SnapStream Firefly PC Remote review:5 stars (Excellent Product!) - Responds instantly, RF technology works very well.

Had no problem installing driver and then removing Firefly program from my startup in order to use 3rd party program Girder for better control.

Remote is pretty decent for this type of price category too...

That Streamzap IR product, in comparison, was junk.5 stars (Only 1 star!!!! Read ***EDIT*** at the end of the review!) - I use Snapstream's Beyond TV 3 and this remote works perfectly with it. I was previously using the ATI Remote Wonder that comes with ATI's AIW 9800 and that was satisfactory but you couldn't assign the TV button to start Beyond TV (it would always open the ATI TV application). Also I had to configure the program guide and last channel buttons to certain buttons manually and my wife never could figure the ATI remote out.

Not so with the Firefly. All buttons work seamlessly with the proper applications and reassigning applications is simple. I use WinDVD 6, Windows Media Player 10 and Beyond TV with the remote and all the buttons work for all the right things.

The mouse feature isn't the greatest but it also isn't the worst. It gets the job done but won't suffice for long term features which require a mouse. I have my multimedia computer hooked up to my living room 32" TV with a 500 GB hard drive and I record tons of shows (GH, BB5, TAR, etc...) and i don't surf the internet with this box so the mouse feature isn't really necessary for me anyway.

Installation was way too easy and the extras that come with the remote are neat too. For those of you that enjoy ESPN.com and utilize ESPN Motion, it seamlessy integrates that without the need to visit the actual website. As for the movie download feature, although I haven't downloaded any movies yet, I have watched lots of previews and browsed the large selection of downloadable and rentable movie selection.

All in all, perfect remote control for the price and features.


**** EDIT **** 11/16/05 Well after only a few months (actually weeks), the whole remote just up and died. I didn't treat it very roughly but it went through its normal amount of wear and tear. The LED no longer lights and none of the buttons work. I'm guessing somehow the battery leads got severed somehow and that disappoints me. I do prefer this remote to the ATI but I am back to the ATI and am very upset with the lifespan of my Firefly. New rating: 1 star
SnapStream Firefly PC Remote Features:
Computer software (programs)
Movies (Movie)
CD
Play movies, music, photos, and other media stored on computer
Navigate PC from another room with full-screen interface
Skip, fast-forward, rewind, and change volume like with current home theater
Use SnapStream Spotlight to access online media services
Compatible with over 80 media applications

SnapStream Firefly PC Remote is the Electronics version. The full version can be purchased by clicking on the "CLICK HERE TO ORDER" button below for around  45.99USD.