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One of the things I really like about the new Gemini box for DIRECTV satellite TV is the remote. The folks at DIRECTV managed to make it smaller, simpler, and easier to use than the previous generation. Not only that, but it's DIRECTV's most powerful remote yet. The Gemini remote will work when the box is behind most TVs, when it's in a cabinet, or really almost anywhere within 50 feet. How? It's the power of Bluetooth.

I'm famously against Bluetooth, but this time it makes sense.

I've written a long string of articles over the years about how much I hate Bluetooth. The issues tend to boil down to two things. First of all, the Bluetooth standard keeps evolving, leaving older equipment out. This shortens the life of your equipment and can be a real pain if you rely on it for your car. Second, the way that Windows handles Bluetooth isn't really consistent. That can mean that things like Bluetooth keyboards ands mice don't quite work the way you expect. Sometimes they don't work at all.

But in this very particular case, I really like the Bluetooth implementation on the DIRECTV remote. It makes the whole process so much easier. And, for whatever reason, the Bluetooth system on these Gemini boxes "just works." It's never given me any problems, and that's saying a lot for Bluetooth in my opinion.

Why Bluetooth is better

Bluetooth is better than plain old infrared remotes because it does use radio waves rather than infrared signals for communication. This means that the remote can penetrate through walls, doors, and cabinets. You won't have to worry about aiming carefully and can even use the remote in another room!

Bluetooth is better than old-fashioned RF remotes because it's a two-way system. This means that pairing is a breeze. All you need to do is press the REWIND and FAST FORWARD buttons at the same time. Hold them down until you see a message that the remote is ready to use. There's a walk-through that you can get by going to MENU, Settings, Remote Control, but it's just as easy to do it this way.

Having Bluetooth built into the Gemini also gives you something I've been requesting for many years. It's actually possible to connect a Bluetooth keyboard to the Gemini. It doesn't seem to work everywhere, but it does work.

The obvious next question

Once I tell people all the great stuff that Gemini's Bluetooth remote can do, the obvious next question is, "can I use it with my older DIRECTV hardware?" There's no way to use this remote in Bluetooth mode with older DIRECTV boxes. You can reset it to infrared mode and use it, but you lose all the benefits that Bluetooth brings. DIRECTV has no plans to make a Bluetooth adapter for its older hardware, either.

Get your Gemini (and remote) from Solid Signal

Solid Signal is your source for everything you need for your Gemini. We also have the original equipment Gemini remotes at the best price you'll find on the internet. If you haven't upgraded to Gemini yet, you'll want to call the experts. Upgrading to this particular box can be tricky, and you'll want to make sure you have some help to do it right. Call us during East Coast business hours and we'll take great care of you!


The post Is it true that the Gemini has a Bluetooth remote? Is that different from an RF remote? appeared first on The Solid Signal Blog.

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