Latest from Windows Central in Xbox-one-media-remote

Best Media Remotes for Xbox One in 2022

richard.devine@futurenet.com (Richard Devine) — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 14:55:21 +0000

If you use the Xbox One to control most of the media in your home, you're well aware of how clunky the standard gaming controller can be when trying to command other systems. If you're looking for an easier solution, you may want to consider a media remote for your Xbox One. Here are some of our favourites.

PDP Talon Media Remote

Superb remote

The PDP Talon Media Remote looks more like a universal remote than a dedicated Xbox remote. All the standard buttons you'd find on any remote are here — play, pause, stop, rewind, fast-forward, and more — but it's larger and has more dedicated buttons. Like most Xbox remotes, this one uses IR and has some limited TV control capabilities.

Xbox One Media Remote

Straight from the company

This remote is smaller than the PDP remote if you're looking for something a bit more compact. This has all the buttons you'll need to control your Xbox One since Microsoft created it specifically for that device. It also uses IR like the other remotes, so it has limited abilities when it comes to controlling your TV.

Inteset universal IR learning remote

Budget universal

If you're looking for something that will control your Xbox One that also works with your other devices, the Inteset universal IR learning remote is perfect. It comes preset to use with your Xbox One, which makes it incredibly easy to set up. Simply by pushing either the A, B, C or D buttons, you can set up the remote to function for Apple TV, Xbox One, Windows Media Center, and Roku respectively, making it easy to switch back and forth between devices.

Logitech Harmony Elite remote

King of remotes

Logitech's Harmony Elite is the current pinnacle of universal remotes. The first thing that stands out is its touchscreen, which allows you to access all the different devices you have connected to the remote, making it easy to switch between using your Xbox One, cable box, Apple TV, or any other device. One touch can turn on your TV, set the input, turn on the Xbox, and switch on your speaker system. It can even control your smart lights. It has a rechargeable battery and charging dock, as well as a hub allowing control through your smartphone.

Amazon Echo Dot

Voice commands

The Xbox skill for Alexa means you can control just about every aspect of your Xbox One with your voice, and the 3rd generation Amazon Echo Dot is the best way to do this. It's small enough to blend in anywhere, the newer version sounds great for listening to music but best of all, you can change channels, volume, launch apps, games, movies and so much more all with your voice.

If we had to pick...

The Xbox One is an amazing box to have in your living room for all your home media needs, and a great remote can enhance your experience. The superb PDP Talon is an excellent remote by any standards, let alone for a console. It has all the Xbox buttons, is well made and affordable, and ticks all the boxes.

By contrast, you can now finally (once again) interact with your console using your voice. It's not a substitute for a dedicated remote, but with an Amazon Echo Dot you can turn the console on and off, launch apps and games and much more besides.

And if you're a fan of high-end home entertainment equipment, the Xbox One will be right at home in your setup with the Logitech Harmony Elite. This programmable remote is capable of controlling everything in your entertainment centre. It's the one remote to rule them all.

Xbox Series X|S media remotes now available for preorder from 8BitDo

sean.endicott@futurenet.com (Sean Endicott) — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 12:15:11 +0000

What you need to know

8BitDo announced two new Xbox media remotes.
The remotes work with the Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox One.
Both remotes feature media buttons, directional buttons, and A, B, X, and Y buttons, but only the long version has a number pad.

Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox One owners have new options when it comes to media remotes. 8BitDo announced two Xbox media remotes that are available for preorder. The short version of the remote costs $20, while the long version is a bit pricier at $25. Both remotes will be available on September 15, 2021.

Both of 8BitDo's new remotes have media buttons like play, pause, skip, and fast forward. They also have the standard Xbox buttons, including the Xbox home button, directional buttons, and A, B, X, and Y buttons. The main difference between the controllers is that the long version has a number pad. They also come in different colors, with the short version in white and the long version in black.

Source: 8BitDo (Image credit: Source: 8BitDo)

They're similar in design to some of the best media remotes for Xbox Series X and Series S but resemble PDP's offerings the most. The newer PDP Media Remote is more like the 8BitDo's short remote, while 8BitDo's longer offering resembles the original PDP Talon. PDP's offerings are often out of stock, so people may shift to 8BitDo as an alternative.

8BitDo is likely most recognized for its gaming controllers, like the 8BitDo Pro 2 and the 8BitDo Xbox controller, but it also makes adapters and accessories.

8BitDo Media Remote for Xbox

These media remotes work with the Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and the Xbox One. Each features media buttons and A, B, X, and Y buttons, but only the long version has a number pad.

PDP Media Remote for Xbox review (2020): A must-have for cord-cutters

daniel@windowscentral.com (Daniel Rubino) — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 16:00:03 +0000

PDP is back with an all-new $20 media remote for Xbox One and Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. With a motion-activated backlight and exceptionally light build, does this new 2020 version improve upon the last? Just as importantly, will that battery door stay secured?

