N.B.
Sorry for the double post, it seems that both of the 2 sub-forums I posted in are the most appropriate sections.

I'm wondering if anyone can speak from experience here?
I'm thinking of finding the best software for my Axim x50v and turning it into a WiFi/IR universal remote.

If anyone has done something similar in the past & since switched to a 'dedicated remote' for various reasons then I'd love to hear from you!

I'd rather not pay big $$ for a 'dedicated remote' if some software on my axim makes it almost as good. However, if the usability experience is much greater on a top notch 'dedicated remote', then I'll begrudgingly fork out the mulah! :-)

cheers,
jed

You may be interested in checking out the Samsung I-730 PDA / Cell phone. I'm not sure how full featured you want the device to be but the I-730 is a PDA/ Cell phone combo that also includes IR Remote control software and IR emitter. It is stronger than the typical PDA I/R emitter and can learn I/R codes for most devices (not sure if it can to 56Khz devices for example). Anyhow - I have the I-730 and use it ocassionally when I need to use a remote and either don't have the pronto handy or am traveling. You can get an I-730 on Ebay for around $100 bucks. The I730 PDA functions are as good as or better than the Axim and the I730 includes bluetooth and WiFi connectivity in addition to EVDO and cellphone capabilities...

I swithed 'back' to Noviiremote application from a dedicated remote contol (Philips Pronto TSU 3000) . With pronto I used to create .ccf files, but soon I got tired with this feature and stopped using it in a while. When I presented the Pronto to my cousin :), I started using the noviiremote deluxe and I'm still very satisfied with it.

In any case, you should test every app thouroughly by yourself.

As an ex-pronto owner, I can say from experience that with a little time and effort and the right hardware and software combination a pda can beat a dedicated remote hands down and for a fraction of the price.

What he says.

I wouldn't want any other remote than my PDA-based remotes.

Total cost: $110 PDA (Dell Axim x..) + RemoteControl II $29 + Powermid $29 = $168.

Now tell me what your Pronto and Harmony devices can do that my PDA-based remotes can not.

Compare the price.

Consider that once done, the remote can be ported to any other PDA (under $100, mostly).

Total noob to PDAs here...

Can you be a bit more specific as to the Dell Axim model number, or will any Dell Axim model do?

Is that $110 a price for a new unit, or a typical eBay price?

And is the Powermid absolutely necessary, or is this a low-cost alternative to the RF extenders offered in the Pronto line?

Thanks!

Axim x30/x50/x51 (v) will do just fine. For Axim X5 you'll need IR Extender CF from Ultramote ($37).


It is eBay price for X5/X30. X50/x51V are more expensive.


It is low-cost alternative to the RF extenders, not necessary unless you want RF.

How is the battery life? I might get 4 or 5 days out of our TSU3000 (I'm guessing) with a new higher-capacity battery pack from ProntoWizard.

I would like to hear some more on the Samsung I-730, using it as a remote (IR for now, setting up RF, bluetooth, tying in with a computer network?) ... WITHOUT Verzion cell phone service. (EG delete the Verizon el-crap-ola off the phone?)

PS: If anyone has any further thoughts on a Dell Axim, HP Ipaq please post as well... Interested in the Samsung I-730 mainly due to the lower cost...

Thanks in advance...

.

Take a look at my post from a few weeks ago about the bad dispersion on my Axim x30. No one has responded to it, so I have no idea if my experience is typical or not, but my X30 is completely unusable as a remote because the IR "beam" is so narrow that it requires precision aiming. (honestly, I almost need to mount a laser-sight on it in order to hit the target) It's surprising because the Axim PDA's (including the x30 series) seem to get great feedback around here for their use as remotes. I'm hesitant to buy another PDA given my bad experience with the Axim, but who knows...

Some of you may have seen my thread asking about ipaq 214, but the main frustration is adding ir to a modern pda. Sadly, noone seems to have a reply. I'd rather buy something with new software and warranty than older kit from ebay etc. If only there was a way to add ir that works with the various pda software out there.

If that is possible, i'm willing to give the pda method a try as the likes of the new Pronto Pros and Nevo Sls are too far out of my price range now.

"Now tell me what your Pronto and Harmony devices can do that my PDA-based remotes can not."

Have 30 odd physical hard buttons! :-)