Use a digital camera to test your Apple Remote

Ok, this one is a little off the wall....

A digital camera or DV camera with an LCD display can be used to or you can use the built-in iSight camera to see if your Apple Remote is emitting a signal. Infrared beams are invisible to the human eye, but most digital camera and video cameras use Charged-Coupled Device (CCD) chips or image sensors that are sensitive to infrared light.

To use an iSight or digital camera to test your Apple Remote, follow these steps:

• Turn on the camera so you see a live picture through the LCD. If you are using an iSight, turn on the iSight by opening the video preview window of iChat.
• Point your Apple Remote toward the lens of the camera.
• Press and hold the Menu button on the remote while looking at the LCD or the video preview window.
• If you see a faint blinking light coming from the Apple Remote on the LCD or the video preview window, then the remote is working properly.
• If you don't see any blinking light on the LCD or the video preview window, replace the battery in your Apple Remote and then test it again with your computer (see this article for instructions).

Comments

[Jared Schwager]

Great tip! Can't believe I had never thought of that before.