Just got my PDA-IR for the Axim - WOW!!!!!

[Messiah]

Having decided to go down the pda route rather than pay the high price for a dedicated remote control I have just received the PDA-IR extender this morning. After all of 5 seconds to install it and set the pdawin remote software to use it all I can say is

WOW

My Axim, bought as a dedicated remote control for less than half the price of a colour pronto is now easily as powerful as my existing b&w Prontos with all the benefits of colour and expandability.

Not only do I have a colour remote but I also have a

Satellite and TV Guide listing (on my remote using MyDigiGuide)
Portable web browser (using a CF Wi-Fi card)
Wireless e-mail device (using said card)
Portable games device for those boring film moments
...and a device that can do so many other things for a ridciulously low price (compared to dedicated colour remote that are just remotes)

Oh, and I also have a number of CCFs loaded onto an SD card so the device can be used in different rooms in the house if required.

trust me people, this is the way to go if you want a colour remote. Superb.

[Geezer]

Looks very good mate, i have that same CCF on my colour pronto which ive been modifying fo ages. Id rather have my Pronto though

[Messiah]

Originally posted by Geezer
Id rather have my Pronto though

Why?

[Geezer]

Originally posted by Messiah
Why?

Always found pocket pcs a bit twitchy, and id rather have something that was made specifically for the job.

[Zef]

This looks a excellent solution, How much did it all cost etc - and where did you get it all from.

Thanks

[Messiah]

Originally posted by Zef
This looks a excellent solution, How much did it all cost etc - and where did you get it all from.

Thanks

400MHz Axim bought for £249
PDA-IR extender bought for £25 (www.laser.com)
TVRemote software for $14.95 (www.pdawin.com)

So all for around £285.

[Geezer]

Whats is like on power consumption though?

[Messiah]

Get at least 10 hours use with backlight on. Not a problem in a HC as what film or session lasts that long. Believe me it is a non issue.

My pronto always sits on its docking station when not actually being used so the pda is absolutely no different.

[Loada]

Worth noting that you cannot have wi-fi and IR at the same time - there is only one CF slot.

I guess you swap the cards??

[graham.myers]

I'm looking into the ipaq 5450 Pocket PC (I have a Palm Tungsten at the mo with built in bluetooth)

This ipaq has built in wi-fi AND bluetooth, but is £500

[Messiah]

Originally posted by graham.myers
I'm looking into the ipaq 5450 Pocket PC (I have a Palm Tungsten at the mo with built in bluetooth)

This ipaq has built in wi-fi AND bluetooth, but is £500

Graham

The ipaq is a great device but the problem with using it for a remote is it does not have a CF slot for the PDA-IR extender. You therefore either have to use a CF sleeve (Yuk) or put up with the opuny range and directionality of the standard emitter (thus rendering it almost useless in a normal HC setup).

Check out the Axim. It's half the price, has battery backup for those moments when the main battery dies down and has both a CF and SD slot giving pretty good expandability.

Be honest, are you really going to use Bluetooth , Wi-Fi yes but Bluetooth????

[Messiah]

Originally posted by Loada
Worth noting that you cannot have wi-fi and IR at the same time - there is only one CF slot.

I guess you swap the cards??

Yeah. You can hot swap so no hassle and I reckon it won't be long before someone comes out with an SD Wi-Fi card. And lets not forget a standard colour remote (at twice the price) does not have Wi-Fi capability at all so it is a real bonus.

[graham.myers]

yeah I've read good things about the axim, I just like the fact the ipaq has bluetooth and wi-fi as i use blue tooth at the mo for sending sms to my mobile, I'd rather not have to buy a bt card and have to swap.

I'll look into getting a cf jacket - I can always leave the jacket in my media room and just connect it when i want to use it as a remote. [EDIT: £80 for a jacket ]

I have a b&w pronto (well the Marantz rc5000) and was considering upgrading to the pronto pro. This is another good reason to switch from palm to pocket pc (the other reason was a blutooth GPS and tom tom sat nav software)

thanks for the info.

[purple52]

Originally posted by Messiah
I reckon it won't be long before someone comes out with an SD Wi-Fi card.

eXpansys are listing one on their website, but it's not actually available yet:
http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=WLAN6060

Don't know about compatibility with the Axim, though. I've read that it doesn't support SDIO, although there is debate as to whether this is a hardware or firmware issue.

David

[calibos]

Messiah,

I will definately be going down this route too but the thought just occured to me that the Axim won't be able to learn codes like the Pronto. In which case I will have to search for ccf's that have my equipment in them and rob the codes. Am I right?