REMOTE WONDER PLUS

Since the ALL-IN-WONDER X1800 XL is designed for use as a home theater device (among other things), it makes sense that you’d want to control it from the comfort of your couch without having to deal with messy input devices like keyboards and mice every time you wanted to record your favorite program or watch a little TV. This is where the REMOTE WONDER PLUS comes in.

Like previous ATI remote control units, REMOTE WONDER PLUS is RF-based; you don’t need line-of-sight to manipulate the remote like you do on your TV’s IR-based remote. This comes in handy when using the remote at awkward angles, as the RF signal the REMOTE WONDER PLUS provides can literally pass through walls and boasts a range of up to 60 feet!



The remote control unit itself merges the superior tactile feedback found in REMOTE WONDER II in a package that’s small, just like the original REMOTE WONDER. In fact, REMOTE WONDER PLUS is thinner than any previous ATI remote, measuring only 0.75” thick, roughly 25% thinner than REMOTE WONDER II. In addition to being thinner, REMOTE WONDER PLUS is also shorter than its predecessors at 7.5” tall. Because of these smaller dimensions, REMOTE WONDER PLUS fits more naturally in your hand, making it feel more like a high-end remote like you’d find on a TV. ATI last remote control unit, REMOTE WONDER II, was criticized for being too bulky (REMOTE WONDER PLUS’ USB receiver is also considerably smaller than REMOTE WONDER II’s).

But a smaller chassis isn’t REMOTE WONDER PLUS’ only distinguishing feature, as ATI has also taken the time to redesign the remote’s layout. One example are the programmable buttons C, D, E, and F, which are now located further away from the playback and recording buttons on REMOTE WONDER PLUS. For instance on REMOTE WONDER II it was easy to mistake the rewind button for the programmable F button.

All six buttons can be easily programmed to perform practically any function you want, including handling basic Windows tasks such as closing an application, or for TV viewing, going back to the channel you just flipped from.

Sadly, REMOTE WONDER II’s four backlit auxiliary buttons are removed, but REMOTE WONDER PLUS still retains the improved thumbpad for mouse control: the thumbpad on the original REMOTE WONDER was incredibly mushy.

ATI’s remote control units are highly regarded throughout the industry for their ease of use and performance. Quite simply, ATI provides the best remotes on the market. ATI’s REMOTE WONDER PLUS continues that tradition.

Other accessories

In addition to the aforementioned hardware accessories, ATI also provides batteries for the REMOTE WONDER PLUS remote control unit, and S-Video and composite video cables for the ALL-IN-WONDER X1800 XL, although surprisingly the board doesn’t ship with a DVI-to-VGA adapter. Software bundled with the card includes a copy of Adobe Photoshop Elements, Adobe Premiere Elements, and of course, the Multimedia Center software, which acts as the hub for all of the ALL-IN-WONDER X1800 XL’s many multimedia functions. But more on that later.