Review: Keyspan's remote great with Front Row, good with MediaCentral
As you'd guess from the name, the device is designed to work with Apple's Front Row multimedia software. And it does this flawless -- even better, in some regards, than Apple's own remote. It uses a radio frequency (RF) signal that works through walls and furniture. This provides more flexibility in locating the Mac and video display used with Front Row. Also, RF is more convenient than infrared remotes that require line of sight to the Mac. For instance, it works through walls. The Keyspan device delivers a range of 60 feet or more -- twice the distance of infrared remotes.
It sports a set of nine buttons that let you control Front Row software, eject a CD or DVD, put the Mac to sleep, wake it up and more. You can't do the latter with Apple's own remote. Nor can you mute your speakers; but you can with Keyspan's device. It also works with EyeTV software.
There's no software to install; setting up the RF Remote for Front Row is as easy as it gets. You take the remote, remove the battery cover, remove the clear plastic protector, and replace the battery cover. Turn the RF Remote on and connect the RF receiver to a free USB port on your Mac. The first time you connect the receiver to your Mac, the Keyboard Setup Assistant will appear and ask you to identify your "keyboard" (yep, it thinks that the receiver is a keyboard, for some reason). Just close the window, and the setup assistant won't bother you again. Next you have to "pair" your remote with the receiver. That simply requires a press of the pair button light on the latter. (You can change your remote's ID if another RF remote is being used). Now you're good to go.
The Keyspan RF Remote works almost flawlessly with MediaCentral -- "almost" being the key word. While it performs just about every function with aplomb, I never could get the Menu button to accomplish anything with MediaCentral. I thought I'd be able to use said button to return to the main menu with the equinux software up and running, but nada. I have no idea why this is the case. But it's an aggravation. I also wanted to use the remote to launch MediaCentral (you can do this with Apple's remote on Macs that come with 'em), but, again, I never could make this work. There may be a workaround or solution to this, but, if so, I'm unaware of it.
Still, the Keyspan RFT Remote for Front End is a heady, stylish, credit-card sized device that's great with Front End and pretty good with MediaCentral.
Macsimum rating: 9 out of 10.