Universal Remote briefly mentioned the Complete Control MX-880 in its release of the MX-450, but now we're being treated to a whole heap of new information. URC's PC-programmable remote is unsurprisingly aimed at the custom install sector and boasts a two-inch color LCD along with the ability to be used as an infrared (IR) or radio frequency (RF) remote. The $499 unit is essentially a color-screen version of the popular MX-900, and thankfully, the company included interoperability between files built for the latter to work on the new model. Oh, and it's available right now. Full release after the break.

It's been a tick since we've seen any new component controllers from Universal Remote, but with CEDIA 2008 just over the horizon, the outfit is pumping out a new entry-level unit aimed at the custom install channel. The Complete Control MX-450 boasts a rather stylish, slender design that includes a built-in color LCD (220 x 176 resolution), MacroEdit firmware for on-remote editing (huzzah!), LED backlit screen and buttons and a respectable $249 price tag. Eager consumers can reportedly snap this one up right now. Full release after the break.

Antec's new line of Multimedia Stations won't convert your Pentium 2-based beige box into a cutting edge HTPC, but it will give your tired PC a bit more functionality in dealing with media. Aimed at the timid DIYers in attendance, these bundles include an IR receiver, a remote, and iMEDIAN HD media management software (at the very least), with the Basic, Elite and Premiere kits offering up optical drive bay gear to really make your rig feel like something it isn't. Truthfully, we get the feeling this is just a fancy remote interface with some unnecessary software thrown in for style, but if you respectfully disagree, you can part with your $29.95 - $119.95 right now.

Ask three HD-die hards about their favorite remote, and you're likely to get five different answers. We're a tough bunch, and there's no single remote that Onkyo could throw in the box with its receivers that would make everyone happy (just check reader comments for evidence). But partnering up with well-known remote control manufacturer Universal Electronics, Inc. (UEI) certainly can't hurt, right? If things go according to plan, UEI's library of over 350,000 functions across the manufacturer spectrum should make system integration possible. Best of all, the new universal remotes are slated to ship with a range of Onkyo's receivers -- from entry level to high end -- so you don't have to buy into the pricey part of Onkyo's lineup. As always, we applaud anything that makes the couch-potato lifestyle a little more accessible.

Research firm Parks Associates is calling for double digit (just) compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the universal remote category between now and 2013. Knowing how the average consumer is more willing to live with a basket of remotes than plunking down money on a universal model, the 10-percent CAGR is nothing to sneeze at. We're a little troubled by the trend of increasing system complexity called out in the report, however. While we're resigned to ever-increasing complexity in AV systems, average consumers would really like to see things head in the other direction. Hiding the complexity in the remote also tends to make remote set-up complex, which will definitely threaten that growth rate. Also, the report doesn't cal out technologies like HDMI-CEC, which we'd really like to see take off. These gripes aside, though, we're hoping that remote makers take the findings as an incentive to innovate.

We're still rather bummed that Epson failed to add in a third option for its Ensemble HD Home Cinema System that included a Blu-ray player, but nevertheless, those interested in picking up a complete -- and we mean complete -- home theater system at once can finally do so. Said package is available with your choice of a PowerLite 1080p or 720p projector, a 100-inch motorized screen, upconverting DVD player, Atlantic Technology 5.1 speaker system, universal remote, every single cable you'll need to hook things up, a wire management track system and all necessary mounting brackets. Ready for the sting? You're looking at $6,999 for the 1080p system and $4,999 for the 720p edition.

Pictured above, dear readers, is all the proof you need that a universal remote really is the best option if you have 4+ units that you use on a regular basis. This borderline-comical storage unit has enough room for four of your favorite clickers and one ice cold beverage, but oddly enough, there's no basket for holding your day-old tater tots or marginally stale Fritos. Still, it does boast a built-in panel that will automatically buzz a lost remote in case you misplace it, which totally makes up for any other oversights in design. Of course, we'd recommend putting the $59.98 that this costs towards a decent universal remote, but at least this piece is less embarrassing than the infamous Remote Wrangler.

[Thanks, Juergen]

Apparently we aren't the only ones miffed by the WiFi-enabled ESPN Ultimate Remote. After peeling this thing out of its dumbbell-esque packaging, critics over at PC Magazine were simply unimpressed from the get-go. For starters, this thing actually belts out the network's theme song when you turn it on. If that's not reason enough to hold tight to your three Benjamins, you should also know that it "didn't execute any of its fancy web tricks gracefully," and setup was anything but simple. It gets worse. Reviewers stated that it was uncomfortable to hold, the buttons were too tightly packed and you're not able to send / receive emails from just any email address. If you really need more convincing that this thing probably isn't a good buy (particularly with all those other alternatives out there), check out the full review in the read link.

