Best Universal remote for what i need...

[tshark]

hey all. I am looking for a Universal remote that can control the follow:

TV
Receiver
DirectTV with DVR
DVD Player
Misc devices like lights in the room or ceiling fan via IR

Thanks!

 

[Johnd]

Hey Tshark:

As you simply listed some devices (without any specific needs) this will do just fine except for the fan.
http://www.remotecentral.com/phdvr8l/index.html
RC is a great site with loads of the latest products, discrete codes and whole programs (for programmable remotes). Give them a look.

Fans have been typically rf controlled, and not at the 418 Mhz that our remotes transmit (although URC just (last month) released a few remotes at the 433 Mhz frequency. This is the only universal ir controller that I know of for fans. It is rather pricey, but it seems to work just fine.
Lutron Maestro IR Dimmer MIR-LFQTHW

 

[emorphien]

I have no idea how well it could control something like the fans, but if you need IR (or RF) some of the Logitech Harmony remotes might fit the bill. They're relatively easy to configure and affordable for what they do.

I imagine you could use one to control the lights as well, perhaps by training it if need be (which might be the case with any universal remote).

What is your budget for the remote?

 

[gus6464]

I've owned this remote for 4 years now and it's great. Has a ton of options and it's pretty easy to program.

Sony RM-AV2500
http://www.remotecentral.com/av2500/index.html

You can get one nowadays for half the price that I paid.

 

[jcPanny]

Remotes

I have had good results with a URC-300 remote and RF basestation, but the Harmony brand is easier to program with the web interface. Any remote that can learn IR commands should work with an IR fan or lighting.

My ceiling fan w/ remote is RF, so it cannot be controlled with a universal remote. You have to use the one that came with the fan.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Not to hijack this thread but is there anyway to ontrol the BT PS3? I am considering re-doing my set up with all the gear in another room but dont know how I can operate the PS3.

 

[avaserfi]

Not to hijack this thread but is there anyway to ontrol the BT PS3? I am considering re-doing my set up with all the gear in another room but dont know how I can operate the PS3.

Not yet. There are some ways to do it, but you sacrifice being able to turn on the PS3 via remote. You can check this out if you are still interested but until a IR/RF to BT is released we are screwed!

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I guess I will wait and see what come out.

I may not re-do everything but my thinking is if I can get rid of all the gear and just have the speakers visible then it gets me a lot closer to convincing the wife that a PJ will look good in there.

She already said I could upgrade to a 63" plasma (we saw at BB) but I dont think going from 50" to 63" is worth the money. I would rather go to 100+

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I guess I will wait and see what come out.

I may not re-do everything but my thinking is if I can get rid of all the gear and just have the speakers visible then it gets me a lot closer to convincing the wife that a PJ will look good in there.

She already said I could upgrade to a 63" plasma (we saw at BB) but I dont think going from 50" to 63" is worth the money. I would rather go to 100+

Yeah, screen size matters more to me than whether it's plasma vs. LCD vs. DLP, etc.
Oh, wait a minute----Universal Remotes: I don't need no stinking remotes
I'm too cheap. I can't believe they sell remotes for $500 or more?????
That's crazy!

 

[Johnd]

I can't believe they sell remotes for $500 or more????? That's crazy!

To some, perhaps. But it's right in line with ht and electronics. There are not many that will spend over $500 on a remote, I agree...but if you have enough electronics, have the money, and aren't too cheap, it can make perfect sense.

BTW, I'm kinda cheap too. I got my Pronto for $150 3 years ago, and I love it.

 

[tshark]

thanks everyone for your responses. Just ordered the Philips PHDVR8L from Tiger Direct for $9.97 Should be here in 4 days

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3041300&CMP=EMC-TIGEREMAIL&SRCCODE=WEBLET03ORDER


THANKS!!!