The PS3 is one of the most powerful
gaming consoles ever made. It is also one of the best Blu-Ray
players available. In fact, it is the reference player for the folks
at Criterion Collection – link.
The PS3 is also an upconverting DVD player, making regular DVDs
look spectacular on HDTVs. Unfortunately, the PS3 uses Bluetooth
instead or IR or RF for controller signal input. This makes using
universal controllers such as the Logitech Harmony line impossible.
Now if you have a high end home theater set up, then having to use a
PS3 Sixaxis or Dual Shock remote as your BluRay remote is rather
undesirable. Nyko has released the Blu-Wave remote which is a USB
Dongle/IR remote setup which allows the use of a remote control with
the PS3 instead of using a game controller. Another additional
feature for the Blu-Wave is its compatibility with the Logitech
Harmony remote series.
Nyko Blu-Wave Remote
Reviewed by: Tomas Ratas
Tech Specs,Features or the
Basic Info:
Easily control the next generation
of home entertainment with the Blu-Wave Remote from Nyko. The
Blu-Wave allows you to easily control the playback of Blu-Ray movies,
DVDs and CDs on the PlayStation 3 console. Utilizing infrared
technology, the Blu-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
Blu-Wave is powered by 2 AA batteries (included).
Features:
-Control playback of Blu-Ray movies, DVDs and CDs
-IR technology allows for control up to 25 feet away
-Easily navigate movie and system menus
-Compact USB dongle, no set up or pairing needed
-Powered by 2 AAA batteries (included)
IR Technology
Allows
full movie and music playback from up to 25ft away
Full Control
Replicates
all the SIXAXIS™ Action buttons allowing for full control of media
playback
Dedicated Buttons
Dedicated
buttons for play back including Play, Pause and skip
Battery Powered
Powered
by 2 AAA batteries (included)
A Better Look at Things
:
The Nyko Blu-Wave arrive in the
familiar plastic clamshell. The packaging is clear with the emblem
for the Blu-Wave on the top and the actual remote and dongle
prominently displayed. At the bottom of the card board section is
the for PS3 logo with a picture of the dual shock remote. The back
of the package lists the features of the device in English and
French.
Once the Blue-Wave is removed from the
packaging, one finds the remote, the USB dongle, two AA batteries and
the instructions.
The Blu-Wave is designed to closely
match the aesthetic of the PS3. The remote is colored black with a
silver accent around the periphery. The bottom of the remote has the
Nyko logo and the upper two third features the buttons. The top 1/3
is composed of buttons that correspond to the buttons on the PS3 game
controller. While the mid 1/3 is the buttons found on a standard DVD
remote control.
The back features the serial number and
the panel for the two double AA batteries.
The USB dongle is silver and black with
the USB icon at the tip closer to the connector and the Nyko logo at
the opposite end.
Installation, Testing and
Comparison:
Installation involves plugging in the
USB dongle into one of the free ports on the PS3. Next install the
two AAA batteries into the Blu-Wave remote. Now unfortunately, due
to the PS3 being a Bluetooth controlled device, the Blu-Wave will not
be able turn the PS3 on or off. So the PS3 will either need to stay
on constantly, and hopefully run something like Folding
@ Home during the down time or you will need to
physically turn on the PS3 with either the game controller or
physically on the PS3 unit.
Once the PS3 is up and running, the
Nyko Blu-Wave is able to perform all the functions found on a game
controller through a familiar remote interface. The IR technology
works from 25 feet away. Now watching a video on the PS3 is
controlled just like every other DVD player in the world.
As I mentioned previously, the Nyko
Blu-Wave is in the Logitech Harmony database and can be programmed to
be used in conjunction with the Harmony line of remotes and with the
PS3. All you need is to keep the dongle in place and then setup the
Logitech Harmony using the Harmony software. The specific controls
will need to be manually mapped onto the Harmony, but once done, the
Harmony will act exactly like the Blu-Wave remote. The key to the
Blu-Wave’s function is the dongle.
Summary and Comments
The Nyko Blu-Wave is an excellent
solution for those who wish to control their PS3’s as a
conventional Blu-Ray player. The remote is stylish and matches the
appearance of other PS3 devices. It controls the PS3 in every
fashion needed, except for the ability to power the PS3 on or off.
This is not a failing of the Blu-Wave, but due to the fact that the
PS3 uses a Bluetooth wireless protocol. There is no programming
necessary, just plug the dongle in and you are ready to begin.
Another bonus is that the dongle allow the use of programmable IR
remotes such as the Logitech Harmony Remote series.
DragonSteelMods gives the Nyko Blu-Wave
a 4.5 out of 5 score.
Pros:
-Uses IR
-Works as described
-Remote matches the style of the PS3
unit
-Can be used with other programmable IR
remotes
Cons:
-Does not power on or off the PS3
I would like to thank Nyko for the chance to review the Blu-Wave and for their support of DSM.
review#507