The technologies required to deploy RF remote controls on a wide basis are well-developed, but under-deployed. The main technologies in play are RF4CE (now part of ZigBee) and Bluetooth.

“RF4CE is seeing traction in the set-top box market, as service providers have begun trialing, and in some cases deploying, these remote controls. Bluetooth was assumed in the past to not have a strong fit in the remote control market, but we are seeing a good amount of activity in the CE space, especially televisions, for Bluetooth remote controls,” says ABI Research practice director, digital home Jason Blackwell.

RF remote controls target a range of markets including televisions, Blu-ray disc players, set-top boxes, and digital media adapters, among others. The video game console market is leading the charge in RF adoption with all three current-generation platforms employing wireless controllers. Televisions are in the early stages of RF remote adoption with Panasonic, Samsung, and Vizio using Bluetooth for high-end models. The result is a slew of advanced features including applications, search, and internet browsing. Service providers, in contrast, are leaning toward RF4CE-based solutions as Comcast, DISH Network, France Telecom, and others have upcoming set-top boxes supporting the standard.

The adoption of Bluetooth may be driven by recent announcements from TV manufacturers that have chosen Bluetooth as the RF technology to support a new 3D glasses standard. As Bluetooth is embedded in more televisions, it is likely that manufacturers will leverage the chipset investment with incremental features.

“Profit margins in televisions are extremely low,” says group director Jeff Orr.

“If manufacturers are going to invest in a technology like RF, they must maximise the benefit and use it to its full potential.”

ABI Research’s Digital Home Remote Controls report covers the remote control market including universal remote controls, OEM remote controls for entertainment devices, and the emerging market for RF remote controls, including Bluetooth and RF4CE forecasts.

It is part of ABI Research’s Wireless Connectivity and Connected Home research services.