Universal Remote MX-900 40-Device IR/RF PC Programmable Remote (418 MHz) Review

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(More customer reviews)OVERVIEW: A compact, very well thought out remote, offering more than enough features and versatility than the majority of home uses are likely to ever need. It defaults to IR mode, and can be switched to RF.
If you're a technophobe, want things straight and simple, and expect them to work hassle free right out of the box, then it's probably best you look at other remotes.
Should you be more technologically savvy and don't mind some trial and error and desire a high level of customization jump right in. This remote gets better the more you know what you want and the more you know your equipment.
So to begin, my setup:
*60" HD Sony XBR with 7 video inputs.
*Motorola Digital cable box with HD recording feature.
*Hamon/kardon receiver used for audio input (not video ) switching, and FM radio.
*Dennon DVD for NTSC.
*Phillips DVD for PAL DVDs and other video formats.
*CD player.
*Game console.
***NOTE**** You MUST connect the remote to a PC/Laptop PHYSICALLY located in the same room as your components***************
You certainly can program it in a different room, but you'll have to run back and forth to test any changes.
First, download the software (MX-900 Editor) from the manufacturer website after simple registration. The serial # is a bit tricky to find inside the battery compartment. You connect the remote to the PC via the included USB cable.
Now the fun begins (it sounds more complicated than it is): Almost any button is programmable and assignable to do whatever function you want. The included templates seemed thorough to me; (there was even one for my rather obscure Harmon/kardon.) So you scroll through the templates, find your match. If your specific model is missing in their database then try some of the plentiful generic templates for that brand. Once loaded, you can judge for yourself if you like the default button assignments for that particular component.
Programming the remote is a visual process. An interactive and exact image of the remote is placed in the center of the MX-900 Editor. The right pane lists all possible functions of your component template. You simply click on the button you want to edit, then drag a specific function onto that button and it's done. You can test any settings you've made directly from the Editor before you load it to the remote.
The screen itself is rather small, so you must scroll through different pages to see all the functions for any specific component. For each page there are six buttons on the right of the screen. The good news is that you can change the order of functions as they are listed on any page, so on the first screen page I have only my most used functions listed the way I want. Rarely used functions are set farther down.
Most of the buttons below the screen (VOL, GUIDE, MENUE, EXIT, etc) can also be programmed to do different things for each device.
Best to give EXAMPLES :
One button turns everything ON. The TV defaults to the CABLE BOX input, the RECEIVER switches to the CABLE BOX audio outs, the CABLE BOX turns on a specific channel!
The remote itself defaults to the CABLE page with the most used functions for the CABLE box right there.
Next I want to watch a DVD. I programmed a single button to 1) Change the TV input to DVD 2) Switch the RECEIVER channel 3) Automatically open the DVD tray. 4) The remote defaults to the specific DVD player mode.
I've set it up so that no matter what "page" the remote is on, the VOLUME and MUTE buttons stay assigned to the RECEIVER. This way I don't need to toggle or press other buttons just to get to the audio section.
The above are accomplished via Macros, meaning that several distinct functions from different components are all assigned in sequence to one single button.
And so on. An ALL OFF button does what it says. I've had no problems with any component not receiving the IR signal as I did with the Comcast remote.
QUALITY: Feels sturdy and solid in the hand, with good quality plastic casing. Haven't dropped it yet. The numbers buttons at the end are too small and almost impossible to use with one hand. So it's a bit too long for me. Nice blue backlight. Oh, and you can program how long the light stays on.
SERVICE: The template for my Sony TV was missing the VIDEO 7 (digital) input which I needed. I called Universal and was told that all the included templates are provided from the manufacturers. They did however have a fix and updated template for my model which was emailed to me within an hour.
ADDENDUM: Purchased this few weeks back for $224 through an Amazon seller

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Yamaha HTR-6130BL 500 Watt 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)First I confess. I am technically challenged--I have trouble working a cell phone. But the manual was VERY detailed, if somewhat overwhelming, and the connections were easy because of labels and diagrams. As mentioned, the HDMI connection only passes the audio through to the TV--will not route it to the surround sound speakers.
So I knew I needed a second audio connection for my dvd and cable inputs, but I still had trouble getting any sound from the speakers from my DVD player and had to call tech support. They explained that this unit was designed before HDMI and that the connections were added later as a pass-through for convenience. I wondered why they would have designed it that way to start with--turns out they didn't! But all is well that ends well.
Tech support was EXCELLENT. Although I had connected everything properly (digital coax audio cable for DVD), they walked me through the set up menu choices to get the sound working properly. They even helped me with the settings on my Sony blue ray player! Saving the setup via scene buttons will allow me to to recover the settings without remembering the details.
The first movie I watched, I thought I was in a theater!


