Ok, I'll bite. The fact that I can't FULLY control the PS3 with my Harmony 880 is basically the only reason I haven't purchased one yet. So, here some things I want to know about the product you are developing:

1. How will my Harmony learn the correct IR codes to operate the PS3?

2. Will I need to program macros into my Harmony to achieve some functions?

3. Will there be a version you can plug into the wall instead of the battery version described on your website? I understand that bluetooth can chew through batteries rather quickly. I'd like to plug this thing in and forget it.

4. Will there be any delay between me pushing a button on the remote and the PS3 responding?

5. What is your target release date for the product?

6. What is your target sales price for the product?

My research into this PS3 problem has shown me there are a large number of PS3 owners who would be very interested in this product. I'm sure many of them would like to know all the details of exactly how well it will work. Maybe a youtube video of the product in action would be a great sales pitch.

I'm interested in answers to the above questions as well. Hopefully they will start watching their forum soon.

Thanks for the interest and the questions.

1. With a Logitech/Harmony remote you simply add a Game Console (with DVD) device, select Sony as the Manufacturer, and PlayStation 2 as the model. See this thread for more info - http://www.ir2bt.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4

2. Will I need to program macros into my Harmony to achieve some functions?
I personally use Harmony 670s in my house and I only had to make one modification of the Power Off command. Adding the device "Sony Playstation2" by default creates a Power On code of a single "PowerToggle" (PS) command, and a Power Off code of holding down the "PowerToggle" (PS) button for 3 seconds. I simply appended two additional "X" commands to the Power Off code and the PS3 powers down all by itself when I turn everything off. Most people will probably want to change what button presses are mapped to what PS2 IR commands. For example, for music I set the Play button on the Harmony remote to the "X" command and the Stop button to the Circle, but those are just personal choices.

3. We're very seriously considering either adding an external power option, or creating a "pro/custom installer" version with external power and other features.

4. I've been able to set my Harmony remote all the way down to 0ms of interkey delay with no problems. There's obviously a very slight delay while the IR code is received and the Bluetooth command is transmitted, but I wouldn't call it noticeable. I'll try to get some exact numbers from one of our engineers. I'll try to get a YouTube video posted to demonstrate but with the quality of YouTube videos I'm not sure how well something like delay will be seen.

5. We're hoping to be able to start taking order and shipping in a couple of weeks. We still need to wrap up beta testing and get all components in to begin full-scale production.

6. We realize what the current solutions are selling for and it should be right around that same price.

Thanks again for your interest. Yes, we plan to put out details installation instructions including YouTube videos.

Stay posted,

Bruce...


_________________
Bruce Mitchell
www.ir2bt.com

I'll apologize in advance for the horrible video and audio quality, but I did quickly throw together a short YouTube video showing the very basic functions of the IR2BT.

It's at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAg8aMoc0q0

Bruce...


_________________
Bruce Mitchell
www.ir2bt.com

Thanks Bruce, this video is great and the product looks very promising.

I'll be keeping an eye on this.

Hi Bruce,

Yup, I also think this device is an ideal solution - and probably has made my decision to get a PS3
(I have a lot of kit controlled by a Harmony 1000)

Could you please confirm that availability is realistic in the next couple of weeks?
Also how to order?

Thanks,

John


_________________
There are 10 kinds of people in this world:
Those who understand binary and those who don't!!
(an old one but I still love it!)

bikerboy wrote:

Could you please confirm that availability is realistic in the next couple of weeks?
Also how to order?

ETA has been pushed back slightly due to the addition of the external power jack, but we should still be ready to ship in 2-3 weeks.

You'll order online right here at our site.

Bruce...


_________________
Bruce Mitchell
www.ir2bt.com

Thanks for the quick reply - augers well for the future!

Also, really good idea to put the power jack on it: set and forget is, I suspect how most people will want to use this


John


_________________
There are 10 kinds of people in this world:
Those who understand binary and those who don't!!
(an old one but I still love it!)

