Remote Control for Home PCs

Peter Hofland

Consumer electronic devices typically have a remote control, but PCs don't. However, as PCs gradually transform into multimedia play stations, many users may soon want to remotely control their machines.

The Anir Multimedia Magic is an infrared device that lets you remotely control a mouse pointer and also switch between radio, TV, CD-ROM, phone, and external VCRs. You can also control volume. The device has buttons for short text and number input. In contrast to typica l consumer electronics, where each device has its own control, Multimedia Magic allows you to control all media with one-touch buttons.

The infrared receiver plugs into the serial port, but because it includes a twin 9-pin serial socket, you can r un a mouse simultaneously on the same port. The system complies with Microsoft's Entertainment PC97 specifications and builds on Windows 95 MCI and TAPI.

The package includes easy-to-use media manager software called Room Navigator that allows you to activate the media sources of your PC by just clicking on the icons that represent those devices. This software shields you from the details of the Windows user interface and therefore makes media control easier.

Professional presenters will also benefit from this remote control concept. Anir Multimedia Magic orchestrates complex multimedia presentations and lets you control peripherals, presentation software, and even your Web browser from one single checkpoint.

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Where to Find

Anir Multimedia Magic..................approximately $100

AnimaX International A/S
Oslo, Norway
Phone:    +47 22 66 0500
E-mail:   
tom@animax.no

Int
ernet: 
http://www.animax.no

Circle 1032 on Inquiry Card.

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It's Magic!

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