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High-value receiver with an impressive array of features and technologies to enhance the audio/video experience, including HDMI switching with 1080p video pass-through, iPod and Bluetooth audio compatibility, CINEMA DSP, Compressed Music Enhancer, and four SCENE buttons.

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Archos FM Remote for Archos 5 and 7 Internet Media Tablets (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)Note: When I first purchased this accessory, it did not work until later when I updated my firmware. Only then did it become functional.
In one sense, this is a slick and versatile little accessory for your Archos IMT. It does allow you limited control over your MP3's and also the ability to listen to the radio as well as record voice memos. This is an imaginitive and inexpensive add-on to add to your collection.
However, now I can't remember why I bought this: I rarely listen to the radio, and if I wanted to do that I could buy one for ten bucks or so instead of using the biggest and best media player available. If I wanted a voice recorder, there are far smaller such gadgets available. I guess it's just cool that the FM Remote can do these things, and isn't the primary reason you buy an IMT. It simply increases its versatility, which is already great.
Two things to keep in mind:
1) When the FM Remote is plugged in, the IMT's built-in speakers disengage, so you will have to use headphones or MP3 speakers. Fortunately, the FM remote also has a headphone jack at the top.
2) The FM Remote cable is only slightly longer than the length of an average adult arm, which means that anything you could use the remote to do, you could also just reach over and interface directly with the Archos anyways. Ergo, the Remote isn't really that remote.
All in all, it is ok.
- CtheV

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Video did not kill the radio star! Widen the useability of your Archos player by adding the Archos FM Remote with built-in FM receiver to listen to radio anywhere. Wherever you go you've got music on your Internet Media Tablet. Sometimes you may simply not have any internet connection this little inconvenience shouldn't prevent you from listening to the radio when you're out in the country side hiking or biking. That's where the FM remote comes in handy. The features don't stop there! The FM remote also allows you to record directly from the radio into a standard digital format so that even if you can't download a podcast or if you want to enjoy the slience in the woods you can still listen to your favorite show… And conveniently you can also make vocal memo recordings with the built-in microphone. Just in case you would forget to bring milk on the way back home. Remote control with built in FM receiver Records radio to the hard drive of your Archos player Includes mic for voice recording Please note: This product has been confirmed by Archos as not being compatible with the Archos 5 Android Internet Tablet

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Griffin iFM Radio, Remote, and Recorder for iPod Review

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(More customer reviews)The iFM remote worked great for about 4-5 days then the cord that connects to the ipod broke just like another customer reported. The thing now only plays the radio and thats it. No remote functions or recording. The cord seems to be made of really chep plastic. Then another thing is the iFM is just plain ugly to have attached to my jacket, because it has these two cords coming out one end of the controller looking like a jungle has attacked my ipod. Basically I wouldn't buy it again. Nice concept poor materials.

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Logitech Squeezebox Wi-Fi Internet Radio Receiver Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been wanting a Squeezebox for some time but didn't want to pay for the controller. The Logitech Squeezebox software has long been open source and has a large and very active online community that is supported by the company. I looked through their forum (http://forums.slimdevices.com/) and found that one of their senior members wrote software allowing the Squeezebox Receiver to be configured WITHOUT the remote control. A link directly to the software, as reported in a comment to a previous post, can be found at http://robinbowes.com/projects/Net-UDAP. It's not officially supported by the Logitech, but I was able to get my receiver configured with it in less than an hour.
One caveat though; you should be a bit tech savy if you are going to go this route. The software is still in beta, has not been *offically* released (by reading through the thread on this topic (http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=43722&highlight=network+configuration), mostly because the guy who wrote it hasn't had time to package it up). So, currently the software is only available through an online subversion repository, which if you haven't worked with before, could take an hour or two of fiddling around to get repository software and check out the code. The configuration itself is done via a perl command line, so windows users will need ActivePerl. Check out the documentation, it's pretty straightforward.
So if none of that scares you, this is an incredible solution for wireless streaming music from a computer to a stereo for 150 bucks.

