I’m not a hundred percent sure that this is the best option for a home theater seat, but I can see where there’d be some appeal.  I’m just not convinced it’s wide enough appeal to merit a product launch.

See, what this chair does is not only provide a comfortable seat to watch movies or the big game or what have you, but it also provides a little something extra–the ability to recharge your battery-driven hardware while you sit in it.

The Berkline Concert Series recliner offers wireless recharging of all your handheld devices, it creates “an electromagnetic conduit combined with an intelligent control system that constantly monitors power flow so various devices from different manufactures can charge at the same time.”

See, what I can’t help but wonder at this point is, why would you need your battery gear recharged in a home theater chair?  Oh, sure, it’d be GREAT for remotes!  Are you kidding?  Never recharge a remote again?  That’d be amazing!  But to pay plenty more for a chair–I couldn’t find any pricing data on this one–for the ability to keep your remotes permanently hot and ready just seems a bit unnecessary.  I’ve got my Rayovac Renewal charger for a reason.

Glide has launched its first product, the GlideTV Navigator which is supposed to be an alternative to that wireless mouse and keyboard that you happen to be carrying around with you at all times in order to control your connected devices in your living room. The Navigator is basically a trackpad remote which can be used to control HTPCs, AppleTVs, WMC, Bosee, PS3 or Macs. And yes, it’s basically a wireless mouse that comes equipped with some extra features:

• Clickable touchpad mapped to your TV screen — precise cursor control, one-thumb scrolling, single and double-click selection.
• Backlit AV buttons to control volume and playback.
• Directional buttons for easy two-axis navigation.
• Dedicated Esc, Enter, Back, and Function keys to control applications.
• On-screen keyboard — requires download, Windows only.
• Integrated search menu with links to Google, Amazon Video on Demand, Hulu, Netflix, YouTube and more — requires download, Windows only.
• Rechargeable battery.

The GlideTV Navigator will be available for $149 in Europe and the USA. Any takers?

via Gizmodo

If you’ve ever played a Wii and thought, wow, this would be a GREAT way to work a home theatre setup, then do I ever have good news for you.  It’s called the Hillcrest Loop remote and it’ll do exactly that–work a home theatre setup just like playing a Wii.

Most everybody thought this was a gigantic bucket of vaporware for the longest time, but no, the Loop is now available on Amazon for just ninety nine dollars.  The loop uses internal sensors to determine where your pointer is on screen, and then offers just two buttons to navigate on-screen menus.  You don’t even need a clean line of sight because it uses RF for its communications.

Admittedly, this is a cool idea, but will there be hordes of people willing to plunk down a hundred bucks to make Change The Channel into the newest Wii game?  Okay, so it DOES sound like something that would’ve been included in a round of Wario Ware, but that’s somewhat beside the point.  It’s still a cool idea though.

We have a totally special remote control for you guys and gals, one that will be able to control everything around your house, including your brand new PlayStation 3. The Blu-Link universal remote control combines a Bluetooth PS3 controller with the regular infrared universal remote. The Blu-Link is ready to control more than 400 standard and HDTVs, 150 VCRs, 200 Satellite receivers, 100 Cable TV receivers, 50 DVR models, 200 home theater surround sound system and it will do all that for just $49.95. What do you think? Are you getting yours today?

via blu-link

Sometimes you just need a product that can get the job done.  And the Chunghop Universal Remote definitely falls into that class.

Basically, it’s a universal remote, with all that entails.  It’s designed to be a functional replacement for any of a host of remote possibilities, including DVD players, cable receivers and television sets.  Most of the major brands are actually compatible with the Chunghop, and there are actually only a handful that I know of that aren’t.  The remote itself handles very smoothly, with programming codes input via numerical keypad.

There are a couple downsides to this remote, though–my biggest problem is that it can’t handle a Dish Network receiver but it CAN handle a Direct TV receiver.  That’s a pretty glaring omission as far as I’m concerned.  Also, some functions are a little cumbersome on this one, especially just starting out.

But, the Chunghop is actually a great remote once you get past the learning curve.  It’ll do the job nicely, and considering that you can actually buy these for under eight bucks a crack, that’s definitely a reason to sit up and take notice.  If you can’t find your remote any more, you may want to consider a Chunghop.

Oh, and a special note for Cyber Theatre readers–the folks out at Budgetgadgets.com, who sent us one of these to try out, also has a special offer.  If you do go pick one of these up,  at the checkout, use coupon code SM5OFF17 for five percent off your order.  Pretty sweet, no?

