wifi remote control - media rack
Discussion
Has anyone installed a setup where the media rack is in a separate location and you control the separate units through wifi? (as opposed to IR extender)
I've been quoted around £1,500 for the intermediate unit - this unit sits in the rack and links the wifi network to the separates (hi fi amp // sky // bluray player.. and anything else that's linked to your network)
.. you then have an app on your phone/ipad that controls everything and contains your music
I'm not really convinced it's worth the outlay as there aren't so many units in the rack.. but it's quite neat and future proof for any new items that you bring in and link to your network.. household appliances, lights, burglar alarm, security cameras..
any thoughts??
I've been quoted around £1,500 for the intermediate unit - this unit sits in the rack and links the wifi network to the separates (hi fi amp // sky // bluray player.. and anything else that's linked to your network)
.. you then have an app on your phone/ipad that controls everything and contains your music
I'm not really convinced it's worth the outlay as there aren't so many units in the rack.. but it's quite neat and future proof for any new items that you bring in and link to your network.. household appliances, lights, burglar alarm, security cameras..
any thoughts??
I've definitely thought about it but there's no way my budget would be anywhere near that much.
The question has to be, do you mind buying bits of kit, setting it up and connecting to a network and then setting up the layouts in whatever app you choose, most probably with a fair amount of fiddling to get it to work
OR
Don't have the time, have the money and want somebody else to do it all.
I've been looking at using devices from globalcache and then possibly an app called iRule to control it all.
However think of this, how easy is it to pick up a remote and press the mute or pause button when the doorbell rings? Now imagine finding the iPad the Mrs has nicvked to look up shoes on the internet, turning it on, unlocking it, navigating to bthe nhome screen and finding the app and then pressing the mute button. There are definitely advantages to a dedicated remote.
Im currently looking at possible future alternatives to !y pair of Philips Pronto Remotes and corresponding RF extender. I am tempted by the above mentioned devices, but for me I'd have to have a couple of dedicated devices to use as a remotes with docking stations, probably a pair of iPod Touches with docks for charging. These iPods would have only the remote app and iPeng for control of my squeezebox music system so would in effect be dedicated remotes.
The question has to be, do you mind buying bits of kit, setting it up and connecting to a network and then setting up the layouts in whatever app you choose, most probably with a fair amount of fiddling to get it to work
OR
Don't have the time, have the money and want somebody else to do it all.
I've been looking at using devices from globalcache and then possibly an app called iRule to control it all.
However think of this, how easy is it to pick up a remote and press the mute or pause button when the doorbell rings? Now imagine finding the iPad the Mrs has nicvked to look up shoes on the internet, turning it on, unlocking it, navigating to bthe nhome screen and finding the app and then pressing the mute button. There are definitely advantages to a dedicated remote.
Im currently looking at possible future alternatives to !y pair of Philips Pronto Remotes and corresponding RF extender. I am tempted by the above mentioned devices, but for me I'd have to have a couple of dedicated devices to use as a remotes with docking stations, probably a pair of iPod Touches with docks for charging. These iPods would have only the remote app and iPeng for control of my squeezebox music system so would in effect be dedicated remotes.
Thanks Jimbob.. the Globalcache products look interesting. In fact they look to do the same job as the unit I've been quoted (which is probably over spec'd for my needs) and at a fraction of the cost. The Globalcache IP2IR box has just 3 outputs, which is fine.. I can always buy a 2nd unit if I need more. Do you know if it's easy to program? ..does it lift the IR codes from the web or do you have to teach it?
To play music via wifi I guess I could use Apple's Airplay Express as it has an audio out that hooks into the hi-fi amp. I currently have a HK blue ray receiver which works amazingly well if you're in the same room or close. The speakers are wired into the walls and cover 2 rooms (with QED zone control), but the signal drops out if you move away from the HK unit into the other room. As I want to put everything in the basement, so this won't work anyway. The QED speaker switch doesn't have a remote though.. I wonder if you can get speaker switches that you can control via IR
I think you make a very reasonable point on the dedicated remote too. I could always run an IR extender so I have both. My wife has (quite literally) just said that she'd like to control it all via the iPad and then swanned off with the (said) iPad to another room, leaving me hanging... point nicely made
I wasn't sure what the Philips Pronto remote did.. is this a learning remote so you can collate them into one?
