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USB Remote Control

Posted by michael on from the couch-potato dept.

c13v3rm0nk3y writes "The Easy Zapper from Harmony is a universal A/V remote with a twist. Created to battle the complexities of operating home theatre systems, the Harmony operates a bit like a mobile telephone. There are few buttons to get you into trouble. The idea is that a single gesture is necessary to "watch a DVD", or "listen to music". It also acts as a TV Guide, as it can learn your local programming, and even tweak those choices based on a "zap" from the user. The interesting thing is that the unit itself has no remote "smarts". It learns eveything it has to by downloading code (va USB) and visiting the Harmony website. Support for Windows only right now, but there are plans for Mac OS, Linux, Playstation and XBox support. Very cool toy. The potential ability for this company to collect a lot of data on "typical" viewing habits is a bit scary. RemoteCentral.com has a review."

3 of 145 comments (clear)

  1. User review. by _LORAX_ · · Score: 5, Informative

    I got one of these beasts back in novenber. Despite some problems it does work as described, BUT the company has not been forthcomming with any documentation for the propriatary XML language or binaries that the device uses.

    Harmony has time and again broken promises to release the full XML spec. I have even extrapolated non-documented xml features that have helped, but I should not have to.

    As a simple remote with "activities" they are great, but if you are getting this to do complex programming steer clear.

    http://www.remotecentral.com/

    Good forums that have true user feedback.

  2. Re:why do they make this? by SuiteSisterMary · · Score: 3, Informative
    No, dude. 'Watch a DVD' generally entails:
    • Activate receiver, pre/pro and amp, if any
    • Select 'DVD' input
    • Activate television
    • Select appropriate input
    • Activate DVD player
    • run DVD
    And that's a pretty basic list.
    --
    Vintage computer games and RPG books available. Email me if you're interested.
  3. Re:Sure. by Zathrus · · Score: 3, Informative

    Which is why a lot of people with high end remotes simply remap the Mute button to Pause for DVD's, VCR's, and TiVo's.

    I think my VCR actually does mute too, since they tend to decide to "Stop" instead of pause after a few minutes, but I haven't used a VCR in about 2 years now, so I'm not sure.