Remote Shoppe Remote Control Magazine

ESPN Ultimate Remote owners have been notified by Click365.tv of the release of a new firmware update for the remote. Click365.tv is sending e-mail notifications to registered users and an "UPDATE" button will automatically appear on the ESPN Ultimate Remote home page.

We have published a firmware release for your Smart Remote which addresses a stability issue that can cause the remote to get stuck with a blank screen in some situations.

For more information go to click365.tv > Support > Update

Universal Electronics to Design and Produce Customized Universal Remotes for Onkyo's Home Entertainment Products

Universal Electronics Inc. today announced a supply relationship with Onkyo Corporation to provide universal remote control units to the global leader in high-quality home audio/video (A/V) products. The total market for audio and A/V receivers is expected to experience significant growth from 12 million units in 2007 to 25 million in 2012 according to ABI Research.

The UEI-developed universal remotes have shipped with several new Onkyo models and are slated to ship with additional models scheduled to be released later this year. The models cover a range of Onkyo's product lineup, including its entry level and custom installation home theater systems and audio receivers.

Read more »

If you've walked past an Apple store lately, chances are you've seen the lines wrapped around the corner for the new iPhone 3G. Apple has once again created a lot of excitement with their latest product launch but one of the most exciting features of this release has nothing to do with the hardware itself. The iTunes AppStore was announced and released in conjunction with the new iPhone and iPod Touch firmware and has quickly become the model for downloadable software applications. Many of these applications extend the Wifi and network capability of the iPhone for home control and Smart Home Blog has compiled an excellent list of the applications already released on the AppStore.

Click here for Smart Home Blog's List of 14 Home Control Applications for the iPhone

GUIFX just completed a major update to their collection of network logos. Television, Sirius Radio, and XM Radio lineups have been revisited and completely overhauled to insure that this is the most complete collection of quality, high-resolution network logos available.

The network logos are available individually or as part of the award-winning CoPilot software. If you’re already using CoPilot, you’ll be prompted with an option to update automatically the next time you launch the app.

Click here to download the GUIFX Updated logos FREE

As mentioned in this RemoteShoppe review of the ESPN Ultimate Remote, the click365.tv service automatically provides the TV Listing Guide for the service provider using the remote's WiFi connection. I experienced the true benefit of this feature tonight! The cable provider in my area just added a dozen HD channels and more are expected in the next few days. As much as I love new HD content, these additions mean I need to re-program every remote control I am currently using and/or testing because I like to have one touch access to all the HD channels available. The Harmony remotes limit the number of favorite channels you may program which means I'll have to make some tough decisions on what channels I want available. RTI, URC and Philips remotes all require programming updates which is pretty quick and easy if you’re an installer; except that you must first find the channel logos for the new HD stations and format them to match the other channel buttons in use. The ESPN Ultimate Remote with Wifi access to the click365.tv service updated the channel listings automatically. I just grabbed the remote, hit "TV Listings" and all the new HD channels were already available right there on the remote. As I said in the review... the TVCompass technology behind the ESPN Ultimate Remote has a lot of potential and I can't wait to see it implemented in even more devices.

PROS
- ESPN Branding is cool… especially in a game room or sports-bar type room
- Device and activity control
- Built-in Wifi with access to channel listing guides and mobile device sites
- First generation click365 remote with potential for future development
- T9 keyboard
- Tilt activated screen and button activated backlight

CONS
- Terrible packaging design
- Full user manual is not included with the remote and may only be downloaded after registration
- Difficult programming
- Overpriced compared to other similar remotes like the Logitech Harmony ONE

The ESPN remote arrived just in time for Father’s Day from Amazon.com and I was excited to tear it open and get started with my new toy.

UPDATE Posted 7/24/08: Since Remote Shoppe’s original review was published earlier this month I have been working with TVCompass, manufacturer of the ESPN Ultimate Remote, and I’m glad to report that a simple warranty replacement of the charging cradle resolved some earlier issues and tech support helped me properly configure the complete channel guide in my area.

I’ve never been a fan of plastic blister packs but I learned a valuable lesson after my son’s first Christmas – I learned it would take less time to get a scissor and try to open the package neatly then wrestle with the hard plastic for hours only to have it rip apart. I also wanted to open the remote packaging carefully because a $300 remote is not necessarily something you want to go flying across the room. As soon as I started cutting away the edges of the packaging I realized that the ESPN Remote has THE WORST PACKAGING DESIGN ever created. Some genius decided the remote should be wrapped in a dumb-bell shaped blister pack and you cannot work the scissor neatly around the edges to free the remote. I cut what I could and then had to decide whether it would be best to find a razor or tear away the remaining packaging. Since I couldn’t see where the cables were packed I decided it would be better to rip the plastic and it created quite a mess. I expect this of inexpensive kid’s toys but not from a $300 consumer electronic device.

Read more »

via eHomeUpgrade

GuiFX announced the release of a new control system design by Guiwerx called Versa. It’s available immediately for the Crestron TPMC-10, TPMC-8L/8T/8X, TPS-12, and TPS-6L/6X as well as for the AMX MVP-8400, NX(T/D)-1200V, NX(T/D)-1200VG, NX(T/D)-CA12, and NX(T/D)-CV12.