I've also recently learned that the PS4 bluetooth remote/controllers can work through walls and floors, so no extension needed.. not sure I'd want to invest and find out that's not the case
To play music via wifi I guess I could use Apple's Airplay Express as it has an audio out that hooks into the hi-fi amp. I currently have a HK blue ray receiver which works amazingly well if you're in the same room or close. The speakers are wired into the walls and cover 2 rooms (with QED zone control), but the signal drops out if you move away from the HK unit into the other room. As I want to put everything in the basement, so this won't work anyway. The QED speaker switch doesn't have a remote though.. I wonder if you can get speaker switches that you can control via IR
I think you make a very reasonable point on the dedicated remote too. I could always run an IR extender so I have both. My wife has (quite literally) just said that she'd like to control it all via the iPad and then swanned off with the (said) iPad to another room, leaving me hanging... point nicely made
I wasn't sure what the Philips Pronto remote did.. is this a learning remote so you can collate them into one?
I've also recently learned that the PS4 bluetooth remote/controllers can work through walls and floors, so no extension needed.. not sure I'd want to invest and find out that's not the case
alphonso said:
Thanks Jimbob.. the Globalcache products look interesting. In fact they look to do the same job as the unit I've been quoted (which is probably over spec'd for my needs) and at a fraction of the cost. The Globalcache IP2IR box has just 3 outputs, which is fine.. I can always buy a 2nd unit if I need more. Do you know if it's easy to program? ..does it lift the IR codes from the web or do you have to teach it?
To play music via wifi I guess I could use Apple's Airplay Express as it has an audio out that hooks into the hi-fi amp. I currently have a HK blue ray receiver which works amazingly well if you're in the same room or close. The speakers are wired into the walls and cover 2 rooms (with QED zone control), but the signal drops out if you move away from the HK unit into the other room. As I want to put everything in the basement, so this won't work anyway. The QED speaker switch doesn't have a remote though.. I wonder if you can get speaker switches that you can control via IR
I think you make a very reasonable point on the dedicated remote too. I could always run an IR extender so I have both. My wife has (quite literally) just said that she'd like to control it all via the iPad and then swanned off with the (said) iPad to another room, leaving me hanging... point nicely made
I wasn't sure what the Philips Pronto remote did.. is this a learning remote so you can collate them into one?
I've also recently learned that the PS4 bluetooth remote/controllers can work through walls and floors, so no extension needed.. not sure I'd want to invest and find out that's not the case
You don't actually program the GC device, you program whatever app or system is accessing it. For example iRule is one of the programs I'm looking at, as I said I'd most likely have a couple of dedicated iPods but I'd also have our various phones and tablets running Android being able to control it all. In our house both me and the OH have Android Tablets that are normally close by and a smartphone each anyway.To play music via wifi I guess I could use Apple's Airplay Express as it has an audio out that hooks into the hi-fi amp. I currently have a HK blue ray receiver which works amazingly well if you're in the same room or close. The speakers are wired into the walls and cover 2 rooms (with QED zone control), but the signal drops out if you move away from the HK unit into the other room. As I want to put everything in the basement, so this won't work anyway. The QED speaker switch doesn't have a remote though.. I wonder if you can get speaker switches that you can control via IR
I think you make a very reasonable point on the dedicated remote too. I could always run an IR extender so I have both. My wife has (quite literally) just said that she'd like to control it all via the iPad and then swanned off with the (said) iPad to another room, leaving me hanging... point nicely made
I wasn't sure what the Philips Pronto remote did.. is this a learning remote so you can collate them into one?
I've also recently learned that the PS4 bluetooth remote/controllers can work through walls and floors, so no extension needed.. not sure I'd want to invest and find out that's not the case
I haven't looked that closely at it yet but irule is cloud based so all the programming can be done online, each device then has the app installed which logs onto the cloud and downloads the setup. You can try the builder app online for free to get an idea here http://iruleathome.com/irule-builder/the-software
AFAIK the I rule app does have a database of codes, I'm believe you can also get hardware to enable learning from remotes not in the database, I hope my existing remotes will be able to do that in my case.
