Hasta La Gadget!

Got no touchscreen on your living room remote? That’s a shame, because Logitech and others have been flogging such universal controllers since way back when. After a long new product hiatus, the late 2012 release of the Harmony Touch remote hasn’t stopped Logitech from mulling a sale of the brand, but it’s not done with it just yet. Coming soon are two fresh bundles bearing the Harmony name: the Ultimate and Smart Control. At the heart of both is the Smart Hub, a palm-sized box somewhat similar to the Harmony Link. It receives commands from remotes via RF, or from smartphone apps via WiFi, and in turn, broadcasts its own orders to your A/V setup using IR and Bluetooth. It’s especially useful for those wanting to hide their kit away in cabinets, as it translates inputs into IR signals that’ll bounce around those secluded spaces. Optional extender nodes will also pipe IR into other nearby recesses.

To do that though, the Hub needs instructions, which is where remotes and apps come in. The new Ultimate remote (aka the Touch Plus) is last year’s Touch remote with a few refinements, including the addition of a trigger-like nub on the underside to improve grip. It uses IR, Bluetooth or RF (to the Hub) to control up to 15 devices, and is programmed using Logitech’s software for PCs that pulls settings from a database of 225,000 home entertainment products. The Ultimate’s 2.4-inch touchscreen serves as a number pad, a favorite channel list for easy hopping, and is the home of one-touch “activities,” which are basically macros for issuing multiple commands. Set up an activity for “Play Xbox,” for example, and in one touch it’ll turn on your console, switch your TV to the correct source, select the right channel on your amp, and so on. It’ll even tell Philips’ connected Hue lightbulbs to set a mood. Jump on past the break for more.

Filed under: Cellphones, Portable Audio/Video, Tablets, Software, HD

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Just as we expected, 4K TVs are all the rage here at CES 2013 and naturally Vizio won’t be left out. Among its 2013 lineup of LCD HDTVs is a new top of the line XVT-Series of Ultra HDTVs at 55-, 65- and 70-inches. The XVT551d, 651d and 701D don’t have much in the way of prices or release dates, but the company claims it will “bring the expensive new technology to mainstream consumers.” In the more accessible realm however are its M-Series displays, which will for the first time this year offer a universal backlit remote connected by WiFi Direct. Thanks to its connected remote, Vizio claims it will be able to control the entire home theater without the usual nagging setup process.

There are two M-Series lineups, the one with Theater 3D ranges in size from 50-inches to 80-inches, and in price from $849 to $4,499, while the models without max out at 47-inches and $699. Check below for a press release with all of the prices and specs plus a shot of that remote, although all we know about a release is that they’ll be arriving “later this year.”

Continue reading Vizio unveils 2013 HDTV lineup, upcoming XVT Ultra HDTVs promise 4K for the mainstream

Filed under: Displays, Home Entertainment, HD

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We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget inquiry is from Marc and Jack, who are going ocean-mad with all of their remote controls. If you’re looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

Marc wrote

“My home theater currently has seven remote controls, which I’d like to narrow down. I know there are solutions available which are massively arcane, but is there something simple that the crowd can recommend?”

Jack wrote

“Can you recommend a universal remote control that works with a PS3 and Apple TV that doesn’t suck?”

Well friends,

• Gear 4’s Unity remote has earned rave reviews thanks to its ease of use and near universal application (except for the PS3)
• While Griffin’s Beacon offers the same capability, but also works with Android devices
• If you’re serious about including the PS3 in your setup, you could splash out on Logitech’s Harmony IR-to-Bluetooth adapter.

But perhaps, out there, is something even better. That’s where you, the Engadget Faithful come in. Why not share your experience (or your product) in the comments below?

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Peripherals

Ask Engadget: best universal remote? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Nov 2012 22:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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