Program Requirements:
Desktop:
Windows 98 or Macintosh OS 8.5.1 or later and a USB port

Are you a remote control junkie? You know the type, they have about 243 remotes for their TV, VCR, CD player and refrigerator. Ok, maybe they don't have a remote for their CD player... :-)  How about adding another remote to their collection. One for the computer that allows you to control applications like PowerPoint, MP3 players, DVD players and more. Keyspan has created a small infrared remote called the Digital Media Remote that will let you control these applications just like you do your TV or VCR.

The remote is a 15-key IR remote that can transmit signals more than 35 feet. It runs on a lithium CR2025 coin cell battery. There is a small IR base station that you plug into a free USB slot on your PC. This module has a slot in it where you can put the remote when it isn't in use. The hardware installation is simple to do and only took me about 5 mins. The software that you install will put a daemon on your computer that runs all the time and waits for you to press a button on the remote so that you can control an application.

The Digital Media Remote controls your applications by sending them the same keystrokes that you do when you control the application from the keyboard on your PC. For example, if the application uses the "N" key to advance to a new slide, the Keyspan Remote can send the same key to your application allowing you to control your application from across the room.

The remote buttons will act differently depending on which application is in focus or in the foreground and whether or not the Keyspan has a keymap for that application. For example, the MENU button on the Keyspan remote will access a DVD-video disc's menu screen in one application but the same MENU button may start playing an MP3 in another application. Some of the built-in keymaps include: Microsoft PowerPoint, Real Player, Microsoft Media Player, Microsoft Internet Explorer, WinAMP MP3 Player, Quicktime Player, and more. If the application that you want to control isn't supported, the remote software can be customized to support additional applications. The application must be able to be controlled via keystrokes and not just mouse clicks. I feel that this the biggest limitation of this product because a lot of applications might not have keyboard shortcuts. I set up the CD Player software that I use on my PC to work with the Keyspan remote. This required me to read the CD Player help file to see if it could be controlled by keystrokes. I was lucky that it was. It was then just a matter of mapping the remote buttons to specific keystrokes. It was pretty easy to do.

The Keyspan remote is well made, and pretty easy to use. I'm not sure how useful it is for people that sit in front of their computer and listen to MP3's or CDs. If you're sitting in front of your computer, it is easier to just click the player application with the mouse than it is to grab the Keyspan remote. If you do need to control your applications from several feet away from your computer, this product will work as advertised. I also think this product would be useful for people that want to control their PowerPoint presentations from several feet away from their computer.

Price: $79

Pros:
Allows you to control your computer applications via remote.
Good for PowerPoint presentations.

Cons:
Can only be used with applications that can  use keystrokes.
Expensive.