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Logitech Squeezebox Receiver - Add on network music player for your Squeezebox Duet System

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Universal Remote Control MX-450 Custom Programmable Remote Control with On-Screen Macro Editing. Review

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(More customer reviews)Let's all agree that it does not require an advanced degree in computer science to program a remote control. In the case of the MX-450, neither does it require a "Professional" installer (whatever THAT means).
If you know or can figure out with a little bit or web surfing (a) which components need to be turned on and what inputs and outputs should be selected, (b) what is the difference between IR and RF, (c) what an IR emitter or blaster is, (d) what a delay is, and (e) that you need a Power Off macro to turn off all the devices in your system, you can easily program this remote. It might take a little bit of trial and error and a little bit of patience, but no more than any other "Consumer" remote control that I have seen so far.
Put another way: If you can read the directions and figure out how to program a Logitech Harmony remote at some basic level (and especially if you have already done so), you can read the directions and figure out how to program this one and probably in less time. You might have to start over again once or twice while you get familiar with the guided setup, but the step-by-step software is so simple that even a "professional" installer could probably figure it out :)
My experience: I initially owned a Universal Remote Corporation MX-900 which was installed and programmed for me by a "Professional" AV company that shortly thereafter went out of business. I was irritated at URC because they would not provide me with access to the programming software for my MX-900. They said it was for "Licensed Dealers Only" which is their way of saying "Professionals". It was a great remote, but I was no longer willing to pay somebody $300 every time I wanted to tweak the picture or add/upgrade a component (e.g., adding an XBox, swapping the DVD for a Blu-Ray, etc.) and a few things with the way mine was programmed were really irritating.
To replace that, I purchased a Logitech Harmony 900 and had the exact experience as everyone else who purchased it did: bad RF range and performance. I tried every creative workaround you could think of, to no avail. If the RF worked, it would be a great remote. But it doesn't.
URC adveritizes this remote as being for "Professionals", which initially scared me off, but the cool thing about the MX-450 for the DIY folks like me is that, since you don't need a PC, there is no software required to program the remote.
Correcting some previous reviews, URC offers for download from its web site support section a helpful Archiver program that allows you to update the remote firmware and ir codes database via a USB cable -- just like the Harmony remotes, but much simpler. It also allows you to make a backup copy of your remote configuration in case you have a problem later on and need to do a factory reset or restore your settings. (For the non-pros like me, I strongly recommend making multiple backups along the way as you add more and more cool macros and other programming.)
In my case, I spent about an hour surfing through the internet reviews and reading the 12 page manual before I took the thing out of the box. It probably took me another 4 hours in total to program the remote over the course of one evening. That includes my Denon AVR receiver, my Sony TV, my Sony Blu-Ray player, my AppleTV, my Xbox, my HDRadio and my wife's Wii Fit (all hidden in the next room and connected to our whole-house audio system). I used the macro feature to create six macros on the Main page that emulate Harmony-style "Activites" -- e.g., to watch Tivo, you press the "Watch Tivo" button and the remote does the rest. Favorite channels can be done in under 10 minutes. It probably took me another half-hour to install the IR emitters, the base station and the RF antenna and do the RF programming on the remote to make each component RF only with its own ir address. BTW, the URC manual for the MRF 350 base station is really easy to follow and the RF settings on the remote itself are self-explanatory.
The guided programming is not as elegant as what you can do on a PC, and I had to start programming devices or macros over again once or twice, but the learning, macro and cut and paste functions are really helpful and easy. You can do just about anything that you can think of with this remote so long as you are a little bit organized. My unit gives me RF range to almost 100 feet through two interior walls and the performance has been reliable, even during long macros.
I highly recommend this as an alternative to other high-end RF remotes for DIY folks like me.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Universal Remote Control MX-450 Custom Programmable Remote Control with On-Screen Macro Editing.

The Universal Remote MX-450 is a future featured remote control with a color screen.It can be programmed to use RFcontrol with the addition of the MRF-260 base station.This means you do not have to point the remote at the device you are controlling to adjust your settings.

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Genie GICT390-3BL 3-Button Remote Control with Intellicode Review

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(More customer reviews)The remote works as advertised.
The manual has programming directions (press "program" button on your garage opener, press the remote two times, you're done).
The four little rectangles arond the remote are a plastic sleeve that can be reversed to cover the button, so it won't accidentally open your garage from your pocket.
There's a tiny hole that lights up red when you press the button, so you know that the battery is good.
Comes with battery already installed.
The keyring was a little tough to attach.

