In my experience the delay is mostly caused by the remote that needs to reconnect to the WiFi network to be able connect to the dock and all involved ip integrations form the activity. With the upcoming Bluetooth support for both models the process will probably be a bit faster if your devices can pair with an HID keyboard/mouse as mentioned in others post above mine.
There are also details about the Bluetooth connection timing available here: Pair as Bluetooth keyboard to devices · Issue #65 · unfoldedcircle/feature-and-bug-tracker · GitHub
I’m not feeling the sense of outrage and betrayal others are feeling, but I do have concerns. The first is that, as a small team of hardware/software engineers, you are throwing too many balls in the air by announcing a new product. In my opinion, and the opinion of many here, Remote 2 is still a work in progress. Issue #1 is the still sorely needed comprehensive documentation.
Also, I’m disappointed the community wasn’t consulted regarding ergonomic improvements. I had many suggestions but I didn’t think it appropriate to bring up while Remote 2 is still being worked on. Wireless charging is a nicety, but I didn’t hear anyone clamoring for it. Nor for power over Ethernet. One very common complaint is the weakness of the IR signal, which I certainly hope is being addressed.
That being said, a number of my gripes are being addressed. I hate–HATE–the 8 point navigation wheel, and apparently you thought better of it too. I thought from day one integrating the blaster/hub and charging station was a fundamental usability mistake. You’re still going with it, but the ability to charge the remote using any standard wireless charger makes this somewhat moot. Another thing I dislike is the lack of a stop button. I can map transport controls onto touch buttons but it really is a PITA and I don’t like using them for transport controls. Here you have play/pause for devices that work that way, and play and stop for those that don’t. Except for physical media (VHS anyone?) your don’t really need separate stop and pause functions.
The touch slider looks like a winner. Can it be used for video seek, as has always been available on the regular Apple TV remote? Can it be used as a state aware volume control, for devices with two way (not IR) communication? Will it be possible to install other GUI widgets on the touch screen?
RS232? Yes! (Though I’d be fine using the IP to RS232 interface I’ve already purchased from Global Cache, if there were support for it). I brought this up months ago and was told RS232 is irrelevant. Try telling that to the makers of all the projectors I have installed at my university. Two way, right? Ring, tip, sleeve >>TX, RX, common? Otherwise it isn’t of that much utility to me.
My bottom line: I will keep an interested eye on this product and when it becomes available for retail sale I will consider an upgrade. But I will probably not be donating to another Kickstarter.
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I enthusiastically second IP support for Emotiva. Using the dorky phone app I can turn the volume control on the front panel and see it update on the remote screen. I would love to see that kind of functionality on R2/R3.
Wireless charging directly addresses your gripe about integrating charging and the dock.
Power over ethernet will be very welcome for those putting the new dock into an equipment rack.
The IR strength is absolutely addressed with Dock 3, with more than 3x the IR LEDs plus IR blaster availability.
Kaleidescape, a premium content system, requires a separate Stop button. This is the primary reason for me to upgrade from R2 to R3. I can’t tell from your post if you are pro- or anti-STOP button, but there is definitely a use case out there.
Considering both the R2 and R3 will run the exact same software, I think this is a home run. Getting Unfolded Circle remotes in more hands, addressing user feedback, offering an upgrade for existing users, and keeping software development in a single track.
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Ralf, thanks again for your advice and ideas. Firstly, yes the Sky Box runs Android TV 11 software. I followed your instruction to the letter ( they were perfect) but could not get the new Sky Box to recognise any commands from the Harmony Remote or the phone App.
So do you think I have hit a brick wall in what I’m trying to achieve or is there another alternative/work around to be found?
Have a look at this thread, I set it up as an Android tv entity with IR for digits for my Kaon STB.
Try on/off command to test if it might work on your STB.
Hi,
perhaps your box does not support HID. If it is Android TV another thing might help which did for me for a Dune HD box. I used the profile NVidia Shield which also uses Android TV. For R2/R3 the Android TV should do also.
Ralf
Will there be a time announced in advance of Friday for when preordering will be available? Would also be good to have advance notification of all pricing and options (e.g. cost for adding additional docks to order).
As a side comment, I also agree with others that have made the comment that I see no sense in dock being combined with blaster. I never want to charge my remote in the location that I want blasters/ hubs.
We’ll have this info up tomorrow as well as email going out to everyone who reserved or signed up to our newsletter, as well as R2 owners with a special deal for them.
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The active area is the same, but the bezels are smaller.
Definitely pro stop button, sorry if I didn’t make that clear. Not all devices have a play/stop toggle. I know I can to it in programming, but don’t really want to. Anyway, since you can never have true state awareness with the IR control we are stuck with in many cases, a macro to send play or stop depending on which was sent last is not always going to behave as expected.
I did say the additional charging option makes my complaint about the charger/hub combo moot. And I am rethinking about whether to donate to a Kickstarter.
I bought the R2 last year to replace my Philips Pronto, but still can’t use it in my HT because I still miss RS232 support and direct programmable IP control without using other home automation for my Envy or Trinnov . Will these function still come to the R2 or do I have to buy the R3 + new dock?
What do you mean with direct IP control? There are some special IP integrations and one general integration to send for instance WOL and HTTP-Post.
Ralf
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Ah, I didn’t realize there is a general integration already possible. I haven’t looked for while and in the beginning this wasn’t the case. But good to hear you can directly sent WOL and other commands directly from the R2. I will dive into that.
So only the RS232 question remains.
RS232 via the docks mini jacks was announced for the new Dock 3. If you own a Remote Two you can get a discounted Dock 3 after the Kickstarter campaign. Probably cheaper than a HA-compatible ip converter.
Dumb question - What are some potential uses for the ESPHome integration?
Lucky you. 18 months for me. Guess I get a “free” dock now.
I do not think that the question is dumb. I am also interested.
Ralf
Le’s see what the discount will be then!
Did you already sent the mail Marton? Have not seen anything yet.