On that subject, yes the Pronto is a Universal remote, in my house every single device I have that be controlled by IR is programmed into the Pronto. The Pronto has long since been discontinued by Philips unfortunately however the main attraction was that they are 100% programmable and they also other direct RF communication with a dedicated extender which emits the IR AND the ability to send IR themselves, you can even mix IR and RF sent commands on the same page/button/macro etc. Mine are RU950 models which are quite old now. As an added bonus the RF in the Pronto actually controls some stuff with RF remotes directly, I have several bits of X10 and switched sockets and dimmers all controlled directly.
On the subject of dedicated remotes and iPad control. Have a look at the Harmony Hub product as another possibility. This is very similar in concept to using a GC and I rule but Logitech have apps and remotes available which can both use the HUB so you get the best of both worlds. Personally I think I'd miss the ultimate flexibility of my Pronto but think the Harmony solution is ultimately more user friendly, programming the Pronto was a steep learning curve initially.
The PS4 apparently may not have quite the same range as the PS3 did, I use my PS3 in 2 rooms downstairs and also on a small TV upstairs and the PS3 controller easily works all over the house, hoiw good is the PS4 in that respect? I have had my mates PS4 plugged into the matrix in the lounge and it was fine next door but I haven't tried further than that, not when there's Infamous to play ☺
Www.control4.com
Proper remote for reasons stated above, and full ipad control if needed. Overkill for just controlling remote kit, but gives you the option to do a lot more.
Basic setup would be not a million miles from your £1500
Proper remote for reasons stated above, and full ipad control if needed. Overkill for just controlling remote kit, but gives you the option to do a lot more.
Basic setup would be not a million miles from your £1500
alphonso said:
My wife has (quite literally) just said that she'd like to control it all via the iPad
I have found that when someone with little or no knowledge / passion of AV suggests a control medium - it is usually best to go with their idea of functionality. It's not as simple as happy wife happy life, but more over meeting the expectations of someone that doesn't have the same patience / enthusiasm to use another interface for their entertainment.
My wife was sold on the Bose television when we demoed one and this comes with a radio frequency remote with an IR blaster that means all of our equipment is hidden and there is one remote to control everything - it's what she wanted and means that she uses all of our equipment. I tried different setups before with various bits of kit, but she wasn't into different remotes and interfaces etc. and just wanted something to work.
We are designing a new HT and it will likely be controlled by Apple interfaces as it's a beautiful piece of kit and can be used for internet usage etc.
have my media system running linux-xbmc... which is free.
many options for remote apps which run over wifi, which are free.
system can stream/watch music, watch/record live sky/freeview tv, download from torrents which I can start a download on from any computer in the house, transfer any files between any computer/device on the network.
many options for remote apps which run over wifi, which are free.
system can stream/watch music, watch/record live sky/freeview tv, download from torrents which I can start a download on from any computer in the house, transfer any files between any computer/device on the network.
clockworks said:
Harmony Smart Control?
Comes in 2 parts - a wifi connected "blaster/hub", and an RF remote. The blaster can also be controlled (and programmed) by a tablet or phone via wifi.
I was sceptical how good it would be for £90, but it has worked flawlessly for me.
Also have a Logitech Harmony Ultimate. I really quite good for the money. The only problem I've had with it is due to the inability of my Panasonic home theater system to select an input directly rather than going through a menu but after a bit of experimentation I've got that going fairly reliably now. Panasonic's fault really not Logitech.Comes in 2 parts - a wifi connected "blaster/hub", and an RF remote. The blaster can also be controlled (and programmed) by a tablet or phone via wifi.
I was sceptical how good it would be for £90, but it has worked flawlessly for me.
I have the iRule setup with a couple of iPads - it needs to be a couple so that you can always grab one, or keep it close by as your main remote. It was quite simple to program and they are adding features, but the lack of state means that you can't have truly smart sections of the remote - if you press a button and need some sort of indicator, you'll essentially need to create another screen with that indicator ticked. They are using variables now but there isn't great assistance on how such features work.
Despite that, it's been 99% reliable, my wife and (unfortunately) 2 year old daughter can use it effectively, though when anything does go wrong they have to pull out the original remotes or just use something else if I'm not there to sort it out. The biggest problem is occasions where the iPad has been used for other things and the app has been closed, after a certain time it will revert to its default screen and because my TV doesn't have dedicated on/off IR channels, it's easy to get the TV out of sync.
