I first ran into the idea for using a remote control with a laptop back in early 2001 or so.  While at a magic convention, some folks were batting around the idea that they had heard it was possible.

In 2000, magician and techno geek Jeff Hass had put together a website that walked folks step by step on setting up the system. (http://remotelaptop.tripod.com/)   At that time, laptops were well past their introductory phase, lots of people were using them and prices had begun to make them reasonable for just about everyone. Jeff had created a buzz that would change the way entertainers could play their music.

The difficult product to get your hands on at that time was the “Remote”. Although today we have easy access to many opptions for presentation remotes, with any number of buttons and viewscreens, and coloured laser pointers.  My first remote receiver had a telescoping antenna that screwed into the large base.  Now my receiver is the size of a regular USB stick!

In an era where similar show music playing systems seem to be getting smaller screens and use technology that will invariably become obsolete, this system keeps “pluggin” along.

Large, easy to read screen. Simple setup. Great show…

Thanks Jeff Haas for your efforts, and putting one plus one together!

This is the original Toshiba Laptop I used. It had 2 extra programs on it, Winamp (of course) and NASCAR RACING ..to pass the time in between shows!

 

 

 

Credits:

Laptop / Remote concept – Jeff Haas

Winamp Software : Nullsoft (original), Radionomy

Next on Stop Plugin: DrO

Video: Richard Cole

Editing Software: Sony Vegas, Camtasia