ESPN "The Ultimate Remote" Universal Remote Reviews

• you gotta have it

  
  By A379PYQCS0VCUF on 2008-06-15
  New remote is terrific. Opened box. Turned it on. Set up is easy. It found my wi-fi unit and off we went. Logged on to web site once and I am able to send and receive emails. Amazing. I get daily weather, ESPN news and it works well as a remote. TV Guide listing on remote screen is cool. I can watch one show while finding content on the remote screen. A nice feature.
  
  

• Fully Loaded

  
  By A1MW0MBBAS9P7Q on 2008-06-19
  This remote isn't really like any other remote you may have ever seen or used. In fact, I would say it is like a mini internet-connected PDA that is also a remote. After switching it on for the first time, it looks for and connects to your wifi network and then asks you to fill in your zip code and time zone, set up your guide and only then add in devices like your tv and dish box.
  
  Adding in devices was fairly straightforward but for my devices there was some trial and error involved. For example, I have a panasonic and sony tv. The sony was no problem but for the panasonic, the remote presented a lot of different sets of codes and I had to go through quite a few before I got one that worked. Later, I realized it didn't have all the keys and I had to go back and look (more carefully) for the right set. I finally got the right one. I also have Dish which it knew straight away.
  
  The home menu of the remote looks very much like a cell phone with icons for applications like TV listings, weather and messaging. The weather icon changes with the outside temperature and conditions which is nice. If you 'click' it, it gives you a five day forcast which is a feature I would use quite a bit.
  
  The tv listings are an amazingly useful feature. I immediately setup a 'lineup' with only the channels I watch in it. I also set up some favorite shows that then appear in their own list. If you click on these then the remote tunes that channel which is very neat. I found I could hold the remote vertically, while looking at the screen, and it still changed the channel meaning the IR must come out of the remote at an angle and you don't have to worry too much about pointing it. The data always seemed to be correct and you get descriptions about each episode. The beauty of the tv listings is simply that you do not need to switch away from the current show to find out what's on other channels - an essential if anyone else is trying to watch TV!
  
  The remote also has activities which allows you to set up 'watch dish', 'play ps3' and 'all power off'. I was skeptical that this would work and plesantly surprised when the remote, seemingly by magic, worked out from my keypresses how to change the input on the TV. My only gripe is it chimes after changing the activity and volume doesn't work until you press 'ok' which seems to be unnecessary. Oh, the remote does not work with a PS3 (which is blue tooth - nothing does) which is a downer. I still got it to change inputs on the TV for the PS3 by putting in a 'dummy' device which helps.
  
  The remote is loaded with other features, some of which I am still finding by accident. For example, the 'ESPN' icon opens the ESPN Mobile site for all that has to offer. It is very handy to be able to access this although you might want to make the font bigger (which you can). There are other mobile sites too, such as WSJ and ABC news. There is even the mobile Amazon site although I am not writing this review through it! You can add in your own mobile links and store them in 'favorites'. I already use this more than I do on my actual cell phone (and its free because its over wifi, of course).
  
  There is an icon called 'Headlines' which has news snippets and pictures in it that are loaded instantly. If you want the full story, you can click through to a slower but more detailed page in the browser.
  
  Messaging can send email and text messages which is fun for trash talk and taunts. The text messages are free. There is a search icon that is good for finding out trivia and plot explanations for confusing movies! It even has a version of minesweeper with online high scores.
  
  In summary, it is a fully loaded device unlike any other remote. It doesn't come without downsides including the things already mentioned. It is not particularly comfortable to hold, some of the keys are a bit wobbly, it is bright red (although I knew that when I ordered it) and it might seem a bit complicated. But it is fun and functional and has people talking when they see it (although I'm fed up of explaining what it does).
  
  

• Slick Gimmicks Can't Distract from Fundamental Flaws

  
  By AHNHLGKIZ2N3B on 2008-07-30
  The ESPN "Ultimate Remote" boasts a mix of universal remote and smart phone functionality in a single handheld unit. Unfortunately, in its ambition to deliver it all, it ends up doing none of it very well. Far from the "ultimate" remote, it actually is a significant step backward from many of the current-gen home theatre remotes, and none of the tacked-on Wi-fi gimmicks can save it from those shortcomings.
  
  I've owned a Harmony 880 remote for over a year now and will be using it as a point of comparison vs. the ESPN Ultimate in this review.
  
  
  SETUP
  
  After initially charging in its cradle, the remote connects wirelessly to your broadband home network (802.11 b/g). Supply your WEP/WPA password and you're ready to go. This step was very simple and worked well.
  
  Next, you supply your time zone, location and TV service provider in order to set up your channel listings. You also must register your remote via the manufacturer's website in order to make the remote's Internet capabilities fully functional. By this point, you'll have noticed that the remote plays sounds via a horribly tinny speaker as you navigate menus and click on selections, including the famous SportsCenter "Da-Da-Da---Da-Da-Da" theme snippet. Luckily, you can turn off this gimmick from the main menu options.
  
  Finally, on to your home theater components. You need to tell the remote one-by-one what types of components you have as well as the manufacturer of each. It then starts walking through code sets for each, guessing as to which one is right for your components. You confirm with a keypress on the remote whenever it has found a match.
  
  Cycling through code sets went the way of the dodo for universal remotes about a decade ago, and for good reason. It takes too long to initially set up and even then, you're in the dark as to the exact key mapping that's been loaded. I much prefer the Harmony's PC application that allows me to see (and customize) every aspect of the remote's setup. The packaging for the ESPN Ultimate touts that there is no need to connect it to any PC or drag it all over the house to set it up. But instead of highlighting a plus, they're actually exposing a minus: I'd much rather have the ease and limitless flexibility that a PC interface offers, and frankly, if carrying my remote around the house ever becomes an issue, it's time to stop watching TV and get more exercise anyway!
  
  Also, the ESPN Ultimate's pre-loaded list of recognized devices did not include several components that my Harmony was able to find immediately, including the Philips Streamium media player, Xbox 360, etc. And there's simply no way in 2008 any universal remote should expect a user to do the point-and-learn remote dance anymore.
  
  Setting up activities (system-wide setups for common tasks like "Watch TV" or "Watch a DVD") is also very last-gen, requiring the user to really map out macros step-by-step and then program them in to the remote. The questionnaire that the remote uses to walk you through this setup is bare-bones and not very helpful, leaving much of the manual configuration to the user. Follow all this up with trial-and-error testing, and you've got a very long process ahead of you. Again, contrasted against the simple PC application that the Harmony uses to intuitively set up its activities, the ESPN Ultimate really falls short in the ease and flexibility departments.
  
  
  PERFORMANCE - HOME THEATER REMOTE
  
  As a home theater remote, the ESPN Ultimate offers good signal strength and very little delay (actually better than the Harmony). For its steep price, I'm amazed that RF isn't included, so the remote requires line-of-sight in order to communicate with devices.
  
  Since the setup was so lousy, I was left with lots of guesswork as to which keys to exactly what, and I quickly found myself having to go through way too many keystrokes for the most simple of tasks. For example, when I'm watching a DVD, I sometimes want to tweak the volume for the center or rear channels. On my Harmony, I was able to easily configure some of its programmable soft keys to control these AV receiver functions while keeping the rest of the remote dedicated to the DVD player's functions. Not so with the ESPN Ultimate - here, I had to actually switch over to the AV Receiver and then root through menu after menu to find where I can adjust these settings. That meant that the entire remote was then assigned to control the receiver, so I couldn't pause/rewind the DVD.
  
  It grabs TV listings from your wireless network to display on the unit, but isn't this just functionality overlap? Doesn't every Tivo and cable box have an on-screen schedule now? You can set which shows are your favorites and have the remote remind you with its obnoxious sounds, but you can't tell it to send a "Record" command back to your Tivo or VCR. So the TV listings are there, but they don't really belong on your remote, do they?
  
  
  PERFORMANCE - INTERNET
  
  The ESPN Ultimate also uses its wireless connection to surf the mobile web. It comes preloaded with several sites spanning news (Yahoo), business (WSJ.com) and sports (ESPN, of course).
  
  Speed is decent and the LCD display looks very good. The default text size on the small screen will challenge some users' eyes.
  
  I found that accidentally wandering into any site that isn't mobile-friendly will lock up the remote. I was still able to control home theater devices, but the main menu and anything web-related was unavailable. This has happened to me twice after only using the remote for a week. In each instance, I had to pry off the back cover and remove the lithium ion battery. Luckily, the remote didn't lose any of its initial setup each time I had to do this, but every time felt like rolling the dice.
  
  
  ERGONOMICS
  
  With all of these buttons to press, I became acutely aware of how cheaply-made the remote feels. Aside from looking like a toy with its atrociously garish red keys, it also feels like may fall apart after routine use. The keys sit loosely in the unit, and even rattle if you gently shake it. Also, sometimes even the lightest key press can result in a horrible torqued plastic groan - the previous reviewer who said that it looks and sounds like it's made of Legos was right on.
  