I've not got everything in another room, but I have everything hidden away in a cupboard along with media servers in my loft. When I hit the XBMC button, the TV starts, the servers start, the HTPC starts and the amp starts and everything gets setup as I want it. Switching to Sky or a console etc will switch off the HTPC and switch the amp etc - it's all as seamless as it gets and I'm really pleased with how well it works. That lot required quite a lot of work and is a mixture of IR control (Sky & TV) using the Geocache IP2IR, and IP control (Amp, Computers). I also have feedback communication so the remote displays what I am currently watching and the volume it's set to.
I used to have a Harmony 1000, which I was very pleased with too, but as more software updates were released it got less and less reliable, and then developed a sticky key problem which logitech admitted was a software fault, but couldn't fix. My friends Harmony One works nicely but he has a simpler requirement than I do as everything is line of sight and there are less components.
ETA I also have the Sonos control component, but until that side of it gets more complex (separate amps etc), the standard Sonos app works better and faster.
Despite that, it's been 99% reliable, my wife and (unfortunately) 2 year old daughter can use it effectively, though when anything does go wrong they have to pull out the original remotes or just use something else if I'm not there to sort it out. The biggest problem is occasions where the iPad has been used for other things and the app has been closed, after a certain time it will revert to its default screen and because my TV doesn't have dedicated on/off IR channels, it's easy to get the TV out of sync.
I've not got everything in another room, but I have everything hidden away in a cupboard along with media servers in my loft. When I hit the XBMC button, the TV starts, the servers start, the HTPC starts and the amp starts and everything gets setup as I want it. Switching to Sky or a console etc will switch off the HTPC and switch the amp etc - it's all as seamless as it gets and I'm really pleased with how well it works. That lot required quite a lot of work and is a mixture of IR control (Sky & TV) using the Geocache IP2IR, and IP control (Amp, Computers). I also have feedback communication so the remote displays what I am currently watching and the volume it's set to.
I used to have a Harmony 1000, which I was very pleased with too, but as more software updates were released it got less and less reliable, and then developed a sticky key problem which logitech admitted was a software fault, but couldn't fix. My friends Harmony One works nicely but he has a simpler requirement than I do as everything is line of sight and there are less components.
ETA I also have the Sonos control component, but until that side of it gets more complex (separate amps etc), the standard Sonos app works better and faster.
Edited by MaximumJed on Friday 10th October 16:50
alphonso said:
Has anyone installed a setup where the media rack is in a separate location and you control the separate units through wifi? (as opposed to IR extender)
I've been quoted around £1,500 for the intermediate unit - this unit sits in the rack and links the wifi network to the separates (hi fi amp // sky // bluray player.. and anything else that's linked to your network)
.. you then have an app on your phone/ipad that controls everything and contains your music
I'm not really convinced it's worth the outlay as there aren't so many units in the rack.. but it's quite neat and future proof for any new items that you bring in and link to your network.. household appliances, lights, burglar alarm, security cameras..
any thoughts??
As discussed above there are lots of do-it-yourself style solutions around now, I must admit I've not spent the time looking to deeply into these for various reasons, they tend not to offer scalable whole house / system solutions but some appear to come close. I loved Philips Pronto and that wasn't perfect but the ergonomics of the handsets was very good - at the time. Anyway I digress... I've been quoted around £1,500 for the intermediate unit - this unit sits in the rack and links the wifi network to the separates (hi fi amp // sky // bluray player.. and anything else that's linked to your network)
.. you then have an app on your phone/ipad that controls everything and contains your music
I'm not really convinced it's worth the outlay as there aren't so many units in the rack.. but it's quite neat and future proof for any new items that you bring in and link to your network.. household appliances, lights, burglar alarm, security cameras..
any thoughts??
We sell several advance control solutions but I use Control4 at home. We use the SR250 handset for video which I think is one of the best handsets on the market, at £210 ex VAT it's very well priced. The C4 iPhone and iPad app are used to control music (Sonos) and can be used for the TV but they don't come close to the ease of use a good handset offers, no app can. Like most of us I have a wife and two kids, the system's been installed for well over three years and has never failed. No mid afternoon calls from my wife trying to get Pepper Pig on telly! My daughter has been using it since she was three. For a starter system such as you describe you're looking from around £1,200 ex VAT including programming. But it works, is scalable and is backed up by a very successful company.
We're in the finishing stages of converting the garage into an office/snug with large telly and surround sound, I'm extending the system so I have two Sky boxes, Apple TV and WDTV shared buy both TVs. Handset in each room. Done.
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