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Isn't it annoying when you want to turn on your home theater with your IR based remote control and one or more components misses the command. It could be that someone walked in front of the remote or that you just didn't keep it pointed at your system long enough for the entire macro sequence to be transmitted. That's why most integrators shy away from IR based remotes and use systems like Crestron or Control4 to transmit commands to a head end unit which then sends the commands via Ethernet, Serial, or IR via an emitter to the equipment being controlled.

RF4CE Consortium and a new RF Standard for Remote Controls
The RF4CE (Radio Frequency for Consumer Electronics) Consortium is working to develop and RF based standard for controlling your equipment. They are working an standard based on the ZigBee protocol (IEEE 802.15.5).

The key here is that the standard will be implemented in the components the end consumer buys (TV, Receivers, DVRs, etc) and could be easily installed by the end user. Right now to make use of this you need an custom installer to come to your home and install separate gear to receive the RF signal and then translate it into something your components understand.

Imagine in the future when all your gear supports this protocol. The possibilities are quite exciting:
  • Clean Installations - You would be able to install your equipment in your closets or in entertainment systems behind doors. You can do this now but you need to use special equipment to eventually translate the RF commands into IR commands.
  • One truly Universal Remote - You could use one remote to control your entire home. Since RF can travel a good distance and through walls, you can setup your remote with room definitions and use the settings appropriate for the room that you are in. There are IR Remotes that do this as well.
  • Program Once Transfer to Many - Like cordless phones systems of today, you can add a new number in your address book and it automatically updates the other phones on the system. So too would the the new RF remotes. If you pair a new remote with your installation it can automatically receive the programming from other remotes on the system.
  • WiFi/Network Access - The new remotes can be Wifi capable or a WiFi access point can be added to the network. In this mode you can control your system from a PC, WiFi enabled PDA or iPhone/iPod. There could be an application running on a server that acts as a web interface to your remote. In the case of a WiFi enabled Remote, the server would send the commands to the remote for eventual transmission to the equipment.In the case of a WiFi access point the command is sent through the network (wired or wireless) and then blasted out to the appropriate equipment. Having the WiFi/Network access could also keep the remote codes up to date.

The new specification is scheduled to be approved in the second half of 2008. No word when we can expect CE devices to support the new standard. In the mean time, if you want RF capability so that you can hide equipment behind doors, look into the Harmony 890. If you want more sophisticated control talk to a custom installer.

If you can't wait until RF4CE products hit the market, Coming in July is a product called AirRemote. AirRemote will add WiFi control of your home theater using an iPhone or iPod Touch. The system works with your iPhone/iPod and a box made by Global Cache, which connects to your network and accepts commands from your iPhone which in turn are converted to IR or Serial. With this setup you can control your set top boxes, lighting or window shades. The system will set you back the price of your iPod/iPhone and the $125 the Global Cache box costs.

Theoretically the AirRemote is programmed via the iPhone and does not require the use of a professional installer. Air Remote supports AMX or Crestron automation systems. The developer says support for more devices are on the way.