bluetooth as a standard for all remote controls, thoughts?

[BlahBlahYouToo]

obvious pro is no more line of sight needed, which means controlling from other rooms.
therefore range is better.

are there any cons?
cost? battery life?

 

[NutBucket]

Cost is always the biggest con.

 

[rudeguy]

why isn't there a device yet for this?

There are RF remotes that convert the signal ot IR...why not BT to IR?????

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Cost is always the biggest con.

but it can't cost that much more.
BT headsets can be had for $10-20. it's on phones, mice, kb's, etc.
a usb BT receiver is a couple bucks.

 

[smitbret]

Plus the power drain using Bluetooth would probably be a problem as well, since they are actively pinging and searching. I know the batteries in my PS3 remote die a heck of a lot faster than my other remotes did.

 

[sivart]

I have better luck with RF devices than Bluetooth. My PS3 Media board (Bluetooth) has to have nearly a clear line of sight to work. I can be 10 feet away from the computer and if I raise the lid to my coffee table, the signal breaks up.

Use my little RF Lenovo remote / keyboard and no problems.

 

[CubanlB]

Considering most home automation control units (AMX, Crestron, et al.) still uses RS-232 (serial ports) for communication I don't see that shift happening real fast. Not saying this is what a vast majority of people are using, just that the CE industry is slow to adopt new control standards. Very slow.

With HDMI CEC getting better and better you may see more and more remotes with some type of RF communication to one of the devices and that device relaying commands throughout the system.

Samsung's remote in the 8000 series last year was RF and paired with individual TVs. That was a fun surprise.

 

[Modelworks]

RF is the best alternative to IR. You can change any remote you have to RF if you are okay with using a soldering iron. You need a 434mhz transmitter module and and 434mhz reciever module + an IR led .
Total cost about $10
Connect the transmitter to the IR led inputs on the remote and the receiver can use an IR led connected to the output.


Transmitter:
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8946
$3.95

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8949
$4.95


Bluetooth can do the job but it comes down to what can do it the easiest and cheapest and that will always be RF for remotes when you need non - line of sight. Its simple to implement and cheap.