Intro:
Are you the ultimate in lazy, or do you have a PC hooked up to your TV? If you don't have a
remote for your PC, you'll want to keep reading and probably pick one of these up for around $15, shipped!
Specs, and more:
Below is taken almost directly from this page, where you can buy the product...
This credit card sized remote control by Creative Labs is one of the most versatile remote
controls that you can acquire for your PC. With this remote control, you can not only control a wide array of hardware
and software DVD programs, but also other popular multimedia player programs such as Microsoft Media Player and Winamp.
This remote control can also act as a remote mouse! Installation and setup is simple, it simply plugs into any available
standard 9-pin serial port. This remote control includes Remote Selector software, which not only enables you to be able
to use this remote control with a wide array of programs, but it also works with all versions of Microsoft Windows!
New in Plain White Box. 1 Year Warranty. Usually ships same day.
General Features:
- Multimedia credit card remote control
- Doubles as a remote mouse
- Great Windows compatibility
- Receiver unit plugs into standard 9-pin serial port
- Decoder Card/Software Compatibility
- ATI MultiMedia Center
- Chromatic Research Mpact2
- CineMaster Software Engine
- CoolDVD
- Creative Encore Dxr2
- Creative Encore Dxr3
- Creative PlayCenter
- Creative PlayCenter 2
- LuxSonor LS-220 (Creative Labs CT7160 Inlay Decoder Card)
- Microsoft Media Player
- Microsoft Media Player 7
- PowerDVD (may not work with PowerDVD XP)
- RealMagic Hollywood +
- RealMagic XCard
- WinAmp 2.x (May not work with WinAmp 3)
- WinDVD
- WinDVD 4
Package Includes:
- Creative Labs Infra (PC-DVD) Remote Control
- Remote Control Receiver Unit (Model: CIMR100)
- Remote Control Button Battery
- Driver CD
Requirements:
- 9-pin serial port (COM1-COM4)
- Windows 95/98/ME/NT4/2000/XP
- Supported multimedia decoder or software (see list above)
- CD-ROM drive for driver/software installation
The box and contents:
The product was shipped via USPS in a plain white box. It was wrapped with bubble wrap to protect
the contents from shifting around.
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| (1) The shipping box |
Looking below, in picture 2, you can see the remote, the receiver, the battery, and a CDR with the
software for running the remote. The remote is often referred to as credit card sized, which is correct, except it is
thicker of course. It is perfectly sized to slide right on down between your couch or chair cushions with relative ease. :)
A watch like battery is included with the kit. There are no instructions as to "how to put the
battery in", but a little slide and pull removes the battery holder. On the side of that, is a + sign, which relates to
the positive side of the battery should be facing up.
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| (2) Unpacked: What you get |
(3) The bottom of the receiver |
(4) The remote |
(5) Battery slot |
Software:
What would be a remote without software that works? Useless. Assuming you have Autorun enabled on
your optical drive, you will see what is shown in picture 6. Taking it further, I've actually placed the full HTML
instructions online for you. Just click picture 6. If this product interests you, you might as well see exactly what you
are getting. It also explains all of the buttons too. It does explain everything much better than me trying to summarize
for you.
I'm not sure why a floppy disk wasn't included instead of the CDR. A floppy would be cheaper,
since all the files are under 700kb. Then again, I suppose the floppy drive is doomed for death, just like ISA slots.
Controlling stuff:
With Windows XP Pro, I have used Winamp 3, Windows Media Player 9, Power DVD 4, and
Power DVD XP (5) with the remote. Only basic functionality was tested. (Pause, Play, Stop, Next, Volume up and down, Mute.)
All worked with the exception of Power DVD XP, so there is a little more room for support than the requirements say above.
If you went to the author's homepage of the remote software, you can buy updated software that will support updated
versions of media playing programs.
I usually tested 10 or so feet away from the receiver without any incidents. You need a line of
sight with infrared, but that shouldn't be a problem.
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| (6) The instructions |
(7) Dang, that is small |
(8) WMP9 in action |
The remote software:
Below are a few pictures of the remote software. I won't go into much detail on them, but I will
point out some high and low points along the way.
Highs:
Delaying the time at Windows startup for the remote selector program to run is almost ingenious.
With all of your programs fighting for every bit of resource to run themselves at Windows start, the option to delay it
for 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, or 60 seconds is welcomed.
Picture 10 is where you tell the program what serial port you've hooked up your infrared receiver
to. Generally it would be COM 1 or 2, but the software does support up to COM 4. Also in that tab, you can customize the
keys for the remote. Untested by me, you can also assign keyboard commands to control the "in use" media player. Ok,
that's neat, but why use the keyboard when you have a remote in the first place is beyond me.
Also supported is a Crystal Fonts serial LCD, and some strange parallel port one. So if you have
one of them, neat! I have no idea what would be displayed on it anyway though.
Lows:
The software, as seen in picture 9, should automatically detect what media player you are using.
I found this not to be the case. I am however using later versions of the media programs, which are unsupported, so I
account it to that. It's not that big of a deal anyway. I mean, you'll probably just use one or two media players anyway,
and it only takes a couple of clicks to change it.
In the Control and Video tabs there would be options to tweak your selected player a little. Like
for instance, skip those pesky FBI warnings on DVD's. With this bundled version, that is not possible. I was however able
to skip chapters in "Coming Attractions," but not in FBI warnings.
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| (9) Program options |
(10) Remote key options and setup |
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| (11) About |
Summary:
At $15.00 USD shipped, this thing is the perfect addition for anyone that craves a remote for
their PC. Imagine yourself on your couch with your HTPC across the room, and the phone rings. You pick up your remote,
and hit pause. There, your remote has just paid for itself. Even though being explained that this remote could also
control your mouse pointer, I never got it to work. I'm assuming that it is related to the NT Kernel. Handy? Perhaps.
Deal breaker? Nah... Try moving your mouse in just 4 directions, and imagine the accuracy. If it did work, it would be
annoying enough that you would probably walk over to your mouse and just use that instead of 30 seconds of agony...
Pros:
- Gives remote functionality at an inexpensive cost.
- Easy to setup. You should be up and running in 5 minutes.
- Basic software included.
- Customizable buttons.
Cons:
- Mouse function not working in XP.
- Hooks to serial port. (Not really a big deal, since most PC's still have at least one serial port.)
"An inexpensive remote to compliment any PC!"
Closing:
I'd like to thank TekGems for sponsoring this highly useful
remote for review. If you are into parts "pulls," overstocks, discontinued items, such as this remote, and other
inexpensive gadgets head on over to TekGems. Maybe you will find something else you like. So that's it for now. I hope
you enjoyed the review. Go sound off in our Forums of you would like, or email me
personally. Until next time...
Update:
A reader chimed in and reminded me of something. If the software that is included with the remote,
is not to your liking, you may want to check out other more configurable software such as,
Girder (Shareware) or WinLIRC (Freeware).
Home ^^^
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