  And if anyone wants to defend this remote by saying that I just don't know how to use it - you may actually be correct because it comes with no instructions! Only a quick start guide is included in the package. To get the entire manual, you must register it online and then the website contains that info spread out over multiple html pages - you can't even download the entire manual as a PDF. I thought that this thing was supposed to be so PC-independent!
  
  The unit comes with a docking cradle and charging cable. The cradle stands the remote up almost vertically, adding to its already high "sore thumb" factor whenever it's docked. The remote itself has a port for the charge cable if you want to avoid using the cradle, but managing the mini-USB cable on its own would be difficult and look messy.
  
  
  CONCLUSION
  
  Part universal remote, part smart phone, the ESPN Ultimate performs neither function set very well. It tries to use gimmicks like the ESPN look and sound to hype up demand, but it can't compete with many other universal remotes currently on the market (often for less money). Finally, it locks up during routine use and feels like its cheap build could break at any time. Spend the money on a better-designed dedicated remote and leave the web browsing to your laptop or smart phone.
  
  
  PROS
  * Beautiful LCD screen for displaying mobile web pages
  
  CONS
  * Clunky setup routine takes too long and you never end up with the configuration that you really want
  * Reliability - unit locks up repeatedly
  * Cheap materials - the remote looks and feels like a toy
  * Price - there are much better multi-function remotes on the market for less money
  
  

• Best Remote ever

  
  By A3OYFFPGGBOXDX on 2008-06-17
  This is one of the best remote I have ever had. With this remote, you can send and recieve text messages. It is so cool when you're watching a movie you can go online and read about it. You can press guide on your remote and look at what's on other chanels without disturbing others. In additon, this remote can be used in the living room and bedrooms.
  If you're into technology and you like fancy things this remote is definitely for you because it does it ALL. I highly recommend to everybody.
  
  

• Great handheld wi-fi "thing" but remote, not so much

  
  By A3JLGYV7IN38YN on 2008-07-24
  First, this is a mighty attractive remote, bright red with white print, and fits the hand nicely. It has a nice bright screen and just looks darn cute sitting on the coffee table. I like the charging base also, which props the remote upright and offers easy retrieval.
  
  I had some trouble setting it up initially. It kept hanging up on "searching for wireless" until I decided to enter the IP address manually. It turned out that it found the wireless but had stuck on the searching screen for some reason. Anyway, the wi-fi was working, then it was time to set up the devices to use with the remote. This was quite easy, and didn't require being plugged into a computer as the Harmony remotes do.
  
  You simply choose what piece of equipment you are setting up, scroll through a list of brand names, and then the remote will try out all the different codes while you watch. When one of the codes works, you have to be quick on the trigger finger to stop the searching, and then, indeed, the remote controls the TV, DVD, and all the rest.
  
  Where it falls short of the Harmony remotes is in putting it all together so that anyone can pick up the remote, choose "watch DVD" and have the remote power on all the necessary devices and set the video input so that it's done without further intervention. If this is possible with the ESPN remote, I haven't figured out how to do it, which in itself makes it harder than the Harmony, since that is all taken care of with the online setup.
  
  Now, where this remote gets fun is the non-remote parts. You can access the internet for news headlines, weather, and of course sports scores, with an emphasis on ESPN sites, but the ability to go anywhere online. You also give it your location and it downloads up-to-the-minute TV listings, which is a really nice touch. You can even customize the TV listings for different family members so that only their favorite channels are listed.
  
  There is a messaging section for sending text messages, presumably about the big game being watched in many locations by you and all your friends (or the awards show, or really, just anything). I am a little past the target age for IMing, but I can see this being a very popular feature with the kids I see constantly texting on their cell phones in the mall.
  
  It's somewhat of an unfair comparison, because of the extra features on the ESPN remote, but as a universal remote only, I like the Harmony remotes much better for ease of setup and ease of use. Even the cheapest Harmony remote is simpler to operate as a remote than this one, for a lot less money.
  
  However, though the price seems a bit steep to me, that could be because I typically have my laptop computer handy when I'm watching TV, so I can access all the online spots easily without the ESPN remote. If my only computer was a desktop in another location, I would get a lot more thrill out of the online features, and I'm sure that's the case with a lot of potential customers for this remote.
  
  All in all, there is plenty of "wow" factor here.
  
  
• All I Can Say is Wow....
  By A31HE83MU98GBV on 2008-07-21
  I just received the ESPN Ultimate Remote today and all I can say is Wow! This thing has the most gorgeous color LCD - hands down, no contest beats the LCD screen on our Harmony 880. You don't have to connect to your PC to setup (unlike the Harmony), as this thing has built-in WiFi (802.11 b/g). Here are my first impressions - I will be updating once we've had a little longer to give this thing a test spin.
  
  WHAT'S IN THE BOX?
  
  First of all, hope you have a good pair of scissors or the "Open It" tool because this packaging was brutal! Well worth the effort though. Once inside, it includes:
  
  -Quick Startup Guide
  -Warranty Information (1 year)
  -Charging Dock
  -Cable
  -Remote
  
  Note: This charges via mini-USB. You can charge by inserting the remote into dock and plugging the mini-USB charger into the back of the dock, or you can connect to the remote directly, as it has a mini USB port on the side.
  
  SETUP STEPS
  
  1) Fully charge device for 4 hours prior to use
  2) Connect via WiFi to set up your remote
  3) Setup TV Listings - enter zip code and find your provider
  4) Setup Remote Control - set up your devices such as TV, receiver, etc.
  5) Register your remote online for full user manual and to register for the messaging feature
  
  One nice feature here is you can set up the remote in the same room as all your stuff. No more list making or running back and forth to the computer room to configure the remote. A nice little bonus. And, it makes the SPORTSCENTER noise!!
  
  DEVICE KEY
  
  Gives you the ability to choose any of your devices that you've set up (up to 15 types). Very similar setup to the Harmony 880, as it will give you a list of device commands.
  
  ACTIVITY KEY
  
  Such as "Watch TV", "Watch Movies" etc. Again, similar to the Harmony 880 which is great. I love being able to hit one button and have the TV Video input (Sony), Receiver (Harmon Kardon) and all other aspects of our home theater system follow suit. You don't have to be an expert to work the TV and there isn't only "one person" in the house that knows how to work the remote.
  
  TV LISTINGS
  
  How amazing is this? You can see the channel lineup for what's on, even has little logos for the stations. You can even browse the listings while the TV is still turned off. Another neat feature here is that you can personalize a "mini guide" for each user and list their favorite channels for easy accessibility. There is also sections for Sports, Movies, and an option to save your favorites under "My Shows". Who would have thought you'd love to see a program guide on your remote? Why block those viewing the TV while you peruse to find something else? Or browse away from the prying eyes of your family or spouse for that "better" thing that's sure to be out there.
  
  INTERNET CONTENT
  
  Access ESPN sports scores, gamecasts, manage your ESPN.com fantasy team. Other internet sites offered through the click365 portal. This includes news headlines, ABC news, amazon.com shopping (I'm officially in heaven!), E! Entertainment News, Yahoo Search, Facebook and even games and a favorites bar to store your own websites. Unbelievable. It's basically like having a remote, PDA and score updating system all in one. This is truly a gadget lover's dream.
  
  Let's say you are watching a movie and you can't remember where you've seen that actor or actress in. It's driving you crazy! Don't even get up, just pull up imdb.com and settle that nagging feeling right away, or win that bet that Dustin Hoffman wasn't in Star Wars ;-)
  
  OTHER FEATURES
  
  This is a programmable learning remote. If you can't find the code for one of your older (or newer) items, the remote will learn the command. We've used this for a standing Soleus fan with success.
  
  Wireless updates of new equipment codes - no more finding the cord, hooking it to the PC to update.
  
  Automatic backup of your user-programmed remote control settings.
  
  Light sensor adjusts LCD to room brightness
  
  Versatile text messaging allows you to text mobile phone or e-mail
  
  SUMMARY
  
  If you are a technology lover and a sports fan, or just a gadget lovin' gal or guy like me, you are going to absolutely love this device. I cannot wait until fantasy football season with this baby! This device does require a broadband connection and Wi-Fi connectivity.
  
  
• Outstanding product!
  By A30Z0GG96D11EO on 2008-07-23
  I received this product on Monday and was very excited. We are remote addicts because we have a whole entertainment system set up as well as wireless/WIFI situation going on in our apartment.
  
