Customer Reviews

PS3IR-500 Wireless Infra-red Adapter for PlayStation 3

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For Home Theater enthusiasts or the truly lazy among us, the PS3IR-500 will finally allow you to integrate the PS3 with your universal remote. The PS3IR replicates the full set of buttons on the Sony PS3 Remote and can be used to turn the system on, off, and access the "PS3" button.

The primary difference between this device and cheaper USB adapters is that it can be used to turn the system on and off. The main difference between this and the Logitech version is that the PS3IR can function with other brands of remotes.

A couple of things to note:
1. You need a USB port on something other than your PS3, such as a DVR, Tivo, cable box, etc. This is how it gets power.
2. If you don't have a USB port, you'll need a USB hub or adapter. An extra iPhone adapter works well too.
3. If you want to use the direct connection, you'll need to purchase a 1/8" MONO male-to-male cable. You will also have to go to their website and download the configuration utility to change "modes".

Compared to the PS3IR-1000, this unit is missing a few features. Among them is a way to check if the PS3 is already on. That way, if you hit "off" when the PS3 is already off, it won't try to turn it on. Some potentially useful features, but not critical. I don't think it's worth the extra money.

If you are like me and have a wife who only wants to have to deal with one remote control (and you own a Playstation 3), then one of the offerings from Schmartz are the ONLY WAY TO GO. When I was researching options for handling Infrared to BlueTooth(IR2BT) signal conversion I investigated all the available options and here's what I found:

1. IR2BT Dongle:

Strengths = Cheap

Weaknesses = No power off control. No full support of all functions. Not updatable. No

Power = Must have USB port available. If you plug it directly into the PS/3 you take up a USB and the "power on" can't work from a remote because the dongle won't be active. Would need a male to female USB "extension cord" if you wanted to plug it into a DVR or Cable Box USB port because the dongle must be in 'line of sight' in order to pick up infrared signals.

2. Harmony Adapter for Playstation 3:

Strengths = Full function support

Weaknesses = Cost, no firmware update ability (this is huge)

Power = Plugs into wall, so you need an outlet, but no powered USB

3. Schmartz PS3IR-500/1000:

Strengths = Full function support, Firmware CAN be updated, just plug it into a computer. Can be programmed so a single button push can submit a series of commands (PS3IR-1000). Cheaper than Harmony Adapter and much easier to hide.

Weaknesses = None that I could find.

Power = Must have access to a powered USB port, but most DVRs and/or Cable Boxes have a powered USB port you can use and these are typically always left on. Schmartz supplies you with a USB to mini USB cord so you can locate the PS3IR-500/1000 in a location that is line of sight.

My PS3IR-500 arrived promply (and well packaged). I had it "installed" in less than a minute.

I have a Harmony/Logitech remote control, so I just had to log into the Harmony/Logitech website and add the Schmartz PS3IR-500. It's in the Harmony database under the Game Console section. After adding the Schmartz PS3IR-500, I modified my "Watch a Movie" activity to use this component instead of my old DVD player (I also added a new "Play Game" activity). Now I just pop a movie into my PS/3, select "Watch a Movie" on my Harmony remote, then use the remote to navigate through the PS/3 menu to start the movie.

My wife is very happy 8-)

My Playstation 3 was the only device I could not control from my Harmony 890, so I went looking for a IR->bluetooth converter for it. Only some of them have the ability to turn the PS3 on/off, the Schmartz is one of them, at a damn good price, so I went for it. I couldn't be happier! It literally Just Worked - on the PS3 I specified I wanted to add a new remote, then turned on the PS3IR-500, and the two bluetooth paired in about 10 seconds. Then I told my Harmony software that I had a PS3IR-500, updated the remote, and I was good to go. I can navigate through menus, play music/movies/browse the web...it all Just Works.

The Schmartz is powered via USB cable, so I plugged it into the useless USB port on my comcast box which we always leave on (it turns itself on to record shows but doesn't turn itself off, so I just set up the Harmony to never turn it off). So just keep in mind if you want to use this you need something that can power a USB device all the time...can't use the PS3 to power it, as when it's off, it provides no power to the USB ports. If you don't have something that can do this, I'm sure you can find a simple/cheap usb power adaptor.

This remote works exactly as advertised. My only regret is that I did not find this sooner. I have spent so much money on different remotes to get them to work with my Pronto and Nevo remote controls. This is the only one that allows you to control the power. I have it powered off of my Directv DVR's USB port. This port is always powered even when the DVR is off. I have it placed about 6 feet from the PS3 and it works flawlessly. I would and have recommended this to everyone that owns a universal remote and a PS3.

The PS3IR-500 ships in a well-padded box with just a USB cable and 4x6 instruction card. First, it's so refreshing that a manufacturer actually includes the required $2 cable rather than make you do another shopping run... As for the instructions, I'd say they could have gotten by with a 3x5. Out of the box, just plug the unit into ANY powered USB port (NOT your PS3) and follow the two-step process. Within minutes, you'll be using your remote (I have a Harmony One) to stream Netflix movies or watch your favorite Blu-Ray movie.

As an engineer, I appreciate good design and am pretty intolerant of poor design. As furious as I was with Sony for not releasing the new PS3 with IR support, I am completely contented by this Schmartz doodad.

If you have a PS3 and want to use your Harmony or PS2-supported remote, THIS is the one to get. Stop looking and just press "Add to Cart" now.

This unit worked exactly as described. The macros are fantastic. I used it with the Nevo Q50 and Nevoconnect. It was flawless. Especially the power down macro. My customer was really pleased.

This electronic component works great if you want to implement your Playstation 3 to be used with a IR universal remote.