If you are using the PS2 codes for this... How will someone program a universal remote like the MX-500? Wouldn't we need a PS2 remote to learn the codes? I don't have one, I have a PS3...
Thanks,
RA

radamo wrote:

If you are using the PS2 codes for this... How will someone program a universal remote like the MX-500? Wouldn't we need a PS2 remote to learn the codes? I don't have one, I have a PS3...
Thanks,
RA

I'm not as familiar with the MX-500 as I am with the Logitech/Harmony remotes, but I would believe there are two possibilities. The first would be as you described - get the PS2 IR remote and learn the codes. The second is to try the Sony DVD codes already in the MX-500. The PS2 IR remote contains a mixture of 37 Sony DVD and 14 PS2-specific codes. Along that line, the PS2 IR remote actually puts out BOTH the DVD and the PS2 codes for the four arrow buttons (up, down, left, right) so "learning" doesn't always work well for the arrow buttons. We'll be testing and putting together documentation for several popular universal remote brands and I would imagine that the MX-500 would be one of them.

Bruce...


_________________
Bruce Mitchell
www.ir2bt.com

Bruce, I've read some inconsistent statements about how your product will work.

Will we still have to buy/have a PS3 Bluetooth remote to act as a relay between our universal (IR) remote and the IR2BT? I suspect this isn't correct.

From the looks of your website and YouTube video we simply need to program our universal with the PS2 codes and the IR is sent right to the IR2BT and then on to the PS3.

Just wanted to clarify how the product will work. Thanks.

My thoughts exactly. If it doesn't require a BT remote, how do you register it on the PS3?

I love the fact that IR2BT can be powered via USB, my satellite box has an USB port which, unlike the PS3, is powered in stand-by.

Can't wait for the release. I guess you're US based, will you ship to Europe?

Thanks

Bugg77 wrote:

Bruce, I've read some inconsistent statements about how your product will work. Will we still have to buy/have a PS3 Bluetooth remote to act as a relay between our universal (IR) remote and the IR2BT? I suspect this isn't correct. From the looks of your website and YouTube video we simply need to program our universal with the PS2 codes and the IR is sent right to the IR2BT and then on to the PS3.

No, you do not have to buy/have a PS3 Bluetooth remote. The IR2BT contains to the components to act as a Bluetooth remote. You are correct in that you simply program your universal IR remote with the PS2 IR codes, the IR is sent to the IR2BT which sends out the appropriate Bluetooth commands.

If you'd let me know where you've seen inconsistent statements I'd appreciate it so I can get them corrected so there's no confusion.

Thanks,

Bruce...


_________________
Bruce Mitchell
www.ir2bt.com

amorenod wrote:

My thoughts exactly. If it doesn't require a BT remote, how do you register it on the PS3? I love the fact that IR2BT can be powered via USB, my satellite box has an USB port which, unlike the PS3, is powered in stand-by. Can't wait for the release. I guess you're US based, will you ship to Europe?

Since the IR2BT acts as a Bluetooth remote you will need to pair it with your PS3. This is done the same as a Sony remote in that you'll go to Accessory Settings > Register Bluetooth Device > Register BD Remote Control and start scanning for a device. You'll then apply power (batteries or external) to the IR2BT and press a key (yet to be finalized which one) on your IR remote to let the IR2BT register with the PS3. The IR2BT then registers with the PS3 as Controller 7 and you're ready to use your IR remote with your PS3.

Yes, we're located in Apollo Beach, Florida in the US but we will offer worldwide shipping.

Thanks,

Bruce...


_________________
Bruce Mitchell
www.ir2bt.com

Bruce Mitchell wrote:

Bugg77 wrote:

Bruce, I've read some inconsistent statements about how your product will work. Will we still have to buy/have a PS3 Bluetooth remote to act as a relay between our universal (IR) remote and the IR2BT? I suspect this isn't correct. From the looks of your website and YouTube video we simply need to program our universal with the PS2 codes and the IR is sent right to the IR2BT and then on to the PS3.

No, you do not have to buy/have a PS3 Bluetooth remote. The IR2BT contains to the components to act as a Bluetooth remote. You are correct in that you simply program your universal IR remote with the PS2 IR codes, the IR is sent to the IR2BT which sends out the appropriate Bluetooth commands.

If you'd let me know where you've seen inconsistent statements I'd appreciate it so I can get them corrected so there's no confusion.

Thanks,

Bruce...

Thanks for the quick response Bruce... Where the heck do I place my order? Seriously though, any updates on when you'll start taking orders, etc?

And the confusion has come from a few different posts in the Blu-Ray and Home Theater Gaming:Playstation areas at AVSForum. I also think there are a couple threads over at the Logitech Harmony forums.

I just wanted to make sure your product was being properly portrayed because it is a great example of entrepreneurial spirit.