  At first sight, the ESPN "Ultimate remote" is very sleek and sexy. My husband loves the color red, so this was a wonderful surprise for him as well. The remote also has silver edging. It isn't heavy, but it isn't a tiny remote that you can use while you are trying to go to sleep. Aesthetically... it is gorgeous and the buttons are well thought out. The layout works! There is also a joystick to navigate through the menus which is a welcome change in our household. The screen is rather large and the colors are awesome. It seems like a high end cell phone screen. One part that I rather enjoy is that the screen isn't a touch screen. Our other remote (Sima IR/RF remote) is a touch screen and I am constantly tired of cleaning the scuzzy fingertips off of the surface.
  
  Now onto it's advertised abilities or "claims".... They aren't just claims... this baby does everything it says!!! When you open the package you are surprised to find a one page folded color booklet. I was afraid that it wasn't enough directions. That one page is more than sufficient and takes you step by step to begin setting up your new remote. That is it!! It was easy and effortless. If my 5 year old could fully read, she would have been able to work through it. Everything is on there... from setting up your Plasma/LCD to your old tube television that you would rather no one knows about LOL. You need to have a wireless connection/WIFI set up throughout your home or this remote will not be able to function to its' full capacity. The internet is quick and it does deliver the scores, news, weather, gossip and even a bit of AMAZON shopping! That bought it for me! You can even message.... everything is brought to you from the Click365 network. You do not need a PC to set up your remote. You truly remove it from its box and begin (well you do have to charge it further, per their instructions; even though ours was fully charged).
  
  A function that we fell in love with is the fact that you can channel surf off of your remote without actually turning on your television. You don't actually watch the channels, but you get to see the whole guide and what is currently on. Now that is an amazing feat! Another cool discovery was in the middle of the night, I went into the kitchen and the remote was in it's cradle charging.... all of a sudden the screen lit up. There is motion detection on this bad boy! We can't seem to find a button to turn off the remote though. That isn't an issue because finally we are dealing with a remote that doesn't need standard AA/AAA batteries. It runs off a rechargable Lithium battery which you can charge in its provided dock or from its cord.
  
  There is so much that this thing does that I could go on for days... It can control up to 18 devices in multiple rooms. It found most our devices quickly, we did have an issue with a Sony receiver ( we always do); but eventually found it. IT is a learning remote that can never become obsolete. It can always learn your new devices in the future so you don't have to worry about the cost of this remote because it will pay for itself in the future. You will not have to upgrade.
  
  Now onto the bad... so far it has frozen up 3 times and it had to be rebooted. Maybe it is just my device because I haven't read anyone else complaining of the same issue.
  
  Finally, the reason it isn't a five-star is a major one in our household; this remote isn't IR/RF. What that means is that it cannot control your devices through the walls or floors. We have our system set up in a closet, so that we didn't need to have a hundred things laying around our living room. WE always go for IR/RF remotes so that our devices can be controlled throughout the home without having to actually point at the actual device that we are trying to control. This remote doesn't do that! With everything great on this thing... why couldn't they have implemented that great little function??? WE REALLY LOVE this remote but don't know how we will use it since everything in the living room is stashed away. Hopefully, we will be able to find some sort of extenders that will enable us to use the remote the same as our SIMA remote that I had previously reviewed.
  
  Any suggestions??? WONDERFUL product that you should buy today... I don't know how we lived without it before.... just wish it had IR/RF capability.
  
  
• A new best friend for the sports fanatic in your family!
  By AEWYUPCNDV7HY on 2008-07-25
  My husband is a Patriots fan, big time. During football season he drives me crazy needing to know the final scores before he goes to bed or as soon as he wakes up. Since we live on the East coast, this has caused irregular sleep patterns during the season. I have a suspicion this will bring him peace and sleep during those cool months because now he can keep this with him in bed and check live scores and sports news without turning the TV on.
  
  If you are somewhat technically inclined, this might be a good remote for you. It does take some patience to set up, but then it's a pleasure to use. I'm going to compare and contrast this remote in a few areas to the Harmony one.
  
  First, with this remote you have to find the set of commands that work for your device. In the case of my Toshiba HD-A3 720p/1080i HD DVD Player I had to scroll through 36 or 37 sets of codes to find the combination that works for my DVD player. Most of my other devices including my Sony Bravia were within the first few code options. On the other hand, my Scientific Atlanta HD-DVR was not to be found, so I had to use the Scientific Atlanta cable box option and custom program the extra functions. With the Harmony One you use a worksheet to gather model #'s and your computer will program the remote for you.
  
  Once all my devices were programmed I set out to create activities. Since this is also an activity based remote, that means that I can select "Watch TV", "Listen to Radio", or any number of custom activities I can think of. When you select the activity all devices will turn on that are required for this activity. The main drawback is when changing activities, let's say from "Watch TV" to "Listen to CD" it will leave the TV on, as well as the cable box, while turning the stereo on. I also found it was not always right when it came to turning the inputs on the TV and stereo receiver, but luckily it has a it has a help screen that you can click on until the correct input is selected. The work-around to this problem is to power down all devices before selecting a new activity. The Harmony is easier to use in this regard.
  
  On to one of my favorite features. I love the fact that I can browse TV listings right from the beautiful LCD screen on the remote, without taking up any space on my TV screen. It also gives you the show synopsis. You can also switch channels right from the lineup on the remote. This is clearly superior than the Harmony One in this regard.
  
  My other favorite feature of this remote is that each user can define their own channel lineup. In the case of my daughter, I'm was able to create a channel menu that included only Disney, Toon Disney, ABC Family, Nickelodeon, NickToons, Discovery Kids, and Animal Planet. It makes it so easy to just take a quick look at your favorite channels without scrolling through hundreds and hundreds of stations.
  
  The remote, like the Harmony One, is sensitive to motion, so if you pick it up, it will immediately light up. It also has a side button to also illuminate the keys in addition to the screen.
  
  The weather feature is nice. Without turning on the TV, listening to the radio, or looking outside I can immediately know not only the current weather conditions including temp, wind, and wind direction, but I can also see my 5 day forecast for my zip code.
  
  This remote is also Wifi enabled, so you can get internet news and shopping. I logged into my Amazon account and was able to add items to my shopping cart right from the remote. It also provides headline, entertainment, and finance news as well through the click365 network.
  
  Overall, I really like this remote, but it's not for the tame of heart because set up is a bit difficult. If you can overcome this issue, it's a joy to use and the features are outstanding.
  
  
  
• Excellent and unique remote, especially for an ESPN fan.
  By A680RUE1FDO8B on 2008-07-24
  tvCompass, Inc. and Click365 have an interesting concept: brand their "universal interactive remote" with a well known entity, like ESPN, and presumably sell to a niche market. In reality, the ESPN "Ultimate Remote" is a solid device whether or not you like ESPN.
  
  The Ultimate Remote can control up to 18 devices without having to use a PC. I was able to set up a TV, DVD and DVR for basic functionality without difficulty. Setting up specific functions, such as opening the disc drawer on a DVD player or ejecting the disc are more complex, requiring "training" using your current device remote. I haven't quite mastered that one yet. Overall, basic device set up is quick and easy.
  
  The cool part of the Ultimate Remote is supposed to be its interactivity - and I must admit, some of the interactive functions are impressive. You connect the Ultimate Remote to your WiFi network. It supports both WEP and WAP2 security. You enter your security codes through the alpha-numeric keyboard. Pretty simple.
  
  You set the cable guide to your area and carrier and you have a handheld TV listing, which is pretty cool. There's also a specific movie guide which I think is handy.
  
  Click365 operates a portal through which you can access ESPN features, news and weather. The problem is the 2.2 inch screen. While it is clear and crisp, even at the largest size, text is still difficult to read with my aging eyes.
  
  You can also send and receive text messages which, perhaps, may be a very cool feature for people who are into texting.
  
  tvCompass, Inc. and Click365 are, I think, definitely on to a good idea here. Branding with entitites like Discovery Channel or even PBS could attract a niche audiences. Perhaps they can use programmable ROMs to customize the product for specific partners like A&E, HBO and so forth.
  
  Overall, the product has a high "cool" factor, is relatively easy to program and has interactive features that some may find very useful. The only thing I don't like about the product is the packaging. It comes in an "I" shaped plastic clamshell which requires a great deal of time and effort to open.
  
  Jerry
  
  
• A Bachelor's Dream
  By A18YMFFJW974QS on 2008-07-24
  Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RIGJQGOCPW8T2
  THE ESPN Remote is every young Bachelor's dream! Unfortunately, between the price and the bright red color it may go along way to help keep him a bachelor!
  
  In all honesty while I love many of the features - I did uncover a few things that were less than perfect.
  
  I found the set-up to be cumbersome. While I was able to get the remote to do most of what I wanted it was not a straight-forward process. While the Logitech Harmony (Series or high-end remote controls) needs a computer the program that you use is very powerful, and allows you to customize the remote in many ways.
  
