Coolest remote control I've seen...

Posted by: trs24

Coolest remote control I've seen... - 05/08/2003 10:38

This is definitely the coolest remote I've ever seen - definitely worthy of controlling the empeg. And it's available at radioshack of all places.

- trs
Posted by: robricc

Re: Coolest remote control I've seen... - 05/08/2003 10:44

Be prepared for the "I need real buttons" posts. Looks pretty cool though.
Posted by: trs24

Re: Coolest remote control I've seen... - 05/08/2003 10:52

Real buttons?! We don't need no stinkin real buttons!!

No, really, my girlfriend's uncle had this remote and I got to play with it a little. It's completely dark until you pick it up, then the buttons glow to life. It's really pretty slick.

- trs
Posted by: wfaulk

Re: Coolest remote control I've seen... - 05/08/2003 11:04

So is the display truly dynamic or does it just light up different sections when those sections are activated? That is, can you move the buttons around, or are they always in the same place, just their functions and activation states change?

I'm thinking the latter. I've always wanted to get a Pronto, but never could rationalize spending that much on a remote control. This one is a nicer shape, though.
Posted by: tfabris

Re: Coolest remote control I've seen... - 05/08/2003 11:06

Ah yes, but does it have a JP1?
Posted by: tman

Re: Coolest remote control I've seen... - 05/08/2003 11:09

The buttons are predefined. It just lights up the bits that are relevant for what ever device you're selected.
It does look nicer than a Pronto though. I've got one of the old Pronto's and it's quite chunky.
Posted by: Dignan

Re: Coolest remote control I've seen... - 05/08/2003 11:11

Honestly, I was swooning over the Pronto, and I bought it, I messed around with it, and I programmed it for every device in my house with stages for different rooms. It is currently completely uncharged and collecting dust on my nightstand underneath a pile of other junk.

"I need real buttons"
Posted by: tfabris

Re: Coolest remote control I've seen... - 05/08/2003 11:13

It's completely dark until you pick it up, then the buttons glow to life.
Cool idea. Motion-sensitive backlight. Wish all remotes had that. Wonder if I could retrofit mine to do that?
Posted by: Dignan

Re: Coolest remote control I've seen... - 05/08/2003 11:14

I agree, that sounds like a cool idea. I know the Pronto was going to have something like that, where a light sensor would detect whether it was dark when you tapped on the screen, and if it was the backlight would turn on. It was in all the manuals and on their website, but when I got the remote there was this little note saying the mineral they needed for the sensor was too rare or something
Posted by: davec

Re: Coolest remote control I've seen... - 05/08/2003 11:37

(Pronto) is currently completely uncharged and collecting dust on my nightstand underneath a pile of other junk

Mine gets daily use as the universal ON/OFF box for the entertainment center. Other than that is spends most of it's life falling off the back of the couch onto the hardwood floor. Damn tough device, it is. But it is constantly in low battery mode (rechargable) and will not let me get ot the options to change anything and I can no longer connect to it through the serial port. Oh and it won't charge, but it won't go dead either...

The cool thing is when I hit the "Home" button to go to turn everything off, the dogs know what the beep means, time for bed! They pop-up from a (supposed) deep sleep and head to the bedroom.
Posted by: JeffS

Re: Coolest remote control I've seen... - 05/08/2003 11:39

The cool thing is when I hit the "Home" button to go to turn everything off, the dogs know what the beep means, time for bed! They pop-up from a (supposed) deep sleep and head to the bedroom.
Now that's a universal remote!
Posted by: DLF

Re: Coolest remote control I've seen... - 05/08/2003 12:36

No pins for it "out of the box," but there are people who would like to help you add them:

http://jp1.filebug.com/kameleon.htm

http://www.hovisdirect.com/ (scroll down)
Posted by: trs24

Re: Coolest remote control I've seen... - 05/08/2003 12:42

Ah yes, but does it have a JP1?

Most certainly. Requires some modifications, though.
Posted by: trs24

Re: Coolest remote control I've seen... - 05/08/2003 12:50

So is the display truly dynamic...
No, but the company that makes the remote, Universal Electronics, also makes another product called Nevo. Nevo is software based, and is used in pda's and tablets. Although, I was under the impression that pda and tablet ir ports were too weak to be used for a remote control. But there's a pretty nifty demo of both the Kameleon and Nevo at Cnet.
Posted by: Mach

Re: Coolest remote control I've seen... - 05/08/2003 14:01

No it works fine.

http://empeg.comms.net/php/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=empeg_general&Number=141007&page=&view=&sb=&o=

I can use it to turn on my amp and empeg from across the room. (20ft or so)
Posted by: mcomb

Re: Coolest remote control I've seen... - 05/08/2003 14:04

Hey that does look pretty cool. Now where can I get one without a RatShack logo on it?
Posted by: robricc

Re: Coolest remote control I've seen... - 05/08/2003 14:12

Now where can I get one without a RatShack logo on it?
Here:
http://www.surfremotecontrol.com

They also sell a version with JP1