Igloo STB far from perfect.

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fredfootfree

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#792917 4-Apr-2013 08:57

robjg63:
fredfootfree: TV is UA55ES8000 STB is connected by HDMI. Samsung supply the elaborate looking smart remote with the TV, but also include the IR Blaster (their words) It appears that the remote can be set up independently, but to use voice activation and motion activation on added devices the IR Blaster has to be included in the set-up. That's what bugs me - Samsung have gone to a lot of trouble to develop this system, and don't give the consumer the option of not purchasing it with the TV, yet show no interest in adding new products to their list of codes.

Samsung have gone to a lot of trouble?
A good 'smart' remote would have the facility to 'learn'.
Even the cheaper logitech universal remotes have an IR receiver - you can use the existing remote to 'send' the signals sent from the original remote to the 'smart' remote and make it learn the commands it needs.
Any database in the world wont have every device ever made in its library.
Also, a lot of hardware is sold under different brand names - so will be hard to find in such a database.

If the smart remote doesnt have a learning function then sadly its not really smart enough.

The logitech remotes are not perfect, but they have a HUGE database of products that they already know about - as well as the ability to learn. The old Logitech 525 that I have is also awesomely powerful.

I purchased a Logitec harmony remote but the igloo stb is not in their database, nor would it learn from the Pace remote. I couldn't get any response at all. I contacted Logitec's help desk who said they would fix it within 48 hours, and hey-presto! The igloo stb was added to their database within 2 days. Meanwhile, neither igloo or Samsung are interested in doing anything about it.

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robjg63

4087 posts

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#793523 4-Apr-2013 21:49

Well thats a thumbs up for Logitech I guess.

I am not sure why it wouldnt learn from the pace remote though - The logitech remote has that IR receiver that can read other remotes - I have used it and it usually works ok.
Wonder what the pace remote sends?

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

Jaxson

8006 posts

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#793554 4-Apr-2013 22:16

Yes, a plus for Logitech, but I still don't think either Igloo or Samsung would rate the original problem very highly either.

The Logitech has two methods of storing other remotes signals, a high level and a low level copy sort of thing. There aren't many signals you can't get the remote to learn one way or another, but it's great to know it did get added to the database. You've probably helped out a lot of other NZ'rs by doing this

fredfootfree

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#793687 5-Apr-2013 08:48

Jaxson: Yes, a plus for Logitech, but I still don't think either Igloo or Samsung would rate the original problem very highly either.

The Logitech has two methods of storing other remotes signals, a high level and a low level copy sort of thing. There aren't many signals you can't get the remote to learn one way or another, but it's great to know it did get added to the database. You've probably helped out a lot of other NZ'rs by doing this

What annoys me is that Samsung don't consider it important at all. Yet they promoted the smart remote as a great development and include it with their higher priced sets - it isn't an extra, so I've bought it, albeit involuntarily. It is a clever device, voice activation (which works brilliantly even when the gimmicky stupid one built into the TV is turned off) and a sensible 'mouse pad' I suppose you'd call it. It's the only remote I've ever seen that can be operated in the dark, without looking. Just seems crazy that they don't seem to intend to add new devices as they come on the market - or is it that the Pace/igloo is only for the small NZ market and other new devices will be added?

LennonNZ

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#793689 5-Apr-2013 09:05

Do you have an AMP? My Onkyo AMP's Remote I have it controlling the Onkyo AMP/PS3/Xbox 360/Apple TV/MySkyHD and the Samsung TV.
I have a Igloo, but I have not tried it yet. The Onkyo's Remote can control nearly everything. I've gone from about 6 remotes to the onkyo's at the moment. (the the Igloo if/when I use it)

fredfootfree

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#793708 5-Apr-2013 09:54

LennonNZ: Do you have an AMP? My Onkyo AMP's Remote I have it controlling the Onkyo AMP/PS3/Xbox 360/Apple TV/MySkyHD and the Samsung TV.
I have a Igloo, but I have not tried it yet. The Onkyo's Remote can control nearly everything. I've gone from about 6 remotes to the onkyo's at the moment. (the the Igloo if/when I use it)

Yes. I have a very old Technics amp. but its remote is dedicated to that only. The logitec can control the amp, but I don't because with TV I just leave it as it is set. You say if/when you use the igloo. You can just hook it in then turn it on only when you want or leave it off permanently provided you run aerial from igloo to TV - just change your input source from thee selected HDMI to TV. I'll probably use mine for half the year but no point in buying a 30 day pack at times when I won't be watching TV. At least having it hooked in I can look up igloos guide and see if there is anything I want ot buy - like a movie for $1, or a rugby game. Pity sky doesn't operate that way.

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