  Other things that seem strange. The ESPN REMOTE HAS A wonderful option that allows you to see all of the channels and the listings on the remotes screen (See video). This is "Fan"tastic.. but you are unable to select the channel from the listing. Instead ou have to exit the "Tv Listings" and manually select the channel. Not a big deal, but it seems to be a glaring oversight. Others have found ways to get over this hump, but to date... I can't.
  
  The internet functionality is nice, but it essentially the sam I have on my cell phone (Palm Treo). A newer cell phone such as the Iphone 3G will have much more functionality than the ESPN remote. So does it really make sense to integrate a remote with a cell phone?
  
  The color is BRIGHT red. My wife has already asked where I plan on "hiding that thing".
  
  Don't get me wrong - the ESPN remote is a VERY nice remote, but for $300...
  
  Overall 4 stars for me - Married and in my early 30'... 5 stars if I was still 25!
  
  
• Universal Remote Does All
  By A3OOQH73VQ97VN on 2008-07-23
  It looks like a big 3G+ handphone, with colourful LCD screen (320x240) and nice buttons. You can recharge it with the included lithium ion battery and charger. It can replace all my remote. For those not in the code, I can manually point my old remote to it and include the commands. The most attracting portion is the wifi web access. You can access sports/news/stocks/weather information for free as long as you have wifi access at home or in shopping malls (but I guess few would bring this along). It can also do instant messaging and sms (I have yet to try out this). But I think the costs of ownership is pretty high that sales is slow. But it's good to see such innovative products spur the industry for sustained competition.
  
  Will update you after I do a thorough use on Internet access and messaging features.
  
  
• Firmware Updates Could Still Save The Ultimate Remote
  By A2RN2AO4BE6F4K on 2008-08-19
  I'm a remote junkie. I've programmed a bunch of different universal remotes from the RadioShack 6-in-1 with its no screen/button only programming to the Logitech Harmony One Advanced Universal Remote with its simple online setup. So I know what I like and what works. I was very excited about getting this remote. WiFi capable sounded awesome (and is). I thought it was strange that they promoted "No PC Required" since my Harmony One uses the PC and it is so easy to setup. I didn't think of the PC as a stumbling point at all. As I suspected, programming it wasn't as easy as the online setup that the Harmony uses. The ESPN remote does take some technical savvy to get it hooked to your wireless setup and to get devices and activities setup. Being a programmer, I had fun doing it, but it was frustrating at points. I wanted to give this remote a 5 star review so badly that I worked very hard with customer support and on my own to find out the most I could and to give it every change. It's not at a 5 star level yet, but hopefully with firmware updates, they can get there. Some of the upgrades that they told me were coming sound promising. And since it has WiFi they can add all sorts of cool features in the future.
  
  Device Setup:
  
  The ESPN remote requires you to look up your device (TV, DVD, DVR, etc.) by brand. You then have to go through a trial and error process to find a codeset that not only works, but that has all the buttons/functions that you need for that device. They do not have their database sorted by Model Number (yet see below). It took me quite a while to get a good codeset for my Sony receiver that would switch to all the inputs with one button. I needed to bull my way through 40+ codesets. You need discrete input buttons for activities later. The TV wasn't too bad to get set up. The learning feature is really easy, so adding any function you don't find in the codeset is easy. Don't be afraid to use the learning function.
  
  Activity Setup:
  
  Activities again are not as easy to setup as the Harmony One. It runs a wizard to get your audio and video sources correct. You may have to tweak what it comes up with to get everything correct. The "All Power Off" function does not allow you to leave the power on for a device (like your DVR). I mentioned this to customer support, so hopefully they will upgrade this.
  
  Support:
  
  Customer support was really good. I worked with a guy that was very patient and very sharp. Here are some of the things we addressed:
  
  - Adding model numbers to the add device process and online remote setup. Here is what they said: "We have a couple of innovations to the 'Add device wizard' on the remote in development and model numbers is just one of them. Another is that if you don't have the model number, the search will be much smarter and be able to home in on the correct command set much more quickly than it does currently. I personally believe that with these improvements, it will be so straightforward there will be no need to duplicate this setup on the PC. However, we will review that after those features are rolled out."
  
  - The ability to manage your contacts on the click365.tv portal. For me it was slow to enter in email addresses. This would allow you to add them on the website.
  
  
  What's Cool:
  
  - An Olympics icon popped up on the start screen during the Summer Olympics. It takes you right to a web page dedicated to the Olympics. This special programming was really cool. I'm looking forward to other special things.
  - WiFi - This is really neat. From TV listings to searches to live scores it's awesome!
  - Texting / Emailing -- Come on! Emailing from your remote. May sound silly but it's really cool.
  - The Screen is very cool and the buttons light up so nice!
  - The ESPN sound byte when it starts up. Hopefully we can add more sounds!
  
  Notes:
  
  - You can jump right to a program from the listings. Just push down the stick. It will tune to that channel.
  - Some of the buttons do feel a little cheap.
  - No touch screen. I like the Harmony One Touch Screen. It does have the six side buttons that perform functions that are labeled on the screen.
  
  Conclusion:
  
  The ESPN remote has a lot of promise but isn't as functional or easy to use as the Harmony One. I had fun using it, but I wouldn't trade in my Harmony One just yet especially for more money.
  
  
• Impressive remote for sports
  By A1P96XEHQ4FAV5 on 2008-07-02
  I purchased this remote for the sports information and it does that exactly as advertised. You can check scores, news and you can even sign in to personalize your teams and fantasy baseball. There is a ton of other stuff too like TV Listings and SMS messages. Connecting to my wifi network was easy, as was adding in TV Listings and TV/cable box. Downsides? - can't think of any at the moment.
  
  
• Better than expected remote but with flaws
  By A30X750M8V1XXW on 2008-07-29
  UPDATE. After a few days of using the remote I found another nice feature and that is the back light which lights the entire remote up. I do have a few minor negative things to say though, some of the buttons are a bit difficult to press and I think softer rubber buttons would be better then hard plastic. Some of the number buttons take 2 times to get it to register and the omni directional button in the center is worthless. It selects when you are trying to scroll. For the most part the remote can control just about all the normal functions needed but when watching a DVD I couldn't get to the main menu and while watching satellite tv I could not find the previous channel button.
  
  I was excited to get this remote as I have been looking at a few other brands. The remote was super easy to set up. All instructions on the lcd screen guide you thru the entire process. I setup my satellite box, surround sound, DVD player and my lcd tv that no other "universal" remote could do. And that alone was the great part about this remote (if you only knew how long I've been using 3 remotes for this tv).
  
  It also has wifi built into it which I didn't know and am very happy to have. It tells me the weather, and also downloads the tv guide schedule. I can view what's on tv right on the remote, which is a really cool feature. It is also capable of text messaging but I haven't tried that yet. It also has a ambient light sensor that auto adjusts the lcd screens brightness so if its dark in the room you don't get blasted by a super bright lcd light.
  
  I think its a great remote, easy to set up and love the wifi internet features. I only give it 4 stars because its a bit more expensive than other competitor models out there that can do the same and for much less.
  
  
• So far not bad
  By AIIR8E34EDKCQ on 2008-08-21
  Yes I agree that this is a monster to program, something I left my boyfriend with when it arrived but it was mostly for him so I figured it would be okay to let him bond with it properly! He'd the sports maven, I mostly resort to basketball so it's a fun gadget, I don't even know how he finds time to always check scores, must be a man thing : ) but he no longer has to get up from the tv to see that his favorite teams are battling some sort of a frustratingly tight score to beat...
  
  Remote is relatively easy to use and even though I still use the Harmony one ( which broke after few months - just random act of anger from the Electronic Gods) whenever it feels like cooperating but I like the way this looks and feels. They keys don't make noise and the remote looks cool. I will update the review if it starts to disappoint but so far so good and the remote works well - the signal always reaches the tv and I no longer have to waive my hands around for the channel or volume to change!
  
  
  
• Once you get past the packaging obstacle, a surprisingly good and useful remote. On screen guide knocks it out of the park.
  By A1VKAY0XWLA2CY on 2008-08-21
  Here's a product that would have brought sports fans sobbing to their knees 10-15 years ago. Easy access to relevant game and player stats, an intuitive interface allowing one to find broadcasts quickly and easily. Reasonably quick and easy set-up. Attractive aesthetically, even if Michigan Wolverine fans might disagree (that red and silver may be casually confused for scarlet and gray, by those with the proper eye). This is not, of course, to suggest that the remote is not relevant today, just that an increasing number of homes have laptops or phones with mobile broadband, and much of the same information may be accessed, and often in deeper and more attractive form, through those devices.
  
  So I came into this product thinking: (1) I have to program it the "old" way, giving it product codes and hoping for the best, not doing it through my computer. (2) Why do I care about its connectivity and access to stats and info when my laptop is always handy? (3) Setting those considerations and its unique features aside, can it stand up in terms of convenience and use against other modern universals?
  
