Wife is complaining about the number of remotes.

[lsiberian]

+1 for the Harmony 1000. Bought mine for $250 with RF base, NIB on AVS. Their customer support is terrific, which is refreshing.

I'm seeing some going in the 100s I'm definitely looking into it.

 

[highfigh]

I don't remember what model URC he was pushing. It was at Tweeter before they went under. I remember they had a brochure with all the prices. The programming was around $600.

I got my 890 w/RF extender on sale at Best Buy for $240.

$600 is a total eye gouge. That shouldn't take more than an hour to program if the programmer knows what they're doing and isn't trying to get too fancy.

 

[highfigh]

+1 for the Harmony 1000. Bought mine for $250 with RF base, NIB on AVS. Their customer support is terrific, which is refreshing.

Customer support may be great but as I said, dealer support sucks, as evidenced by the fact that you got the 1000 for $250 with the RF extender. $250 is below dealer cost and they aren't supposed to be discounted that much online, which is why Logitech revamped most of their distribution network.

 

[Shock]

Just ask her why is it you can use them all and she cannot? Then insinuate it's because you're smarter.

 

[jostenmeat]

lsiberian, I recommend the URC combo offered earlier in this thread, for $85. I'm also going to ask you to consider not using the 1 touch macro.

I presently own a Harmony 520 and URC RF20. At the end of my diatribe, if you're still set on Harmony, I will consider giving it you. Maybe just shipping + $7 for me to get a sixer of some pale ale. I think the play button doesn't work so well, but I think it still might work? Worst case scenario, you can map the play button elsewhere. (yeah, the button started dying after barely more than one year. Maybe I'll take the time to take a pic of the two side by side and post it, but only if you really want to see. YMMV there). I've already used the URC for longer, no issues.

These two remotes were roughly of the same price, although the URC not only gives you RF capability, it also comes with the blaster station as well as 6 spiders. My opinions between the two, and every single thing is in favor of the URC. I can't think of a single thing I like better about the Harmony.

better buttons on the URC. Better feel. Defeatable backlight. Otherwise, adjustable timing on the backlight. 1000x easier to program. A fraction of the time to program. An even smaller fraction of the time to tweak, or add a button. More reliable operation. RF capability.

Ok, I have thought about one thing in Harmony's favor, and that is longer battery life. However, I'm sure this is a direct result from the URC firing IR + RF simultaneously. I have spent untold hours programming Harmony, and IMO, it probably ranks #1 as the most unpleasant experience I've had with AV in the few years it's been a prominent hobby of mine.

I've programmed multiple Harmonys. I had to write out a troubleshooting guide for a brain scientist of all people. When things get out of sync, laymen have such a hell of a time getting it back together.

I still have yet to see one single consumer who has used both Harmony and URC, that prefers the first. I know they exist, but I haven't read about that yet. OTOH, I've read a lot regarding the opposite.

In such case, one major concern I have is the excessive and unnecessary strikes to your components. Are you going to have your PJ set into the macro? Can you imagine her wondering why there's no pic, and using the macro function repeatedly in attempting to get it (imagine the PJ going onoffonoffonoff), while not realizing the macro is out of sync? Just being paranoid.

You can ask MDS the same thing. I remember BMX saying that the Harmony is a decent product, but that he had a recent client whose s.o. had the URC, and much preferred it to his/her Harmony.

When I programmed, I used the method recommended by MDS, in doing it "manually". Hit the desired key on URC, it immediately says ready, then hit the desired key on original. It took me less than 5 minutes per macro.

With Harmony, find your adapter plug. Open program. Login/password. Find macro. Make adjustment. Wait. Unplug remote, and test. If it doesn't work, repeat. It's been a while since, so I don't know how much better the webpages are, but before they took a while to load. Which made getting to the desired page all the more of a nuisance to me.

I suggest you set each macro on the URC, w/o one touch operation. On any given macro, simply have a page with the desired components' on/off. No need to set delays on any given key, nor "in between" commands, which if necessary will probably mean wifey is holding the remote up, carefully very still, praying "oh cmon please work!". My recommendation, IMO, is the most fool proof, and is also the easiest to troubleshoot.

I programmed one for my bro/gf/roommates. 5 min was all I needed to explain how to operate their system, and they have more components than I do. What's also convenient there is that they can tweak their usage very easily. For example, sometimes they'll be watching a sporting event, but want to play the Xbox, say at half time. I just programmed the source and receiver input into that macro. Ok, I guess you can do the same with Harmony; I guess my point is that if any function was exclusive to a single one touch macro, then you'd program as many macros as there are possibilities of usage (which also means more chances for out of sync macros).

