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Topic:
*Simple* RF Remote
This thread has 3 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Saturday February 5, 2005 at 20:01
fosheezy
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
January 2003
4
Hello,

My dad is a dentist, and has a PC, flat panel & RF headphones in each patient room. The PCs are all networked, and have internet access. In the past, when a patient would come in, they'd sit down and we would hand them the headphones. There would always be a DVD playing on the screen for entertainment while they were getting their teeth worked on. That worked well for a while, but now patients tell us they want to be able to listen to some music instead. Since all the PCs are connected to the 'net, and we have a 6mbps DSL connection, I was thinking that we could easily implement streaming radio via Winamp/Shoutcast.

I've looked all over this site, and have owned both of ATI's Remote Wonders, but I can't seem to find an RF remote that is *simple* to use. Most PC RF remotes have way too many buttons; a patient who is reclined in a chair can't really tilt their head to see which button they're pushing. Therefore, I'd like to get a remote which only has a few buttons - Power, Volume, Mute, and Channel. I could preprogram different genres of music into a Winamp playlist; the patient would only have to flip through them (Channel up/down) to find some music they like.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks!

-Derek
Post 2 made on Sunday February 6, 2005 at 05:58
Daniel Tonks
Wrangler of Remotes
Joined:
Posts:
October 1998
28,779
I don't think you're going to find any RF PC remotes like that. PCs are complicated, and the remotes currently out there are designed to handle as much as possible.

Your other solution might be to go with an IR remote, like the iMon. In this case you wouldn't really use the remote so much as the receiver's capability to "learn" IR from any other remote. That way you can buy any old universal remote out there, even if it itself is not learning, as long as it has an arrangment of keys that you like. The downside, of course, is that IR is more directional - although the iMon's IR sensor is extremely sensitive.
OP | Post 3 made on Wednesday February 9, 2005 at 00:20
fosheezy
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
January 2003
4
Hi Daniel,

Thanks for the prompt response. I did some more searching, and you're right, most of the RF remotes are designed for HTPC use, and have way too many buttons and may seem daunting to the average patient.

I looked at the iMon system - the learning IR eye and software are definitely cool. I'll keep that one in mind. During my searches, I stumbled onto Keyspan's site, and found their "Express" remote. It's got a minimal set of buttons, and the software can be set to emulate any keystroke (or combination) for any program. The only drawback is that it's IR.

Check it out!
[Link: keyspan.com]

I'm not sure which solution I'm going to end up installing; I'll have to scout out some good mounting points for the IR receiver first. As always, your help and comments are appreciated.

Thanks!

-Derek
Post 4 made on Friday February 11, 2005 at 00:14
Daniel Tonks
Wrangler of Remotes
Joined:
Posts:
October 1998
28,779
Not bad - that's a pretty simple remote.

You might also want to look at "presentation remotes" (for boardroom presentations). There might be some simpler designs available.


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