I was amused to see that the maximum distance using the internal IR was 5 ft. on
a Magnavox TV. I installed the DEMO version of the OmniRemote software on my
Palm IIIc and trained it without any problems. It seems to work fine at 10 feet
and off-center to boot! I did indeed need to aim the IR beam at the screen
though. All functions worked as advertised and then I decided to read the
instructions and discovered that it might not work at 10 feet.

Then I read your review and comments on the review from other users. There
seems to be huge discrepencies in the maximum control distances reported. So I
decided to test using my Palm IIIc on a 27" Sharp TV in the evening with all the
room lights ON. I ACTUALLY GOT ALL CONTROL FUNCTIONS TO WORK AT 30 FEET! Since
the room is only 36 feet long WALL-TO-WALL, I couldn't get any further data
under these conditions.

Next I tried about 15 degrees off-center (doorway) and still no problems so I
went until I could no longer see the TV through the door and down the stairs and
still had control at a MEASURED distance of 40 feet!!! This combination
outperforms the OEM remote unit by 15 feet.

I was also successfully controlling the TV at 25 feet in the middle of the day
with all window shades open. I didn't try any farther distances at the time
because I was unaware of the reported limits.

Last, I tried extreme side angles, probably about 75 degrees. I couldn't quite
make out the picture but I could change the channels just fine. In fact, it
worked anywhere in the room that was at least 1 foot in front of the plane of
the screen. This probably sounds unbelievable but I assure you I can repeat the
demonstration (actually I didn't believe it myself until I did it twice). 

I'm sure that room lighting would decrease the range and do admit that the test
conditions were probably optimal (fullly charged battery, almost new Palm IIIc,
3-year old TV 4 feet off the floor level, etc.). It is also highly likely that
the Sharp IR receiver would outperform many other TVs under these conditions but
I don't have any to test. From my test results, I don't see any practical
limitations. I'll probably purchase OmniRemote shortly.

Tim Lee

I am very disappointed.  When I downloaded the software, I thought it was so cool.  I could control my TV's volume and power.  I couldn't control the channels because they go through my cable box, so I purchased the software and put my registration code in.  Guess what?  I still can't change the channels and my VCR doesn't work with it either.  The training acts as if it's going to work, but no go.  I'm out $20 and all I can do is attempt to program it for my cable and VCR.

For anyone interested in extending the Palm's IR range using an IR to RF converter, I've posted some photos and info at
http://www.pro-bono.net/palm/.
Becky

I like your site, and I like the OmniRemote software.

One caveat: there are some very high end receivers in the world (such as my
Sony DA90ESG) which use a 455 KHz IR carrier frequency, which is well above
the "frequencies (32-56 kHz) that home entertainment devices use" [to quote
your contributeo Dan] so the OmniRemote does not work for it.  OmniRemote is
not the problem; the Palm cannot support such high frequencies.  Indeed,
those of us with such high end equipment cannot use ANY of the IR repeaters
or learning remotes presently on the market.

The OmniRemote works quite well for all the rest of my equipment.

-Mike Roberts

Hi, Julie.
I've started using the Omniremote on a Palm Pro with the 2 meg/IR upgrade.

I've found that I can control my television (a Hitachi) from about 15 feet
away with the built-in IR.

regards,
Scott

I have used the unregistered version of OmniRemote on my PalmPilot w/ 2MB+IR upgrade board.
It has a much brighter IR LED and I could consistantly control my TV at ~18 ft. with no problems.
Just thought you should know.
Thanx for your time and I love your site!! (Keep it up, The Net needs High Quality Sites like yours.)

Hidyman

Range problems are also likely caused by a few other factors:

1) Background IR in the room where used affecting the signal to noise
ratio.

2) Background noise being learned during the teach mode.

Many other programables have similar problems.

I have interest in this unit and intend on picking one up to have a go
and see how it's been accomplished.

Jack

I have been playing with the demo of the OmniRemote for the P3 and I am TOTALLY in love with this software!

