Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not All USB Ports Are Created Equal., September 14, 2005
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!
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28 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Only 1 star!!!! Read ***EDIT*** at the end of the review!, September 13, 2004
I use Snapstream's Beyond TV 3 and this remote works perfectly with it. I was previously using the ATI Remote Wonder that comes with ATI's AIW 9800 and that was satisfactory but you couldn't assign the TV button to start Beyond TV (it would always open the ATI TV application). Also I had to configure the program guide and last channel buttons to certain buttons manually and my wife never could figure the ATI remote out.
Not so with the Firefly. All buttons work seamlessly with the proper applications and reassigning applications is simple. I use WinDVD 6, Windows Media Player 10 and Beyond TV with the remote and all the buttons work for all the right things.
The mouse feature isn't the greatest but it also isn't the worst. It gets the job done but won't suffice for long term features which require a mouse. I have my multimedia computer hooked up to my living room 32" TV with a 500 GB hard drive and I record tons of shows (GH, BB5, TAR, etc...) and i don't surf the internet with this box so the mouse feature isn't really necessary for me anyway.
Installation was way too easy and the extras that come with the remote are neat too. For those of you that enjoy ESPN.com and utilize ESPN Motion, it seamlessy integrates that without the need to visit the actual website. As for the movie download feature, although I haven't downloaded any movies yet, I have watched lots of previews and browsed the large selection of downloadable and rentable movie selection.
All in all, perfect remote control for the price and features.
**** EDIT **** 11/16/05 Well after only a few months (actually weeks), the whole remote just up and died. I didn't treat it very roughly but it went through its normal amount of wear and tear. The LED no longer lights and none of the buttons work. I'm guessing somehow the battery leads got severed somehow and that disappoints me. I do prefer this remote to the ATI but I am back to the ATI and am very upset with the lifespan of my Firefly. New rating: 1 star
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderfull, October 2, 2005
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.
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