I've spent the last few days with the 2020 PDP Media Remote. Here is how it compares to the original PDP Talon, and whether I think you should buy it or not.

PDP Media Remote for Xbox

Bottom line: PDP's new media remote is well worth the $20 if you plan to use your Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S for watching TV, streaming movies, and listening to music as much as you play video games. The battery door seems more secure, too, and the smaller size makes sense.

Pros

Just $20
Fills a niche for streaming media fans of Xbox
Nice design

Cons

Feels a bit cheap
Questions about the battery door
Batteries not included

Netflix and HBO Max fans need this

PDP Media Remote for Xbox (2020): What I like

Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

The PDP Media remote is substantially lighter than its predecessor weighing just 78 grams with two AAA batteries than the Talon's 112 grams. A lot of that is likely due to the size reduction as PDP removed many of the "cable TV" features that are now less prominent for Xbox users.

The button layout is straightforward. You have dedicated keys for volume, mute, play, pause, fast forward/rewind, back, menu, change view, navigation, channels up/down, Xbox home, and buttons for XYAB.

A typical infrared (IR) sensor is used on this remote. Since both the Xbox Series X|S (and older Xbox One models) all have an IR blaster, this makes this remote highly compatible.

The PDP Media Remote for Xbox fills a huge void left by Microsoft, making it easy to recommend.

There is no programming of the PDP remote. You slap into two AAA batteries (not included) and point it at an Xbox for instant access. Using the now more prominent Xbox button, you can access the menu, simulate the XYAB buttons, control volume, and navigate the Xbox UI using the D-pad.

The buttons feature a satisfying click when pressing. PDP still uses the soft-touch paint, too, giving the remote a nice warm feel compared to glossy plastic designs.

PDP's best feature is the motion-activated backlighting, which illuminates all the keys. It is not too bright, but aids when watching a movie with low room lighting or late at night. Of course, such a feature inevitably eats into those batteries, which will need to be changed in six months or so depending on usage. There is no way to control the backlighting either.

The remote is ergonomic, is pleasant to hold, and the smaller size makes it easier to handle.

Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

The battery door has also been redesigned as the 2020 version, thankfully, has a much larger clip to hold the back cover in place. It's too early to tell how this remote will weather repeated usage over the next few months and years, but at least PDP did update the design to be more resilient, hopefully.

Almost too light

PDP Media Remote for Xbox (2020): What I don't like

Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

At just 78 grams with batteries (56 grams without!), it is hard to deny that this remote feels a bit … cheap. Of course, it is at only $20, so at least the price reflects the expectation. Due to how the human brain works, whenever something is super light, we tend to think of it as lesser quality, even though that is not necessarily true. But it's hard to deny that this remote does feel a tad weak. A couple of drops on a hardware floor could rattle that sliding battery door off, or worse, maybe crack something.

The removal of the number pad, record button for live TV, closed-caption (CC) toggle, and even a programmable key that could be used to quick-launch your favorite app will be a negative for some. In total, the keys dropped from 36 on the Talon to just 15 on this new model. Considering how Microsoft has effectively dropped support for live cable TV integration and more people cord-cutting with apps like YouTube TV, Sling, Hulu, HBO Max, Netflix, VUDU, and more, this is not a surprising move. I never used those buttons, so this change does not bother me, but it is something to consider yourself.

Finally, there is the concern over build quality and that battery door. Many of us got burned on the last PDP remote, which, while significant, did have an annoying major flaw. PDP did redesign the mechanism, so it seems better, but if you are skeptical, you're not wrong.

The competition

Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

There aren't a ton of options when it comes to media remotes for Xbox. Indeed, I wrote in 2017 that Microsoft should make a serious remote for Xbox – one that includes Xbox Wireless support, and maybe a microphone to catch up to Apple and Amazon. Microsoft's last remote was the subpar mini one from 2014. So far, there's nothing new to report.

For those with a PDP Talon and a loose battery door, there is a $7 solution. Just as PDP stepped in to make a remote for Microsoft, Oyrlize stepped in to "fix" PDP's Talon. The Silicone Protective Case for PDP 048-083-NA Talon Media Remote goes around the entire remote, adds grip to the back, brings drop support protection, and has precisely made cutouts. Why spend $20 when you can pay $7 to fix your current one? If you want to get crazy, for $8, you can get a blue or green one that glows in the dark. Neato.

Companies like OBVIS ($10), Nyko ($25), and Beyution ($8), sometimes offer cheaper remotes, but they all tend to lack backlighting for the buttons, which I consider a must-have for such a purchase. If the lack of backlighting doesn't bother you, they may be worth considering.

