Fractal Design Shape HTPC Remote Control Review

Reviewed by: Dan

Edited by: Aaron

Product link: Quiet PC

Price: £25.53

The Fractal Design Shape HTPC Remote Control remote is one of the best looking remotes that we have had in for review. It looks modern, stylish and well made. The interface is simple and easy to use with large play/pause/skip track/ stop buttons at the top for ease of use when connected to a Windows Media Centre PC. There is a large scroll wheel in the middle that is very responsive for moving the mouse cursor. Around the edge of the scroll wheel are conveniently located directional buttons that make navigation through menus a breeze. Left and right click buttons are located just below allowing you to perform all the functions of a conventional mouse. Ideally when clicking down the scroll wheel you want the same functionality as the Fractal Design Shape HTPC Remote Control remotes "OK" button but unfortunately it brings up the mouse curser and performs a left mouse click action where ever it might be on the screen.

Once plugged into XP/Vista and Windows 7 the computer picked up the device and installed drivers automatically which was a nice touch no extra configuration or settings were required. The Infrared sensor connects to the computer via USB and although quite large performed best out of all the media centre remotes that we tested picking up the signal at various angles. On the box it was stated as having a range of up to 10 metres but we found this working reliably up to about 8m and still working up to 11m although at this distance the remote had to be directly pointed at the receiver. The Fractal Design Shape HTPC Remote Control infrared sensor displays a red light when it picks up signals which is a nice touch but can get annoying when it flashes with any other remote control in range being used especially if it is being used on media server next to a TV.

The remote also has other useful buttons for integration with Windows Media Centre with recording, channel changing buttons and volume. There are also number/text input buttons available although these seemed quite small and fiddly to use. Overall the Fractal Design Shape HTPC Remote Control remote control outperformed others that were tested on all accounts and comes highly recommended for any media servers.

Specifications

Features

At AZCS.co.uk we award this Remote from Fractal Design a 4 out of 5 award.