Not only did I want to say that this is a great idea, I also wanted to give everyone a break from the Politi-blogging going on over on the Gary Shapiro post.

Or you could just buy a Nyko “Blu-Wave” IR remote for PS3.  It features a usb dongle that accepts IR remote commands sent from an IR remote.  The only thing it won’t do is the “ps” button to turn on the PS3.

I’ve got them programmed into several of my clients Harmony remotes with 100% success. The dongle works fine with repeater systems as well which could be a serious set-back with Ben’s idea.  Not to mention that the Blu-Wave remote system is alot cheaper than the Sony Bluetooth remote.

not being able to turn the ps3 on/off has been a huge setback when trying to incorporate the ps3 into a true theater system. No matter what type of universal you might use, there was no reliable way to communicate with the ps3, and if you use the previous method of an IR dongle, it takes up one of your USB ports.

This idea is perfect. It will still communicate wirelessly to the ps3, so no dongle, and it will simply give you an external IR window. so YES a repeater system will still work with this, you will just put your IR Emitter on the IR4PS3 and it will communicate via bluetooth to the ps3. that also means that this device can be anywhere in the room, within bluetooth range.

Looks like these guys, IR2BT, might have a slightly more “elegant” solution out very soon.

http://www.ir2bt.com

I’m glad to see we finally have a few options!

I love the solutions that have come forth.  But, to mix it up a little;  I’m so sick of Sony’s ARROGANCE that I am almost convinced that when it comes to custom itegration that Sony is just not a team player even though they have the moxy to claim that they are.  For as much money as they have sunk into the PS3, along with the forsight they claim to have(what a joke), you would think that a problem as small as IR for control would have been adressed long ago with an apology attatched.  Sony needs to take off they’re gold plated crown and think of the customer and integrator rather than their own greed.

The IR2BT unit is available as of today.