Date: October 25th, 2003
Article by: Roger (Hardware Reviewer)
Product was donated by: Tekgems
<--Shop for PC Remote Controls

PRODUCT COMPOSITION & PICTORIAL

The Packard Bell Fast Media Remote Control is the answer to your prayers. The unit is dirt cheap, and since it was mass produced by PB before they went under, you can often find deals on eBay or with local resellers.

The unit is kept safe during transit, shipped in bubble wrap.

Inside, you'll find the remote control, the serial receiver, a sticky pad for the receiver (to mount it), the instructions, and in some cases (depending on where you get the unit) an installation CD or diskette.

I say this only because the unit does not always ship with any software. You will get the drivers which converts the infrared signal into data, however, the interface software is a choice that you have to make depending on your needs, skill level and operating system.

Bring up your browser and Google the following for an idea of what is available.

· WinLIRC
· WIRC
· IRAssistant
· LIRC
· PC Remote Control
· Girder
· uICE
· IRMan

Each have their strengths and weaknesses. It is up to you to fool around with them to find out if they meet your needs. Do some research first however, by checking their respective sites and reading their FAQs. As an example, WIRC only works on Windows 98 and ME, not 2K or XP.

Seeing as I was provided with WinLIRC, I'm going to run through the installation of this software only.