If you need more ideas, make sure to check our Best Xbox One Accessories in 2020 for more recommendations.

PDP Media Remote for Xbox (2020): Should you buy?

Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central (Image credit: Source: Daniel Rubino / Windows Central)

You should buy this if ...

You want a dedicated media remote

For $20, this remote gets the job done. It's small, compact, and has excellent backlighting for the buttons. There is no pairing to your console, and it all just works as expected. The smaller size makes more sense for those without cable channels and instead rely on pure streaming media apps.

You watch a lot of streaming video

The problem with relying on an Xbox controller as your remote is the controller turns off. That means if you suddenly need to pause a movie on Netflix, you need to power it on, wait, and then do the action. With this remote, it never turns off, making it significantly faster. Being able to tweak the volume or even turn off your Xbox is just more effortless with a remote.

You have an Xbox One or new Series X|S

This remote relies on simple IR and line-of-sight with your Xbox, and it works with all the modern ones.

You should not buy this if ...

You're distrustful of PDP

PDP's last remote was great for function – and they filled a big hole left by Microsoft – but the battery door thing was irritating. Being wary of their new remote seems warranted.

You only game on Xbox

It's not a stretch to say if you only use your Xbox for playing video games, therefore rely on the Xbox controller, a media remote makes little sense. If you also have something like a Logitech Harmony universal remote, this a purchase you can likely skip.

Overall, I'm giving PDP a chance with this new 2020 model. I purchased this myself, and time will tell if it was worth the $20 (I'll update this review if I experience any issues). It feels great, though, and does what I expect. I also like the new size and a more minimalist design.

Of course, had I known there are now third-party silicone sleeves for the older Talon, I would probably buy those instead of a new remote. That said, this PDP will be your best option if you currently don't own a media remote for Xbox and want one.

Hopefully, someday, Microsoft will make a premium offering, but so far, no indication that will happen, making this one from PDP your best bet.

PDP Media Remote for Xbox

Bottom line: PDP's new Media Remote for Xbox is compact, features backlit buttons, and makes using your Xbox to stream media a much better experience. For $20, it is hard not to like this accessory for the new Xbox Series X|S or older Xbox Ones. Let's hope that the battery door lasts this time.

Leading 4K

Xbox Series X

The full next-generation experience.

Xbox Series X is Microsoft's new flagship, as its most powerful console with over 12TF GPU performance and a custom SSD. It boasts up to 4K resolution and 120 FPS, full backward compatibility across four generations, and ray-tracing support.

Next-gen in HD

Xbox Series S

Experience next-gen gaming for less.

Microsoft serves the next-generation for less with its budget-friendly Xbox Series S. The console packs the same high-performance CPU and SSD technology as Xbox Series X, while scaling back the GPU and removing the disc drive.

The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S still have IR receivers, will work with Xbox One Media Remotes

zacharylboddy@outlook.com (Zachary Boddy) — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 16:08:40 +0000

What you need to know

The Xbox Series X and S are the next-gen powerhouses heralding a new era of console game.
Both are impressive machines, but it was believed the several features, including the IR receiver, from earlier consoles was axed.
Today, it was confirmed by Larry Hyrb (Major Nelson) on Twitter that both next-gen consoles cleverly hide the IR receiver.
This means all Xbox One Media Remotes will be backwards compatible with the console, allowing for easy media control.

The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are undoubtedly impressive next-gen gaming machines, but Microsoft's newfound focus on power and pure gaming led to some concessions in other areas, notably the omission of an IR receiver, and HDMI In and Optical ports. This makes the Xbox Series X and S amazing for gaming, but less capable as all-around entertainment centers. Larry Hyrb, also known as Major Nelson, took to Twitter today to reveal a very sneaky piece of Xbox Series X and S design information that shows not all of those axed features... are actually gone.

Xbox One Media Remotes will continue to work with Xbox Series X|S as part of our commitment that you can bring your existing accessories forward with you. The design team hid the IR receiver inside the bind button #PowerYourDreams pic.twitter.com/vNQ2FJsgRhXbox One Media Remotes will continue to work with Xbox Series X|S as part of our commitment that you can bring your existing accessories forward with you. The design team hid the IR receiver inside the bind button #PowerYourDreams pic.twitter.com/vNQ2FJsgRh— Larry Hryb 🇺🇦 (@majornelson) October 22, 2020 October 22, 2020

As it turns out, both the Xbox Series X and S still have IR receivers, meaning they're still fully backwards compatible with the best Xbox One Media Remotes for easy and powerful media controls. The Xbox design team very cleverly hid the IR receiver behind the Bind button present on all Xbox consoles for pairing with wireless accessories, leading to many people believing at first that the feature was flat out missing. Instead, we still get to enjoy the benefits of an IR receiver, as well as a cleaner and more attractive look for the Xbox Series X and S. However, the IR Blaster has been well and truly removed, meaning that you'll have to rely on HDMI-CEC to send signals from your Xbox to your TV. Most modern TVs support HDMI-CEC, but some older sets may not.

