Comments on: Use Any Handheld as a TV Remote with OmniRemote Pro

Long before Sony released the T series with a built-in TV/stereo remote control, Pacific Neo-Tek had developed OmniRemote, which let any Palm OS handheld control a TV with its infrared port. The company has now released OmniRemote Pro, which offers numerous new features. It now supports Palm OS 4, color screens, 320 by 320 displays, and thumbwheels. It is available now for $25.
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Too Expensive!

I.M. Anonymous @ 4/19/2002 10:24:17 AM #
$25 for a remote control? I'd pay $10 for it.
RE: Too Expensive!
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/19/2002 10:26:27 AM #
Remotes are supposed to make things easier -- why is it easier to use a remote with two hands (one to hold the PDA the other to use the stylus). Too much of a gimmick for me.

As for the price, $25 is steep. Perhaps it can be bundled with software that turns the PDA into either a metal detector (to find coins on the beach, with the Fellows "PDA Extension Stick") or wine corker.

RE: Too Expensive!
Mathrocks314 @ 4/19/2002 10:43:15 AM #
It is steep. But it’s cool to be able to turn on your TV with your palm.

Matt
Mathrocks314@yahoo.com
RE: Too Expensive!
Kaitou @ 4/19/2002 10:48:50 AM #
does this, or will this take advantage of the long range IR port found in the T and NR Clie models? I realize Sony doesn't have an API out for it, but it should still be possible to accomplish, and thats the only way I would see it worthwhile for me to purchase.

RE: Too Expensive!
Follower @ 4/19/2002 10:51:49 AM #
There is a standalone product that basically does the same thing as this program. It's called the Philips Pronto. The black and white ones sell for $400 and the color one, last I saw, was $1000.

Info at http://makeashorterlink.com/?T1AA228B

The main deal that both accomplish is they can do macros. That is, one button can be programmed to turn on the amp, switch the input to the DVD player, set the amp to Dolby surround, turn on the DVD player, eject the DVD tray, turn on the TV, set the TV's input to the DVD player, and adjust the picture settings or whatever else you want. Again, that's ONE finger tap.

Myself, I'm going to pay the $25 and check this out. The last time I tried OmniRemote, I didn't have an m505... :-)

Pretty good compared to alternatives
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/19/2002 10:53:42 AM #
When I way alternatives, I'm talking about professional "programmable IR remotes". They run up to 300 bucks so this is actually a pretty good deal.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?M6FA318B

All you nay-sayers should learn some restraint the next post/article you're about to bash.

Not Too Expensive!
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/19/2002 11:01:52 AM #
Too many palm users have this idea that all pallm apps should be $10. Maybe its because handhelds are so small compared to computers you think the software prices should also be much smaller. It's as much work to create a palm as as it does to create a pc app. Maybe more.

You need to get over it. This is keeping developers from writing good apps because they know they won't be able to sell them for more than $10 and its not worth it at that price.

RE: Too Expensive for piece of mind
Dearman @ 4/19/2002 11:09:12 AM #
I used the old omniRemote with my 3xe and m505 I'd be glad to use the upgrade on my M505, anything to keep the wife from flicking channels at subliminal speeds, and the macro functions are worthwhile, besides it can play with lego to

Fire pretty Tree bad

RE: One Handed Usage
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/19/2002 11:43:13 AM #
You can use OmniRemote with one hand since you can program the hardware buttons any way you want to. I use the Date Book and Address Book buttons to control the volume, and the Page Up and Page Down buttons for the channels. No stylus needed. OmniRemote works very well.

You can even share the remote control layouts you create with others. And you get good range with the Palm m505/m515. Very impressive.

RE: not Too Expensive!
c_blue @ 4/19/2002 11:50:48 AM #
I even programmed it to clone my car remote, so now I have a spare remotefor my TV sets, my car key , vcr, etc...

nice product

C_Blue

RE: Too Expensive!
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/19/2002 12:04:16 PM #
"does this, or will this take advantage of the long range IR port found in the T and NR Clie models?"

You're so confused... Those clies don't HAVE a long range IR port! Previous Clies had a terrible range compared to most other PalmOS devices (see range table on the Omniremote site). Their "long range" IR ports just bring them up to par with the rest of the pack. You don't see Palm hyping about "long range" IR, but for a while it's been the best in the pack. Pacificneotek bench tested to 55 feet (for IR remote purposes, not inter-palm beaming).