  Before I was able to really tackle any of these questions, I had to contact my local heavy equipment rental outlet in order to procure a chainsaw, high temperature torch, and the jaws of life. Once these arrived and I was able to extract the remote, the charging stand, and documents from their sealed plastic tomb, I was well on my way. No initial charge, no wasting a day getting ready to go, the remote was on before I intended, and I started playing right away. The programming process took longer than I would have liked, having (as many other reviewers here have) programmed the Logitech Harmony One Advanced Universal Remote I did feel like I was taking a technological step backwards by going the old "match the hardware to the code" route, but it went smoothly and I was controlling my components without any problems before long. Over the next few weeks, I used this exclusively, putting the Harmony One out of casual and easy reach, and it really grew on me. It's comfortable, attractive, intuitive, and (little surprise) easy access to data through the remote is quicker and easier than dragging the old laptop out, turning it on, and loading up a site like ESPiN. The remote does indeed stand up to its peers, like them, it could certainly use a little more polish, but that can come (as it can for most devices these days) through software upgrades.
  
  I will be going back to the Harmony One, but this will certainly be put into use in another room. It's now my second string remote. It seems to me that the ESPN Universal Remote may be a better gift than a buy, one of those things where a sports fan will love to have it, but might be less enthusiastic about laying down the rather high (but comparable with its peers) price -- but when is that not true? This remote really grew on me, and it's on a shortlist of gift ideas for certain family members.
  
  
• Not quite "The Ultimate Remote".... yet
  By A16RI68PS6T5CA on 2008-08-10
  Even before I managed to get this ESPN remote out of the blister package, I had already accidentally turned the unit on. I'm glad I didn't have to find batteries, or wait 16+ hours to fully charge the unit. By the time I was able to get the remote out of the packaging, it was already searching for wireless networks.
  
  Pros:
  - The screen works nicely and seems clear enough to read.
  - Sensitive to motion -- automatically turns on when picked up.
  - Full backlight on all of the buttons that is very useful when watching tv in dark rooms.
  - Good layout of buttons -- Overall, the buttons layout seems pretty well thought out (as long as you are a channel surfer and not a channel chooser because the 0-9 keys are all the way at the bottom...but who uses those anyways?)
  - Once you have set up your location, the home page has tv listing, ESPN, internet (haven't tried it yet), messaging that you can receive through click365 (I was able to send an e-mail from the remote), and weather. The tv listing is kinda nice too because it shows all listings according to filters such as movies, espn, family shows and HD broadcast. It displays in a grid format scrolling up and down through the channels and left and right to advance and review the timeslots.
  - Easy setup & Updates -- I followed the onscreen prompts to input the WEP and then setup on locale. It automatically connected to search for product updates and the then gathers information on TV listing based on your method of TV signal (terrestrial, cable, or satellite). The remote has a 5-way D-pad and left and right soft buttons makes navigation of the remotes screen very easy (of course it also makes it look and feel an awful lot like my old Nokia phone). Setup of devices and activity is similar to other all-in-one remotes such as the Logitech Harmony and the others.
  
  Cons:
  - Button response -- The buttons are hard plastic and have the clicky response. I am more partial to the rubber button with some give and the lack of "clicks".
  - While the remote 5-way d pad is very responsive and easy to use, the second 4 way d pad is horrible response (I use it for navigating tivo's menus and tv listing). Kinda weird that one is excellent and the other is so pitiful.
  - Changing channels from TV listings -- Another thing that doesn't make sense is that from the tv listing, you can see time date channel and listing details but there is no way to set it to change channel to that movie. You will have to find out what channel that show is playing on and then manually change it. For the price, if it can tell you when and where it is playing, it should be able to change the cannel for you.
  
  Overall, not a bad remote control that is easy to set up (without a PC!) and has some perks of internet connection that auto updates and has tv listings. I just hope that at the very least, con #3 be changed/fixed in an update.
  
  
• WOW, HORRIBLE!
  By A1YOKMW38MWQLY on 2008-06-17
  I am so shocked at the horrible quality of this product. If it was made by Legos it would have been better built. I dont recommend this product at all, not even if it sold for 20 dollars.
  
  
• The Ultimate Dissapointment?
  By A2X8KN82L07RSK on 2008-07-24
  Not quite, but while waiting on this remote to arrive, I was all but ready to give it a 5 star review once I got a chance to use it. I was even brainstorming some titles like "The Harmony killer", "The Harmony on steroids", however after using it I must say sadly that I was not blown away. In fact I was a little let down. Even with all the features that it has, I still prefer my Harmony 670. Sadly the good features of this remote are offset by the bad; making it not worth the pretty hefty price tag.
  
  
  The Good...
  
  The first thing that I immediately notice is that disposable batteries are not needed for this remote to function. Instead it already comes with a chargeable battery pack that can be charged via your standard AC outlet or with a computer via a USB cable. This was a nice surprise because I was expecting it to require AA or AAA batteries.
  
  The second thing I noticed is that bright color screen, while certainly not essential for the functionality of a remote, it is a nice addition. I must admit, that visually it looks better than the black/white screen on my Logitech Harmony 670.
  
  The real good stuff is the Wi-Fi and internet capabilities of this remote. As soon as you turn the remote on for the first time, it asks you to connect to a Wi-Fi network using the passphrase. This process was very simple and straightforward and I was able to connect it to the internet in less than two minutes. After connecting to the internet, it downloaded some remote updates for the web until finally asking me to select my cable provider in order for it to download the TV listings. When everything is set up you can search TV listings, browse websites such as ESPN, news stations and even send text messages to a mobile phone or email address. Another good feature is that once you have your devices set up, you can browse the TV listings and turn to that particular channel right from the TV listing screen. I have heard one person with the same remote being unable to do this, but for me it worked just fine. So keeping this in mind, your mileage may vary. Also with the TV listings you can view the synopsis of the show that's on or even future shows without even using the cable box. This is very helpful and avoids covering up the bottom 3rd of the screen with the annoying listing bar that many Digital Set top cables boxes have. Even better for TV's that don't have a digital cable box hooked to it, there is no need to even turn to the very slooooooooooooow moving TV Guide channel waiting all day to see what's coming on next.
  
  
  The Bad...
  
  First of all, while I knew ahead up time that the remote will certainly stand out with the bright red color and I had no problem with that. However, it does not look as good in person as it does on the computer screen. I was expecting shiny red plastic; instead I was left with a dull looking red plastic making it more of a conspicuous eye sore. Even worse the feel of the remote is very cheap feeling and does not feel sturdy; in fact it feels like a child's toy and something that cannot take much abuse due to the occasional drop.
  
  Ergonomics is not this remote's strong suit either. While I can easily operate my Harmony 670 comfortably with one hand, the ESPN remote is another story. Even though it's not much larger than the Harmony, it's very difficult to operate it with one hand. A big reason for this is the poor placement of the buttons. The number keys are right beside each other making fat fingering a common occurrence. The directional pad and the "OK" button are poorly designed as well. You have to press each direction pretty hard for it to work. And the "OK" button is so small, if you don't press down on it hard enough or don't press in a direct downward motion, you will end up inadvertently moving it up, down, left or right. In other words, there is no room for error. Overall, attempting to operate this remote with one hand may result in a very nice cramping sensation in the bottom part of your thumb. In fact, my thumb was still feeling the effects of using this remote the following morning.
  
  I wish the ergonomics and the cheap feel of the remote were the ONLY complaints but it's not. Another issue I had was that the process to set up devices and activities is very cumbersome. Because the ESPN remote, like many other universal remotes, rely on manufacturer codes, this becomes a lengthy trial an error process. The makers of the ESPN remote actually touted not needing a computer to set up the remote with devices/activities as an advantage, but in reality it's a disadvantage. The Harmony's process of adding devices and activities is tremendously simplified since you are able to tell the software EXACTLY which device you have and it's able to get the exact button configuration for that device's remote without much customization from the user. Because the ESPN remote is internet enabled, I reasonably assumed that it would be able do something similar by downloading the specific device information from a product database via net; however I was mistaken. While granted all the manufacturer codes are stored in the remote without you having to manually enter them, you still have to cycle through each one until you find one that works. Some manufacturers have nearly 100 codes for a device, so if you are unlucky enough to have a device that will only recognize the 97th code, you will be setting up your devices for a long time. Even after you find a code that works, the button commands the remote stores for that device are so generalized that you have to spend additional time getting it to learn specific commands for your particular device. Ironically because I don't have extra batteries lying around for the remotes that my Harmony has all but replaced, I ended up using my Harmony remote to teach the ESPN remote the commands I wanted it to learn.
  
