Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 264

OmniRemote: What's the verdict?

Hi all,
With older Visors getting so cheap, I'm toying with the idea of getting a Visor and an OmniRemote to use exclusively as a universal remote. For those of you who have an OmniRemote, do you think it is worth using? Any responses are appreciated. (For those of you who have one and don't think it's useful...I may be interested in buying one!)

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Posts: 2531

I love omniremote, but buying a visor solely as a universal remote??? Send some of that money my way.

__________________
-Joshua
Abortion: Darwinism at its finest.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 264

I'm not that serious about it...yet. I'm still researching, but those touch screen universal remotes typically run over $150, so I just want to see if this is a viable option.

As far as just using the module, do you find that you use it all the time, or sometimes you don't because you don't have your Visor handy, or are using another module, etc?

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 334

I use mine quite a bit. I don't have the module, just the software.
The new beta version looks promising, also. I don't have any
problems using the built in IR as far as distance goes.

__________________
Rick

www.visorsolutions.com

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 264

How much distance do you get out of it?

For those of you with the module...can the software on the module be upgraded when they release new versions?

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 334

About 12 to 15' using a Prism.

__________________
Rick

www.visorsolutions.com

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 284

Hmm, at $100 for a cheap Visor, and $50 for the Omniremote, you're half way to the cost of a Clie t415. Why not sell off your other PDAs and get that?

Think about it. If you do that, you're guaranteed to always be in control of the remote ("But honey, I've got to keep it with me at all times. It's my pda!").

__________________
It's gotta be weather balloons. It's always weather balloons. Big, fiery, exploding weather balloons.
-- ComaVN (from Slashdot)

Registered: Sep 2001
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 229

I'm pro OmniRemote. I have tried the beta version of it along with the 1.71 and like them both. I use it for everything in my house that takes a remote. It's pretty fun. You wont just be using yuor visor as a remote, it'll be that and more...and around the same price as one of those touch pad ones by sony.

__________________
Don't Worry It's Human Nature To Point Out The Obvious

Registered: Aug 2001
Location:
Posts: 383

Get the Visor and springboard. I like the OmniRemote. You'll eventually discover what other cool uses there are for your Visor to. Then it will get its own special spot either on your belt case or in your pocket and you will go crazy if you forget it. I know there are people who's old visors turn into remotes after they get the new one.

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 3034

Re: OmniRemote: What's the verdict?

quote:

---

Originally posted by euangel
Hi all,
With older Visors getting so cheap, I'm toying with the idea of getting a Visor and an OmniRemote to use exclusively as a universal remote. For those of you who have an OmniRemote, do you think it is worth using? Any responses are appreciated. (For those of you who have one and don't think it's useful...I may be interested in buying one!)

---

Not sure about the IR strength, but I'd think that a Palm M100 with the OmniRemote software might be better suited to the task (especially if you've got small children). The reason is the plastic screen is likely to be far more durable if thrown to the floor by a curious toddler with enough sense to stack things to get to the shelf (I lost a regular Sony remote that way, but I doubt if a Visor with a glass screen could have withstood as many spills as that one took).

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 443

eurangel, check out

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAP...tem=1306496586+

mc

Registered: Nov 2001
Location: NJ
Posts: 12

Why stop there?

If you're going to get yourself a dedicated palm for tv remote, you may as well also get a wireless modem & wireless access. That way, you will always have online access to tv listings and movie reviews!

You may be onto something with your dedicated palm idea - How about a dedicated Palm for every room of the house?

eg: Kitchen Palm: Loaded with cookbook module & Bartender software
Car Palm: dedicated with GPS module & mapping software, Vidigo, & TotalCar
Bedroom: PalmSutra, PregTraker!

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Nebraska- the Good life
Posts: 695

I love OmniRemote, but I do not use the module- I have yet to be too far away for the internal IR to work (about 15' is the farthest I can get from my TV at home or work.)

