The Enemy. Which remote do you want to program?
Now you have a decision to make. Which remote should you program? Ideally, you would choose the biggest (naturally!) remote, which probably has the ability to memorize the more important functions from each of the smaller remotes. But if you spend the time to program your monster remote, what happens to your programming when you change the batteries in it? And after all that programming, can any of the other people in the household understand what you did?
Fortunately, there are several choices that you can make. You can go ahead and program your largest remote, hoping for the best. You also might consider buying a remote that has upload/download abilities from the internet, hopefully it will also have the ability to backup your programming. But, if you have a Pocket PC, there may be another answer.
WinCESoft has a software product called IrDA Remote Control II. This utility allows you to use your Pocket PC as a fully customizable remote control for your home entertainment system. They also have a trial version of the product that is nearly identical to the full version but is limited in the number of button presses and the CCF- IR- code- import function.
WHAT'S HOT
The current version of Remote Control II
is v1.15. RC II is "skinnable" and has a built-in layout
editor so you can build your own button and control layouts. It offers
support for infrared extender hardware such as the Ultramote CF Extender,
and supports Fast-IR and Consumer-IR interfaces. It is inexpensive
at $29/€25, accepts commonly available CCR codes, and supports
Pocket PCs as well as Handheld PCs. Best of all, version 1.15 adds
two features that people have requested; if you are lucky enough to
have a Pocket PC that supports VGA, Remote Control II can be used in
VGA mode (with the appropriate skin). Also, if you have a Pocket PC
with the IR port on the bottom (such as the iPaq 4700 series), RC II
has a feature to invert the screen.
SETUP
As I have an HP iPAQ 4700, RAM memory is
always something I am mindful of. So I first attempted to load RC II into
a 512MB SD card, which did not work OK (I did not attempt to modify this
with Tweaks2K2). So I did the next best thing and installed it into the
iPAQ File Store.
RC II installs to the iPAQ File Store
Before completing the installation, I got a warning about the app being designed for a previous version of Windows Mobile (I am running WM2003SE). The application does work fine in portrait mode and VGA modes, however, this would require that you have a "project" designed for landscape mode.
Version warning during install (if you are running WM2003SE)
Once the program is installed, you have to fill out a registration form that records some system information from your Pocket PC. You then have to email this information to WinCESoft, and they, in turn, send you back a registration key. It's worth it though; this registration key is good for all upcoming versions of the product. Once you receive your key, enter it in and press OK.
Enter your registration key and let's get started!
PROGRAM FEATURES
Remote Control II begins by loading the
default project. There are four different modes available for use in
RC II, 240x320 (for the PPC), 640x240 (for Handheld PCs), 640x480 (for
PPCs with VGA) and 800x600 (for WinCE HPC Web Pads). For the
purposes of this review, we will first look at a
project in the smallest resolution mode on the
Pocket PC, then show off some of the newer VGA
features.
Fortunately, RC II does not start with a blank screen and
expect you to program it from scratch. RC II is "skinnable", meaning
that it is infinitely customizable to suit your needs. The program comes equipped
with a default "project", called vSilver (240x320), which has several
different screens for DVD, TV and Video Functions.
RC II loads the default "project"
Instead of making a remote screen unusable by putting too much information on one screen, the project spreads each function (TV, DVD, VCR/Video) across several pages.
Selecting IR Quick Learn to begin learning keys
All set to learn a function from your remote control. Press Channel 1 on the remote.
All done. The highlight on Channel 1 means that this function has been learned.
There is one caveat in this mode. The menu button on the upper right side of the screen is also programmable. Make sure that you leave IR Quick Learn mode before tapping the menu button or you may get stuck in Quick Learn mode and not be able to leave it.
For those of you who have VGA-capable Pocket PCs, there is a new mode. This mode allows for the use of VGA-quality skins without the need for any of the VGA mode software packages. To use this mode, simply mark the checkbox in Settings and load up a VGA project (downloaded from here). This mode change requires the RC II program to restart (this takes very little time).
Switch to VGA mode by marking the "Use Hi- Res. (VGA)" checkbox.
VGA Mode - Smoooooooth. Renders graphics at 192DPI instead of 96 DPI.
If your Pocket PC has the IR port located on the bottom of the case instead of the top, RC II also has a mode to invert the control screen so the IR points in the correct direction.
Switch to Inverted mode by marking the "Rotate Display 180" checkbox.
Inverted VGA goodness.
As you might imagine, this review barely scratches the surface of RC II's capabilities. RC II has very detailed modes that allow for many modifications to the remote software, and several people have generated new, specific project skins which are available at no charge from the WinCESoft website.
HELP SUPPORT
There is a brief, but
fairly detailed help file included with RC II. This
help file has information on everything from basic
functions such as training the remote to advanced
features such as to programming CCR Philips Pronto
(Remote) codes and
links to publicly available CCR sites.
The WinCESoft.de website is has more technical information regarding Remote Control II. You will also find skins that have been submitted by other users as well as an ongoing forum on the subject.
OPTIONS
Some of the modern
Pocket PCs (mine included) were designed with Fast-IR
(FIR) instead of Consumer IR (CIR) interfaces. The
basic difference is range, with CIR. With my Fast IR
device, I get a range of over 5 meters (15 feet)
with no problem. If this range is not enough for
you, you can by a CF-based IR extender for use with
RC II.
SYSTEM
REQUIREMENTS
Remote Control II runs on Pocket or Handheld PC
devices, and supports the PPC2002, WM2003 &
WM2003SE, Windows CE 3.0, HPC 2000, and .NET 4.x
Operating Systems. RC II used 4.3MB of RAM when run
with the 320x240 vSilver "project", and only
consumed 715KB of space when installed to the iPAQ
File Store.
BUGS AND WISHES
The only functional problem
I had with this software was in Quick Learn Mode, when I forgot to shut
it off before clicking the button that hides/unhides the menu. Yes, the
menu button is also programmable. I had to forcibly shut down the application
to make it forget my "mistake", but I chalk this up more to
a lack of experience with the software. I had no performance issues with
the software other than a brief wait when it first loads the graphics
skin (vSilver project).
On to the wish list. Foremost, I would love to see a companion program for the
PC that would allow the creation and programming of codes, similar to what we
have for Theme creator software. Second, although the software supported both
portrait and landscape on my Pocket PC, it would be nice for the software to
be able to switch orientation when the Pocket PC does (would require two different
skins, I suppose).
PURCHASING
Remote Control II can be purchased from the
WinCESoft.de
website. The purchase price is $29 or
€25
for either the Pocket PC or Handheld PC version. The
registration key that you receive from
WinCESoft is
good for all upcoming versions of their software.
PROS
- Infinitely customizable
- Broad range of hardware support
- Projects and customizations can be backed up and restored to your device
- Inexpensive solution when compared to commercial remote products
- Can mix and match what codes you want assigned to each remote screen
- VGA and inverted modes (NEW!)
CONS
- Programming multiple remote functions can still be tedious
- Editing project screens on the device can be complex
- No on-the-fly video orientation switch
OVERALL IMPRESSION
If you're like me and have never quite
programmed the "one remote to rule them all", Remote Control
II is a great product to have. I have even considered picking up an
earlier, CIR-enabled Pocket PC to use permanently in my home theater
with Remote Control II. So I'll finally be able to program a macro
that will turn on the TV, turn on the surround sound and select the
correct input, all in sequence. Now then, which sofa ate my DVD remote?!?
All screenshots in this review are taken using SOTI's Pocket Controller Pro