If you still intend on using your Xbox Series X or S as the hub for all your entertainment needs, an Xbox One Media Remote is a fantastic investment, with the best of them being none other than the PDP Talon Media Remote, by far the most superior option around, and at a surprisingly fantastic price.

The best for Xbox

PDP Talon Media Remote

The Xbox One Media Remote for you.

Microsoft no longer sells their official Xbox One Media Remote, but the PDP Talon was already better in every single way, and comes in at a very attractive price that simply cannot be beaten. Now that it's confirmed as being compatible with the Xbox Series X and S, you once again have a reason to add this one to your shopping list.

Xbox Series X/S

Main

Xbox Series X: Everything we know
Best games coming to Xbox Series X/S
List of Xbox Series X specs
What is the Xbox Series X release date?
How much does Xbox Series X cost?
Why you can't preorder Xbox Series X yet
Best Xbox Series X Headsets

Do you really need an Xbox media remote?

Brendan Lowry — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 15:00:02 +0000

Do you really need an Xbox media remote?

Best answer: Xbox media remotes can and will improve your Xbox One media experience 10-fold. A standard game controller will work okay, but media remotes blow it out of the water.Amazon: PDP Talon Xbox One Media Remote ($20)

Why Xbox media remotes are worth it

While your standard Xbox One controller can navigate the console's menus and apps decently, a good media remote can do the job much more smoothly, while also being significantly more comfortable to use one-handed. You'll never need to worry about glitchy input recognition like you do with a controller, and not having to use one to access media apps means you're ensuring that your controller use time is for what it's best at — gaming.

What makes the PDP Talon media remote great?

The best thing about the Talon media remote is that it perfectly balances size with functionality. The Talon is fairly lengthy, but space is filled with buttons that perform useful functions, such as channel changing, volume control, muting, and more. These buttons are spaced out well, meaning that the surface doesn't look or feel cluttered and you won't be accidentally pressing buttons you don't want to.

The remote is also durable, but maintains a comfortable weight of 110 grams, spread evenly. This makes it great for one-handed use, and no matter where you hold the Talon, it will feel balanced in your hand.

Talon Media Remote for Xbox One

Another excellent feature on the Talon is the motion-activated button lighting. If you like to view your entertainment in blissful darkness, then the soft angelic glow of the remote's controls will allow you to manipulate what's on-screen at will without needing to reach for your smartphone's flashlight. Since they're motion-activated, you won't have to worry about them hampering your viewing experience while the device is at rest, either.

Lastly, the Talon works directly out of the box, no setup required. This means that unlike several other media remotes, you don't have to worry about finding batteries to use.

It won't break the bank

Priced at $20, the amount of bang you get for your buck with the Talon media remote is fantastic. You get a piece of hardware that's as tough and comfortable to use as some of the more expensive competition, as well as obtaining market-leading functionality and quality.

Our pick

PDP Talon Xbox One Media Remote

Absolute perfection

Between the excellent quality of the build, a large amount of media browsing utility, and how comfortable it is to operate, the PDP Talon Xbox One Media Remote is perfect for any Xbox user that loves apps, movies, and television.

If you're looking for a premium option that can control every media device in your home, including your Xbox One, then you should take a look at the Logitech Harmony Elite. Though it is very pricey, it's the best universal remote on the market, and we've seen it on sale for $100 off.

Luxury option

Logitech Harmony Elite

Unrivaled champion

Capable of commanding nearly every piece of tech in your household efficiently and quickly, the Logitech Harmony Elite remote is expensive but worth every penny.

Microsoft NEEDS a new Xbox Media Remote to keep up with Apple, Amazon in the living room

daniel@windowscentral.com (Daniel Rubino) — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 17:00:01 +0000

Microsoft is seemingly doing a bang-up job with its Xbox division, especially when it comes to console hardware like the Xbox One S and now Xbox One X with 4K abilities. What the company has not done well with is home media functionality in its Xbox One Media Remote ($25).

I get the focus on gaming and the downplaying of TV – a 180-degree shift from the original Xbox One wave that resulted in Microsoft getting decimated by Sony. However, that does not mean Microsoft can't handle two (or even three) things at once.

Xbox One Media Remote is just bad

The Xbox One Media Remote is not a new accessory. Announced in early 2014, I have been using one since it came out. After all, I'm one of those people who bought an Xbox for media consumption like Netflix, Hulu, and Sling, and I only game about 30 percent of the time.

Hardware-wise the media remote is great. It's svelte, smooth, and it lights up when you grab it. The buttons work well, and the battery lasts forever.

