disregard of the basic economic demand for skilled labor. Who needs doctors with Web MD, why do we need architects if anyone can buy autocad. You get my exaggerated point.

 

[tonepub]

we still need architects because building a building is much more complicated than putting a hifi system together, with more dire consequences if done incorrectly.

Unfortunately, what's going to happen in the future is that the new customers will probably not be audiophiles. There are a lot of people out in the marketplace that don't care about the journey, they just want to listen to music.

Why is that such a terrible thing?

 

[Rvega003]

I should have learned by now never talk to a hifi guy about custom much as you never talk to a custom guy about hifi. The branches of CE are themselves contradictory as a custom guy would never sacrifice looks for performance and a hifi guy would never sacrifice performance for looks. For those who don't get it (if you think an Iphone can do everything a 5k Crestron remote can you probably won't). Consider the remote subject dropped on my end, I concede to the lovers of all things Logitec (although the squeezebox is amazing little piece of hardware).

 

[tonepub]

If you're talking to me, your point doesn't make any sense.

The iPhone with the RedEye system probably can't do everything that a 5 thousand dollar Crestron can do, but as you might recall, PC's weren't very powerful 25 years ago either.

The point is that not everyone needs a $5000 Crestron remote. The guy that gave me the first Red Eye demo had a $5000 Crestron in his house and the reason he became their national sales manager was because he was blown away by how much of the Crestron's capabilities the $188 Red Eye had.

And as someone who owns multiple pieces of Burmester, Naim and Nagra gear, aesthetics are just as important as performance in my world.