iPad as Remote Control

[Tonya]

Unless you are a programmer or have loads of cash to pay one, I advise you to give Crestron a wide berth.

Make no mistake it's an amazing system for home automation but it really is a world of pain to get running the way you want it.
Professional programmers of the system take thousands for customizing an installation but I bought one really cheap and I guess you can call it a hobby to tinker under it's hood so to speak.

 

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Just noticed on the Gear4 web site that the UnityRemote is powered by 3x1.5V batteries. There doesn't appear to be any option to mains power this, is this correct? Not exactly set up and forget, if you have to keep changing/re-charging the batteries...

 

[Andrew Everard]

This subject covered in my Hands-on with the Gear4 UnityRemote blog, which is now online

 

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Andrew Everard:This subject covered in my Hands-on with the Gear4 UnityRemote blog, which is now online

I'm reading it now...

 

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... and read.

A very fair summary of it's capabilities. As a padisto (which I assume I must now call myself

) I think that the absence of an iPad specific version of the app is a bit of a downer, but not necessarily a huge issue - the Sonos iPad app took a while to materialise. I suppose it might just appear, if the device is successful.

More of an issue are the technical issues of the repeated requirement to re-pair and having an IR-blaster that is only battery powered, and so will keep need to be switched on. On the latter issue, did you try plugging a powered USB cable (from a laptop) into the Mini-USB socket, to see if it powered up?

 

[Andrew Everard]

scene:More of an issue are the technical issues of the repeated requirement to re-pair and having an IR-blaster that is only battery powered, and so will keep need to be switched on. On the latter issue, did you try plugging a powered USB cable (from a laptop) into the Mini-USB socket, to see if it powered up?

Well, the re-pairing may only be a side-effect of the fact that my phone spends a lot of time paired to the car phone system. And yes, I did try a USB cable from the computer, and with this connected and the batteries removed the unit doesn't power up.

 

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Andrew Everard:
scene:More of an issue are the technical issues of the repeated requirement to re-pair and having an IR-blaster that is only battery powered, and so will keep need to be switched on. On the latter issue, did you try plugging a powered USB cable (from a laptop) into the Mini-USB socket, to see if it powered up?

Well, the re-pairing may only be a side-effect of the fact that my phone spends a lot of time paired to the car phone system. And yes, I did try a USB cable from the computer, and with this connected and the batteries removed the unit doesn't power up.

I think the battery-only nature of the UnityRemote a real killer for this product.

I'm surprised that Gear4 couldn't find space for a jack socket on it.

Maybe need to look at other options...

 

[Anonymous]

Looking at the website, they seem to indicate that due to the low power requirements of the IR blaster, these batteries could last upto 6 months, do any of you think this is realistic?

For me this lack of a power lead is a small bonus, as at the moment I have to plug in and power a docking station for 895 and one for the RF to IR converter.

Andrew, can I ask, you mentioned that due to the battery issue it was turned off and on, and then re-paired, is this due to you physically turning it off to save the batteries or did it shut it's self down automatically?

Also, how good was the 360 degree blaster? just wondering as it would have to sat in a cupboard.

And thanks for the speedy blog much appreciated.

 

[Andrew Everard]

I found several times that I had to press the button to wake the transmitter up and re-pair it with the iPhone, which had in the meantime been off and paired with the in-car system. I've reworded that section of the blog to clarify.

I had no problems with the coverage of the infrared signal.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for clarifying, I don't think I would have this issue then as I would pair this with my iPad (and hope they issue an iPad resolution version).

 

[Andrew Everard]

UPDATE: It seems an iPad version of the Gea4 UnityRemote app is about to become available. Official announcement expected today.

 

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Andrew Everard:UPDATE: It seems an iPad version of the Gea4 UnityRemote app is about to become available. Official announcement expected today.

As an unashamed iPadisto, I can't wait...

 

[Anonymous]

Andrew Everard:UPDATE: It seems an iPad version of the Gea4 UnityRemote app is about to become available. Official announcement expected today.

That would seal the deal for me, especially as it's my birthday tomorrow, I see an AV present in my future.

 

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markjaspi:Andrew Everard:UPDATE: It seems an iPad version of the Gear4 UnityRemote app is about to become available. Official announcement expected today.

That would seal the deal for me, especially as it's my birthday tomorrow, I see an AV present in my future.
I look forward to seeing what you make of the UnityRemote markjaspi... I fear my resistance may be crumbling...

Maybe the lack of mains power isn't such a big deal. It's not as though you seem to be able to use the Thinkflood RedEye device as a charging dock for the iPad, which somewhat detracts from the completenes of its solution.

 

[Andrew Everard]

scene:It's not as though you seem to be able to use the Thinkflood RedEye device as a charging dock for the iPad, which somewhat detracts from the completenes of its solution.

Though I guess you could get a short dock connector extension cable and use that to link the two.

 

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Andrew Everard:
scene:It's not as though you seem to be able to use the Thinkflood RedEye device as a charging dock for the iPad, which somewhat detracts from the completenes of its solution.

Though I guess you could get a short dock connector extension cable and use that to link the two.

I guess you could, but it might start to look a bit Heath Robinson...

 

[Andrew Everard]

Indeed.

 

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Any update on the iPad version of the app? I haven't seen anything on the Gear4 website...

 

[Anonymous]

I've been keeping an eye out for this too, the money is burning a hole in my pocket.

 

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markjaspi:I've been keeping an eye out for this too, the money is burning a hole in my pocket.
So you're waiting for your birthday present then

 

[Anonymous]

My birthday was Tuesday, but every christmas and every birthday I get cash off my relatives, because I have so many gadgets, they say I'm too difficult to buy for. So around this time of year I have a bit of a spend, just not had time to get to a shop to buy one yet!

 

[john1000000boy]

Very interested still!! That will be all my tunes controlled by my ipad and all my system controlled too!! C'mon bring on the good news....Ipad version please!!!!!

 

[Tonestar1]

Looks a great piece of kit and I'm sorely tempted. Will need to wait till Feb though, Jan is a killer when you get paid monthly.

Battery operated is a plus for me as I wouldn't want a wire trailing across the floor. The option to power from mains would be a nice extra and beneficial to some I suppose.

Also I wonder how it performs at range? I imagine the iphone will only be class2 which means 10m, and that's in open space. Could prove problematic for those who have their kit tucked away in a cupboard in another part of the house.

Bluetooth ranges

• Class 3 radios - have a range of up to 1 meter or 3 feet
• Class 2 radios - most commonly found in mobile devices - have a
  range of 10 meters or 33 feet
• Class 1 radios - used primarily in industrial use cases - have a
  range of 100 meters or 300 feet

Andrew, if you get a chance and feel inclined could you test out the range? Thanks

 

[Andrew Everard]

Tonestar1:Andrew, if you get a chance and feel inclined could you test out the range? Thanks

Unfortunately, unit already returned.