What is bad is the functionality. Relying on old-school infrared (IR) blasting, you need to point the remote directly at the Xbox to hit its teeny IR receiver. It feels like most of the time you need to double press the keys to make up for all the false signals.

Xbox One Media Remote Review – Almost all the right buttons

I get the reason for IR: battery. Just like your TV or cable box, remote IR takes very little to power it. Nonetheless, the current experience is terrible.

Please add microphones and Xbox Wireless

The one thing I cannot figure out is why Microsoft does not build a remote with its own Xbox Wireless connect technology that it uses in its wireless controllers. Sure, it may require you to have to recharge the controller after a few weeks, but Logitech seems fine with that, as seen in its $300 Harmony line of remotes.

Third-party companies such as Razer are wisely adding Xbox Wireless to headphones, which knocks the price down by $100 and gives gamers an excellent experience.

Don't get me started on Microsoft Kinect. Hey, if Microsoft wants to throw out the Kinect technology for Xbox instead of evolving it – fine. I may disagree, but I also understand some of the issues surrounding it like price, game developers not using it, and consumers not caring for it.

But why not put a microphone into the Xbox One Media Remote? Amazon and Apple both have fantastic remotes for their Fire TV and Apple TV systems respectively, and both have microphones. You press a button and ask Alexa or Siri to fetch you some sports or the latest movie from Disney. It works wonders.

Amazon's Fire TV now has Alexa support built in and it's pretty great.

There is no point in having Cortana for Xbox if you cannot access the artificial intelligence. If you buy an Xbox One S or Xbox One X, there is no Kinect (and the adapter is super clunky). Imagine an Xbox remote that had a nice big Cortana button on it. You'd ask it to launch a game, fire up Netflix, or find a particular movie. Every other company is doing this already, and Microsoft has all the components:

Console? Check.
Voice-enabled cloud A.I.? Done.
Separate media remote? Been there for years!
Engineers with the know-how to make this happen? Of course.

What's missing is the desire. Apple, Amazon, and Roku are all competing for the small box in the living room, but Microsoft should be able to outdo all of them with the power of Cortana, Windows 10, and its impressive hardware division (now overseen by Surface guru Panos Panay).

Make it happen, Microsoft

Microsoft is trying to balance a lot right now with Windows 10 development, Andromeda, Surface, CShell, and making sure core gamers are happy with the Xbox console and titles.

Apple is going all-in on its Apple TV with 4K and Siri.

Nonetheless, the company is more than capable of improving and leveraging its technology to make the Xbox One S and Xbox One X the one box for your living room (see what I did there?).

Engineering a new rechargeable remote with a Cortana button and Xbox Wireless support (and an IR blaster for your legacy components) seems like a no-brainer. There will be problems to be solved, but that is Microsoft's job – to innovate.

Best Media Remotes for Xbox One

Right now, Microsoft is sitting on its hands while Amazon, Apple, and Roku run away with AI search technologies and other advancements, despite having pioneered many of them. There's no reason for it, and someone at Redmond needs to take some responsibility here.

Nyko Media Remote review – a better, less expensive remote for Xbox One

Paul Acevedo — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 13:09:53 +0000

With gaming consoles, first-party accessories are often much nicer than their third-party equivalents. We've all had a poor experience with a third-party controllers at some point, but recent evidence suggests that third-parties are getting better at the accessory game. For example, Power A's recent Xbox One Mini Series controller is a pretty sweet (though not entirely superior) low-priced alternative to official controllers.

It certainly helps a third party's case when the first-party item wasn't really exceptional. The Xbox One Media Remote is a fine accessory, but was designed more for style than substance. Accessory manufacturer Nyko has taken the opposite approach with its own media remote. The Nyko Media Remote for Xbox One is a better remote control than the official model, and it costs ten dollars less to boot.

Flat or round?

The Nyko Media Remote has a rectangular shape with recessed corners. It measures approximately 4.5 x 2.15 x .6 inches (120 x 55 x 15 mm). That makes it a tad shorter than the Microsoft remote's 125 mm length, but wider than its 50 mm.

The height of both remotes is where their shapes really differ. Microsoft's remote has a round back that measures about 22 mm at its thickest. Nyko's remote is shorter on that plane, and more importantly, flatter. That round back provides the Microsoft remote with better ergonomics when gripped in the hand, but also a pronounced wobble when placed on a flat surface. If you don't want it to wobble around, you have to place it face down on the button side. No such issue with Nyko's model.

Batteries not included

The Microsoft remote, like nearly all remotes since the days of Lincoln's assassination, is powered by two AA batteries. Nyko's remote has to forego the AA route due to the aforementioned thinness. Instead, it draws power from two AAA batteries, the underachievers of the A battery family (nobody knows what happened to Papa Single A).