Some of the best home theatre setups are modular in nature,   They can, as the months and years go by and technology improves, be taken apart with relative ease and rebuilt with the new and improved technology.  After all, 1080p may just be the beginning.

And over on The RAF Home Theatre, the site’s owner has set out for you the story of a home theatre setup almost a decade in the making.  For instance, he’s upgraded the projector at least once, and added a Playstation 3 to serve as both gaming device and Blu-Ray player, which is actually really smart.  Meanwhile, he’s also got the standard array of speakers in there, and for home theatre furniture, he’s got what look like a few actual home theatre seats and a slew of wall shelves for movies.

It’s a good setup in that it’s very easily converted in the event of new technology, so it’s definitely got the versatility edge that a lot of other setups would have a hard time matching because of lots of hardwired points.  What if this guy had put up paneling and such?  That would’ve been a disaster for him, trying to move things around and get stuff broken out so he could replace both it and whatever paneling he’d put up.

No, this is a sweet home theatre setup–it’s got plenty of room to grow, and can accomplish most tasks set before it with a minimum of difficulty.

Sony is going to launch a whole new line of universal remotes and besides being able to control pretty much everything that lies around your house, they are also waterproof. That means you can afford to occasionally drop them in any kind of liquid and still be able to use them later.

The remotes will be available in Japan at first and starting with September 10 you will be able to get your new Sony universal remote control.

via NewLaunches

Logitech has always been known to have a rather extensive lineup of universal remotes so the addition of their Harmony 900 comes as no surprise.

Instead of infrared sensors, this device will utilize RF technology making the hassle of having to, you know, point your remote control at the TV a thing of the past. Feature wise this phone has a full color touchscreen, rechargeable batteries, ability to sync up with over 250,00 devices and 44 face buttons.

Yeah, this remote has it all. Oh yeah, did I mention it will cost $400?

When you speak about a universal remote control, you can clearly consider it “universal” if it can be compatible with a larger array of gadgets. With most devices and gadgets coming out in the market with remote controls of their own, you will agree that having a lot of these remote controls around makes it confusing on which device you really want to operate.

However, the Logitech Harmony 900 should resolve all that as it can pull down the codes of over 225,000 devices. It comes with a rechargeable battery and a base station where you can leave it when not in use and recharging purposes.

This Logitech Harmoy 900 universal remote controller retails for $399.99 and will start shipping later this month.

(Source)

If you’re one of AT&Ts U-Verse customers then you should check out this new RF remote. One of the most important features of the remote is that it doesn’t care much about any walls and other obstacles. That means you can hide away that home theater of yours in a closet and the remote control will still work. The remote control together with the necessary USB dongle are now available from AT&T’s online store for just $49.

see AT&T

URC has come forward to unveil their MX-500 touch-screen touting universal remote.

The above pictured remote features a 2.7-inch touchscreen with haptic feedback that, when pressed, will provide a “very satisfying sensation”. In other words, you’ll know when you pressed a button. Furthermore, in the MX-5000 you’ll find WiFi, and narrowband RF and IR making for a wide range of compatibility.

There was no word on pricing or availability but EngadgetHD reports that URC has said the remote will be “less than $1,500″. What a bargain!

The Loop is a tiny gadget which will work as a remote control for your TV. The circular device is similar to the Wiimote and it will be able to control home teather PCs, the PS3 or the Apple TV. The circular remote has four buttons and a scroll wheel but all that is more than enough to control the screen. The Loop works with a RF USB dongle so keep that in mind when you get ready to pay $100 to get one.

via Press

With this baby close by you’ll have no problem controlling every aspect of your Home Theater. The Monster MCC AV50 Home Theater Controller is much more than a simple remote control. Before you go ahead and get it you should know that this gadget comes with an expensive $50/month plan. The controller uses a web-based setup which explains the monthly charges. Or you could get a cheap remote control which will probably be able to do most of the things this Monster Home Theater Controller can do.

via Gizmodo

Philips Pronto TSU9300

The new Philips Pronto TSU9300 is a completely customizable and programmable remote control and is genuinely designed for the advanced world. This new Pronto offers IR and Wi-Fi 802.11g control of devices. A touch screen panel with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels is flush-mounted to the black face panel, which is edged in brushed aluminum.

