Tech Review – OneForAll SmartControl Motion Remote Control

Motion tracking seems to be the new way of doing everything at home these days and the guys at OneForAll are on point with their novel entry-level controller, SmartControl Motion.

Universal remotes are not a new entity, they have been making our lives easier for many years now, and OneForAll have been there from the very beginning. The SmartControl Motion Remote from the boffins at OneForAll will not only help you clear up the clutter of multi remotes in your Front Room but will also have you thinking you are Tom Cruise in Minority Report. You see the SmartControl includes six motion sensed controls – you can pause, rewind and even turn off your devices with a simple flick, swish or a tap. Add the fact that this controller is only £26.99 and you can see that this SmartControl is an absolute BARGAIN!

FRC has been lucky enough be sent one through to try it out for ourselves. But what did we think? Let us see…

The SmartControl is packaged nicely in clear plastic and immediately I grabbed my scissors, thankfully the guys at OneForAll have made it very easy to get into the plastic with a simple application of pressure in one corner. We all know how I hate Plastic packaging, so I was very happy for this great idea!

We were then greeted to a wealth of instruction booklets in various languages, it was at this point I got a little scared. Am I going to be trying to set this remote up for the remainder of my Christmas Holiday? Where do I start?

Again I was very pleasantly surprised and relieved by the big thinking at OneForAll. Amongst the booklets was a quick start leaflet. The remote is actually very easy to set up. The SmartControl is already pre filled with most of the bigger name manufacturers and it is a simple 3 button process to get your TV, STB, DVD, MEDIA all programmed into it. The whole process takes literally 5 minutes. If any of your kit is not listed, there is a full list of ALL (and I mean ALL) manufacturers and you can program the remote using the codes provided.

The aesthetics of the controller are really nice. It feels heavy and well made, the rubber back is a nice touch too, as we all know how easy those remotes slip off the sofa. The addition of a back light to the keys is very handy for darkened film watching moments. I also really like the silver bezel, it gives you the illusion of holding a bit of tech that is way above it’s price point.

But what about it’s USP, the Motion Control?

Actually it works pretty well. There is a knack to it, you need to get the right speed going to the flick to make the STB Pause, but it doesn’t take that long to get it right. My favourite feature is when you place it upside down on the coffee table it turns off all the bits of tech you were using for you. Great for those late night Film sessions when you just want to go to sleep. The only draw back on these controls is the double tap for MUTE seems only set up for right-handed people, but for £26.99 I can live with it!

We only had problems with the remote when we tried to set it up in our Home Theatre. It didn’t like the amount of macros that are required to turn TV on, Change to HDMI 1, Turn SKy box on, Turn Amp on, Change amp to AUX. It didn’t want to play at all. But when we used it in the simpler and cosy surrounding of the bedroom with just a TV, Sky Box and an Xbox, it coped very well and we were very soon controlling and switching between devices with ease. But let us face it, this is a fantastically advanced remote for it’s price. At £26.99 it is very hard to find any real fault with the SmartControl Motion.

FRC Rating

[starreview tpl=16 size='30']

Great introduction into the world of Universal Remotes, with a few really interesting features to amaze your neighbours.

OneforAll SmartControl Motion Remote is available at a wide range of retailers including Amazon for £26.99

Are you a user of a Universal Remote? What about the Motion side of this one? Does it appeal? Comment below…