In all seriousness, AAAs are no big deal except you're less likely to have a spare set sitting around. Some battery rechargers can't do AAA either, which would be inconvenient for people who buy crappy chargers.

Speaking of batteries, the battery compartment takes up a hair over half of the Nyko remote's underbelly. It's easier to remove than the Microsoft remote's battery door, and bears an engraved Nyko logo. The other portion of the underside has a series of ridges cut into the plastic. These ridges might be to improve grip, though they're more likely just for looks. They don't really add any visual appeal, but I don't mind them.

Aesthetics

Looks are probably the Nyko remote's weakest area. I speak mainly of the top/front of the remote. The area with the buttons has a nice matte finish. Below that, a silver stripe houses a green LED. The LED lights up when a button is pressed or held, and it actually looks pretty cool.

The area below the silver stripe houses a silver Nyko logo. Inexplicably, that area is made of glossy black plastic instead of the matte style that comprises the rest of the remote's surface. Glossy plastic shows fingerprints and smudges much more than matte plastic, making it a lesser choice for handheld electronics. It also looks weird, just having that one shiny area.

The buttons

My final visual complaint about the Nyko Media Remote is the Home (Guide) button has a little house symbol printed on it instead of an Xbox logo. That's a little odd and maybe indicates that the remote is not licensed by Microsoft (which would also help explain its affordability).

Otherwise, buttons are really the Nyko Media Remote's strongest feature. The button labels have a bright white color that is easy to see, even in dim settings. In contrast, the Microsoft remote's buttons have a much more dull color. They light up when you move the remote, but I still find Nyko's buttons have better visibility overall.

Nyko's buttons also extend farther from the remote, making them easier to find by touch. And they are positioned more closely together. I can touch any button on the Nyko remote with my thumb without moving my hand, but I can't do that with the Microsoft remote.

The Nyko Media Remote has the same twenty buttons as the Microsoft remote, plus two more: Power and Eject. The Power button is great. You just tap it to turn the console on or off – no need to hold the button down or confirm that you want to power down.

As for the eject button, it will make the Xbox One spit a disc out like so much black licorice. Both of these functions were missed on the official remote.

As for the buttons we haven't mentioned yet, you get View and Menu, Back, and that damn OneGuide button, all surrounding the top of the arrow buttons. Below it, the Mute button extrudes from the remote like the other buttons, so it can be found by touch. The Microsoft remote has a non-extrusive Mute button for no reason that I can think of.

The Channel and Volume buttons are swapped on the Nyko remote. Channel up and down site on the left, with Volume up and down on the right. I barely use the channel buttons and don't use volume at all, so the swap doesn't affect me much.

Finally, the six standard Playback buttons occupy the bottom of the button area, just above the LED bar.

Using a Media Remote with Xbox One

Since we reviewed Microsoft's Xbox One Media Remotein March, the Xbox One has seen a few improvements to its UI and video playback apps. Navigating the dashboard with a remote control remains the same. The Channel buttons still act like page up and down buttons on some menus but not others, reducing their utility. And much to my chagrin, the View button continues to do nothing on the actual dashboard. No sane person can explain why View doesn't control the snap feature.

Still, two important video apps work much better with remotes now: the Blu-ray player and YouTube. When the Xbox One Media Remote launched, the remote's Menu button did nothing. That made no sense because Blu-ray and DVD menus are pretty important. Nowadays, the Menu button actually activates a disc's menus, thank goodness. The View button now has a function as well. It opens the general video playback menu.

Initially, the YouTube app was incompatible with media remotes. It has since graduated to partial compatibility. You can use the remote to browse a selection of your subscription's recent videos, search for videos, and access the app settings. What you can't do is view your entire subscription list or access other menu functions. Those features are activated by the X button on a controller, and (shamefully) have not been mapped to a media remote button. But hey, at least the app kind of supports remotes now!

Overall Impression

The Nyko Media Remote is not much of a looker. That should surprise nobody, considering the remote costs ten dollars less than the Microsoft version. What's surprising is how the Nyko remote exceeds Microsoft's remote in the areas that really count. The buttons are easier to see and easier to press, and you even get two buttons that Microsoft left out of its own remote.

If I had to choose between Microsoft's prettier remote for $25 and Nyko's more useful remote for $15, I'd go with the Nyko every time. (If you're looking for a cheaper alternative in the UK, the Protek Media Remote fits the bill but isn't as nice as Nyko's version.)

Nyko Media Remote for Xbox One – $14.99 – Amazon Link

Xbox One Media Remote Review – Almost all the right buttons

Paul Acevedo — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 13:24:44 +0000

The Xbox One is quite the media playing powerhouse, poor user library streaming aside. With support for most popular video streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon, Blu-ray playback, and the ability to control many cable TV boxes directly through the console, it has most of the movie and TV-watching bases covered. Kinect voice commands for video playback can be fun too.