The remote comes with everything you need to get started, including power and USB cable, software install disc for PCs with either Windows XP or Vista, a charging dock, and power adapters for several other countries’ power plugs, as well as a complete manual and start-up guide. Retails for around $799

Hulu has recently gone ahead and launched a new application straight out of the Hulu Labs entitled Hulu Desktop.

Hulu Desktop is a downloadable app that allows Mac and PC users to watch Hulu content without a browser in full-screen. According to the Hulu Blog you can use any standard six-button PC or Mac remote with this app, pretty cool.

This new application definitely gives users a cleaner Hulu experience, especially for those who want to watch some shows without opening their browser.

The Apple iPhone has been known to be a functional remote for some gadgets and now it looks like it can be a great remote as well for home theater setups. This is a great alternative for people who normally tend to lose their remote controllers.

The control solution that makes all this possible is the RNET Touchpoint. This new device allows users to control zones and source components in a Russound multiroom installation wirelessly, from anywhere in the home, through a friendly graphical user interface (GUI) designed expressly for their iPhone or iPod touch.

“The RNET Touchpoint is more than an application for the iPhone or iPod touch,” said Russound Product Manager Roger Soucy. “It’s a true IP-to-serial control interface that gives users a convenient, one-touch wireless control solution, through a platform that they’re already comfortable with, and without the need for any additional downloads or plug-ins.”

(Source) Home Theater Review

Streamzap PC Remote

With the Streamzap PC Remote Control you simply plug the infrared receiver into your PC, then chill out on the couch and let your Streamzap PC Remote do the work. Now you can remotely control all of your favorite multimedia programs, including Windows Media Player, RealPlayer, iTunes, MusicMatch Jukebox, Winamp, PowerPoint and many others.

The Streamzap PC Remote is ideal for playing MP3s, listening to Internet Radio, watching DVDs & TV or even giving PowerPoint presentations and much more. It is compatible with Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows 98, 98SE, 2000 or XP. Retails for around $29.99

For the people who want to experience the most in 3D imaging, here is a new chip launched in the market by InvenSense. Invensense today announced the availability of the IXZ-500 and IXZ-650 dual-axis MEMS gyroscopes designed specifically for 3D remote controls and PC mice supporting TVs, home theaters, set top boxes and personal computers.

The IXZ family of dual axis MEMS gyros represents the world’s first and only single-chip integrated pitch and yaw (X- and Z-axis) motion processing products that meet the in-plane mounting requirements for both traditional as well as new generations of slim profile remote controls. Designed for audio/video (A/V) remote controls with 3D pointing functionality, the IXZ-500 features a primary output with a full scale range of up to ±500°/second with a ±110°/second internal secondary gain stage output to track slower motions for precise cursor pointing applications.

The IXZ-650 targets digital TV and IPTV remote controls with its ±2,000°/second primary output to track the widest dynamic range of physical motions and a ±440°/second internal secondary gain stage output for on-screen pointing applications.

The IXZ-500 and IXZ-650 MEMS gyroscopes are sampling now.

(Source) Press

Sportsbuffs who love to spend countless times waiting and watching their favorite team play via television are now given an easier time to tune in thanks to DirectTVs ScoreGuide. Scoreguide is a new on-screen feature of DIRECTV’s industry-leading program guide. Launched today, ScoreGuide enables fans to easily track scores and start times of major sporting events, see a list of channels carrying each event and tune directly to those channels.

Viewers will be alerted to ScoreGuide by a small on-screen icon and have access to the new feature on more than 200 DIRECTV sports channels, including regional sports networks, DIRECTV sports subscription channels (channels 700-799), and national cable networks that primarily cover sports.

ScoreGuide, offered compliments of DIRECTV, displays a lineup of sporting events in progress, as well as upcoming daily and weekly events. ScoreGuide also provides DIRECTV channel numbers associated with each of the events and allows customers to tune to those specific channels with the push of a button on their remote control.

Sports on ScoreGuide will include: NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, top 25 college football and basketball, tennis (men’s and women’s Grand Slam event quarterfinals and later rounds), golf (PGA Tour majors) and next season, NASCAR.

(Source) Press

If you feel the need to have an absolute top of the line remote control, appropriately priced at $199, then you should check out Phillips’ Prestigo SRT9320 universal remote.

This thing has everything that you’d expect out of a universal remote but what sets it apart from the rest is that it has a color touchscreen.

You can head over to Amazon.com now and preorder this thing, unfortunately the release date is listed as “within 1 to 2 months”.