I have been looking for a cost-effective and robust way to bring better media capabilities to my HD LCD TV as well as some light internet capabilities. I am not interested in getting an Xbox 360 and use it’s excellent Media Centre software. I was thinking of an Apple TV but too limited in not letting me hook up an external hard drive with DiVX files nor allowing any web surfing capabilities. I do not want a Windows-based machine connected to my TV despite Windows Media Centre being a good piece of software. I am done with Windows-based computers (that is a separate rant for another day). I am also not enough of a geek or tinkerer to use a Linux-based PC. So I have been hooking up my Macbook Pro to watch the various movies and TV shows I have. But the problem with that is that I have to get up from the couch and go to the TV where my MBP is connected to change volume or open a new movie file. And launching applications or surfing the web is not really possible. Sure, I could use a wireless keyboard but then there was not a trackpad to move the cursor around.
So the current solution, while no extra cost, was not all that efficient for effective media consumption or web surfing on the TV.
That changed this week.
I discovered an app that enabled my iPad (also works for iPhone and Touch) to become a remote for the MBP. It allows me to control the cursor on the MBP via a simulated touchpad on the iPad, adjust volume, access Front Row for media consumption (including my iTunes and iPhoto libraries), surf the web through the browser of my choice and launch any application in my Dock. So what is the name of this app that helps the iPad be so magical? It’s called Rowmote Pro.
Rowmote Pro costs $4.99 and is worth every penny. Aside from purchasing and downloading the app, I had to download and install Rowmote software for my MBP. This software has to be running when I have the MBP connected to the TV in order to use the iPad as a remote. Simple and easy to setup, I was up and running (well actually slouched on my couch) in less than 5 minutes. The app itself is really simple to use and quite intuitive. My only criticism is that the black and grey colour scheme is a little on the dark side. I experienced no lags or issues in my use so far. And you can even switch to another app on the iPad while watching a movie. So I can use the iPad for other purposes while using it to control the MBP/TV combo. And it works over your wireless network so you don’t need line-of-sight for infrared. Brilliant.
There is a $0.99 version of Rowmote that does not have some of the features. To be honest, for $5, I just went for the Pro version. I am really happy with Rowmote. What I will be looking for next is an app that can turn my iPad into a universal remote for the TV so I can also control the cable channels. However, these tend to be much more expensive and require additional hardware to be purchased. I rarely watch cable content anymore so maybe my quest is unnecessary.
If you happen to have a Mac/PC-TV combo and an iPad, this is worth checking out.
Rowmote Pro (iTunes store link)
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