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Includes 3-Button Remote Control, Keychain, Docking Station, Visor Clip, 12 Volt Battery, Instructions, 1 Year Limited Warranty

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Philips MC235B Flat Wall Mountable Micro Shelf System (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I just picked this up and it's a very nice shelf system. It's not going to shake the walls at high volume, but if you were looking for that much power, you wouldn't be looking at a shelf system to begin with. The true test of quality sound comes at the lower end of the volume knob. Here is where this unit excels. No hissing or crackling noise and the bass is rich and pure and sounds dynamite. I played a burn job from mp3 files and I was stunned at just how good this unit really does sound! Mind you, this system does have a wee bit more power than comparable units, so you can crank the volume up loud enough for most people's tastes and there is no sound distortion at the high end, either. It's also pretty easy to mount on the wall, if so desired. It does come with a stand, which suffices well enough, if you don't feel like drilling into your walls. I only have one complaint and it's a minor one. While the speakers attach to the unit as seen in the pic, Philips should have also enabled you to be able to mount the speakers onto a wall, apart from the unit, to achieve a much better stereo sound. I have a speaker on the nightstand on each side of the bed and when I lie down to relax with some good tunes, it sounds simply fantastic. So, sound like a good deal? It is, and for a great price, too! Just make sure you have some extra speaker wire handy, as there's not that much attached to each speaker to begin with. Trust me on this. For the price being asked, in my opinion, sound byte for sound byte, this is one of the best shelf units out there. I listened to a lot of small systems in the up to and a little above the one hundred and fifty level and this system won hands down every time. A nice added bonus feature is that it was also the most eye appealing, too!

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The vividly chic Philips MC235B Micro Shelf System gives you dynamic sound performance packed in a sleek design that can be mounted on your wall.This micro audio system plays both CD and CD-R/RW discs.Digital Sound Control and Dynamic Bass Boost allow you to custom tailor your listening experience.The Philips MC235B also features a sleep/wake timer, as well as a digital AM/FM tuner with 40 presets.

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Logitech Squeezebox Duet Wi-Fi Internet Radio Review

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(More customer reviews)It's hard to review the Squeezebox Duet without comparing it to the Sonos system, current ruler of this class of products.
Since there are already many excellent reviews, I thought I would focus on a comparison of the two, to help you decide which system best fits your needs.
Controller
----------
Both controllers are responsive, pleasant to hold and operate. They are well built, and their LCD screen of excellent quality and easy to read.
Squeezebox: thin, light, easy to operate with one hand, excellent battery life, battery is user-replaceable, comes with charging stand. It also features an infrared blaster and a headphones port, which will be supported at some point in the future (although Logitech makes no promises there have been demonstrations of prototype firmware using both features), as well as a 3D accelerometer (yes, like a Wii remote).
Sonos: bulkier, designed for two-handed operation, battery life could be better, battery is not user-replaceable, charging stand optional.
Networking
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I did not compare the two systems in the same location, but they both operate well with a range sufficient for most medium-size houses.
Sonos: uses proprietary mesh networking that requires to plug one of the players into the wired LAN. Other players act as repeaters.
Squeezebox: uses standard 802.11g networking. Can hook up to an existing wireless network, or the player can be used as an access point for the remote.
Players
-------
Sonos offers two players: the ZP100 has a built-in amplifier and the ZP80 doesn't (but it offers a digital output missing from the ZP100). Both players feature an Ethernet hub and an audio input.
Squeezebox: on top of the inexpensive player bundled with the Duet, the Squeezebox system is also capable of controlling all other Squeezebox devices (excluding the first generation models).
Audio quality is comparable, although audiophiles may be attracted by the compatibility with the Squeezebox Transporter.
Server
------
This is where both systems differ radically. Sonos connects to existing SMB shares whereas Squeezebox requires that you install and run the SqueezeCenter server on your computer. SqueezeCenter is open source and runs on Windows, Mac and Linux.
Sonos: less intrusive, no software to install, works happily off a lowly NAS. But: if your music collection is larger than 30,000 tracks, you may hit the limit of the indexing capabilities, a problem with no easy workaround.
Squeezebox: requires simple installation of server software, so you have to have a computer always on. Server is too CPU-intensive to run properly on a low-power NAS such as the D-Link DNS-323
Internet radio
--------------
Sonos: Napster, Rhapsody, Audible, eMusic, Zune Marketplace, Sirius, Pandora, all configurable from the controller
Squeezebox: Rhapsody, MP3Tunes Locker, Radio IO, RadioTime, Slacker, Live365, SHOUTcast, Sirius, most must be configured and authorized from a computer using the SqueezeCenter web interface.
Support
-------
Both companies offer spectacular support through their on-line forums.
Summary
----------
Price: Squeezebox. A three-zone Sonos system will cost you about twice as much as a three zone Squeezebox system.
Capabilities: tie
Ease of setup: Sonos
Ease of use/WAF: Sonos. The Squeezebox interface is beautiful, but Sonos is more logically organized and simpler.
So, should you get Sonos or Squeezebox? It depends. Both systems are excellent.
If you're a tinkerer and want a solid, inexpensive system, the Squeezebox is for you. If you don't mind the added cost, want the best, simplest, friendliest user interface around, Sonos is still the ticket.
One thing is for sure: Sonos finally has some serious competition.


