Home > Consumer Reviews > Streamzap PC Remote Control

Recently, I replaced the CD Player on my stereo with a full blown PC and use my TV as the "monitor". I had been using a wireless keyboard and MusicMatch software for playing my MP3 files. After a while, I got tired of having to keep the keyboard with me if I wanted to switch tracks, stop playback, pause, etc. I found this little gizmo after a quick search and it does everything I need. The software that comes with it integrates well with the popular music software (MusicMatch, Windows Media Player, Winamp, and many more), and you can even use the remote as a rudimentary mouse. Of course, you can't enter text with it, but if you're using a PC as a stereo component, this remote is great.

You get the remote and a USB infrared receiver. Installation is a snap, and the range is great. StreamZap has said they're considering modifying the software so it would be compatible with other brand remotes, eliminating the need for their remote altogether which would be a nice touch. Until then, I programmed their remote codes into my universal remote and it takes care of everything.

We used this remote to program a Sony AV-RM3000 remote, but we need more flexibility for our HTPC. In hindsight, we should have bought a stand-alone IR unit and something like the Girder software. Or, maybe just an IR wireless keyboard.

This is not a remote for those seeking flexibility, or those who like to customize their media experience. This is an excellent remote for those who want out-of-the-box usability, and don't want to bother with customization. It's well-built, and will be exactly what many mainstream users are looking for.

Pros: Comfortable shape, sensible layout, high-quality feel, reasonably compatible with many programs

Cons: Doesn't do absolutely everything in every compatible application, only four somewhat-programmable keys with limited options

This remote is great for those of you with the ATI tuner cards! The remote ATI features is nowhere in the same league as this remote. It has 4 different preset "hot buttons" that will launch the programs you want from a distance. I see FAR more features than the Mfr. supplied remote. I love it! You can just sit back in your recliner and fast forward through the commercials of recorded programs, you no longer have to sit in front of the PC to do it anymore! Highly recommended! Whatcha waitin' for! Buy it already!

This is simply the best supported remote on Linux, pretty much any software project that allows the use of a remote will have at least the streamzap supported out of the box.

Apart from that it's also incredible value for money, just consider that building your own IR receiver would probably set you back 30$ just in parts. And that's without the remote.

Also note that you can use any IR remote you want with the included receiver, in case you've got your eye on a regular universal remote.

If all you want to do is open a program, walk away and still be able to:
play, pause, next track, last track, stop, volume control, mute...
then this remote will work wonders for you.

There are four programmable macro buttons that you can assign to open a program or playlist...or commands such as toggle full screen, enable mouse mode, cycle through windows, etc

Well I wanted one button to open iTunes, another for Windows Media Player, and another for WinDVD, but I also wanted a button to toggle fullscreen, cycle through windows, and enable mouse mode...there are simply too few programmable buttons.

Fast forward and Rewind basically never work how you want them too. It will either go really slow and jumpy, or it will just go to the next track.

Mouse input is really painstakingly slow although a nice function to have.

There is about a one second delay after you hit a button on the remote before it actually registers on the computer.

You can use Up, Down, Left, Right, and Enter to manually move through menus, but you can't switch the menus or lists you are moving through. Such as iTunes, you can go through your playlists, but you can't go through your songs unless you just skip songs til you get to the one you want or switch to mouse mode.

There is also a alpha numeric text input mode although I have yet to figure out how to use it.

Many buttons are just commands that are assigned to the buttons, but each program may use the commands for different tasks...therefore you may hit a button trying to get it to do one thing, and it will do something completely unrelated

It works fine for when I'm watching DVDs, or listening to iTunes on random play, but anything more than that is more complicated than it needs to be. You'll probably just grab your mouse and do it much faster the old fashioned and less stressful way...