Side-by-side of Xbox 360 remotes

by Christopher Grant { Nov 19th 2005 at 2:00AM }

Here are both the retail "Universal Media Remote" and the not-for-retail Bonus Media Remote that is coming packaged for a limited time with the 360 Premium console.

So, what's the difference between the two? Both control your Xbox 360, both control your Media Center PC, but only one controls your television! Note the lack of volume controls, number pad, and TV button in the smaller "Bonus" remote. What do you expect for free?

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

dm @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

I've been wondering what the deal was with the smaller remote. I always thought we got the bigger remote with the premium unit. I do like the smaller one though, it just looks better. I have no need for a "universal" remote that can only control a tv, so no need for all those buttons to get in the way.

The Idiot @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

I find it really strange that they wouldn't put a volume control on the bonus remote. I would imagine that one of the most used feature of any remote is volume control. How hard could that be?

~The Idiot

dm @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

Seeing as this one doesn't have the numberpad and other buttons associated with programming the remote and tv use then a volume control would be useless. The codes are already available on xbox.com.

corkman @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

I think the smaller one is better suited to xboxlive arcade actually.

Chris @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

I really like the look of Logitech's Xbox 360 universal remote that they announced this week. Looking forward to reviews of its functionality compared with other 90$ universals

SetupWeasel @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

All right. Seriously. I'm sick of this. Stop it.

It's a game system. We know that. You're playing it. Good for you.

I come to this site for gaming news. You know: Miyamoto is working on this, Kuraragi said that... That sort of shit. Not: "Look at the size of our speakers!" or "We have 3 faceplates!"

vc @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

SetupWeasel: we will be doing a 48-hour playathon for every major console release to provide an in-depth look at the experience. Sorry you're not diggin the coverage.

However, I have to disagree with you as to our purpose. We are NOT a mere news site. We are a blog, and as such, we experiment with the form of our content. We provide news, sure, but we also provide much, much more.

Few news organizations will sequester a bunch of guys for 48 hours in close quarters to cover a product in this much detail.

ledorky @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

The smaller remote is awesome.
Been using it today to control my MCE2005 via the 360. It's very ergonomic and just feels nice.

Bron012 @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

vc i can not wait to see you guys with the revolution controller now that will be a funy wekend. Anyways i whant to buy that logytech controller for the 360 it looks nice

Alex @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

How uncomfortable is it to press those number buttons on the bottom of the controller that long with one hand? It would seem to be very.

Arch @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

Let me ask a simple question. Why make two remotes. Damn man. Make one give it away if you want and be done with it. Maybe the people that were producing one of the two remotes could have been producing additional 360s. Everything is jacked around at launch anyway. Remmber the old saying KISS. Keep it simple stupid!!!

~Arch~

sonicinmobius @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

"We are a blog, and as such, we experiment with the form of our content. We provide news, sure, but we also provide much, much more."
Well, that was sappy.

Mogg @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

# 3, can you provide the link for those codes? Does anyone know if this would work on my Motorola PVR that I use through my cable company by chance?

guises @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

"What do you expect for free?"

free? every time someone buys into marketing bullshit, a puppy cries.

AK @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

I'm sorry you think that marketing is bs. Every company in the world does it in some way or another. If they didn't, then no one would be able to sell ANYTHING.

Oh, and I am tired of hearing X360 is too expensive bs. The last generation of consoles cost $300.00 (PS2 and xbox) and with the PS2 what did you get. Console (w/ dvd playback) with cabels and a controller. With the X360 Pemium or whatever it's called you get the console (w/ progresive scan dvd playback, and the numerous connectivity options), a headset, a hardrive,a wireless controller, and for a limited-time, a remote control. That, in my view is a very good deal. Oh, and the power to rival high-end gaming PC's costing many times more, nevermind having to upgrade every 6 months to play the latest games.

Sorry, a little off the subject, but I am tired of this fanboy, the cup is always half empty crap. Buy what you like and enjoy it.

guises @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

"we'll give you stuff for FREE, all you have to give us is another $100."

whether or not it's worth $100, NOT THE POINT.

SetupWeasel @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

"we will be doing a 48-hour playathon for every major console release to provide an in-depth look at the experience."

Because the first 48 hours of play time are so important to a console.

"However, I have to disagree with you as to our purpose. We are NOT a mere news site. We are a blog, and as such, we experiment with the form of our content. We provide news, sure, but we also provide much, much more."

Change news to music and blog to cable TV station and you have the recipe for today's MTV. When are you going to spin off Joystiq Cr1bzz? Maybe you can start making inexplicable posts about pictures of cars next to scantily-clad women.

My statement is my opinion. You can do whatever you want with the site. It's fine. It's your site, not mine. Experiment away. I, however, have been reading for about a year, and I'm bothered by the direction it has taken in recent months.

I just want to say that I called it.

http://www.joystiq.com/entry/1234000157058247/#c442608

dm @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/getstarted/accessories/xbox360/360remote-tvcodes.htm

Codes for Universal Media Remote.

I don't think it will work with PVRs, I think it's just TVs. But there are two Motorola codes so maybe you should borrow one to test it out.

samkim @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

So if i pick one up on tuesday i get a remote? the 360 site doesn't mention that and other retailers aren't mentioning that. Anyone know?

dm @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

If you pick up the Xbox 360 (that's the $399 system, not the core) then yes, you will get a Bonus Media Remote (the smaller one) on Tuesday. It's supposed to be for a limited time but I'm guessing this will be included for at least a few months.

K-Balls @ Dec 18th 2005 9:13PM

Jeebus, Setup Weasel, take a freaking Prozac. Or stop reading. Either way, try not to take it so damn seriously. It's a gaming website. You know, games? Fun? Ring a bell?

By the way, how much did your Joystiq subscription cost? Probably the same as mine did.