  Because of the lack of a computer interface and software like Harmonys have to customize the remote to your specific needs and preferences, you are pretty much limited to what the ESPN remote has stored in it unless you have loads of time tweaking it. This makes setting up activities even more of a pain than setting up the devices was. There are basic things like telling the remote which devices to use for a particular activity and setting delays to give a device time to complete the task before the remote moves on to the next task in the activity. However there is not much customization beyond this. One glaring omission is that I can't seem to find the option for an activity to automatically turn off devices that I no longer need to use. For example, if I am done playing the XBOX 360 and want to watch TV, there is no need for my XBOX to stay on. Additionally, if I am done watch a movie and want to go back to TV, there is no need for my DVD player to stay on. While my Harmony is smart enough to turn off devices I no longer need when I switch between tasks, the ESPN remote is not; it leaves all devices on even if they are not used in a particular task. It's not as simple as adding a power cycle command to the devices that should be off because all that will happen is that the remote will send a power cycle command to the device even if they are already off which will end up turning them on!
  
  The Harmony software is even as thorough as to having a specific command to tell the remote to turn off devices if they are on, but the ESPN remote does not. This is a gross oversight and at this price and the ESPN remote would be smart enough to determine if a device is on or not based on the current activity it's on like the Harmony does. Say I have the "Watch TV" command enabled my HARMONY remote which means my TV, DVR, Receiver, and Set Top box are on. When I press "Play XBOX 360", the Harmony knows that my DVR is currently on because it's currently on "watch TV". But it then sees that the "Play XBOX 360" does not need the DVR so it turns it off automatically. Additionally I have a specific command for it to not turn off my cable box under any circumstances so even if I press the off button; it turns off all my devices EXCEPT for the cable box. The ESPN remote does not have this functionality either. Yeah I can manually turn the off devices I no longer need, but what's the point when my Harmony can do this automatically?
  
  
  Conclusion...
  
  Just like the first gen iPhone that I ended up returning two days later because it could not even do simple stuff like deleting files or Bluetooth file transfer, the ESPN remote seems focus too much on the "cool" stuff rather than things that are essential to overall functionality and user friendliness. Yeah it can browse certain websites and search TV listings, but yet it can't do simple things that a remote half its price can do and on top of that, the process of setting up and editing devices/activities a lot more cumbersome and archaic than it should be this day in age. Also, let's not forgot how cheap it feels.
  
  I didn't have to pay for this remote, but if I did I would no doubt return it. I haven't even used it for the past couple of days. But since it didn't cost me anything, I will still probably use it for the TV listings and internet feature, but as far as it completely replacing my Harmony 670 like I originally thought it would, I don't think so. At the most, I may end up just using the ESPN remote in the master bedroom that just has regular cable going in to it with no digital set top box.
  
  Independent of the price this remote I'll give this remote an even 3/5. But at the price it is listed at, there should be no need for me to have to "live with" even the simplest shortcomings like not having the ability to turn off devices automatically and the archaic setup process. So adding price into the equation, I would knock it down to a 2.5. However, to give it the benefit of the doubt, I'll round back up to 3 since it's not quite a 2.
  
  Even with the internet enabled features (which require a Wi-Fi network to even work); I can't recommend this remote especially at this price. In my opinion the Harmony line is still at the very top when it comes to universal remotes and no one has changed my opinion thus far. Without hesitation, I would recommend a Harmony remote over the ESPN remote. If you can live without the "cool" features the ESPN remote has to offer, you can potentially save yourself a boatload of money and get a better designed remote along with a better user Interface by going with the Harmony line.
  
  
  
• Nice combination of features
  By A1OZ6620WNZ1J6 on 2008-10-13
  What makes this remote for me is the web browsing built into the device. For example, on Saturday I was able to have the running statistics displayed via a web page on the remote for a game I was watching. No more wondering about time of possession or yardage totals or needing to have a laptop sitting next to you during the game. It is also very handy for keeping track of your fantasy team on the remote while watching all of the NFL action.
  
  I also like the ability to set up my favorite channels and browse through the TV listings on the remote without annoying my wife by constantly pulling up the on-screen program guide on the TV.
  
  Some of the other functionality is interesting, even if you might not use it on a regular basis. I haven't really had a need to send or receive messages via my remote control, but I did test it out and it does work. You can also email program reminders to yourself or others from the remote's program guide, which is a neat little feature.
  
  If you have wanted the functionality of a mini-web browser build into a small form unit, this remote is a great addition to your setup.
  
  
  
• For the Media Loving Technophile Sports Fan
  By A2Y739CRM15WDL on 2008-11-21
  The information provided says that no computer is required to set up this remote--BUT in order to get the full benefit of this sharp piece of technology, a computer is not only recommended but also a wireless network connected to a broadband internet connection.
  
  To start with, I was using a Logitech Harmony One Advanced Universal Remote and loving it. Logitech has a web site set up with just about any remote command set available by manufacturer's name and model number. However, after spending the 45 minutes necessary to program this one I am a convert.
  
  Specifics: I run xp home service pack 3 on a five year old computer, verizon broadband cable with a netgear wireless router, boosted by an additional antenna. I unpacked the Ultimate remote and put it in the charger. There was a definite lack of documentation with this item but it had clear instructions on the easy to read screen. First I connected it to my network-- very easy, it found the network and all I had to do was enter the Key. After that it downloaded some software from a proprietary web site. There was also a firmware upgrade that required connecting the remote to my computer-- no connection cord provided but one I already had worked.
  
  I just followed the onscreen instructions to set up my JVC tuner. The Sylvania LCD flat screen tv and the Neuros OSD Media Center (6011000)required using the original remote to teach the ESPN Universal Remote, but again the instructions were clear and simple.
  
  Once set up, I found that not did the remote control my television the gadzillion other media things-- ok, 10-- I have including a media server, but it also offered access to a number of web sites--- including Amazon. In addition it downloaded a TV Guide specific to my cable provided but I could also have downloaded a local Guide as well. There was a site to check the weather and the time is displayed at the top.
  
  Sorry Harmony One, there is a new remote in town.
  
  
  
  
• A nice remote for sports fan
  By A3K93OWHKHGI9V on 2008-07-31
  I am always looking for the perfect remote and when I saw this one I was hoping I had found it. Currently I use a Harmony One and I like it. It is not perfect, but it is nice. Looking at the ESPN remote I expected much more especially when it costs quite a bit more. Unfortunately, this remote left much to be desired.
  
  The remote is comfortable, but I would have hoped for something a little more form fitting in my hand. The button size was fine. It is always a trial and error experience getting use to where buttons are by touch. But it is something I was able to get use to.
  
  I found the setup process a pain. I don't mind using my PC to set up my Harmony remote. In fact I prefer it. This ESPN remote does not give you many of the customization options that the Harmony remotes do during setup. It does offer the basics like setting the remote up around an activity (like Watch DVD), or to learn from another remote; these are standard in most high end remotes.
  
  I love the idea of the multimedia capability, but this is limited because it is WAP (like many cell phones) only. It can be difficult to read the scores off this screen, but I like the feature because I can watch another channel and not have to worry about constantly switching back to check the scores. What would have been nice would be if the scores could be displayed on your TV in a PIP box. Then they would be readable.
  
  This is a nice remote and I think any avid sports fan would enjoy this. Hopefully they will improve the firmware and make a few adjustments. Then this will become a truly outstanding remote.
  
  
  
• Nice but... I'll stick w/ my Harmony
  By A376OJHLE6SU9Q on 2008-08-19
  There are a lot of things I really like about this remote
  
  1. Standing charging station
  --Unlike my harmony remote, it is really easy to tell that
  it is properly placed for charging
  
  2. How it feels in the hand
  This remote just feels good to hold. The buttons are well paced
  and it rests nicely in the hand.
  
  3. I REALLY like having access to the programming guide from the remote control. This is a great feature that make searching for shows even easier. I have Direct TV and this remote is able to get the program guide w/ correct channel number and info.
  
  4. The face with weather info etc is nice as well as being able to get sports scores.
  
  5. The buttons are silent when pushed - which is why (in part) I gave up on trying to set it up for the family room entertainment system and brought it into the bedroom w/ just the TV and the satellite box to worry about.
  
  The Down side
  1. Okay maybe I am too impatient or my system it too complicated. But programming it is harder than my Harmony. Takes too many buttons to get it to do what I want to do and I still don't have all the controls right.
  
  2.Seem to work okay in the bedroom where there are less components and less activities that need to be programmed.
  
  3. While checking sports scores is nice, that is why I have a laptop - though it will be interesting to see if my opinion changes come football season.
  
  Overall works great w/ simple set up but for complex systems I still reccomend a Harmony remote.
  
  
  
• ESPN - The Ultimate Remote - Great For Sports Junkies, Not So Much For Home Theatre Junkies
  By A17BUUBOU0598B on 2008-09-16
  
  The ESPN "The Ultimate Remote" Universal Remote is a great unit for sports junkies and puts a lot of information at your fingertips. But AV and universal remote junkies are not going to be satisfied with the manual setup process and will be better served getting the Logitech Harmony One Advanced Universal Remote or another remote in the harmony lineup. For my needs this is a good unit that will hopefully continue to improve with firmware updates.
  
