For a while it looked like the Ricavision Sideshow remote I saw at CES back in January would be the Media Center remote I wanted, I love the idea of the Sideshow but the Ricavision remote is no more and neither is the company. The other option is using a Windows Mobile device (see this video) and that is great for geeks but a bit complicated for the average user (and a bit unreliable) so I was very interested to get a tip from Derek Flickinger that the Philips SRM7500 Media Center remote has sideshow built in. Derek said he ordered the remote from Amazon and noticed in the help file it mentions that it’s sideshow compatible, he tried setting it up and it worked.
Both the Sideshow component and the remote control work over RF via a RF USB dongle so to fiddling with Bluetooth is not required and no line of sight is needed to control Media Center. Derek said “the small monochrome screen is not as nice as the one that the Ricavision remote had, but for $68 it is a steal”
The remote control is available on Amazon.com for $68 and in the UK for £83.97 (how come the UK pays so much more!)
Here are some pictures from Derek and you will hear more from him on The Custom Integrator Show coming soon

Posted
Dec 17 2008, 10:29 AM
by
Ian Dixon