istartedsomething.com — A while ago, images of a clunky looking white-squared Media Center remote was showcased at Digital Life, thought to be believed as the final Media Center remote design. But the updated VIsta Product Spec shows something different and more aesthetically pleasing.
Nov 28, 2006 View in Crawl 4
schestowitzNov 29, 2006
Looks complex. Does it have 12 buttons for switching off the TV?
drakinoNov 29, 2006
I can tell most people here haven't even used the Apple remote. I use a Mac Mini combined with an EyeTV tuner for my media center solution, and so far the remote works just fine for watching TV, switching over to a DVD, or listening to some music. Why? Because the remote and software were developed together, instead of what appears to be two separate teams for the remote and MCE software. "Ugh, how are you supposed to switch content with that thing? Push menu repeatedly? I'd rather just be able to push "TV""It depends on where you are. Pressing Menu with no interface on the screen brings up the main menu, similar to the first screen seen on MCE when pressing the windows icon button. When playing DVDs, it brings up a menu faded on top of the movie to choose what to do, things like eject the disc, or return to the root menu and such. Pressing it again backs out of the DVD player.The Apple remote is designed to not be looked at, but instead has users keeping their eyes on the screen. Think of it similar to the mouse. You don't stare at your mouse all day when using it, you stare at the screen and watch the actions the mouse causes to happen. Where as the MCE and other traditional remotes are like the keyboard, you have to look at them to use them, until you learn the full layout.
austindkellyNov 29, 2006
the four unlabled buttons are more than likely mappable/macro buttons i have unlabled buttons on my universal remote and they swtich my entire AV system from Digital cable to DVD, to computer and what not, very very handly!
pegisysNov 29, 2006
I have a PC remote with four empty buttons on the bottom as well, they let you assign key presses, set them to launch programs, and a few other things. They come in handy since it lets your htpc be some what multi-functional without using a keyboard or mouse
funkyfreshNov 29, 2006
I don't know how many they expect to sell without offering "poo" as a color option... :-)Seriously, though, the Harmony is the best thing to happen to remotes since they went wireless. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand Logitech has a huge online database of home theater products and their associated commands. Just go online, put in the model numbers of your components, and the remote practically programs itself.
streakNov 29, 2006
Oooh, more buttons! SLICK!!
djdoleNov 29, 2006
<a class="user" href="http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/1269/msremoteyz0.jpg">http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/1269/msremoteyz0.jpg</a>
onestabNov 30, 2006
With all the crippling DRM and lack of any new features of actual substance, I really can't believe people are going to buy Vista. I have grown up on Windows PC's and I think Vista will be what finally makes me convert to Mac.