Still - for many movie and TV watchers, nothing beats the feel, convenience, and responsiveness of a traditional remote control. Microsoft has finally released the Xbox One Media Remote with just those people in mind. Despite widespread stock issues since the remote’s release, we’ve finally managed to pick on up and put it through its paces.

Small and fun to hold

Compared to the original 360 remote control, the Xbox One Media Remote is downright tiny. The entire device has a soft, smooth exterior which makes it surprisingly pleasant to hold. Lending to that ergonomic design is the remote’s convex back, which curves outward. This causes a little wobble when you set it down on the back, but you can always place it face down if that bothers you.

The back is one large piece with a subtle Xbox logo engraved into it. Instead of a separate battery compartment door like most remotes have, the entire back plate must be removed to access the batteries. It takes a little getting used to, but makes for a more attractive appearance.

The Media Remote is entirely matte black. The button labels all have a very dull appearance that could make the remote hard to distinguish if placed on black furniture. Luckily, the buttons won’t be hard to see in the dark thanks to the built-in gyroscope. Tilt the remote or press a button and they all light up a cool white color.

Buttons

Although the Xbox One Media Remote houses 20 buttons, that number proves slightly anemic for movie playback. Noticeably absent are the A, B, X, and Y buttons found on the Xbox 360 remote (and for which Playstation remote controls also have their own equivalents). This causes problems because the Media Remote can’t emulate all the basic functions of an Xbox One controller. We’ll expand on that in a bit.

At the top of the remote is a shiny Home (Guide) button, the only non-soft button on the device. It still lights up though. The Home button is essential for quickly returning to the Home screen or back to the most recent app. It also powers the console on and off in the same way as a standard controller.

Just below that, you’ll find the View (Back) and Menu (Start) buttons. Menu is fairly important because it opens context menus on the Home screen and within the various video playback apps. You can use it to close programs on the Home screen, access the Settings menu within Netflix, and many other functions.

View on the other hand has absolutely no purpose on this remote control. It does nothing on the Home screen, nor do any of the video apps I tested utilize it. Considering the remote lacks a few important buttons, the designers really should not have blown one on a function irrelevant to video playback.

Ironically, the view button’s label suggests a useful purpose: managing snapped applications. One of the main purposes of snapping apps is to enable video playback while playing games and performing other functions. It would be great to toggle control between the snapped app and the main window with a single touch of a button, but instead we have to double-tap the Home button.

The recessed arrows and enter button allow the remote to navigate system menus, Blu-ray and DVD menus, and video playback apps like a boss. Enter essentially acts like the A button on a controller, as it always confirms menu selections. However, the arrow pad and enter don’t truly emulate a controller’s d-pad and A button, which we’ll cover shortly.

Below the arrow pad sit the Back and OneGuide buttons. Back acts a lot like the B Button would, backing out of menus within apps and the system menu. The OneGuide button launches the OneGuide with its TV listings and other functions. If you haven’t connected your console to a supported cable box, the button won’t be of any use to you.

Next you’ll find Volume buttons, Mute, and Channel buttons. Mute is the only button that doesn’t extrude from the remote, but it’s still easy to press. The Volume and Mute buttons do absolutely nothing if you haven’t set your Kinect up as an IR blaster. That’s silly considering the Media Remote *is* an IR remote and could communicate directly with other devices even without a Kinect.

The Channel buttons (surprisingly) do make themselves useful in the system menus. From the main home screen, pressing them will jump between Home, snapped apps, and the Store/Bing screen. In many system menus like Friends’ Activity, the channel buttons act like page up and down buttons, scrolling quickly through content. That said, not every menu makes use of them.

Finally, the standard array of Play/Pause, Rewind, Fast-forward, Skip Back, Skip Forward, and Stop occupy the bottom of the remote. Play is easy to find by touch because of that non-extruded Mute button.

Performance issues

Much as I love video streaming, I still watch a ton of Blu-rays and DVDs. The Media Remote mostly improves the disc-watching experience, with one major exception. It lacks a dedicated menu button! The pop-up menu is an essential component of navigation on Blu-rays, and DVD menus also get lots of use. Yet somehow, not a single button on the Media Remote performs those functions.

With a regular Xbox One controller, you can launch a disc’s pop-up menu by pressing the Menu (Start) button. The same button on the remote does nothing. To access a pop-up menu or top menu, you have to press Play/Pause to open the playback menu, select the ellipsis button on the side of the menu, and THEN find the menu button of choice. What a convoluted and unpleasant place to hide one of Blu-ray and DVD’s most important functions.