Versa has activity driven graphic menus. It also features fully programmed popup logic and dynamic image control, and pre-programmed live weather maps (if connected to the internet.) Unique to Versa are a built-in main page graphics customizer and virtual iPod color customizer. You can also customize the look with any background image.

Click here for more information on Versa

If you have small children in your house than you may be interested in the Fobis Technology Weemote Wireless Remote Control.

This little universal remote lets me give some control to the kids and lets me keep my high-end controller safe from harm. I programmed the weemote with 10 channels for the kids and everything else is automatically blocked. We have the weemote dv too so the kids can operate the dvd player. It just makes it all so easy for everyone. And the best of all, the batteries can't ever fall out..Yeah!

Click here to read the entire Weemote review on About.com

SmartLabs, Inc. announces the release of NetLinc, a plug-in web server that puts the power of controlling an INSTEON home automation network in the palm of your hand. This revolutionary new product allows communication from an iPhone, iPod touch, the internet or any mobile Wi-Fi / web-enabled PDA or cell phone to remotely control and set timers for INSTEON devices.

There is almost no limit to what you can control with INSTEON. NetLinc takes that a step further, offering the power of INSTEON control from anywhere inside or outside your home. You can control or set timers for any device or scene on your INSTEON network while relaxing on the couch, entertaining in the backyard, at work, or on vacation. “NetLinc is the most affordable Internet-enabled web server for home automation to hit the market,” says Laurie Maroni, Vice President of Marketing at SmartLabs. “It can be used with virtually any web browser, but when you pair it up with an iPhone or iPod Touch you end up with an unbelievably beautiful touch screen experience at a fraction of the price of other proprietary solutions.”

Read more »

HomeSeer Technologies announces its new Series 2 HomeTroller home automation controller. The new unit features a fan-less, disk-less "hybrid" design that combines the reliability and simplicity of conventional hardware controllers with the power and flexibility of software-based automation systems. As with the original HomeTroller, the new Series 2 unit is designed to integrate and automate the many systems of a typical home including lighting, appliances, security, climate, irrigation, window covering, and audio/video systems.

HomeTroller is compatible with a wide range of wireless, hard-wired and power line automation technologies and Homeowners and integrators can choose from a dizzying assortment of human interfaces including push-button controllers, touchscreens, wireless remotes, telephones, and even voice! Like all HomeSeer systems, HomeTroller is also web-enabled and may be accessed by any internet-capable device from anywhere in the world.

Read more »

Only One Remote has just added a very special new Pronto offering for the TSU9600 remote. Taking full advantage of the two-way capability of this remote, they have released their own Escient module that features all of the capabilities of the standard Philips interface plus Internet Radio which is not available in the standard Philips module. Mr. Lyndel McGee is responsible for all of the custom scripting that has gone into this exciting new interface!

Click here for more information on Only One Remote

Remote Central takes a look at the new Elite Screens' ZR800D Remote Control - the first universal remote from the respected projection screen manufacturer. The ZR800D is an 8 device universal remote with the standard features including a pre-programmed IR database, IR learning, Macro functions and more. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like it adds much to the mid-range remote control market. Remote Central has this to say:

Elite Screens may have mixed together the right ingredients for their first universal remote, but they have not done so in the correct proportions. Add in a bigger and more versatile preprogrammed code database, enough learning memory for every key, a macro system that isn’t an afterthought, button labels that reflect the devices currently in America’s living rooms, full keypad backlighting, stronger infrared performance – not to mention supplementary features that not only make sense but also work – and the finished result could well be worth the asking price.

As it is, the ZR800D may be fine as a value-added accessory to one of Elite Screens’ core products, where the owner may choose to utilize it or tuck it away in a drawer, but as a serious contender in the mid-range universal remote control market it leaves one wanting more.

Click here for Remote Central's complete review of Elite Screens' ZR880D

Philips announced HAI's Pronto Link integration, which allows users to simplify home automation by controlling lights, temperature and security or control A/V equipment via a single Philips Pronto home control panel. HAI released a new brochure that details the HAI and Philips integration. This brochure will be available for dealers and distributors to order free printed copies

Click here to download the brochure. Warning: PDF file

- Using an iPhone(TM), Blackberry(R) Curve(TM) or Any WiFi Enabled Device, The Crimzon Connects(TM) Solution Allows Consumers to Control a Broad Range of Devices, Including TVs, DVD players, Stereos, Lights, HVAC and Home Security Systems
- Crimzon Connects(TM) Features Zilog's Industry-Leading Universal Infra-red Database
- Zilog is Working with Select Customers; Development Kits Available Now; First Production Availability Fall 08

Zilog, Inc. (Nasdaq:ZILG), a leading supplier of embedded system-on-chip (SoC) solutions for consumer and industrial applications, and an industry leader in remote control and universal IR database solutions, today announced a new paradigm in the rapidly growing home control market that provides the consumer with a complete and easy intelligent home control solution. The new Crimzon Connects(TM) platform represents the first comprehensive digital home/office control and monitoring solution in the marketplace. Based on Zilog's industry leading remote control capability, Crimzon Connects(TM) provides consumers and small business owners a new level of command and control over their homes and offices. With its built-in wireless and wired connectivity interfaces, Crimzon Connects(TM) makes it easy to remotely access and control your home or office electronic devices from any WiFi enabled device, such as a laptop, smart phone or intelligent connected remote control.

Read more »