I'm thinking about purchasing a PDA just to use with TotalRemote. Keeping in mind price, what would you readers suggest I purchase for a dedicated TotalRemote PDA?

Thanks,
-Ron

Readers schmeeders, how about the opinion of the guy who has to use it a jillion times a day?

Dell Axim X3. It is very low cost, has a really decent screen, you can get it with WiFi for a little more, and it has stunningly good IrDa performance. I recently benchmarked a Sony DVD player and an Orion TV/VCR combo using an iPaq 5455, an iPaq 5555, a Dell Axim X3, and an unreleased Pocket PC I cannot really discuss in any detail. I used all transmission options, where applicable, for each device and PPC.

The Axim X3 hit the Sony DVD player from 42 feet away, and the Orion TV/VCR from 39 feet away, using IrDA. Forget the Total Remote transmitter module on the Axim though, it only goes 11 feet at BEST.

If you are hell bent to use the audio transmitter module, and want to pay lots more for your PPC, then next up would be the iPaq 5500 series. Using the audio transmitter it went 48 feet to the Orion and 42 feet to the Sony. HOWEVER, the audio tansmitter is a far less accurate device than IrDA, so I would always go with the PPC that had a good IrDA port.

Fun story about the power of the audio transmitter:

When Total Remote debuted at the Pocket PC Summit in L.A. in October of 2002 we went to the famous "House Of Blues" for dinner. There is a stage downstairs, and a dining area upstairs. The performance is piped into the dining area over several CCTV monitors. Five of these TV's are in a row, fixed to the ceiling, over a 75 foot long area. All the TV's were the same model, which I just so happened to have in the Total Remote database. Using an iPaq 3630 and the audio transmitter I turned off ALL FIVE TELEVISIONS AT ONCE. I was ROTFLMAO... well, inside. :)

Don Stratton
Product Manager, Primary Hardware Engineer,
Imperious Overlord Of The Infrared, and chief cheerleader - Total Remote

Der, I'm confused. I thought you needed CIR to get anything like the range you suggest for the X3? What about the Ipaqs with CIR (I can never remember the range numbers). How do they perform with TR?

Same tests, going to the Sony: 27 feet
Same tests, going to the Orion: 36 feet
iPaq 5455 in both cases.

The Dell Axim X3 has a VERY "juiced up" IrDA port.

Hey Don,

2 Questions,

1. Dell doesn't sell the X3 anymore, looks like it's been replaced by the X30 in 3 different versions. Have you done any testing with these?

2. Am I correct in saying that if I got the Dell with the "juiced up" IrDA port that all I would actually be using is the software, not the Total Remote hardware?

Thanks,
-Ron

I just ordered the X30 with the 312MHz proc and wireless capabilities. From the reviews I've read, the IR capabilities are exactly the same as the X3. One review went so far as to configure his entire entertainment set-up and said it worked splendidly. So... I'm crossin' my fingers!

Gadzook,

Did the X30 work as you hoped it would? And what flavour of X30?

Thanks to a hella-good relationship with Dell I got this bad-boy months before the rest of the world! I was VERY pleased to see that ALL other remote control apps CRASHED on the new CPU and new OS, so I think Total Remote may have a small tactical advantage in he short-term. :)

The X30 _IS WEAKER_!! I couldn't believe it, and my people at Dell acted like it was news to them when I reported it. It is still MASSIVELY powerful for an IrDA port, but it is weaker than the X3. I would still say it is a great platform for Total Remote... just don't use the copy that ships with the X30 as it is known to me to have several annoying bugs that have been fixed with 2.1.333 and beyond.


EXACTLY! As a Dell user you will never have any use for the audio transmitter due to the weak audio port, but IrDA will work quite well on the X3 and X30.


--Don

I haven't been able to use Total Remote yet. Anyway, I'll do my darnedest to see what I can put together soon. Thanks Don for the update on your end!

This message was edited by gadzook on 06/11/04 14:32.

Since my 3970 just died on me, I might as well buy a Dell, however I will try to get an X3 as our trusted Don suggests...on Ebay.
Still struggling here to build an extender for my remaining 3950, wife still complaining about all the remotes covering the coffee table...damn 3950's to weak to control the Plasma even in cir mode...
Better save my marriage and buy the Axim...

(in a hushed voice)
Any progress Don on TR? Build still 3.33 I see...

barend,

what died on your 3970? Would you be willing to sell the remains?
If so please contact me via private mail.
Thanks

Wilhelm

Okay, finally got around to using TR. Worked pretty darn well with the TV I programmed in. It accepted all the commands quickly and easily. I wasn't able to get more than about 10 feet from the TV's receiver before I lost the signal, but that's not too shabby for my needs. I haven't had a chance to check other devices in my set-up yet, but if they all go in as easily as the TV, I'll be happy. The TV was a simple JVC 20" - no frills.

My wife has an X3 that she barely uses, and I have an X5 that is gathering dust. I'd love to be able to use it as a universal remote for the new media room in my new house.

Does the X5 have a good range with the IRDA port?

gobs of them on dell's outlet....

the ones on ebay seem to be going for 150+ to 200

Outlet has several for 200

I just got one to try out

thanks

The X30 comes with remote software?? I just got mine today from Dell ($280 shipped) and I don't see anything.