RE: Too Expensive!
cyruski @ 4/19/2002 12:38:34 PM #
omniremote can do macros too by the way

cyruski!
Clie long range IR
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/19/2002 12:54:02 PM #
Somewhere in the PacificNeotek site there was a discussion about the Clie. Charlie Payne, the OmniRemote programmer, explained that the Clie has two IR emmitters, one short range Palm compatable and one long range Sony proprietary. Sony would not give him the API for the long range but he was able to figure it out and has incorporated it into the OmniRemote software. There's a picture in there, somewhere, showing the two different IR LED's.
T615 IR
sbabcock @ 4/19/2002 1:16:17 PM #
True, the Sony basic IR for file transfer is pathetically small.

The high Power IR, which is not used for file transfer, only the Clie RMC program does have better distance. Sony refused to give information on how to use the high power IR, but Pacific Neotek did manage to figure out how to use it, so Yes, OmniRemote does use the high power IR. It is about equivalent to reasonable IR range.

ORDesktop
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/19/2002 1:24:48 PM #
Also, check out ORDesktop.com. They have a Windows program that lets you design OmniRemote screens for download to your Palm device. This software can also convert the Phillips Pronto IR codes and other IR codes for use on OmniRemote.
RE: Too Expensive!
Kaitou @ 4/19/2002 2:12:34 PM #
First of all, I am not "confused" the T and NR series have a second beam-only IR port not used for data, which is the "Enhanced" one, your flame was pretty pointless. The 55 feet distance is quite misleading, and will by no means indicate performance. If you look at the to cablebox chart, the distances are more equal.

To the person who responded to me, thank you, thats what I needed to know. I guess once my NR comes in, I will be ordering this.

RE: Too Expensive! Let's do it open source !
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/19/2002 2:55:54 PM #
I've found an IR Lib on freshmeat.net for the Palm.
I could be used to make an open source version of OmniRemote ?

If you have any idea, post your comments on
http://www.palmopensource.com forums to reach me.

RE: Too Expensive!
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/19/2002 3:43:16 PM #
Anybody else notice the size of the pdb's that hold the button shapes and sizes? By the time you get done making a cool looking remote control, the thing will use more RAM than Datebk4.
RE: Too Expensive!
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/19/2002 3:52:58 PM #
Excellent PIC equivalent for (programmable) remotes:

http://www.remotecentral.com

BTW, if you work in an office with IR controlled lights like I do, you can have great fun during boring meetings with this app. Well worth $25. :-)

RE: Too Expensive!
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/19/2002 7:06:47 PM #
>Too many palm users have this idea that all pallm apps should be $10. Maybe its
>because handhelds are so small compared to computers you think the software
>prices should also be much smaller. It's as much work to create a palm as as it
>does to create a pc app. Maybe more.

It also takes as much (or more) work to design and manufacture handhelds compared
to desktop computers. Does that mean you are willing to drop a couple thousand
dollars for one? Didn't think so...

RE: Too Expensive!
martopiggus @ 4/19/2002 10:12:49 PM #
I thought a programmable remote control from Sony or Marantz would cost about USD 100, can you call a $25 similar product expensive? You people are too pathetic.

RE: Too Expensive!
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/20/2002 9:50:20 AM #
> It also takes as much (or more) work to design and manufacture handhelds
> compared to desktop computers.

You need to be careful when using an analogy because, more often than not, analogies are incorrect.

What you are missing is that, for hardware, the cost of design isn't close the the primary cost. In software, design is just about the only cost. While it may cost more to design a handheld than a laptop, a laptop's screen costs about a $1000. Compared the that, the cost of designing the laptop is negligible. Then you have to add all the other parts, many of which cost hundreds, even when bought wholesale. The most expensive handheld screen,s on the other hand, costs about $100 -- $200. Hardware costs determine the price of hardware, not design.

However, I know you were trying to be obnoxious (and succeeding, BTW) but I have to point out that there are low-end PCs that you can buy for less than the cost of a high end handheld.

RE: Too Expensive!
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/20/2002 10:28:22 AM #
I thought this product was too expensive too, but one simple word changed my mind: MARMOSET
RE: Too Expensive!
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/20/2002 2:50:41 PM #
lol ^)
RE: Too Expensive!
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/21/2002 2:38:49 AM #
"$25 for a remote control? I'd pay $10 for it."

Well think about the poor guys who were not able to get a refund for their T415. They paid about $300 for a remote control!


RE: Too Expensive!
I.M. Anonymous @ 7/30/2002 2:51:48 PM #
What is Marmoset? is another Remote software
RE: MARMOSET
waydwnsouth @ 4/12/2004 2:52:56 PM #
MARMOSET is the registration key for OmniRemote 2.02, though i can't get it to work. i get the message "Your OmniRemote Pro upgrade code has been accepted. Thank You." It still shows an experation (now 10 days). Please Help
RE: Too Expensive!
;-( @ 4/13/2004 3:59:13 AM #
Try this code:

DAEHTIHS

It's massive. Massive.