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Listen to the music you love in any room in your home with the Logitech Squeezebox Duet. Play songs stored on your computer, tune in to thousands of Internet radio stations, or connect to online services such as Pandoraand Rhapsody . Plus, the multi-room controller with 2.4-inch color display and scroll-wheel navigation makes it easy to browse, select, and play music from the palm of your hand.

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Logitech Harmony 890 Advanced Universal Remote Control Review

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(More customer reviews)UPDATE: I've just upgraded to the Harmony 1000, and talk about fantastic. Nice, easy to read screen and hard buttons, especially if you need glasses to read. Well worth the added price (since the RF receiver isn't bundled with the 1000).
---
3 years ago, I purchased my first Harmony remote, the 768. At the time, I wrote that it was the best universal remote, bar none. I've since purchased a Harmony 668 for another setup, and have recommended various Harmony remotes to my friends. It was now time for me to update my home system.
Based on the numerous reviews, many over a year old, I was hesitant to give the Harmony 890 a try. I'm glad that I did! With the latest Harmony Software and firmware updates (which are automatically installed the first time you connect your devices), my experience has been excellent. And Amazon's price is outstanding - the same that local "discount" chains are selling the non-RF capable model.
I have had no problems configuring both the 890 remote and RF wireless extender under Mac OS X (Intel and PPC) and Windows XP clients. Clearly this is a different experience from the early adopters who bought this a year ago.
Some background - I'm an electronics geek and audiophile. My system is complex, and with more components (12) than the average home setup. In my opinion, if the Harmony can be configured to control all aspects of my environment, then it should handle any configuration as long as you have the patience to work through Harmony's setup wizards and lack of adequate documentation.
Initial setup is easy - install the Harmony software, connect and register, connect your devices (firmware will be automatically updated) and then specify what components you have, and what activities you want them to be in. If that's all you need to configure, there's not much work.
In my instance, I wanted all aspects to be controlled - changing sound modes on the amplifier depending on input source, switching to the optimal input on the TV monitor, controlling all component functions on the remote. This takes some time, and some learning through the sometimes quirky Harmony wizards. But in time, I was successful.
As I've mentioned in my past review of the 768, one of the real differentiators of the Harmony remotes is their ability to intelligently understand the STATE of various devices, and what commands are needed to establish a setting. For example, they will remember if your TV was last ON or OFF, what input it was set to, etc. For some devices, without separate settings for On/Off, or for selecting inputs, this is a lifesaver. And if the remote ever gets out of sync, you can just hit the Help button and it will prompt you through.
The included RF wireless receiver is great capability, allowing you to control devices in separate rooms without a line-of-sight from the remote to the components. However, I would recommend against using the RF receiver at first. Instead, configure the remote for all of your devices using the IR commands. Then, add the RF receiver and change your inputs. (See my separate review of the Logitech Harmony RF receiver for complete details).
Although the screen isn't very large, it is easy to read, providing 8 selections per screen. I prefer the Harmony 890's use of physical buttons to the touchscreen-only approach of other remotes, which force you to look at the screen each time.
Also a nice touch, the Harmony 890 has a motion sensor that will turn on the backlight when you pick up the remote. There areas that could be improved:
> The included documentation is almost useless. Logitech attempts to be user friendly but in the process it ends up being so oversimplified it is of little use.
> Some remote commands (for example, the sound mode settings on my Sony receiver) cannot be learned except in "RAW" mode. This is not the standard Learning mode, and I only found it by searching various online forums.
> The Mac OS X client software can sometimes lose "focus", where it will stop responding to the keyboard (for example, for naming a learned command, renaming an activity, etc). It is easily worked around - just quit and restart the Harmony client software.
> The Harmony client software has a resizeable window, but the actual content doesn't adjust to fit the window size. this is annoying when setting up custom button settings.
> Once you add the RF receiver to your configuration, you must always plug it in and update it, even when you make a minor change that shouldn't affect the RF receiver. I'd recommend placing it (and plugging it to a power source) where it is easy to disconnect/reconnect from your system.
> You can only define 16 favorite channels for a TV activity. This would seem to be an easy change for Logitech (the remote itself is not limited to 2-screenfuls of information).
> The buttons are laid out for appearance not ergonomics. If you have trouble reading without glasses, it may be tough to read the labels on this remote.
Even with these limitations, I still give this a 5-star recommendation, and would recommend it without reservations.Some tips:
1) Make sure you let the Harmony software update the remote AND the wireless RF receiver to the latest firmware
2) Remove the RF receiver from your initial setup, and configure for IR only. Once you're satisfied with all your settings and configurations, then it is simple to add the wireless RF receiver.
3) Configure the RF receiver to send commands to a specific channel (there are 4 different channels with 2 IR emitters on each wire) to minimize interference and improve performance. But, make sure if you do this that you label the IR emitter wires!
4) Harmony now has a Media Center device profile for the AppleTV. The trick is that you need to assign Volume Up to the Direction Up key, Volume Down to the Direction Down key, and Play to the Select key. When you do, the Harmony can control the AppleTV, even with the RF receiver, properly repeating commands to accelerate through the AppleTV menus. The profile is even smart enough to send the PowerOff sequence (hold down Play for 5 seconds).
5) If a learned command doesn't work, click on the "Custom" button at the bottom of the Learn IR screen, and then try to learn the command in "RAW" mode.
6) If you search the internet for "Harmony Remote icons" you can find several sites where people have gone through the work of creating custom icons for the Favorite Channels. This is something that Logitech should provide themselves, but they don't.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Logitech Harmony 890 Advanced Universal Remote Control

