Interesting IR remote $49 shipped........many possible PC applications

[iamme]

Keyspan IR remote at eCost for $49 shipped

Link to manufacturer's site



<< The Keyspan Digital Media Remote is a powerful infrared remote which allows you to control multimedia applications on your computer in the same convenient way that you now control your home TV.

The Keyspan Digital Media Remote controls your multimedia applications by sending them the same keystrokes that you do when you control the application from the keyboard. For example, if your program uses the "N" key to advance to a new slide, the Keyspan DMR Remote Control can send the same key to your application allowing you to control your application from across the room.

Features

Plugs into a USB port on a Windows or Macintosh computer
IR receiver connects to the USB port on a Macintosh or Windows computer
Elegant 17-key IR remote transmits signals more than 35 feet
Includes "key maps" for PowerPoint, QuickTime, RealPlayer, WinAmp, Sound Jam, and other popular applications

Requirements:

Macintosh: At least one available USB port and Mac OS 8.6 through OS X
Windows: At least one available USB port and Windows 98/Me/2000/XP >>



I use the S-Video out and audio out outputs on my laptop to play DivX movies on my TV. I think that this might be a neat way to have a remote to pause, rewind, ff, and maybe control the volume from the couch! I don't see why it wouldn't work. As long as you could get it to program nicely with WMP or any other DivX program. For anyone trying to build a "cheap-PC DivX player", this might be an awesome addition.

I think the more popular application is to use this to control PowerPoint presentations. It also can be used with WinAMP.

 

[iambiotech]

Cool toy. Check pricegrabber - it's coming up for ~$45 shipped.

 

[yodayoda]

waste of money--there is a guy in the FS/T forums selling a packard bell IR remote for $10 shipping. i snagged one and it works great--i was controlling winamp, dvds, and could shut off my computer remotely too =)

 

[iamme]

<< waste of money--there is a guy in the FS/T forums selling a packard bell IR remote for $10 shipping. i snagged one and it works great--i was controlling winamp, dvds, and could shut off my computer remotely too =) >>



cool...what OS are you using?

 

[hoihtah]

yup...

i snagged one from case-mod.com
yodayoda might be referring to him.

i got it to work in XP.
but it is bulkier than keyspan one.
and also, it uses serial port... rather than usb.

 

[chuckyH]

lol I got this from Consumer Depot for $5.96 a couple month ago this is definatly not Hot I live a couple blocks from there B&M site so i peruse there web site then trot in and pick up my stuff but every thing they have instock is on web they are out of them i think now here the url
Consumer Depot

 

[Kelvrick]

Yea. sun818 is selling these remotes for $10 each. I'd help out a fellow AT'er because, well.. Because. Now go buy from him!

IR remote

 

[im2smrt4u]

The only reason I could see you would want the $49 remote is if you must use USB, otherwise, get the Packard Hell!

 

[manko]

I got a pretty nice remote with my $29 Pinnacle Studio PCTV card (deal a while back). Works great (plus a free tv/capture card too).

 

[jordo]

I have both the packard bell remote and this remote (keyspan).

for anyone who thinks they are even comparable, you need your head examined.

the PB remote works up to about 15 ft away (thats being liberal). you have to really press the buttons hard, and make sure it is pointed right at the reciever. the serial setup is a pain in the ass, but once you get it done, it works fairly well. ive been through 3 of them (all of which i bought to $2 about 2 years ago) and they tend to wear out after a few months of heavy usage.


on the other hand:

the keyspan remote works well over 35 ft away, does not need to be pointed at the reciever. you can even use your universal remote instead, if you want a bigger remote than the little keyspan one. keyspan installation is very very simple, and the software comes setup to control a large number of programs with no setup whatsoever. the keyspan is nice and small (though you may not like that). the buttons are responsive, and you can hold a button down (say to raise volume) unlike the PB remote.


so in the end you get what you pay for. the PB remote is priced so cheap because it is cheap.

the keyspan remote is $35+shipping at buy.com. overnight shipping it comes to about $47 - save you a couple bucks.

 

[toshiba3020]

The packard bell ones suck IMO. I only paid $2 for one at a computer show, but a similar logitech one I now have it much nicer. It was only $10.

 

[xcoldricex]

i think i'm going to get one of these from buy.com
are there any other remotes for the pc worth looking at?

 

[MisterE]

jordo, Can you use the remote to send key commands when playing a game like Quake3 Arena or Medal of Honor?

 

[chiwawa626]

You could prolly write a program to do that...or prolly have it do anything when u press the keys. I ordered the 10 dollar packbell one since im on a budget..ill have a lil fun with it Maby ill try to do cs movements with it!