I already mentioned the Media Remote doesn’t emulate the exact same functions as a regular controller, which explains why the remote’s Menu button does nothing during disc playback. It turns out that apps must specifically support the remote in order for it to work. Guess which uber popular video app doesn’t support the remote then? YouTube! Launch the YouTube app and you won’t be able to navigate at all. Only the Home or Back buttons will exit the app.

Overall Impression

The Xbox One Media Remote’s lack of a menu button for disc playback and incompatibility with YouTube need to be fixed ASAP. Luckily, those are both simple app issues that Microsoft can address without much effort. The Media Remote SHOULD have included all four main face buttons and emulated a standard controller, just like the Xbox 360 remote did before it. But throwing out things that worked fine in favor of lesser implementations has been a common design trait of the Xbox One (see our launch review for many more examples).

Those complaints aside, the Media Remote is still an essential purchase for movie and TV lovers. It’s far too easy to interrupt playback by hitting the triggers on a regular controller, and Kinect voice commands sometimes fail to work. The Media Remote provides exactly the instant responsiveness and convenience you’d want in a remote control. It works great with Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Video, and also does an admirable job of navigating system menus. The price could be a little lower, but you won’t find a better video control option for the Xbox One anytime soon.

Note that the remote remains scarce at the time of review because Microsoft short-shipped all domestic retailers. The supply issues should clear up within a week or two.

Xbox One Media Remote – $24.99 – Amazon Link

###August, 2014 Update

The Media Remote now works with YouTube!

Xbox One Media Remote Confirmed – coming this March for $24.99

Michael Archambault — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 17:12:56 +0000

Yesterday we reported on the possible announcement and availability dates for Microsoft’s Xbox One Media Remote. As of today, we can confirm the previously mentioned reports and provide more information about the Media Remote itself. Wondering what the remote will be able to control and exactly when you will be able to pick it up? Check after the break for all the details you could possibly endure about a remote.

Microsoft has officially announced that the Xbox One Media Remote will become available this early March and will allow consumers to control various aspects of their entertainment consoles. The main functionality of the Xbox One Media Remote will be aimed at controlling video playback of Blu-ray movies and your favorite streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon instant Video.

It has been confirmed that the remote does contains dedicated Back and OneGuide buttons for quick access to your cable box through Xbox One’s HDMI In port. Microsoft is stating that the new Media Remote for Xbox One was “designed to help you listen, watch and switch among experiences instantly.”

In addition, the Media Remote does contain an Infrared transceiver that will allow you to control your TV and various audiovisual equipment via the remote; it provides an easy way to control aspects such as the television’s volume, power, and selected channel. We are yet to hear any official word from Microsoft on the topic of being able to control the entire Xbox UI via the remote itself.

The remote itself has been crafted with what Microsoft calls a “familiar design”, no doubt alluding to the design language of their Xbox One line of products. The surface of the remote is a soft silicone finish that we are personally hoping will help to reduce fingerprints and help to enhance grip.

Xbox One’s Media Remote will also feature basic motion sensing to understand when it has been picked up. As soon as you grab the remote off your coffee table, the keys of the remote will illuminate to help you out when watching movies in a dimly lit room.

The reported release date for the Xbox One Media Remote continues to be March 4, but Microsoft is simply stating “early March”. At that time, you will be able to pick up the remote for $24.99 in the United States and other stores around the globe.

What do you think of the Xbox One Media Remote – is the price tag sufficient?

Source: Microsoft

Xbox One Media Remote leaked by Amazon Canada, coming early March

Sam Sabri — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 02:21:53 +0000

Looking for another way to control your new Xbox One? You already have a few options out of the box. You can do things like use your voice, gestures, Xbox One controller or any SmartGlass-enabled device. It looks like Microsoft is adding a new device called the Xbox One Media remote as another input and navigation option.

The accessory was spotted on Amazon Canada, but quickly pulled. Thankfully there’s a cached page floating around the interwebs. In it we see that the Xbox One Media Remote is expected to come around March 4, 2014. The device will presumably go up for pre-order sometime between now and then. It’ll retail for CDN $24.99 (which is about $22.70 USD).

There’s no description on the page of what the Xbox One Media Remote does, but we probably don’t have to stretch our imaginations too much to figure out what this does. The Xbox 360 already has a comparable media remote that allows you to control the Xbox 360’s dashboard, DVD, CD, and media playback. It’s also useful for navigating and controlling the media functions of other apps like Netflix, HBOGO (please come to Xbox One already!), Hulu Plus, ESPN and others. We’re going to go out on a limb and say the Xbox One Media Remote will be very similar in functionality.

We’ll let you know when Microsoft does officially announce the accessory. Maybe it’ll come with the Xbox One Stereo Headset and Stereo Headset adapter?

In the meantime, let us know if you’d use a device like this or stick to using SmartGlass on your Windows Phone.

Source: Google Cache Via: Reddit