Logitech's Harmony 890 remote control uses both radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) wireless signals to deliver powerful complete control of your home-entertainment system that may be hidden behind cabinets. With a wireless range of up to 100 feet, the Harmony 890 remote sends RF commands to a wireless receiver, which then blasts infrared signals to the components. The Harmony 890 remote makes universal control for home entertainment and advanced lighting systems simple. How does it work? Just connect your Harmony remote to your computer and the Web wizard walks you step-by-step through a simple set up. Enter in your model numbers for your components, then answer a few easy questions about how you Watch TV or Watch a DVD. You ll be controlling even the most complex system without any of the hassles of elaborate programming. Easily view and select. Color display icons and 8 on-screen activity buttons make it easy Effortlessly switch between watching HDTV and listening to music, by selecting a single activity button - Just press one of the Activity buttons, such as Watch TV or Listen to Music, and it automatically sets. Package Contents Harmony 890 remote control Charging station Harmony RF wireless extender USB cable 2 AC adapters 4 dual-IR emitters Lithium-ion battery Installation CD Installation guide 1-year limited hardware warranty

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Streamzap PC Remote Control Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Recently, I replaced the CD Player on my stereo with a full blown PC and use my TV as the "monitor". I had been using a wireless keyboard and MusicMatch software for playing my MP3 files. After a while, I got tired of having to keep the keyboard with me if I wanted to switch tracks, stop playback, pause, etc. I found this little gizmo after a quick search and it does everything I need. The software that comes with it integrates well with the popular music software (MusicMatch, Windows Media Player, Winamp, and many more), and you can even use the remote as a rudimentary mouse. Of course, you can't enter text with it, but if you're using a PC as a stereo component, this remote is great.
You get the remote and a USB infrared receiver. Installation is a snap, and the range is great. StreamZap has said they're considering modifying the software so it would be compatible with other brand remotes, eliminating the need for their remote altogether which would be a nice touch. Until then, I programmed their remote codes into my universal remote and it takes care of everything.

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STREAMZAP PC Infrared REMOTE ACCSCONTROL UP TO 40FT

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Terk FM-50 Indoor/Outdoor Dual-Drive Amplified FM Antenna (Terk FM50) Review

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(More customer reviews)I have a Yamaha HTR-5750 receiver which I was using with a Radio Shack FM amplified antenna. I had tried various ways of improving my FM reception including the classic 300 ohm twin lead folded dipole antenna. The rabbit ear setup helped but still did not yield satisfactory results. I still had difficulties receiving some nearby FM stations that were considered moderate strength stations.
I installed the TERK FM-50 inside my home hiding it behind a curtain valance. I did use the amplifier mode and was able to receive all of the FM radio sources listed on the web at the "radio-locator" service, some as far away as 30 miles.I was able to receive all of the radio stations in stereo mode with no evidence of noise. Previously I was unable to receive some of the stations even in non-stereo mode and several of the stations had objectionable noise content in the stereo mode. The stations range from very strong to very weak. I was able to pull one station rated as very weak from 22 miles.
Given my experience, I would highly recommend the TERK FM-50. It was a very simple installation. Since the actual antenna is protected by an outside casing, I was able to use the assembly in contact with drapery material with no significant degradation in performance. I appreciated the technical performance of the antenna and my wife appreciated the fact that I was able to completely hide it.


