Mac Mini HTPC Info

First, I have to say while I love using the HippoRemote application to control my Mac mini HTPC, sometimes you just want to be freed from the iPod Touch and use a larger physical device – maybe for some tactile sensation.  Such was my motivation for obtaining the fairly new GlideTV Navigator remote for review and determining if it was the liberating experience I desired.

The Navigator arrived and its packaging was slick and “Apple-esque” in its simple but chic presentation.  Its main control piece is nestled into the black packaging and seems to be suspended there until you pull it out to reveal the charging base unit.   Per the instructions, I charged the unit for four hours.  The charger plugs into a typical wall socket via a USB cable adapter.  The manufacturer claims the Navigator will hold a charge for 2 weeks before requiring a recharge and I can validate that claim to be true thus far.

After the initial charge, it was time to ready the unit for use on my Mac mini.  The Navigator communicates with the devices it controls via a USB receiver.  So, after plugging the receiver into my mini (which thought it was a new keyboard device) and dismissing the dialog box, I was ready to begin using my new remote.  It is imperative at this point to follow the User Guide (which incidentally does not ship with the device but is a downloadable PDF) in order to make the Navigator aware of what operating system it will be controlling.  The factory default setting is for Windows but after following the instructions I was able to set the OS to Mac OS X.

Although generally easy to use and ergonomic in nature, this is one device which you can simply not pick it up and start using it.  I would advise users to read the manual to see the button layout as it differs from HTPC to console (PS3).  You can see the button mappings in several screenshots below this post.  Regardless of the short time it takes to get to know the Navigator, once you are familiar with what each key (including the “clickable” trackpad) does then the fun truly begins.  I found the Navigator to be a very smooth scroller and responsive as I moved across the screen during testing.  I don’t recall reading about it in the manual but one thing you will want to do is increase the cursor size to aid in viewing from a distance by accessing the “Universal Access” preferences pane within “System Preferences” on the Mac.

After familiarizing myself with the buttons and the use of the “clickable” trackpad,  I was eager to try the GlideTV application which is downloadable from their web site.  After clicking the button to activate it (the GlideTV logo), I was presented with a large easy-to-navigate menu (see screen captures) which allows the user to select Applications, Websites, and even search the Internet’s mosr popular video sources for desired media.  You can customize which applications you want to launch from this menu, but I was satisfied as the GlideTV app brought in my most commonly used HTPC programs like Hulu, iTunes, Boxee, and Plex.  I think this application which features a “10-foot view” so it is viewable from a couch or bed,  sets it apart nicely from other HTPC remotes.

Next, I used the Navigator in two of the applications I use most frequently Hulu Desktop and Plex.  The remote performed flawlessly and I was able to make selections, pause, start and stop TV Shows and Movies quickly as if I were using a desktop mouse.  GlideTV admits there are some cursor issues in Plex but I really only noticed that Plex was very sensitive to the remote and sometimes I would mis-click a selection or menu choice.  Also, I found that using the clickable trackpad to make a selection from the outermost parent menu in Plex would not work (maybe by design?) so I used the SW button on the pad (Enter/Function) with success.

Overall, I was pleased with the GlideTV.  It is no wonder the device was an Innovative Design award winner at CES 2009.  It has a pleasant and simple feel in the hand and works as advertised even from a great distance.  Paired with its novel user-activated menu (the video search alone from a myriad of Internet sources is “killer” enough) and cool aesthetics, I believe GlideTV has a winner and a remote very suitable for any HTPC environment.

(pictures 3 & 4 courtesy of GlideTV)

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