  Pros:
  + The screen is attractive and functional for basic surfing and TV listings
  + Nice backlight for buttons and remote functions
  + Great content integration for sports fans and information junkies
  + Nice extras like texting and emailing from the remote
  + WiFi performance is good and customizable for secure wireless
  + Great software design allows for frequent updates
  + The nice mix of functions will allow me to use my laptop and cell phone less
  
  Cons:
  - Pricing is somewhat high
  - The remote buttons are busy and require manually learning some functions
  - Hard plastic buttons are less functional than rubber buttons
  - The directional pad and second 4-way pad are redundant and should be combined
  - Setup is painful and requires a long manual process for most devices
  - Remote logic requires some work
  - No RF and Blue Tooth capabilities
  - Lacks a touch screen which some people prefer
  - Battery life seems weak
  - Poor product packaging
  - The device database seems difficult to navigate and incomplete
  - Alternatives like the Harmony lineup offer more maturity for AV remote junkies
  
  Device Setup
  
  Removing the remote from the package is a chore. Normally I wouldn't even mention that, but removing this packaging is literally dangerous and time consuming. Scissors alone will not be the best option.
  
  The instructions imply that you need to fully charge the unit before setup, but my unit was ready to go before charging. Setup starts with wireless networking, which will auto discover broadcasting wireless access points but will allow you to enter your WEP/WPA password for secured networks. After entering your location data, you must register your remote to activate the web features.
  
  Device setup is the weak point of the device. You have to set-up each component by manufacturer and search through codes for the specific models. This is a terrible process for most devices because getting the exact code will require tons of luck and way too much time. The auto-discover feature is basically useless because it will identify devices based upon the power function alone. You will think you've found the right one when the power button works, only to discover that other functions do not. Some other methods to find the codes exist, but this basic method is a huge con. The option to manually learn the additional functions is also less than ideal.
  
  Setting up activities like "Watch TV" or "Watch a DVD" is also a weakness. Users must manually map out functions and program them. The questionnaire that the remote uses to walk you through this setup is bare-bones and not very helpful, leaving much of the manual configuration to the user. Follow all this up with trial-and-error testing, and you've got a very long process ahead of you. Again, contrasted against the simple PC application that the Harmony uses to intuitively set up its activities, the ESPN Ultimate really falls short in the ease and flexibility departments.
  
  Looks
  
  The LCD display looks good, but is not designed for full web browsing. It's just a very convenient way to get sports scores, weather, etc. True, I normally always have my laptop with me. But having this will allow me to use my laptop less. And being able to get channel listings without stopping a DVD is also an unpredicted convenience I am very happy about.
  
  The buttons are back-lit, but I'm not crazy about the solid plastic feel of the unit. Standard soft remote buttons would have been better in my opinion.
  
  Performance
  
  As a remote, the ESPN Ultimate is good but doesn't include RF and Blue Tooth, which are necessary for certain next gen devices. I know that won't be a deal breaker for everybody, but basic IR requires line-of-sight to work and is a definite weakness.
  
  Having to switch your device to perform basic functions is also annoying. When you're watching cable and go to change the volume, it automatically adjusts the cable volume instead of the TV volume. You have to switch to the TV or AV device and then change the volume. A simple example of something even my stock remote does better out of the box.
  
  Another basic TV function that was annoying was that this remote didn't automatically understand the difference between the info button and guide button for scrolling through TV listings.
  
  However, the excellent feature of TV listings on the remote's screen more than makes up for that. You can see the channel guide and directly select right off the remote.
  
  The web surfing feature is very good. I already am familiar with the differences in mobile web sites versus the regular web, and this is the same web that my old cell phone uses. ESPN is probably one of the few mobile sites that's well designed, and there are also links for Yahoo news, WSJ.com and Amazon.com.
  
  The unit seems to lose battery power much quicker than I would like. Plan on docking this thing in the charger nightly. Only two days without docking will result in a low battery indicator.
  
  Conclusion
  
  The web browsing capabilities are the saving grace of the unit and will probably be in competing devices before long. The remote control functions are not the best in class, but they are adequate once you invest the time in setting everything up. Areas for improvement include adding PC setup capability, improving activity logic, and improving the feel of the remote.
  
  
  
• Color, Jazz but where the real integration? And where's RF?
  By A11P8ILPN4T6AQ on 2008-07-22
  I do not want to predict that this product is going to be one of the many no one takes any serious notice of because that's where its headed.
  
  These are the reasons I feel the way I do: This device attempts to integrate some 'selected' features of iPhone with a remote so here's what it seriously lacks. Where's bluetooth?, with bluetooth, it could integrate with cell phones. These days there are even bluetooth enabled expandable cordless land phones available too so that gap could have been easily filled up too!
  
  Beyond this, what's the idea behind NOT providing RF connectivity? I fail to understand. In a manufacturing line it costs less than $3 to add this feature so why is it skipped here??
  
  I fail to understand how much do these manufacturers have to bleed the consumer before a really integrated product hits the market.
  
  
• WiFi gadget, YES, Remote...Not So Much
  By A1ZCSSCAGBCD49 on 2008-08-02
  What we have here...is a failure to communicate. Well, sort of.
  
  The ESPN Remote is an interesting universal remote. It can control multiple home theater devices AND it can get news information and SPORTS SCORES from the Internet with the WiFi you probably have set up in your modern home. "Ultimate" not really. If you've never owned a Harmony remote and don't know what a "real" remote is capable of then you might like this. Be ready for some frustrating times as you configure this to work for you.
  The first failing of this device is the packaging. It's one of those clear plastic form fitting nightmares that's all the rage at Costco and the like. It took me about 15 minutes to free the equipment from it's cocoon of plastic and try not to cut myself in the process. I have a scissor designed to cut through this stuff and I still had a struggle.
  
  Once free you are greeted with the big red plastic thing that is the remote. Again, not so much. It's kind of cheap feeling and rattly. It feels like it wont take too many accidental drops and the innards make noise when you shake it (and that's NOT the motion sensor!). The first important thing you notice is the screen. It is large and relatively clear and colorful. That's nice! We have icons and logos it's impressive. Maybe it will win me over! OK we continue. The instruction say to charge it up first but the battery says it's full. I charge it for a few hours just to be sure. It has a stand/charger that holds it up vertically for all to see. If it wasn't such an eyesore that would be good. The choice of construction materials leaves the device looking like it may have been attractive if the used better grades of plastic. It can be done especially in this price point, $300.
  
  Now that it's all charged up lets get to programming it. First up is getting it on your WiFi network. That was a straight forward affair of logging in and you're off to the races...so to speak. I then entered my 3 primary devices, TV DirecTV DVR and Amp. Creating my Watch TV activity. What happens now is the frustration of NOT being able to connect this device to your computer to program it easily. OK, we can ASSUME you have a computer as you need a WiFi network to access the Internet, easy assumption. Well then, USE IT! It would be so much easier to add devices an create activities on a computer then test them on the remote and make tweaking adjustments. Can you say Harmony? Using the little screen and the convoluted menu system is at best trying. This is not a remote for the technophobe, but to be fair it's not marketed towards one. I consider my self a "remote geek" and thought I'd be loving this gadget. Well, I'm spoiled. I have Harmony remotes, and previously a Home Theater Master MX500. The MX is closest to the ESPN in that it is not computer programmed. To that end the ESPN may slightly out rank the MX but falls way short of the Harmony One which its priced comparably too. To get my three devices working in sync is to be delving through a lot of menus. A lot of menus. I did finally get this combo working fairly well but it should be easier. That said. The thought of having to get ALL my home theater devices working in harmony (small h) is a task I don't relish doing. Having gotten it to work with mybasic equipment I continued on to the fun part.
  
  The WiFi enabled TV schedules, ESPN, News channels is what this remote does well and is the 2 star part of the review. THIS is a way cool feature. It works easily and is quite useful for the sports junky. The channel surfing part can be a bit tedious but it has some good information and for the most part pretty channel icons. The screen is fairly clear for one this size but you may need your reading glasses. The text can be small.
  
  In conclusion. If you're in the market for a great remote at this price point I'd steer you towards the Harmony One. But, if you're a sports junky and can put up with a wonky remote programming interface and have very few home theater devices this MAY fit the bill. You'll need patience and determination to get this all set up. You may have trouble getting it past the aesthetics committee though. If it was shiny black with red highlights it could have gone much better with your new LCD TV. Too bad it isn't. Too bad Logitech didn't think of this first and create this with the software they use to set up the remote! We can hope?
  
  
  
  
• Another remote! For the sports junky this time? Oooh!
  By A1RL1OTV8IJMVD on 2008-08-05
  I was quite excited to review this one. I'm not a complete sports NUT, but I enjoy a bit here and there, and I completely lose track of what team has what person, so I figured hey, rosters! Sweet!
  
