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The following page was printed from RemoteCentral.com:
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Sony Tablet S as alternative to iPad remote
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| Topic: | Sony Tablet S as alternative to iPad remote This thread has 14 replies. Displaying all posts. |
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| Post 1 made on Saturday September 17, 2011 at 14:12 |
Tennant Founding Member |
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Posts: | January 2002
32 |
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I've been a user of various Philips Pronto remotes, RC5000, iPronto, TSU-9600 etc. Whilst the iPronto was my preference of all of these because of the built in web browser, it lost favour as battery life waned and the browser couldn't handle modern websites. I got an iPad, which seemed the ideal device for a remote control other than its lack of IR blaster. I know there are various add-ons around, but never got round to exploring them. Instead I have just taken delivery of Sony's iPad rival the Tablet S. This Android 3.2 (Honeycomb) device does have a built-in IR blaster and also is the perfect form factor for a remote control/casual living room web browsing device. However the remote control software it comes with is relatively basic compared to the Prontos. Whilst it can learn IR commands, and you can change the names of buttons, the layout of the screens is pretty much fixed. I know it's early days for this device, but anyone know of any existing or in development apps that would allow an improved remote interface? Something that allows complex, graphic-rich layouts with macros to be designed on the PC and then uploaded to the tablet (a la Pronto) would be perfect... Tennant
Last edited by Tennant on September 17, 2011 15:32.
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| Post 2 made on Saturday September 17, 2011 at 22:52 |
gopronto Senior Member |
Joined:
Posts: | April 2008
1,453 |
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An option might be the new software from Bitwise that will be android based, will give you all the like "Pronto programming tools", but not sure if it will access the IR Blaster on the Sony tablet, we will just have to wait and see.
:)
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Pronto still one of the best Wi-Fi Remotes, www.ikonavs.co.nz and [Link: axiumcontrol.com] Axium Control |
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| Post 3 made on Sunday September 18, 2011 at 11:12 |
rmalbers Founding Member |
Joined:
Posts: | October 2001
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I was wondering about the Sony tablet S remote control software. One reviewer said it was the 'Sony HomeShare Universal Remote' software but looking at the Sony tablet S manual it doesn't look like it has all those options at all. Here is a link to that remote and on that page (under the spec tab) there is a link to it's manual: [Link: store.sony.com]Can you confirm that the Sony tablet does not have all the function of the HomeShare remote?
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| OP | Post 4 made on Monday September 19, 2011 at 05:11 |
Tennant Founding Member |
Joined:
Posts: | January 2002
32 |
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No it does not appear top have the functionality of the HomeShare remote (although only had it a couple of days, so may be mistaken)...however as an Android device, I', presuming that isn't a restriction on someone else writing an app that provides all the functionality you would require from a universal remote.
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| OP | Post 5 made on Monday September 19, 2011 at 05:15 |
Tennant Founding Member |
Joined:
Posts: | January 2002
32 |
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On September 17, 2011 at 22:52, gopronto said...
An option might be the new software from Bitwise that will be android based, will give you all the like "Pronto programming tools", but not sure if it will access the IR Blaster on the Sony tablet, we will just have to wait and see.
:) Certainly looks interesting...however as the software is only available to registered dealers, it wouldn't be a solution that suits me. I like the challenge of designing my own remote UI and also change my kit quite often so wouldn't be practical/cost effective to have to go back to a dealer every time I wanted to update the remote's programming. Tennant
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| Post 6 made on Monday September 19, 2011 at 09:14 |
rmalbers Founding Member |
Joined:
Posts: | October 2001
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On September 19, 2011 at 05:15, Tennant said...
Certainly looks interesting...however as the software is only available to registered dealers, it wouldn't be a solution that suits me. I like the challenge of designing my own remote UI and also change my kit quite often so wouldn't be practical/cost effective to have to go back to a dealer every time I wanted to update the remote's programming.
Tennant You know, that sounds like where I am at, the Pronto's were really nice that way, like you said. I'm also just to cheap to shell out for custom when I can do it myself. (I also move stuff around, I just moved my Roku to another room yesterday.)
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| Post 7 made on Tuesday September 20, 2011 at 19:57 |
Grimmace Long Time Member |
Joined:
Posts: | February 2003
156 |
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I am looking at a Tablet S, or the RMN-U1 homeshare remote which the Table S is supposed to have in it. How do you like the tablet so far as a remote?
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| OP | Post 8 made on Wednesday September 21, 2011 at 08:07 |
Tennant Founding Member |
Joined:
Posts: | January 2002
32 |
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On September 20, 2011 at 19:57, Grimmace said...
