SnapStream Firefly PC Remote

by SNAP

Product Features

• Play movies, music, photos, and other media stored on computer
• Navigate PC from another room with full-screen interface
• Skip, fast-forward, rewind, and change volume like with current home theater
• Use SnapStream Spotlight to access online media services
• Compatible with over 80 media applications

Product Details

Supplementary Guide [4.88mb PDF]

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Product Manual [558kb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002808S4
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 6, 2005
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,383 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)
  • #23 in Electronics > Accessories & Supplies > Audio & Video Accessories > Cleaning & Repair > Disc Cleaners

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Firefly PC Remote bridges the gap between the study and the living room. Play movies, TV shows, music, photos, and other media stored on your computer from the comfort of your couch. Skip tracks, change the volume, fast-forward, rewind, and pause like you do with your current home theater. And Firefly works through walls, so you won't have to move the PC or yourself.

Firefly comes with Beyond Media Basic, a full-screen interface, so you can navigate your PC from across the room. Firefly has SnapStream Spotlight which provides direct access to other full-screen experiences created by CinemaNow, NewsGator, Live 365, and other online media services. Plus Firefly is compatible with over 80 media applications, including Microsoft XP Media Center edition.

Features:

• Use SnapStream Spotlight to access online media services that were exclusive to Microsoft XP Media Center until now
• Create a great party mood playing music directly from your PC with Napster, Live365, and other online media services
• Connect a PC to your TV and watch TV shows recorded with Beyond TV
• Watch movies rented from CinemaNow or Movielink with SnapStream Spotlight
• Play music and photos together to enhance your slideshow

Product Description

The SnapStream Firefly PC Remote is your gateway to the entertainment PC. Firefly gives you one-click access to your favorite TV shows movies videos music and photos. Use Firefly to play pause fast-forward rewind and skip through digitial media. And it works through walls so you don't have to get up to change the station volume or any other setting. It is compatible with more than 80 third-party applications.System Requirements: Windows XP Operating System 500 MHz process or faster 128 MB RAM 100 MB HD space CD or DVD drive USB PortFormat: WIN 2000XPXP PROXP MEDIA CENTER Genre: PRODUCTIVITY UPC: 856526000044 Manufacturer No: SS-FFLY-R1000EN

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not All USB Ports Are Created Equal., September 14, 2005

By 

Wind Walker (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: SnapStream Firefly PC Remote (Electronics)

I purchased this Firefly remote a month ago to work with my PC-PVR (I have got a Hauppauge PVR-250 card and BeyondTV 3). As my computer and TV set are in different rooms, I thought it would be convenient to have an RF remote control so that I can still control video recording/playback while sitting in front of my TV. RF signals can usually travel a longer distance, and most importantly, they can penetrate walls.

However, my first installation with the Firefly remote was not a totally success. It functioned well, but I have only measured a 6-foot of workable distance - with full battery power, and no blocking objects or interference sources nearby. I thought either I had a defective item, or the product was not as good as they said.

I contacted Snapstream for support, and they suggested to try a different USB port or use a powered USB hub for plugging receiver. My computer has 6 USB ports - 4 in back and 2 in front, all built on the motherboard. I was using a front USB for the measurement. After I switched to an USB port in back, everything becomes perfect. I have learned that even all being built on the same motherboard, USB ports can be different, which may provide different power levels for external devices.

Now my Firefly works great for my application, which is about 13 feet of transmission distance and with a wall (and some blocking objects as well) inbetween. Firefly remote can even perform the job of a mouse. Although it may not be as fast and convenient as a real mouse, it comes in handy for quick-and-easy controls. For the convenience the Firefly remote brings, I give it 5 stars!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfull, October 2, 2005

By 

Ted Paxton (Dallas TX, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: SnapStream Firefly PC Remote (Electronics)

I've had this PC remove for 1 year and I have used it everyday that I am home and I have not yet changed the remote batteries. My PC has suddenly become more entertaining and useful. With this remote, the time I spend sitting in front of the monitor is reduced.

In my 860 sq ft APT, the farthest point away from my pc is about 50 ft. The remote has always worked from anywhere in the APT thru 2 walls. I was surprised to get this much range. I have not yet found a spot from which it doesn't work. To get the best range BE SURE to position the USB RF receiver near the computer as directed.

With my PC, I'm always playing music. I also play digital video files that were either taken with my camera or were rented digitally from the Internet. I have a good graphics card with S-Video TV out. I got a 50 ft S-Video/Out cable; this connects my PC and TV which are in different rooms.

With this remote, I now can play (and control) my entire digital music collection on my home stereo (which is connected to the TV) without being at my PC or be in the same room as my PC. Also, with this remote, any video that can be played on my PC, (online streaming or local) I can watch and control it (pause, rewind, slow motion, next, FWD) on my TV.

My PC/TV has effectively become a powerful media center--Media center PC not needed.

There is so much more... with the remote, I use the mouse from far away (lying in bed or on the couch); there a numerous ways to get creative with this.

I wish the remote was lighted. Still, the keys are arranged for "touch typing" so to speak. Another negative, I've noticed that Windows Media Player sometimes crashes when video is launched from within the software that comes with the remote.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice product, useful toy, August 3, 2005

By 

J. Jensen "Froze in Alaska" (Alaska) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: SnapStream Firefly PC Remote (Electronics)

I wanted to convert my pc into a media center pc. After adding a tv tuner card, extra hard drive and a bigger monitor, the last piece I needed was a remote. My initial plan was to use Girder (a program that allows extensive remote programming) but after I used the beyond media program with the remote, I found it served most of my needs and was very convenient. Being somewhat lazy, I haven't messed with Girder yet, though I know it allows more control. The remote itself works great. I have had zero problems with the hardware and the fact that it is RF and not IR means that I can lay it anywhere near me, pointing any direction and still fast forward the DVD to my heart's content. There are a few small quirks but they aren't even worth mentioning. Overall I am very satisfied with my purchase of this product. Easy to use and fit the bill exactly for my wants.