can a treo be a remote control for windows media player? - Treo Forums

bingalpaws · 12-13-2005, 09:13 AM

i am usually pretty creative, but cannot figure out how to do what i know my phone must be capable of. i want to use it as a remote control for windows media player from my couch, i'm assuming i'd have to use bluetooth, as IR prolly wouldn't be very feasible, and through the web would be about as convenient as just walking over to my computer (my tv feeds through my computer). any ideas appreciated

chris · 12-13-2005, 10:24 AM

Not sure if there are Remote capabilities via Bluetooth. In terms of the IR, I don't think there is enough "juice" for it to be an effective remote. Products such as Novii Remote (see review) have tried to boost the signal.

-Chris

bingalpaws · 12-13-2005, 01:22 PM

EUREEKA!!!

i think we may be good, here is what i found. you need to go through bluetooth, as the IR is just not worth the pain in the ass (especially if you're trying to control a farther away computer from your couch, which is what i need), and internet is out of hte question because dial up sucks. sooooo,
you make your computer bluetooth, so it can recognize your phone. units were around 40$ at radio shack.

then, you install one of the following programs, and voila! WMP remote (and remote for things such as powerpoint, etc).

http://mytreo.net/downloads/details-...LibertyControl

http://www.salling.com/Clicker/windows/

i have not tried these yet, as my car is messed up and i need to get that bluetooth piece for my pc, but will post if i decide that it's worth the $ (~$40 for the bluetooth eye plus 15/20 for one of the programs)

chris · 12-13-2005, 01:42 PM

I have heard good things about Sailing...didn't even think to mention it.

bingalpaws · 12-16-2005, 05:40 PM

project is complete, gonna share for information's sake.

liberty control was a no go. it could not control volume, did not support video playback on windows media player, and could not display lists of media, only 1 item at a time (making scrolling useless in large folders).

salling worked like a charm. it supports video, was an easy setup, is an easy interface, controls volume, and was all around good. i think the program is around 20$ (salling controller), and i spent a little under 40$ for a bluetooth eye for my pc, which works flawlessly so far (have not had this working for more than 20 minutes yet, so dunno about long term connection issues yet), and i'm about 15 feet from the eye.

Dredlocks · 12-16-2005, 11:04 PM

Yeah I use sailing clicker when I do presentations. It works really well with controling the different aspects of my mac. I don't really use it when at home, but seeing as I have been as far away as 30 or so feet from my mac and control iTunes and Keynote, I would say it is well worth the price.

bingalpaws · 12-18-2005, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dredlocks

I don't really use it when at home, but seeing as I have been as far away as 30 or so feet from my mac and control iTunes and Keynote, I would say it is well worth the price.

what does that have to do with salling clicker? i thought that is directly related to your bluetooth setup, no?

chris · 12-20-2005, 04:52 PM

Quote:

what does that have to do with salling clicker? i thought that is directly related to your bluetooth setup, no?

I believe he's referring to the idea that Sailing Clicker can be used to harness the Treo's Bluetooth capabilities to control multimedia on a Mac - similar to Windows Media. Right now, Apple has release a remote control called Front Row. They too are trying to make the device more of an entertainment hub.

Here's a link to a car setup that uses the Treo 650 and Sailing Clicker to control the Mac Mini within an Infinity.

-Chris