My Clie n610c would suck!

big_raji @ 4/19/2002 10:30:08 AM #
OMG! A range of 2 feet for the Sony Clie?!??! Gah. I had no idea the IR was so weak.

Why is the Palm m5xx so strong? That's unreal. Palm should've included Remote software with their m5xx PDAs.

---
What's Wrong With This Picture?
http://raj.phangureh.com/picture.html

RE: My Clie n610c would suck!
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/19/2002 10:50:28 AM #
> OMG! A range of 2 feet for the Sony Clie?!??

Huh? I don't know what chart you were looking at but I see 8 feet. That's pretty weak but 4x better than what you said.

RE: My Clie n610c would suck!
big_raji @ 4/19/2002 12:26:38 PM #
The chart with the stats on "Omniremote to Cable Box"

You're quoting the 8ft range for sending to a "Lego Mindstorms" thing.

---
What's Wrong With This Picture?
http://raj.phangureh.com/picture.html

RE: My Clie n610c would suck!
Altema @ 4/19/2002 12:48:25 PM #
I don't know why they would have it so strong either, then not even mention it in their promos. If you really want to have fun with the range (regardless of handheld model), and you have a MiniDisc deck, check out MD Titler from Ellams Software. It seems like the app overdrives the IR transmitter to boost range. I could get 40 feet out of my old IIIc with this program... I can't measure the 500 series because I don't have any rooms big enough. Anyone want to donate a house so I can test? :)
RE: My Clie n610c would suck!
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/21/2002 11:39:38 AM #
MY N610c easily got 10 feet. In fact, standing on the 2nd floor of my house, I was able to control the TV, reciever, etc. on the first floor. I got great distance with the N610c.

Is this possible?

I.M. Anonymous @ 4/19/2002 10:37:58 AM #
I was thinking of using my TV remote as a remote control because it seems to have all the right buttons for one-handed use, then using my Sony or Palm as a PDA. Is this possible?
RE: Is this possible?
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/19/2002 10:46:20 AM #
I'm totally certain that no application is used by everyone. If this isn't for you, fine, but criticizing it because you don't need it is pointless. Tell us your favorite program. I'll bet someone will be able to post a reason why they think it's a stupid waste of time. Would that make you stop using it?
RE: Is this possible?
nategall @ 4/19/2002 11:05:12 AM #
yeah, but that's pretty damned funny.
:)

nategall says "blah!"
RE: Is this possible?
Altema @ 4/19/2002 1:03:30 PM #
I thought it was funny too, but what I'm looking for is a rubber button overlay for my Palm, and a digitizer for my tv remote...

Seriously though, my kids keep taking batteries from the remotes, so OmniRemote would be useful for me. Much better than hunting down GameBoys and Walkmans to get the batteries back.

treo?

I.M. Anonymous @ 4/19/2002 10:55:05 AM #
where is the treo in this study?
RE: treo?
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/19/2002 11:06:51 AM #
I wonder if the software will allow the Treo to be used as a remote but triggered from a phone call. Say, if you're in another state and want to change the channel on your TV, you could have the Treo sitting in front of the TV, call it from another phone, and punch in commands to change the channel.
RE: treo?
GregGaub @ 4/19/2002 11:39:37 AM #
I tried it on my Treo, and couldn't get more than about 4 feet away before my TV stopped responding. YMMV.
RE: treo?
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/20/2002 2:53:45 AM #
> .. if the software will allow the Treo to be used as a remote but triggered from a phone call.

can't do that, need multi tasking for one app calling up another app (phone -> remote app)

RE: treo?
skoty @ 4/20/2002 4:47:51 PM #
There actually is an API for applications on the Treo to send SMS messages. I'm not sure if they can receive them or not though.

--------------
If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.

The big picture...

nategall @ 4/19/2002 11:06:16 AM #
I had tried this program out when i had my old III, and it was pretty darn good. The beauty is that I ALWAYS know where my palm is and i usually misplace my remotes.

Plus, the remotes that come with the pieces of equipment have a bunch of functions that you really don't use on a regular basis. (How many times do you access the "Setup" menus on your tv? I mean television, not transvestite.)

So you have one item (Palm) with several screens to run everything, but you can also combine functions from each of the remotes onto one screen

for instance
volume control to stero system
tv/video from TV (television)
pause/play from replay4000
channel changer from replay4000

no more switching remotes to access everything.

and $25.00 is not to bad for pricing.

nategall says "blah!"

