Product Description: Easily control the next generation of home entertainment with the Blue-Wave Remote from Nyko. The Blu Wave allows you to easily control the playback of Blu-Ray movies, DVDs and CDs on the PlayStation 3console. Utilizing infrared technology, the Blue Wave can navigate system and movie menus, skip chapters or tracks, pause and play a movie or music and replicate other PlayStation 3 controller functionality from up to 25 feet away. The compact USB IR receiver plugs into any open USB port for easy set up requiring no complicated software, pairing or programming. The Blue Wave is powered by 2 AAA batteries (included).
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - EXCELLENT UNIVERSAL REMOTE SOLUTION 4 PS3
I have a recurring dream where I punch Sony's CEO in the face for not integrating IR along with Bluetooth in the gaming console that set me back $500. I usually wake up covered in sweat and with a curious throbbing in my left hand. Luckily, there is a real world solution for the frustration universal remote owners feel when faced with the PS3 Bluetooth problem. The Nyko Blu Wave.
I use a Harmony remote to control my entertainment system and with the Blu Wave, the setup couldn't have been easier. The Harmony software actually recognized the remote under the 'video game (with dvd) listing and with a few minor adjustments [minor compared to other devices I've had to program into it], I couldn't be happier. The only down side is there's no power button, but since I usually have to get up to change discs anyway, this really isn't a big problem for me.
One reviewer complained about the PS3 assigning the remote as controller 1 when it's powered on. This is a small inconvenience if you want to play Metal Gear Solid instead of watching a movie. Most, if not all, games require the controller you use to be assigned as No. 1, but this can be easily fixed. Simply hold in the PS button on the controller you want to use for the game and a menu pops up on the screen. Select 'controller settings' and then 'reassign the controller' and then switch it to number one. Voila! Now you don't have to constantly unplug the dongle when you want to play a game.
Rating: - Perfect for use with a Logitech Harmony 880 Remote
This is exactly what you need if you're looking to use your Logitech Harmony 880 remote to control your PS3. Once I followed the instructions mentioned in some of the comments here to tweak my 880, it worked just fine. I can now use my 880 to control my PS3 just as if it were a SixAxis controller. I haven't tried playing any games with it yet, but if I wanted to, I probably could ;)
For the people complaining about there not being a power button, this is not the fault of the remote, it's Sony's fault. There is no power to the USB ports while the PS3 is turned off, therefore it's impossible for any IR remote to turn the PS3 on.
Rating: - Relief for universal remote lovers
With the acquisition of my Harmony 880 universal remote a while back, I was finally able to get rid of the stack of remotes that used to clutter my end table. That is, until I got a PS3. Since getting the game machine, I've had to keep a second bluetooth remote next to my Harmony. This was due to the fact that the PS3 does not include any sort of IR control capability.
The Nyko Blu Wave is a very satisfactory solution for the lack of IR controllability for the PS3. It allows play/pause, forward/rewind, skip, menu access, etc. Pretty much everything you need for video playback on the PS3.
There are a couple of things lacking. Most notably, the Nyko Blu Wave lacks power on/off and eject capability. I would bet that this is a design limitation of the PS3 USB interface, so there likely will never be an IR-via-USB solution that would be able to offer this sort of functionality.
Getting my Harmony 880 configured was a cinch. Under the "add device" menu, I selected "Game Console (with DVD)", "Nyko" as the manufacturer and entered "Blu-Wave" as the model. The key repeat rates, etc., needed to navigate around PS3's XMB seem to work well, so no tweaking of the advanced settings on my Harmony was necessary.
If you're looking for a stand-alone remote for your PS3, I recommend the Sony PlayStation 3 Blu-ray Disc Remote instead of this one. With the Sony remote you can power the PS3 on or off, eject disks and directly access other functionality your PS3 supports during playback.
Pros:
* Enough functionality for XMB navigation and video/DVD/Blu-ray playback
* Gives my universal remote the control I was craving
* Simple, compact design of the remote
* USB IR dongle is small and discreet
Cons:
* Lacking power on/off and eject capability
* Unlike Sony's remote, line of sight required between remote and USB IR dongle
Rating: - No Power Button!!
Unfortunately I didn't read all of the reviews before I purchased this. I ASSUMED that a remote would come with a power button. If you use a Harmony remote like I do, then you know how great 'Activities' are. Too bad you STILL will have to turn on the PS3 using the controller or the console.
Rating: - Very Basic
This remote is a cheap alternate if you are looking to program a Logitech Harmony or other universal remote. It provides very basic functions (stop,play,pause,etc.). It will not turn the PS3 on and off. If you want full control of your PS3 through your universal remote search for "ir2bt". For $55 dollars this device provides total control. All 51 codes from the "Sony Playstation 3 Blu-ray Disc Remote". It is a stand alone device that doesn't require the use of any of your usb ports. It took about 3 weeks to get mine but it was worth the wait.
- EXCELLENT UNIVERSAL REMOTE SOLUTION 4 PS3
- No Power Button!!
- Very Basic