 

[ericlp]

<< I have both the packard bell remote and this remote (keyspan).

for anyone who thinks they are even comparable, you need your head examined.

the PB remote works up to about 15 ft away (thats being liberal). you have to really press the buttons hard, and make sure it is pointed right at the reciever. the serial setup is a pain in the ass, but once you get it done, it works fairly well. ive been through 3 of them (all of which i bought to $2 about 2 years ago) and they tend to wear out after a few months of heavy usage. >>



If anyone had a brain... Buy the packard bell + the Radio Shack programable remote for 10 bucks. It will now control up to 5 other devices and all from 50' away! Can even MAP the volume control on the reciver with the remote as you control winamp with other functions.

20 Bucks! and no you don't need pay 47.00

 

[NICKel]

Sounds like ericlp has the best idea so far..... 20.00 sounds goood to me. Anybody got a link for the RS remote?

 

[jordo]

<< jordo, Can you use the remote to send key commands when playing a game like Quake3 Arena or Medal of Honor? >>


yes, it can send keyboard commands to any program.





<<
If anyone had a brain... Buy the packard bell + the Radio Shack programable remote for 10 bucks. It will now control up to 5 other devices and all from 50' away! Can even MAP the volume control on the reciver with the remote as you control winamp with other functions.

20 Bucks! and no you don't need pay 47.00 >>



its a thought. i would still take the keyspan, as it works right. trust me when i say its worth the money. and yes ive used a universal remote with the PB reciever, it didnt work nearly as well as the keyspan did right off...

 

[Groch]

Here is an alternative I can recommend to the 2 IR remotes above, a deal on a wireless trackball which will be better for some apps.

The Trackman/Surfman live : Just Deals for $40 plus shipping uses Radio Frequencies instead of light so you do not have to point it in ANY direction. Even works in your pocket. Nice convenient size and shape, ("Is that a Surfman in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?"), and it plugs into the ps/2 port without drivers. Range is up to about 15-20 feet.

Just deals charges a lot for shipping one item, but if you need several things from them it becomes cheaper. These really do sell elsewhere for about a hundred. I have used em for years and their great.

 

[aoLhaTer]

I had a Packard Bell and was very displeased with it (i ebayed it off to some other unlucky person)
Its bulky, doesnt work with a lot of applications, has very limited range and of course has the old fashioned serial connector
but do as you will

 

[NauTiKa128]

The X10 (yes X10.. i know their ads are annoying but their products are really not that bad..) MouseRemote works great. I got it for $35ish (including shipping) a few months ago when they still had the $20 certificate for signing up for their spam mails. They offer a $15 cert. now for signing up for spam. try here. They're suppose to email you the certificate.. Don't know if it's still valid. Anyway, the MouseRemote works great w/ the MAX10 software that some programmer wrote. (instead of using the crappy program that comes w/ the remote) He couldn't stand the original software so he wrote his own.. and..... it's free. I now control 2 sets of lights, the tv, vcr, winamp, windvd, and the volume w/ the remote. Oh yeah, this thing is SERIAL too.. I think most ppl's serial port is free anyway.. So.. take ur pick.

edit: hm... didn't realize the try here link above is a referral link.. but i think that's the only way to get a certificate.. it's if someone refers you. I got this link from that site (savings-certer.com).. and no i'm not the owner of that site..

 

[NauTiKa128]

 

[Red Dawn]

Here's a link to an adapter that you plug into your motherboard. It works with all Intel Motherboards and probably most others. For only $35.00 you have a much more elegant solution

 

[Lucky]

<< Here's a link to an adapter that you plug into your motherboard. It works with all Intel Motherboards and probably most others. For only $35.00 you have a much more elegant solution >>




since when did you become a member of the order of ferengi?

 

[Red Dawn]

Dude I spend hours and hours designing systems and looking up parts. Once in awhile I feel like sharing some of the info I run across.

 

[kenkhanh]

The PB remote & IR receiver combo from sun818 was a great deal when i bought two. I recommend it with Girder.

Most of you should know that it can accept other remotes, too, like ericlp mentioned above w/ the radio shack remote (i use it w/ my old recoton universal remote).

So i'm not sure if jordo's claim about the 15' range is related to the remote or receiver because i use it in my bedroom and it's less than 15' in any direction and setting up the serial port shouldn't be hard because that's OS related.


<< You could prolly write a program to do that...or prolly have it do anything when u press the keys. I ordered the 10 dollar packbell one since im on a budget..ill have a lil fun with it Maby ill try to do cs movements with it! >>


No need. Sun818 includes a program for free on his site but there great, and free, IR remote control program called Girder you can use.

hth,
-Khanh