How do you like the tablet so far as a remote? Fuctionally it is fine...has learnt all my remotes ok, except for the Media Centre PC which uses RC6 codes (Prontos couldn't copw with this either). The IR blaster seems suitably powerful enough to reach all the kit without having to point directly at it. The standard Sony software is just a bit basic...I'd like the ability to build macros and to design my own backgrounds and button layouts etc. However being an Android device I'm hoping that 3rd-party apps will fill this requirement. The web browser isn't quite as fast as my iPad (original iPad not iPad2) and it takes a while to negotiate the wifi connection after waking up from sleep; but these are minor niggles. As a device for sitting on the living room table instead of a bunch of remotes, and to quickly look up something online related to something on TV or in a movie it is, so far, looking good. Ergomically it is better suited for this than the iPad. Battery life isn't as good as I'd hoped...particularly in standby, which means it's probably going to need a charge every other day or so...have therefore ordered a charging dock which will hopefully minimise the risk of picking up the tablet to find it's flat and I can't turn the TV on! Tennant
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| Post 9 made on Tuesday September 27, 2011 at 08:29 |
rmalbers Founding Member |
Joined:
Posts: | October 2001
777 |
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This site now has a short video on the tablet s showing the remote under 'What's New'. It does seem basic. I guess I'm not sure if third party developers are going to be able to code to the IR device or not, does anyone know if the IR device is 'open' or if it's closed to Sony code only.
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| Post 10 made on Sunday October 2, 2011 at 06:06 |
Rich_uk Long Time Member |
Joined:
Posts: | September 2003
54 |
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On September 27, 2011 at 08:29, rmalbers said...
This site now has a short video on the tablet s showing the remote under 'What's New'. It does seem basic. I guess I'm not sure if third party developers are going to be able to code to the IR device or not, does anyone know if the IR device is 'open' or if it's closed to Sony code only. this looks like a great tablet, i've been waiting for one with IR for some time. i just hope we get an answer soon on the question about the openness of the IR device side of things. I imagine there'd be a good market for an pronto style app to be written for android now we have one with IR ? (off to pc world now to check it out!)
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pronto ru950 |
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| Post 11 made on Sunday October 2, 2011 at 12:36 |
rmalbers Founding Member |
Joined:
Posts: | October 2001
777 |
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| Post 12 made on Friday October 7, 2011 at 12:55 |
Rich_uk Long Time Member |
Joined:
Posts: | September 2003
54 |
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think what i really need is a philips android tablet with pronto functionality included? just had a quick search online and cannot find a tablet from philips other than a philips gogear 3.2" thing. anyone know if anything from philips is on the horizon?
cheers
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pronto ru950 |
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| Post 13 made on Sunday October 9, 2011 at 10:00 |
rmalbers Founding Member |
Joined:
Posts: | October 2001
777 |
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For the guy above that was looking at the Sony remote, a hot deal popped thru this morning on it, not a bad price if it's what you want:
From Ben's bargains:
Electronics Expo has the Sony RMN-U1 HomeShare Universal Remote for $213 - $51 off with coupon code BIGBEN + $7 shipping = $169 shipped. Features 5" touchscreen, syncs with other wireless HomeShare devices, activity based macros, Wi-fi with WPS compatibility, and automatically detects compatible DLNA enabled devices. [Compare]
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| Post 14 made on Wednesday November 30, 2011 at 15:00 |
rmalbers Founding Member |
Joined:
Posts: | October 2001
777 |
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This is from Sony's Tablet S support site, it looks like you can create a 'generic' remote where you can add in your own commands:
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Is there an update to the remote control software that will bring it to a Logitech Harmony type level. Seems a shame to have such a large screen and only be able to control a single device at a time and without macros. Ex. Watch TV button starts TV+Receiver+ Cable box and sets inputs. USER-981683
Newbie
===
Hello,
Thank you for your Post.
The Media Remote Application does not support Macros, However here is an alternate solution that may work for you.
Press Apps in the upper right Corner
Select “Remote Control”
Press the “Register Device” Plus Circle
Choose “Learn from a remote control”
Press Next
In the Drop down Category choose “other” at the bottom of the list
Press Next
Press the Right Arrow at the top of the Remote template and you will see a blank remote.
From this blank remote you can create a “Multi-Remote Command Console” and use all your separate remotes to teach the key commands for functionality to this new Hybrid Remote.
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| Post 15 made on Friday February 3, 2012 at 08:02 |
Arn Long Time Member |
Joined:
Posts: | October 2007
18 |
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