Schmartz PS3IR-1000 Wireless Infrared Adapter for PS3
The Schmartz Wireless Infrared Adapter is a fantastic little device that changes infrared signals into USB compatible controls that not only turn your universal remote into a PlayStation 3 controller but can turn on and off your gaming console.
Ease of Use, Performance: 23/25
Look & Feel: 23/25
Features 20/25
How much I enjoy 23/25
Total: 89/100
It's really simple this little gem of a device works perfectly for PlayStation 3 owners that use the gaming console as a Blu-ray movie player. The Schmartz PS3IR-1000 is a simple wireless adapter that connects to the USB port on the front of your PlayStation 3 but needs an active USB connection or power adapter to plug in for power functions.
You need the external power because the PS3IR-1000 will be able to control the on and off function of your gaming console through your universal remote. I recently received a new universal remote from Logitech but the only thing missing from complete control of my media entertainment in my living room was on and off of my PS3.
The Schmartz PS3IR-1000 does exactly what you need to control your gaming console from your universal remote including turning it on and off. Set up is simple using the included USB cable and USB power cable but you will need a USB power adapter or an active USB connection.
Simply follow the directions to connect the power and USB to the device and your PlayStation 3 and set up your universal remote, on the Harmony series from Logitech you have an option exactly for this device. On the Harmony software program under Game Console with DVD and Activity for Watching a Movie the Schmartz is listed as one device to control your PS3.
Other universal remotes will have to enter a code either from the installation guide or the Schmartz website depending on the manufacturer of the universal remote. Once the remote is set up you have to add the Schmartz device in Settings, Accessory Settings and Register BD Remote Control of your PlayStation 3 and your all set.
It literally took me longer to walk into the other room and get the Logitech Remote setup than setting up the rest of the Schmartz adapter and I was ready to watch movies. The Schmartz adapter and its external power will allow you to turn your PS3 on and off as well as all the other controls like the four color buttons, movie controls and all the rest.
While this may seem like a costly addition this is an easy solution to control not only the PS3 but being able to turn it on and off with a universal remote. I have several different devices in my home entertainment area and want to simplify things with a universal remote but being able to control the power functions of your PS3 is the best.
I have had only one problem with the device and it was no fault of the Schmartz adapter, I lost power while a movie was on pause and this somehow lost the BD Controller Settings on my PS3. I simply went into the PS3 settings and reregistered the adapter and things were back to normal with the universal remote.
If you are tired of hunting down all those various remotes and wanting to simplify the control of your entertainment center the Schmartz PS3IR-1000 is the simple way to do it. You can also control your PS3 with your Windows computer if you have a setup where a PC is on and near your PS3.
My office setup has my computer on one side and a monitor in the middle with another monitor to the side connected to either my PC or the PS3 gaming console. I have a switcher that can change which system the monitor is connected to and often watch movies and shows while working and controlling the PS3 is simple from my PC.
Using the PS3IR Utility or the PS3IR Virtual Controller you can use your PC to control the PlayStation 3, the Utility is a full mapping of the common PlayStation 3 Blu-ray remote. The Virtual Controller is a partial mapping of a common Sixaxis controller so you have at least partial control for the common things of your game console.
The Schmartz adapter is wireless for the PC connection so you don't need to connect anything to the PS3 console if all your doing is controlling the game console with your PC. If you want the added feature of power on and off you need to connect the Adapter to the PS3 using the PS connection and the PS USB cable.
While this may not be a feature many use it sure makes a nice feature for those that want to use their console gaming system along side or near their PlayStation 3. You simply connect the USB to your PC and the PS output to your console gaming system and install either control program to control your system from your PC.
This worked just as well as controlling the PS3 from a remote and is a handy feature for those that want it, you also use the Utility to upgrade firmware inside the adapter if you need or want to in the future. The Schmartz PS3IR-1000 works great for universal remote control over your PlayStation 3 system or as a connection to your Windows based computer for the same control.
I highly recommend the Schmartz PS3IR-1000 Wireless Infrared Adapter for PlayStation 3 as a great way to control your PS3 with a universal remote for all the functions including power.