Universal remotes and netbooks. Some thoughts

iPhone control is via WiFi.

I have a device called RedEye which acts as a bridge between WiFi and IR.

Software for iOS (iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad) then makes these devices into a universal remote. I use the iPod Touch which is very low cost and runs several remote-control applications at once (iOS 4 is multitasking).

You can have RedEye devices in more than one room controlled from one device. And if you setup your router for it you can remote control your system over the internet :-)

quote:

Originally posted by Dungassin:
This may be in the wrong forum, so moderators please move it if necessary.

Sorry folks, but I've been thinking again ...

As I am looking very hard at the Unitiserve and HDX ATM, I have been thinking about control options.

I note that you can control it from iPhone/iPad, but none of the info on Naim site tells me whether this is via wifi or hardwired connection

I also note that you can control the browser from a PC via network connections. This seems to me the possibly the best option, even though I own an iPhone. If the iPhone/iPad options are via wifi, that advantage becomes less, BTW.

That's when I had my thought ...

I know that a lot of us use Universal Remotes. I use a Logitech Harmony, and very useful it is, too. In these days of computer apps, and those of use with very complex audio or AV systems, why are we still stuck with dedicated Universal remotes?

Why isn't there an application for PC or Mac that let's you use them as the Universal Remote? In these days of Netbooks, which are certainly cheaper than the much over-priced (IMO) iPAD, surely some company such as Logitech could come up with a computer application with the same functionality as their remotes?

All you would need then is a nice small adapter on the netbook to send the infra-red commands. This approach would also have the benefit of bluetooth for the PS3 users out there, as many of these devices have that built-in. Problem solved!

What do you think?

Dungassin

iPhone/iPod/iPad is always wireless as a control device, either over wifi or bluetooth. And I must say that is very convenient too, you wouldn't want to sit in your couch with a 5 mtr wire attached or having to get out of your chair to change a track.
The Ipod/etc. connects over the 2.4 GHz band to your network and communicates over the network with the UntiServe or HDX.

The UnitiServe and HDX also come with an application that you can connect to from your internet browser and which you can use to control the UnitiServe and HDX from a network attached computer.
I don't know if this is what you mean by "an application for PC or Mac that let's you use them as the Universal Remote"?
But also in this case you can only control the UnitiServe and HDX easily if the netbook is wirelessly connected to the network.

Harmony RC is of no use because you can't get any feedback from the UnitiServe/HADX to the Harmony. E.g. you can't browse you music library on the Harmony. These devices are too basic for this advanced functionality.

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aleg

I think you've both answered my "thoughts".

Glad to hear that the iPhone etc link is wireless. Would have been "total pants" otherwise.

I think my main idea is that separate dedicated universal remotes are perhaps dated, and that applications that will give the same functionality to iDevices (sic), wifi netbooks etc are possibly the way of the future. Just don't know of any equivalent out there to something like the Logitech database for all the apparatus that might be involved.

After all, all these Universal Remotes really do is mimic the commands of the individual remotes and allow you to set up macros to control individual tasks. The only possible advantage is that they are smaller than a laptop (or netbook), but if you can get the same multitasking functionality and IR transmission onto something like an iPhone/iPod Touch, then that is the way to go.

p.s. I assume the n-Serve for iPhone functions in the same way as the PC type application?

quote:

Originally posted by Dungassin:
I think you've both answered my "thoughts".

Glad to hear that the iPhone etc link is wireless. Would have been "total pants" otherwise.

The iPhone applications are usually just an internet browser on a device that connects to a network wirelessly.

quote:

I think my main idea is that separate dedicated universal remotes are perhaps dated, and that applications that will give the same functionality to iDevices (sic), wifi netbooks etc are possibly the way of the future. Just don't know of any equivalent out there to something like the Logitech database for all the apparatus that might be involved.

I'm totally at a loss what you are thinking with this Universal remote thing.

For playback devices on a network there is already a kind of standardised control command set. It is called UPnP and/or DLNA. I hate at to the utmost deegree because it is bl****dy unstable when used across different brands. You hve to be lucky to find a working combination.
It doesn't need Logitech type of database, although I can't understand what you are thinking that database might be usefull for in the context of networked devices.

The route Naim is following, WIndows based application on a more basic OS-supported network level with dedicated iPhone-applications is much more stable and the way to go for quite somne time (IMHO).

quote:

After all, all these Universal Remotes really do is mimic the commands of the individual remotes and allow you to set up macros to control individual tasks. The only possible advantage is that they are smaller than a laptop (or netbook), but if you can get the same multitasking functionality and IR transmission onto something like an iPhone/iPod Touch, then that is the way to go.

iPhones etc dont do any IR and that whole IR-concept is what is outdated in a time where everything is going to be networked attached.

quote:

p.s. I assume the n-Serve for iPhone functions in the same way as the PC type application?

Haven't seen it but the PC-application will probably contain more features for seting up and administering the HDX / UnitiServe, besides the control of its functions.

I think it best to read the manuals and white papers of the HDX and the product information of the UnitiServe to get an idea how things work.
Otherwise it might even be better to postpone all investments in network devices etc until you have the UnitiServe for real and got some advise about how to set it all up.
It is easier to understand when you can actually see things, then when you have to try to understand the somewhat unfamiliar concepts from theory and hear-say.

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aleg

quote:

For playback devices on a network there is already a kind of standardised control command set. It is called UPnP and/or DLNA. I hate at to the utmost deegree because it is bl****dy unstable when used across different brands. You hve to be lucky to find a working combination.
It doesn't need Logitech type of database, although I can't understand what you are thinking that database might be usefull for in the context of networked devices.

The route Naim is following, WIndows based application on a more basic OS-supported network level with dedicated iPhone-applications is much more stable and the way to go for quite somne time (IMHO).

I hear what you say, but that is just a question of someone writing a more stable app/protocol. (I know - it's probably not as "easy" as that). Perhaps applications such as n-Serve could be rejigged for other Smart Phones?.

Not all devices are designed to be used networked e.g. bluray players, TVs. This is where the current Universal remotes score - they will work these with great ease.

quote:

iPhones etc dont do any IR and that whole IR-concept is what is outdated in a time where everything is going to be networked attached.

Although you may be correct about future networking, most current "home entertainment" devices are designed to work with IR remotes (with the exception of the PS3). The time when everything is going to be "network attached" is still a long way away for most of Joe Public.

To get down to my original point. I don't see why any PC (or Mac) could not have a program to enable it to function as a Universal Remote control. As I said initially, ATM such an application would have to have some way of generating and sending the IR commands to those devices which expect such a signal.

IR transmitters don't have to be large - after all, my HP PDA and the Palm devices used to (still have?) such a device built in. So it could be added to the spec of iPhones, Smart Phones if enough people wanted it.