I have it set for my TV, VCR, and Furby toy at home, and the 2 TV/VCRs I use most at work.

I am running v.1.71 and the only complaint I have is the time to takes to develop and train the settings- and I may be doing that the hard way!

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Escondido, CA
Posts: 40

I use the OMNIREMOTE springboard with my PRISM and Vdx with much success. Distance is very good (I've been able to affect change up to 20'). Unfortunately, I'm only able to program 15 remotes and would've liked to have the capability to expand to additional Ir settings. It's also a conversation piece when taken to the gym/bar and you're able to change the television channels and no one knows who did it!

Registered: Dec 2001
Location: Holly Springs, NC
Posts: 124

I am looking at a Omni Remote module for my Visor Deluxe. I tried the software version but I couldn't get it to program.... I hope it was just a bug with that version I was using. I have quite a few IR units around. I live at my dad's, work at a coffee shop with a CD Player, go to my Mom's (TV, Tivo, Bose Wave Radio, DirecTV unit all in one spot) and we have a beach house. I also have a Awia car cd/mp3 player that has a IR remote to it. I feel like it would be perfect for me if it works right.
I saw the Sony 415 and am pretty interested in it because of it's IR port. I understand that the included software is preprogramed for certain TV/VCR/Cable box models and doesn't offer any programing. Would the software version of Omni Remote be able to use the boosted distance of the IR port in the Sony? Or does the IR port go into a different mode for the built in software or something?

__________________
"Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's Fire." - John Parr

Registered: Dec 2001
Location: Holly Springs, NC
Posts: 124

I am looking at a Omni Remote module for my Visor Deluxe. I tried the software version but I couldn't get it to program.... I hope it was just a bug with that version I was using. I have quite a few IR units around. I live at my dad's, work at a coffee shop with a CD Player, go to my Mom's (TV, Tivo, Bose Wave Radio, DirecTV unit all in one spot) and we have a beach house. I also have a Awia car cd/mp3 player that has a IR remote to it. I feel like it would be perfect for me if it works right.
I saw the Sony 415 and am pretty interested in it because of it's IR port. I understand that the included software is preprogramed for certain TV/VCR/Cable box models and doesn't offer any programing. Would the software version of Omni Remote be able to use the boosted distance of the IR port in the Sony? Or does the IR port go into a different mode for the built in software or something?

__________________
"Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's Fire." - John Parr

Registered: Aug 2001
Location:
Posts: 383

probably just a bug with your download. I got mine working perfect with the trial.

Registered: Nov 2001
Location: LA
Posts: 34

good

I have one and am very satisfied with it

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Atlantic Rim
Posts: 570

OmniRemote

I use my OmniRemote as my "default" module; I leave it inserted at all times. I had some difficulties with it at first, but found that I needed to spend more time "tweaking" the frequency rate adjustment. I get 60'+ with the module.

It has occured to me that the combination module/VDX offered as much progammability (even more) as dedicated units costing substantially more. I also use CSpotRun to provide not only my channel listings, but those of my parents and inlaws, which is suprisingly convenient. If I know I am going to be traveling I go on the web and grab the station listings for the area I am going to; makes life on the road in strange hotels a little less frusterating.

We have a remote control dog that I have programmed to work with the VDX; I was able to make it much easier for my 5 year old to navigate his puppy around the house.

Registered: Dec 2001
Location: Holly Springs, NC
Posts: 124

I got the omni-remote software working. Very cool stuff. I have version 1.71, and I have been reading up on 2.0. I think I might be getting the module for christmas/bday (they are 2 days apart) so I'm looking forward to possibly having the extended range. The IR built into my VDX does not reach from the back of the classroom. I am also getting tired of doing shortcut F with my finger after I change remotes or do something in the menu's. The only trouble I have had is with my Panasonic DVD player, but they say the module has better compatability. Thanks for the help!

- ToneWiz (Great sound from a can, perfect every time)