A proliferation of digital devices at home means that the unsightly collection of remotes in the living room is getting out of control. Personally I have about eight remotes at home – one each for TV, Stereo, DVD player, VCR (yeah I still have one,) Sonus Digital Music System, TiVo, Comcast set-top box, an old Sony Mini Disc deck. Cluttered is the word. Perhaps that’s why I am excited about the progress being made in the remote control technology. Logitech’s Harmony is pretty good, and the new upgrade is even better. The new Phillips Wi-Fi enabled remote sounds cool as well. Wired has the skinny on this one. It has remote codes for most of the devices on the market, and you can also use “the built-in Wi-Fi to control PCs, media streamers, and other compatible devices.” The only problem – $599 is just too much money to replace the free clickers.
- Previously: Remote Control: Mouse of the Digital Lifestyle.
Too many remotes???? Every early-adopter geek know the answer to that – JP1. just search the web for this simple hardware, free software solution for programming your inexpensive remote from your PC. For example – http://www.hifi-remote.com/jp1/index.shtml
Sure fits my model – the PC as value-add interface to non-pc devices.
i saw that one – the problem – PC. i would need to buy a windows machine in order to do all that. mac guy.
Well, as the saying goes, you’ve made your own bed, so you have to sleep in it. Apple is closed excellence, Windows is open mediocrity. The answer is living with a mediocre Operating System (most people’s choice) or having both.
i will be saving pennies to buy a Windows PC one of these days. LoL. well i think you are right – its time to get one – just to know how better off we mac lovers really are.
I use the Harmony 688 and it’s excellent. Software is easy to use and configuring the remote is simple – even for devices they don’t have in the database though that seems pretty complete.
I’ve had a Philips Pronto (original) and it was nice, but the Harmony is much simpler.
Jonathan does this work as easily as the previous Harmony remotes. I have heard good things about the older Sony all-in-one remotes.