Well, I've just gotten all the parts together -- the palm personal and the IR upgrade, and installed the trial version of the omniremote software.

Observations:

1. Range of that combination does not begin to match the range of the Cinema 6.

2. The screen is too small to enable the flexibility that the Cinema 6 has.

3. The screen is too dark to read easily, with or without the back lighting on.

Bottom line: skip the Palm, get the Cinema 6 or 7.

Depending on what type of system you are going to control, the Palm, or for that matter, the Pronto, or the HK might not be for you. Conventional remotes are definately the best way to go if you do not have a complex system. They are designed to be the most simple, easiest to use.

I'm not to familiar with the Cinema 6, but I'm assuming it falls under the conventional remote cateory (ie. non touch screen, physical buttons). Like I said, for the average system and average user, one of these conventional remotes would be definately better. But if you have a complex system with many different components and switches as I do, you need such features as labeling (so you don't have to guess which button is which), timed macros, customization, and expandiblity. These features are best provided by the 'higher end' remotes which the Palm, HK, and Pronto fall under.

Sorry your disapppointed, but hey, if you can't return it, you've got one hell of an organizer. :)

I have a just got a Pronto and I must say I love it. I have nothing aginst the Palm as I do own two of them. Before I got my pronto I did try the remote software for the Palm. I had a few problems I couldn't get over. First, they are not backlit and are VERY difficult to read in the dark. Second you have to use a PEN on the touch screen. The Pilot does not recognize my finger. And the last problem I had was getting it to record the IR from my Dish network remote. It had problems with that one remote. I had fun with it and it gave me a taste of what I really wanted in a remote and have found in the Pronto.

From the discussion on this topic, it might can be concluded that:
1. As a dedicated device, Pronto is the BEST universal remote control.
2. Palm Pilot can be manipulated for remote function. The current available software (OmniRemote) still lacks features and cosmetics (graphical icons). With a sophisticated software, it might outperform the Pronto.
3. Pronto is sold with too high price tag. The production cost should not higher than a Palm organizer. Below $150 is a reasonable price.
4. For people with low budget, it is better to wait for a better and cheaper remote control (Mosaic, below $100). The price of Palm is still high for someone who doesn't need an organizer.

You don't have to turn your palm over. I have a Palm V (which I bought as an organize and use as a remote SOMETIMES), and the IR is on the top, it doesn't need a booster, AND it is Aluminum with a crack resistant LCD. IT is so durable that I keep it in my back pocket like a wallet and carry it around all day sitting on it. No need to worry about kids breaking it. Just a thought.

Geoff,

The only thing I can think of which explains your problem is that you have an earlier version of the Palm (Palm Personal?), that does not have a backlit light. If this is the case, do NOT buy this Palm, or if you have this type of Palm, then don't use it as a remote control. I know for a fact that the Palm Professional and up all have backlit lights and allow for touchscreen with your finger. The Palm Pilot I spoke of in the previous replies, has these features.

Without the backlit light and being unable to use your finger, the Palm that you have is virtually useless as a remote control. In fact, 3Com does no longer sells that version of the Palm Pilot. It's a good thing that 3Com decided to fix that issue with all following versions of the Palm Pilot.

TJ,

You say you have a "V" and good range? I just bought a Vx (which is ultra cool) but the range is not good at all. Is there any kind of extender for the V series to boost the signal up a bit? I have Onkyo AMP, RCA SAT, TOSH VCR, SONY DVD, and Panasonic TV. Having some big problems with range. Any Ideas?

PDD,
The Palm I have is the Palm IIIx. No back light.

Geoff,

Hate to break it to you, but all Palm IIIx's have backlites. Maybe yours is broke. Check out this web page for info on Palm IIIx's:

[Link: computers.cnet.com]

Good luck. (Try holding down the power button for 3 seconds. That's what turns on the backlight, at least for my Palm III).

Yes, it does seem the IIIx has a backlight.

Pilot Fans!

FYI.

www.pacificneotek.com has released a version of omniremote for the Handspring Visor. If you've bought one of these, you now have the power for ultimate remote control power!

I've added this message to the thread. It seems as though now you don't have to have the Palm learn all the key functions. From what the following message says, someone has written a program which contains these codes! Good luck!

Response by Charlie P on 01/17/00 20:04.09 new!

Goto the web page www.palmgear.com do a search in the software section for remote. You will see a free program called TV Uni-remote1.3. It looks like someone has written a program to run with Omniremote which has the codes hardcodes instead of learning each one. Good luck...I just purchased the Palm Pilot IIIe and am also running OmniRemote software. This thing is great I can't believe anyone is using a Pronto.....

I was almost ready to bite the bullet and get a Pronto, when I stumbled upon this interesting discussion group.

I've got a few questions on OmniRemote:

Checking the NeoTek website, it says OmniRemote is supported for Handspring's Visor (a Palm Pilot Clone made by some of the guys who made the original Palm Pilot.) The 2mb version starts at $149. Does anyone know if there is an IR extender module that will work on the Visor?

Everyone keeps referring to the fact that you have to hold the Palm Pilot backward for the IR to work. Does the OmniRemote Software allow you to rotate the button orientation, so they are 'right side up' when the Pilot is upside down?

Thanks again for this post and all of the interesting responses...

See the other thread on this past re: "Other Palmpilot Options". I posted some info from Neotek - they are working on an extender - drop them an email for further specifics - they were very responsive. As I understand it, the Visor has it's IR on the side.

-Todd

Charlie B,

Yes the Omniremote software allows you to rotate the look so that it is right side up when you use the IR extender.

What I use, and I stated earlier in this thread is a IR to RF converter. This will allow you to control your components without line of sight and through walls! And you Palm does not have to be turned upside down. Search for 'smarthome' above, I give you the link there.