RE: The big picture...
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/19/2002 12:56:45 PM #
$25 is alot of money troll.
PDA's shouldnt have pricing more than $10 unless they're Docs to go or that similar product.

I am anonymous.

RE: The big picture...
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/19/2002 1:27:27 PM #
You're also cheap (for someone who uses a PDA).
RE: The big picture...
Rolando @ 4/19/2002 1:47:33 PM #
I don't think $25.00 is too much to pay for software for a PDA. I bought Bonzai and Datebk4, both of which are this much or higher. Some of my coworkers don't see the value... I do.

For me, with only a TV and VCR, $25.00 would be too much, since it would really only be a novelty item. But for my friend who has boatloads of A/V equipment, $25.00 might be a bargain.

Plus, we don't know their business model. Maybe they want to discourage people like me, who might be a pain in the rear to support for only $10.00. The powerusers will pay $25.00, actually read the documentation, and probably never call. Plus, they will all share their collective macros with each other, fostering even more folks to buy the software.

Those are my thoughts, anyway.

Rolando

RE: The big picture...
Wollombi @ 4/19/2002 4:47:47 PM #
Uh...how does calmly stating an opinion and nothing more make one a troll?

I saw no bashing of anyone else's opinions here....

_________________
Sean

It is not very comfortable to have the gift of being amused at one's own absurdity.
-Somerset Maugham-

RE: The big picture...
Roberto @ 4/19/2002 5:12:13 PM #
Why does everyone think that $25 is too much for this amount of functionality. You can't even buy a universal learning remote for less than $50. So why wouldn't $25 be reasonable?

RE: The big picture...
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/19/2002 5:49:23 PM #
Agreed...$25 is completely reasonable for a product like this, and this particular one looks superb (seems to add just about everything one could hope for to the old version, which was getting very outdated).

If my Palm were anything but an older Sony Clie (with horrible IR range), I'd buy OmniRemote Pro for sure. It looks like a true "killer app" for a color Palm. IMHO. [My previous Palm was a Visor Prism, but I'm planning to sell it (plus the IR is on the left side -- ugh!).]

-Ardee.

RE: The big picture...
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/19/2002 7:24:19 PM #
$25 is reasonable for me. considering a lot of people are gonna crack it and give it for free.
RE: The big picture...
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/21/2002 11:53:53 AM #
>$25 is alot of money troll.

I think what I.M. wanted to say/Type was

"$25 is alot of money. (troll)"

to indicate that he was trolling for responses with his statement. I guess (s)he might be talking about a object called "money troll", which might be similar to "bling bling" or other slang terms.

such as

"$25 is alot of bling bling."

but who can tell. For me, it looks like a nice product for a fair price. If you don't think so... well, fine. :)

of course the inflammitory response is
"yeah, $25 is a lot of money, to a crack whore"

but i won't go there!

Have a NR70? Omniremote Developer Needs Your Help!

highvista @ 4/19/2002 2:02:07 PM #
Omniremote will use the high-power IR of the T- and NR-series Clie's, but until Charlie Payne, the Omniremote developer, finds out the device ID of the new NR-series Clie's, he can't enable the high-power IR in these units. He needs someone with an NR70/70V to run a test program for him on the unit. As someone who will soon have an NR70V, I'd like to ask anyone who has one now to head over to the PacificNeotek web forum and check out this thread for details on how to help Charlie out. Thanks!

Thread URL:
http://www.pacificneotek.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard/topic.cgi?forum=4&topic=77

RE: Have a NR70? Omniremote Developer Needs Your Help!
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/19/2002 4:15:10 PM #
Sony recently updated their SDK on their developer site, and it includes this information.

Drooling

I.M. Anonymous @ 4/19/2002 5:30:37 PM #
Looks really nice, but my Clie just doesn't have the range. :-(

Forget the faithful?!

tipds @ 4/19/2002 6:30:11 PM #
Man, I'm a little upset that registered users are still being charged for the new version. When I bought the original, I was told that upgrades would be at no charge. Looks like that was not true. Even if I was willing to pay the extra cost for the upgrade, I wouldn't, especially since they don't offer the IR module for the Clie N-series.

Grumble, grumble,
Tip DS

RE: Forget the faithful?!
I.M. Anonymous @ 4/20/2002 9:20:00 PM #
im in the same boat, and boy, does it stink!