[Via ZatzNotFunny]

Just in time for Father's Day, ESPN's tvCompass-built WiFi Ultimate Remote is finally available, and rapidly making its way into the awaiting, Cheeto-stained fingertips of a couch potato near you. It still costs $300, and with a good number of laptops retailing for that price these days, it's certainly hard to justify, but forget all that... who on earth thought this packaging was a good idea? It kind of looks like a dumbbell, but not. We're really at a loss for words here. It's almost like ESPN wants to fail.

Anyone who's spent any time playing with an iPhone or a iPod Touch knows that its multi-touch interface is a hugh step forward in touch screen technology. So it's no wonder that everyone wants to control all of their electronics this way; and with the imminent release of Apple's application store, we're sure there are going to be a lot of interesting applications. The new AirRemote hits close to home for us though, as we're always looking for the next best thing in remotes. The big catch here is the price, while most universal remotes are less than $200, the AirRemote needs a little help from a home automation guru's favorite hardware, the GC-100 from Global Cache. The GC-100 is basically an Ethernet to IR and RS-232 bridge that helps the iPhone fill in a big missing feature that any HT remote needs, an IR blaster. The problem is it isn't cheap, 'cause as cool as this idea is, at $550 it's a bit expensive -- assuming $300 for an iPod Touch, $150 for the GC-100, and $100 for the software. But the price isn't even the biggest problem though, the real issue is a remote without any hard buttons isn't very useful for the usual HT duties like; fast forward, rewind, channel up, and volume. Because having to look down to hit the buttons, makes the remote impossible to use without taking your eyes off the action.

Whittling down the amount of remotes in one's living room has long since been a challenge for the amateur home theater builder, and while there are some decent universal solutions on the market, the RF4CE Consortium is hoping to make things painfully simple. The group has been formed in order to "drive the adoption of an open radio frequency (RF) entertainment control specification based on IEEE 802.15.4." If you'll recall, this isn't the first time we've heard that standard called, as it's also used in MaxStream's XBee Xtender. Notably, Freescale is hoping to incorporate its Synkro technology into the specification, and in an ideal world, we'd see said protocol filter into DVD players, AV receivers, set-top-boxes and all manners of components. Let the IR-to-RF transition begin, we say.

Read - Sony's RF4CE Consortium release
Read - Freescale's RF4CE Consortium release

Though we'd certainly like to see a few hands-on shots of this beauty just to quiet that annoying doubter in the rear of our mind that this is merely a concept, AMEX's RM-mp1 is reportedly the real deal. Said remote features wireless USB, support for Windows Media Center, a built-in touchpad / laser pointer and a black or white motif. Beyond that, details are admittedly scant, but we'll certainly be crossing our fingers that this mystical device crosses the waters to America in short order.

Our pals over at Zatz Not Funny go their hands on one of those newfangled, silly-expensive WiFi Ultimate Remotes built by tvCompass for ESPN. They found the built-in episode guide to be quite nice, and the potential for content partnerships beyond the existing ESPN sports content "limitless." So, $300 worth of limitless? Time shall tell.

ESPN's unleashing The Ultimate Remote, developed by tvCompass, complete with 2.2-inch QVGA LCD screen and 802.11 b/g WiFi stuffed in a 6.5 oz package. It's certainly a serious contender with the Harmony One -- and priced like it, at $300. The marketing info claims no PC is required for setup, recharging via USB, an internet browser with real time access to scores, fantasy info and TV listings for broadcast, cable and satellite from click365's wireless partners. There's even a messaging feature for texting from remote to remote, email, or to a cellphone. We got a glimpse of it at Microsoft's booth during CES, and while it claims "Advanced Microsoft Windows operating software" it's not talking about SideShow. It reminds us a lot of the Ricavision VAVE100 MCE/SideShow remote, but with a slightly different feature set. Father's Day is coming up and suddenly walking over to the computer (or keeping a laptop or PDA/phone on the couch) is sounding like a lot of unnecessary work. Check after the break for a bigger pic with keypad breakdown, or head to Amazon to preorder.

[Via Electronista]

As if the iPod wasn't ubiquitous enough, Russound has just licensed Dana Innovations' patented iPort concept and integrating technologies in an attempt to tie in Apple's darling with whole home AV systems. Apparently the company views said PMP as a "music server rather than a simple portable player," and now that the agreement is in place, we should see a slew of new kit designed with tight iPod integration in mind. Unfortunately, details beyond that are scant, but Charlie Porritt, Russound's vice president of sales, did note that the forthcoming products would be aimed at consumers "who treat their iPods as a primary source of entertainment in the home."