I will be buying the full version very soon, but until then I'm enjoying "drawing" my remote buttons and setting up awesome macros that can control my entire home entertainment center. I can't wait to be able to have more than one "screen" for my remote.

The IR add-on sounds like it helps, but I really haven't had any problem with the built-in P3 IR, could have something to do with the angle I sit at when I watch TV (directly in front of it, hee hee).

Score: 9.9 out of 10

Hey Julie,
I just started using the Omni Remote and have found it useful to an
extent.  The receiver on different devices make it tough to use it for
everything.  My Sony and Onkyo products work great from any angle and from
about 6-7 feet away.  My Toshiba TV works only about 5 feet away and the
angle has to be no less than about 20 deg.  The one major drawback that
I've found is that with all Scientific Atlanta cable boxes the range is no
more than two feet.  This has proven to be a big inconvience, but I haven't
given up.  By the way this has all been performed on a Palm 3 without the
extra attachment to the serial port. 
Jason

Yep, this is very cool. I've set this up to work my tv, video, amp, cd
and minidisc player.
I don't need to change modes. It just works. Well impressed, though
the software could
do with some more features (eg ability to load in pre setup controls
for IR devices).

It's Cool I say.  Christian Oliff (Palm III User)

I also downloaded the OmniRemote Software and could control my Sony
Trinitron TV sitting about 12 feet from it.
I think my room is dimmer when I watch TV but I was impressed.

John

Greetings!

Thanks for the OmniRemote review.

I bought OmniRemote a couple of weeks ago, and have had a blast with the
software.  I have a LeapFrog (IR to RF converter) that I bought some
years ago, and it fits onto my Palm III well.  This allows me to use the
OmniRemote software from distances of over 30 ft.(through walls, and
all).  Didn't you do a review of such a product a few months ago?

(Note from Julie: Yes, in my PC Remote review, I mentioned a product called
Powermid)

The ability to layout your own screens is nifty (how many remotes can I
get onto one screen and still maintain some level of usability? <g>).
But the best thing is macros.  I've strung together all sorts of stuff
that used to take multiple button pushes on my old universal remote.  My
remote finger is much more relaxed now <smile>.

I'd have to agree with your assessment about the requirements for using
the timer functions.  I tried the timer thing, and sometimes I
remembered to have the Palm in the right place at the right time,
sometimes not.  I know, what I really need is a Palm III just to sit in
front of my AV system, NOT.  I think the PC remote is a better bet for
this kind of function.

Thanks again for this and all your other reviews!

Best Regards,
Ken Mignosa

Of the hundreds and hundreds I've tried, this is unmistakably one of *the*
coolest apps for the pilot.

The control screen is customizable: I have nice thumb-tip-sized controls
right where I want them and the little-used functions tucked away on a
separate page; powerful macros set up for "one-hit wonders"; timers allow
me to enjoy a stunning hi-fi "alarm clock"; I could go on...

In addition to putting most high-end $700+ universals to shame, it is also
a pilot!! (I always know where my remote is, as my "little brain" is my
constant companion.)

I haven't had problems getting good performance with the built-in PalmIII
IR.  I make sure I use Auto Frequency detect on each remote I am "learning"
and try retraining if the range is not satisfactory.  GIGO.  I get 8 feet
to 27 feet with the 8 different devices I now control - I kid you not!  My
understanding is that there are different IR reciever strengths in the
various consumer electronics, so perhaps it is just my Sony / Yamaha /
Carver / Panasonic / Pentax equipment - but I strongly doubt it.

<< point of clarification: the primary reason consumer IR control was said
to be impossible is because there is a hardware filter in the Palm
circuitry that doesn't allow its IR to use the frequencies (32-56 kHz) that
home entertainment devices use.  Somehow, the genius behind OmniRemote
figured out a way around this... >>

Complaints?  None really, though feature requests are another issue.  I
would love to be able to make up my own graphics for the button icons and
create "arc"-ed button shapes for my natural thumb sweep, but I'll be
content with that Christmas-morning feeling for now :)

Cheers,

Dan