Options for RF+IR+802.11? & the new squeezbox remote

Hello All,

I need better control for my component stack and am trying to plan for a switch to digital music.

I am pretty set on buying a Squeezebox and a NAS to serve up my music. I have not been able to identify a reasonably priced remote control that will control everything. The squeezebox is accessible through web browser (e.g. via 802.11)

On the plus side, I notied that Slimdevices is now advertising a cool new remote. Here it is.

http://www.slimdevices.com/pi_controller.html

It appears to be an 802.11 device and will let me choose my music, adjust volume of the Squeezebox. But this new remote has no IR or RF.

RF is a very important factor for me as I need multiroom and non-line-sight control.

I realize that for a couple of grand I could get a Creston that may do everything I want but that is just too much money for a remote (and I don't intend on controlling lights or other things, just my stack).

Options I am considering include:

1. Harmony 890 for the RF&IR PLUS a Slimdevices remote. The Harmony 890 would appear to do everything except allowing me to select my select tracks from the Squeezebox. Is that true?

2. Harmony 890 PLUS a PSP. I could use the web browser on the PSP to select my music on the squeezebox. PSPs are pretty cheap these days (definitely less than the $300 slimdevices wants for their new remote). Not sure if I can control volume with the PSP though. Does anyone know?

I have also looked at the Harmony 1000 but it appears to be just an 890 with a cool touch screen. Frankly, I like the tactile feel of buttons and am leaning towards the 890. The 1000 also does not appear to have 802.11.

Any other options for less than $1000? Any other advice on this subject? Given that the Harmony remotes and the squeezebox are both offered by Slimdevices I am surprised there is not a better solution. Their new remote is pretty cool but still lacking in RF and IR.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

I was planning on a Squeezebox 3. A little more research reveals that the new controller has an IR emitter. There is talk on the slimdevice forums of developing code to control other devices, either by logitech or the community. Together with the IR blaster there may eventually be a decent solution but I would still be stuck with line of sight, no RF. Also, there are not many buttons and no touch screen so control functionality would seem to be limited.

The new SB controller will show album art and track info which a universal remote will not. I am not sure how you can effectively browse music with the typical universal remote such as the 890.

Browsing music looks like a breeze with the new SB controller, however. And it is reported to be much faster than using a web browser (e.g. on a portable PC, PSP or the like) due to the development of new client server software for the controller and SB.

This may be the ticket, NevoS70, but at $1199 it is one pricey mo-fo.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=974864

But it is a Z-wave RF, IR and 802.11g device with a touch screen.
More here http://www.remotecentral.com/news/41..._launched.html

Now, If I could get the new slimdevices controller client installed on this thing then I would be all set (and much poorer). Still, a very cool remote.