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Honeywell TE532ELW Long Range Weather Forecaster with Humidity and Atomic Clock Review

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(More customer reviews)I am not at all impressed with this honeywell product. It is not at all intuitive as to how to change settings, and if you hit the wrong button when an alarm goes off, it puts you into reset mode and you have to reset everything. Temp changed reading from F to C and will not go back to read in Farenheit, and it often has false readings on the outside sensor, showing sun or partial sun with 98% humidity and rain going off. Overall, I rate this honeywell product as a lemon and would send it back if I had not thrown away the mandatory packaging and original info that came with it. Maybe honeywell needs to go back to made in USA for quality, instead of following suit with everyone who is getting their products made in China.I would gladly pay more for something if it was user friendly and it worked! This thing is junk and I will be looking for a replacement.

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With a new double-tool design, the Honeywell TE532ELW Long Range Weather Forecaster with Humidity and Atomic Clock boasts an elegant glossy finish that is perfect for modern decors. The Honeywell TE532ELW is the quickest, most accurate, and most convenient way of keeping track of the weather in and around your home or office.
The TE532ELW allows you to monitor the temperature and humidity in up to three remote locations at the same time, while simultaneously providing you with the most accurate timekeeping available. This system comes with a compact main display unit and a single, water-resistant Honeywell TS35C remote temperature and humidity sensor that can be used both indoors and out. And with an effective transmission range of up to 328 feet, you can install the remote sensor virtually anywhere in or near the house. If you need to know the temperature in multiple locations, you can purchase up to two more TS35C remote sensors and use them all with the same main display unit. The main unit even includes a remote channel auto-scan function so you don't have to cycle through multiple sensors manually. And not only does this system display the temperature and humidity, but provides you with a 12- to 24-hour weather forecast with easy-to-interpret graphical icons, such as clouds, rain, sunshine and more.
The TE532ELW utilizes easy-to-read digits on a bright, blue backlit LCD display that allows you to read its information at a glance day or night. The screen displays the current temperatures at both the main display, and the remote sensor location in either Celsius or Fahrenheit depending upon your selection. As an added convenience, this system contains a programmable ice warning alarm that lets you know when a frost is predicted so you can take precautions, as well as a programmable high and low temperature alarm, and comfort level indicators. Users will also delight in this system's wide outdoor temperature and humidity range, which can range from -38 to 158 degrees F and 30- to 80-percent humidity when powered by lithium batteries, making it suitable for virtually any application. And for those who like to keep track of the highs and lows, the TE532ELW has a memory that stores minimum and maximum temperature and humidity for both the main display and remote sensor locations.
More than just a personal weather station, the TE532ELW includes a built-in clock that can display the current time in 12- or 24-hour format. And this clock really will display the current time, since it receives radio signals from the U.S. Atomic Clock in Fort Collins, Colorado. Not only does this consistently adjust the clock to within one second of official U.S. government, but automatically adjusts the time for Daylight Savings Time as well. What's more, this clock comes with dual alarms that feature a crescendo tone and a snooze function, as well as a calendar with month and day readings in English, Spanish, French, German or Italian. As convenient as it is accurate, the display unit can be mounted on the wall so you always know right where to look, or sit on your desktop and go wherever you do. Both the main display and the remote sensor each run on two AA batteries (not included), and are backed by a manufacturer's one-year warranty.
What's in the Box Honeywell TE532ELW long-range weather forecaster and clock, 1 x Honeywell TS35C remote sensor, user's guide and warranty information.

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XM XDRC2V1 XpressRCi with PowerConnect Vehicle Kit Review

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(More customer reviews)Like most reviews show - the screen failed at about a year. I was driving to work today, and watched as it flickered from bright to dark, and then died completely. The radio still works, and my presets are just fine - I can only tune at night when I can see the display. XM radio is just okay - not great, and despite the hype commercials are taking up most of the air time on popular channels.