  Now, bear in mind before reading, I'm coming from a long history of Logitech products, including the 360 Harmony remote, the Harmony 720, the Harmony One, and the Harmony 1000. This baby will really have to be something special to outdo those, especially since it's the "ULTIMATE" remote...
  
  So, first, the packaging. What. A. Nightmare. Whoever decided on this packaging needs a spank on the bottom. It's hideous, and completely plastic, and more importantly - finger destroying (I nursed a cut thumb for quite a few days after tearing this open).*
  
  *Once you're into the packaging, destroy it immediately before it attacks your dog.
  
  So, the remote. After a bit of a charge in the included "cradle" with the handy-dandy rechargeable battery, you can begin using it. Since the reviews of setup have covered this, I'll skip that part and go more into ergonomics, since I haven't read too much about this...
  
  (OK, so this really looks like a cell phone. It does. Look at the pictures. It looks like an elongated "candy-bar" style cell phone. Now, there's nothing particularly wrong with this, but it's really apparent. And it's red. And, it feels like a cell phone, too...)
  
  The things I prefer to the Harmony One (the "nearest" competitor), size/form-wise:
  
  1.) I like the screen more. It doesn't wash out as much as my Harmony One display which has serious wash-out at any angle.
  
  2.) It's not touch-screen. Now some may prefer the touch-screen of the One, but I don't. I found it a pain to point at the TV and push the actual screen.
  
  3.) Wifi. I had no trouble connecting to my wireless network.
  
  Things I don't like:
  
  1.) The buttons are absolutely tiny. I mean that volume control and channel buttons are minuscule. I miss them all the time if I'm not looking at them. Volume especially should be larger.
  
  2.) Curious design choice of the joystick in the center AND the traditional "pad" above it. FYI for those with Sony Ericsson phones like the W810, W810i etc, the joystick feels just like it - you'll be right at home!
  
  3.) It's ugly (sorry, I decided it is, ok?)
  
  4.) Some fit/finish issues. My unit had a scratch on the side, and the DVR button doesn't sit flush against the unit.
  
  So overall, it's not a BAD remote. I just don't think most people (and that includes me) have a need for a wifi remote. I prefer the layout of the Harmony One, and definitely prefer the features of the Harmony 1000, which is about the same price as the Ultimate ESPN Remote, AND has RF support, which, for this amount of money, in my opinion is more important than being able to check the weather on my remote....
  
  Again, just another opinion, but the Harmonys are just better remotes.
  
  7/10.
  
  
  
  
• A cool gadget, but a so-so remote
  By APRU373UYVK2Y on 2008-08-07
  At first blush, what's not to like about the ESPN remote? Its fire-engine red color scheme screams, "I CONTROL THE TELEVISION!" You can surf the web, check fantasy updates, send taunting text messages to your fellow sports fans...it even plays the ESPN theme song on start-up for crying out loud. But here's the problem, first and foremost a remote needs to be able to effectively control you're A/V equipment and in this regard the ESPN Ultimate Remote is sub-par, at best.
  
  The problems begin with the set-up; the marketing materials make much ado about software free set-up, but this is a negative, not a positive. Set-up for my Logitech Harmony One remote was a snap because I could link to my computer with a USB cable, and select the exact model number for each piece of my equipment, moreover, I could use that same page to customize the layout of my touchscreen buttons, which emulate exactly all of the functionality of the manufacturer's remote. With the ESPN Remote, however, the user is forced to use trial and error to determine the correct product code, which depending on the manufacturer, can run up to twenty numbers per piece of equipment. This approach is needlessly tedious given a readily available and user friendly alternative - I frankly can't imagine that anyone who is purchasing a $300 remote doesn't have a PC they can use for initial set-up. Finally, once you have your equipment correctly identified, you need to conform the remote's available functions to your system, rather than a one to one replication of functionality you will find with the Harmony remote.
  
  Once the remote is up and running, it is a mixed bag. One the one hand, the ergonomics are terrible, with too many buttons crammed into too small a space, and the overall shape making it uncomfortable to operate with one hand. On the positive side, there is some unique functionality. In particular, you have the option of viewing the program guide on the remote screen, thereby not disrupting the picture on the screen. I've found this to be a genuinely smart and useful innovation, which is more than I can say for a lot of the other features, which are neat, but kind of gimmicky.
  
  Which brings us to the web functionality, which is intriguing, but probably ahead of its time. The problem is that it is analogous to surging the web on your cell phone, which is fine if you are on the bus on the way to work, but why would I want limited web access on a tiny screen when I can use my laptop to surf while watching TV? I will say the ability to quickly check scores while watching a movie is neat, but it's not worth $300. And there is the ultimate downfall of the "Ultimate" remote, its price point is absurd. The Harmony One remote is the gold standard of remotes right now and it retails for $250 and can be had for under $200 if you ship around. ESPN deserves some praise for thinking outside of the box and trying to create a one stop home-entertainment experience, but the screen is just too small to be considered an at home web device and the core remote functionality is merely average. If it were priced around $150, I could make the argument that it would be worth the expense just for its novelty, but at $300 I would look elsewhere.
  
  Jake Mohlman
  
  
• Great for sports scores, as a remote, not so much
  By AIBRTGBN07D6A on 2008-08-19
  The ESPN Universal Remote is designed to appeal to the ultimate sports-watching enthusiast, by combining the convenience of a single universal remote with targeted internet content in the form of a program guide for TV listings, weather info, internet browsing, e-mail and texting, and sports scores. In theory, it might seem like a great idea to combine all of these things in one, but a practical device that replaces all of your remotes, computer, and cellphone while watching TV is another matter, and one where the ESPN remote fails to hit the mark.
  
  While some may complain that the remote lacks rf-capabaility (radio frequency, so that you don't have to aim the remote at the sensor), this isn't really necessary, since it uses built-in 802.11b/g Wi-Fi technology. Using this to connect to your existing wireless connection, it will then access something called Click365 to obtain Internet content. I found the whole setup process fairly easy and simple, and I didn't need to use my computer to set it up. I had my custom program listings in a few minutes, and the listings were actually fairly nice. Very easy to read and offered just enough information. However, anyone who is a big enough sports fan to spend this kind of money on a remote, is very likely going to have digital cable or satellite, and will certainly already have access to a much better program guide than the one provided through Click365. Why would I stare at a 2 inch screen to see what's on when I can view it on my large screen TV? This technology might have been great five years ago, but is virtually pointless now. It can be useful sometimes, when I have friends over and don't want to bring up the guide while they're watching a game.
  
  When it came time to set up the rest of my audio devices, I found that the remote is not as simple as it could have been. It uses the standard code system, where every one of your devices has several codes associated with it, that your program into the remote. The remote displays the codes on the LCD screen, which is fairly useful, but you still have to find all of the codes. The actual design of the remote is okay, but doesn't feel as comfortable in your hand as it should. The screen looks great and the icons are all easily viewable and very colorful. It's not a touch screen however, and you will navigate it with a small "joystick," much like a cell phone. I found the text messaging aspect of it difficult to use since the keyboard is at the bottom of the remote, and the buttons were very small. I also realized that I don't want to use my remote to send text messages. I always have my cell phone around, and since the remote isn't capable of receiving cell calls, why not just use my actual phone to text message people? That way I don't have to learn a new device. It almost seems like they just added messaging to the remote because they could, regardless of whether it's a useful feature.
  
  Overall, for its price, the ESPN remote is a fun toy, but definitely not worth the value, and not as useful as it would appear. I have used several Harmony remotes in the past, and would advise anyone thinking of getting this to go for even Harmony's cheapest model over this. The only actual benefit I could find from this remote were the sports scores, which I used significantly. However as digital TV providers and cell phones continue to evolve, you will find a more and more decreasing need for this, when you can get pretty much any score from your phone or TV.
  
  
• A Work In Progress
  By A1T9MILRRZ00F8 on 2008-08-19
  I agree with much that has been written about this product. It is encased in vault-like plastic that makes it virtually impossible to remove, and it is very frustrating and difficult to set up and program (as contrasted with the Harmony One which is much easier and more intuitive).
  
  The ESPN Ultimate Remote is first and foremost a mini computer for sports. It is in this mode that it excels. As an MLB junkie, I love being able to access obscure statistics about baseball teams and players. I have also been able to use the Remote for the Olympic games.
  
  However, as a device that attempts to replace the remotes that come with an entertainment system, ESPN's Remote falls short. It is simply too difficult to program, and even if one is fortunate enough to get it to work with all of one's components, there are products on the market, like Logitech's Harmony One, that are much more user friendly and effective.
  
  In sum, I think that ESPN may have prematurely released this product without eliminating all of its flaws. The fact that the manufacturer is working on firmware upgrades is commendable, but underscores my point. The ESPN Ultimate Remote is still a work in progress.
  
  

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