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Testing the drivers.
Unlike many PC remote controls, ATI provides Remote Wonder II drivers for both Windows and Mac OS X platforms and, for the first time, we�ll be covering both. Starting off with the more popular Windows operating system, I downloaded and installed the latest package from ATI�s site, version 2.5. After plugging in the receiver�s USB cable the computer proceeded to initialize several devices � Windows complaining that the drivers had not passed certification � and then finally rebooted.
The Remote Wonder II�s configuration utility resides as a small icon in the system tray (located near the clock). Double-clicking on the icon loads the main options window, which features five tabs: �Program�, �Plug-Ins�, �Mouse�, �Options� and �AUX�.
Plug-in to settings.
Before describing the �Program� tab we�ll jump over to �Plug-Ins�, since this section deals with one of the driver�s most critical aspects: what software it works with. Of course, the remote always operates essential Windows functions such as mouse cursor, left and right mouse clicks, click-and-drag, system volume, basic transport keys for multimedia apps, plus keyboard commands such as cursor, enter and digits. However, some of the remote�s buttons � in fact about 8 of them � can only be used if the driver recognizes the currently running application.
The Remote Wonder II has been designed to primarily operate ATI�s Multimedia Center application, which includes TV, VCR, radio, DVD player, VCD player, CD player, program guide and a file player. However, this program does not come with the Remote Wonder � you need an ATI-based video product for it to even install. So, ignoring ATI�s proprietary programs for now, users will need to rely on Remote Wonder �plug-ins� for all third party applications. By default the drivers include plug-ins for Microsoft Powerpoint and Winamp, although ATI also advertises official plug-ins for DIVX Player and TheaterTek DVD Player. All plug-ins for the old Remote Wonder will also work. Several dozen different plug-ins can be found on the
�net for popular multimedia players and presentation programs.
Although prepared plug-ins sound convenient, they actually pose a serious obstacle as these plug-ins are mini-programs that must be generated using ATI�s software developer kit (SDK) and cannot be easily created or edited by users. Most folks may not be particularly eager to learn �C� just to change the function of a few remote buttons.
What can be easily customized by the user are those six brightly colored keys mentioned earlier, marked [A] through [F]. Found under the �Program� tab, each key can contain a different function for any software recognized by the drivers. Possible functions include launching a program or replicating a keyboard shortcut, up to four simultaneous keys at a time.
So why would you need to create custom keys to begin with? Well, most programs are designed to operate with a mouse: simple point-and-click interface. If you want to load up Internet Explorer�s history list, you go to the �View� menu and find �History�. But if you want to put that function on a dedicated remote button you�d need to assign the keystroke [CTRL] plus [H]. Many programs have almost every function available as a keyboard shortcut.
Assigning keystrokes can be done easily on the six user keys, but is ultimately impossible for any other key unless a plug-in has already been created or you�re up to making one yourself. Overall, the whole plug-in concept seems needlessly inconvenient.
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