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With the XM XpressRCi, it's easy to enjoy satellite radio in any vehicle. Do-it-yourself installation with PowerConnect is quick and effortless, and the large split-screen color display and other advanced features let you get the most from your satellite radio. You can pause, rewind, and replay up to 60 minutes of live radio; get alerts when your favorite artists, songs, and sport teams are playing on live radio; and use the real-time program guide to browse programs and artists playing on other channels without having to change the channel. Note: SIRIUS|XM Satellite Radio is a subscription service, see below for details.

Enjoy Satellite Radio in Any Vehicle
Hear More of What You Love ... Effortlessly SIRIUS|XM Radio delivers subscribers over 170 channels of commercial-free music, premier sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic, and weather, covering the entire continental U.S. via seamless satellite transmission.

Please note that XM Radio is a paid subscription service, and a plan is not included with this radio. You will need to select and purchase an XM subscription plan to activate the radio before use.

Complete PowerConnect Vehicle Kit Included The revolutionary SIRIUS|XM PowerConnect FM Transmitter works through your vehicle's radio--all mounting accessories are included; just plug it into your vehicle's power adapter socket and you're good to go. The color-coded vehicle dock makes it simple to connect, and if your vehicle features a standard 3.5-mm auxiliary input, you've got a wired option rather than using the FM radio route. As for mounting, both vent and dash mounts are provided to suit your preference/requirements.

Vibrant Color Display View artist name, song title, and channel information on a display with stylish color backgrounds and graphics.

Split Screen Display Mode Split the screen to simultaneously view what's playing on the current channel and up to three other channels, or view what's playing on the current channel and the last channel you were listening to at the same time.

Enhanced Real-time Channel Guide Browse programs, artists, and songs playing on other channels without having to change the channel you are on.

Pause and Replay Want to hear a song again? Miss a detail on a newscast, or have to leave the car on an errand? The XpressRCi lets you pause, rewind, and replay up to 60 minutes of live radio, so you never miss a beat.

Don't Miss Your Favorite Teams and Artists TuneSelect and GameSelect alert you whenever your favorite artists, songs, or sports teams are playing on any XM channel.

When a match is found for an entry in your TuneSelect or GameSelect list, you'll be prompted with audio and a displayed alert. From there, you can immediately tune the channel on which the song or game is playing.

Save That Song The unit's SongSaver feature lets you store up to 10 songs so you can listen to them later.

Stock Ticker Track the price and daily movement of your favorite stocks.

Universal Docking Capability The XpressRCi features universal docking capability, allowing you to add accessories to use it in your home, office, additional vehicles, or even outdoors.

What's in the Box XpressRCi Radio, PowerConnect vehicle dock, PowerConnect power adapter, remote control, aux-in cable, vent and dash mounting accessories, quick start guide, and user's guide.

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Zlive Speaker System and Docking Station for Zune (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I received a Zune for Christmas, which is what I wanted (I'm not an 'Apple' person), and bought this to use my mp3 player at work. Essentially, the unit sounds and looks good, but it doesn't connect 100% to the Zune and has to be plugged and replugged until it works. The most frustrating thing is that the remote only works when it chooses to, which is about half the time! I put a new battery into it, hoping to alleviate the problem, but it didn't. Now, I simply don't use the remote; I get too frustrated wondering whether or not it's going to work this time!
The sound quality is good. I use it in an office, so I don't have it cranked up to maximum, but it does what I bought it for. I just wish they hadn't even included a remote it the darn thing wasn't dependable.
WELL, (Jan. 30) it's been sent back to the company for a week now. It is completely unusable. If the unit is repaired or replaced and sent back to me in a timely manner, I will raise my rating to a five, because costumer service counts for something. If I don't get a response or satisfaction, I'll drop the rating to a 1 for the small consolation that will provide. At least it will serve as a warning to others. We'll see what they do.
OKAY! I received a NEW Zlive Speaker System to replace the malfunctioning one I returned and this one works exactly as I hoped! It's a very nice system! I might've gotten a lemon the first time around, but I'm impressed with how this thing functions now that I have a good one! The remote is simple to use (don't put a Pepsi can between it and the system) and works every time. The sound is not gigantic, fill-the-room-with-wall-to-wall-music bold, but it's simply perfect for the office environment in which I use it. I tried to change the rating from 3 stars to 5 because of the prompt, courteous service the company exhibited in making things right, but it won't let me. In any case, even with my false start, I recommend the Zline.

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