Speel chkd? I'll sy!

I doubt anyone will ever come up with a remote that can control a random group of complicated devices in an intuitive way... right out of the box. The RS 1994, Cinema7s, Prontos, Niles, etc., all have to be programmed at least a little to make them useful. They have to be programmed ALOT to make them seem intuitive to the casual "partner" or guest user.

Knowing this, I believe the solution will only come about when remotes as we know them are eliminated, and the control technology moves to an AI program built into all devices. Perhaps using bluetooth technology or something similar all future devices would be "plug and play". You're TV will be the interactive componant, accepting voice, RF, IR, or touchscreen commands. If it exists alone, turning it on will present you with the TV's default abilities. It will come on to the channel you most usually watch on that day of the week at that time.

If you add a DVD player, it will download it's control menu wirelessly to the TV and establish a wireless A/V channel to send signals thru to the TV. Ask your TV for "MENU" and it will now give you a choice of TV channels or DVD viewing.

Add a Video recorder (VCR or TIVO type device) and it will download it's controls to the TV. It will establish two-way A/V wireless channels to both the TV and the DVD player. Your TV menu will now include "TV, DVD, VIDEO RECORDING" options, and the same method of control will control all devices.

As each new device is added or removed, their respective controls are added or deleted to the main TV/User interface. Bring in a second identical DVD player and it will establish itself as "DVD2" in the control system. It will have it's own discrete wireless channels for A/V and control.

Imagine, bringing home a new DSS receiver. All you do is plug it in, and set it near (within range of) your other A/V devices. It will add it's control system to the pot, and look for a satellite source for signals. If you already have a satellite installed, it will wirlessly "find" it, and establish a secure wireless connection to the satellite via your home A/V network and the satellite. If there is no satellite dish, but a digital cable receiver in the house, the DSS receiver will "network" with that source and provide programming from there.

Basically, devices should be smart enough to talk to each other, establishing or joining a wireless Local Area network for A/V and control. All you should have to do is unbox a device, set it near your TV, and plug it in. Control for that device should automatically be added to whatever your device interface system is.

If wireless connection is too costly or prone to interference or signal theft, then a wired-but-simple alternative should be available. Different manufacturers have tried this within their own device lineup (s-link, etc.). What the industry needs is a networking standard for ALL devices that can work wirelessly or thru a single (perhaps optical) cable run from device to device.

Anyone agree?

Dave

David, your ideas always intuitive and fore-thinking. But I need a remote today, not in the Next Generation. I disagree with the basic premise that all remotes need programming; however, today's methods of programming are generally counter-intuitive and are designed by guys who need to "get it done". This is not to say that they don't give it a good deal of thought; however, they think along traditional lines, generally, and just end up with a different way of doing the same thing.

The WeeMote is a good example of a new concept of use, and they even avoid talking about macros for the most part... but the programming is still a job and a half. ... Mike

Mike,

I guess I walked all over my point. It was to answer your original desire for a WAF with: "None exist. The technology needs to change".

Does anyone know if there is an electronics industry wide committee for future standards? If there isn't, then there is no current hope for my above ideas. The different manufacturers will have to want to get along and share secrets. I doubt that'll happen any time soon.

Dave

IEEE.

But, nobody can force someone to comply with standards.

David B: I've almost exactly the same thoughts as you for quite a while now. I think the ability for each component to "talk" to each other wireleslly will be in place within 5 years, if not sooner. It will start with high priced "add ons" via RS232 ports, but will eventually get down to the manufacturer level.

Then the AI portion of it will become more sophisticated.

I have no data to support this, but I believe that Bluetooth will be the vehicle for all of this (perhaps RF or a combination of both).

And the Universal Remotes we use now will be able to be taken out of the box, batteries put in, and program themselves based on what components it detects in the room/house.

All of this won't be restricted to HT either. There is a refrigerator ON THE MARKET with a 10 - 12" screen on the door for surfing the internet. Obviously, this would be used for recipes, cooking instructions, etc. But, I don't know. It could have email and everything on it. Nevertheless, it is on the market NOW.

I know they are working on microwave ovens with touchscreens for the NEAR future. You download the recipe, key in the number of guests, and it tells you exactly what to get at the store. The microwave cooks your food according to instructions it has received that are embedded in the recipe you downloaded from the site.

All of these things will be joined together and the Universal remote of the future will be able to controll ALL of this from your La-Z-Boy chair.

And then think of what ReplayTV has. A website to log on to to control your selections on the Replay box. YOUR website will become a control for all things wireless in your house. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if a browser will be the interface on your Univeral Remote control in the future.

It will take the form of a device lik the Pronto or MX-1000, or perhaps a light-weight tablet.

My musings.........