TRG Pro?

orb2069 @ 4/19/2002 6:56:47 PM #
Since I don't see the TRG Pro listed, (and it's possibly the ONLY one not listed!) is this going to be the excuse I need to get a HE330?

Side note - I used earlier versions of OmniRemote when I worked for the AV department of a local convention center (And was using a PPProfesional/III upgrade). Macro sets are amazing. We had eight diffrent models of VCR's - I created seperate button pages for each VCR type, then made macro sets that transmitted across all the types at once. You need to set a unit to 'Line input'? Hit the [All line remote] button, and wait a sec. There you go! No digging around for a compatable remote. This was also fun for sports bars. [All power off]. Ah, quiet.



I /am/ the eggman.

IR Boost

big_raji @ 4/20/2002 12:42:28 AM #
I wonder... is there a way to boost your internal IR without affecting the size of the PDA at all? I have no idea how electronics work... but I'd imagine that there might be a way to cut one of the leads attached to the IR, and put something in there to boost or amplify the amount of power being sent to it to transmit?

I'm probably talkin outta my ass....

---
What's Wrong With This Picture?
http://raj.phangureh.com/picture.html

Blue-sky tinkering with IR.
orb2069 @ 4/20/2002 10:10:02 AM #
Most IR transmitters nowadays are LED (Light Emitting Diodes - Infared light in this case.)

Many LEDs, if not all, are MUCH more sensitive to being overdriven than regular light bulbs.

So, unless they deliberately over-specified the IR LEDs in your handheld (Unlikely in this price climate), trying to increase the (micro)voltage or (mili)amprage going to the transmitter will probably just junk the LED.

There might not be anything to stop you from replacing a low quality emitter part with something more efficient, however. But it might open up a can-of-worms as far as frequency calibration of the signal - Something this app is pretty dependant on.

Also nothing stopping you from getting one of the IR-test strips from Radio Shack and finding out if you've got a sloppy emitter design (Take off the case, set the handheld to transmit, and see if it's blowing a large percentage of it's IR into it's case instead of out the window. Compare signal strength with unit in and out of case - It woulden't be the first time somebody used the wrong plastic in the IR window.) You might even want to see if there's some way for you to 'patch the holes' - Painting the off edges of the IR LED with a silver paint comes to mind (or maybe Tin foil ) but don't short anything out.

Hope that helps.

I /am/ the eggman.

RE: IR Boost
big_raji @ 4/21/2002 11:12:48 AM #
Phew, thanks for the tips. I frequently use my IR port with my cell phone, so perhaps I don't want to play with it too much then. I don't think remote features are a good trade-off for internet connectivity on the go. :)

---
What's Wrong With This Picture?
http://raj.phangureh.com/picture.html

m50x IR that good?

I.M. Anonymous @ 4/20/2002 10:00:08 AM #
When I was using PalmRemote on my m505, I could only get it to work at a distance of 2-3 meters max. I can't try OmniRemote Pro just yet, but if the range is half of what they measured, I will be happy!

Can anyone with an m50x tell us how it performs?

Fatal Exception with m505?

deadpace @ 4/20/2002 9:27:24 PM #
I tried running the demo of OmniRemote Pro V2.01 on my m505 and it kept on giving me Fatal Exceptions. I tried running it on the emulator with a OS 4 ROM and it gave the following message:
"Remote" 2.01 has just read directly from the CPU registers. This technique is not permitted for PalmOS applications and may not work in future Palm products which have hardware changes. "Remote" will likely crash this or future Palm devices...

Has anyone else run into the same problems?

RE: Fatal Exception with m505?
I.M. Anonymous @ 6/29/2002 8:53:03 PM #
I tried the demo on my NR70V and got the Fatal Exception Error. Had to RESET. So I just removed it. I don't this will work in future PalmOS.
RE: Fatal Exception with m505?
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/30/2002 2:37:11 PM #
I have the same problem and people from Omni Remote are ignoring the problem.
Omni Remote im PALM m505 = Fatal Exception

Clie support

I.M. Anonymous @ 4/23/2002 7:04:42 AM #
This version finally works with my Clie (S300)! Too bad the range is only about 2-3 metres..

MARMOSET

waydwnsouth @ 4/12/2004 2:59:07 PM #
I have been to many sites that say MARMOSET is the registration code for OmniRemote 2.02. I tried it and got a message stating "Your OmniRemote Pro upgrade code has been accepted. Thank You." I still have an experation time (now 10 days). Please Help!!!!!!
RE: Begging for a way to steal software
;-( @ 4/13/2004 3:56:02 AM #
Either buy the app or take your questions to a warez group. Imbecile.

It's massive. Massive.

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