Now, while it's particularly the CI guys here who believe in splurgin on a nice remote, for someone like you, who typically recommends saving by getting 16 gauge wire, or spending sub-1k on a PJ, or building the speakers and sub, I just have a hard time advocating spending hundreds of dollars on a remote. But, then again, when the wifey is happy, everybody is happy . . .

Harmony support is very good, and I've called them on a number of occasions. However, the thing is that URC is also known for good CS, but I can't vouch for that, as I never needed to call them.


YMMV, and these are just my opinions on the matter. Harmony is extremely popular, and I'm sure it must be for good reason. However, I'd love for any of the Harmony lovers here who have tried and/or own a URC to raise their hands.

 

[mod]

Before I bought the Harmony 890 I spent months reading about remotes (this forum, remotecentral.com, others). I was leaning toward URC, but it was too much of a hassle to even buy one. They were only available through dealers who wanted to also program them and didn't want to give access to any of the programs. Forum posts were indicating that customer service was shutting down for the consumers and would only talk to dealers/installers. I finally went with Harmony 890 and love. I also thought I'd have to be pretty senseless to spend what URC wanted for the remote plus programming. After all, these things aren't in the same league as a receiver or a computer, they're remote controls and do pretty basic stuff (on/off/delay/send a signal). I' don't see where any of them should be over $100. Programming the 890 is easy online, but the instructions are limited. The forums are invaluable no matter what you buy.

 

[jostenmeat]

Before I bought the Harmony 890 I spent months reading about remotes (this forum, remotecentral.com, others). I was leaning toward URC, but it was too much of a hassle to even buy one. They were only available through dealers who wanted to also program them and didn't want to give access to any of the programs.

Dood, Amazon has been selling URC for years. You can typically buy the RF20, brand spanking new, for $50. I always recommend ponying up the extra $35 for the RF blaster and spiders, but yeah, just $50 for a brand new RF20.

I also thought I'd have to be pretty senseless to spend what URC wanted for the remote plus programming.

Harmony costs more than URC does, when comparing similar models. You've got it the other way around.

After all, these things aren't in the same league as a receiver or a computer, they're remote controls and do pretty basic stuff (on/off/delay/send a signal). I' don't see where any of them should be over $100. Programming the 890 is easy online, but the instructions are limited. The forums are invaluable no matter what you buy.

Well, there are remotes, and then there are remotes. I've never really played with the latter, and that's more serious stuff like Crestron, RTI, etc, all linked up via RS232.

EDIT: wow, it looks like Amazon sells at least 50 different URC remote products?

 

[highfigh]

Dood, Amazon has been selling URC for years. You can typically buy the RF20, brand spanking new, for $50. I always recommend ponying up the extra $35 for the RF blaster and spiders, but yeah, just $50 for a brand new RF20.



Harmony costs more than URC does, when comparing similar models. You've got it the other way around.



Well, there are remotes, and then there are remotes. I've never really played with the latter, and that's more serious stuff like Crestron, RTI, etc, all linked up via RS232.

EDIT: wow, it looks like Amazon sells at least 50 different URC remote products?

Harmony stops at about $500 and URC goes to $1600 for the MX-6000, which is WiFi and supports two-way communication. Harmony is really more of a consumer oriented remote and URC is geared more toward the integrator, with the exception of the Consumer line like the RF-20, 30, 50 and other models like that. They have much more limited capabilities fro number of devices, they don't program using a computer and are designed to be programmed more simply. They can't be customized as much as the Professional models. Personally, I think they spend far too much time trying to make the graphics exciting and I would prefer them to improve their IR code database.

 

[highfigh]

Dood, Amazon has been selling URC for years. You can typically buy the RF20, brand spanking new, for $50. I always recommend ponying up the extra $35 for the RF blaster and spiders, but yeah, just $50 for a brand new RF20.



Harmony costs more than URC does, when comparing similar models. You've got it the other way around.



Well, there are remotes, and then there are remotes. I've never really played with the latter, and that's more serious stuff like Crestron, RTI, etc, all linked up via RS232.

EDIT: wow, it looks like Amazon sells at least 50 different URC remote products?

URC has the MSC-400, which can control devices using IR, RS-232 or IR out to mini plug input (same commands but you don't need to deal with the inconsistency/interference issues of IR).

RTI programming is even more putzy than URC, when you get into the higher models and while I think URC spends too much time with custom graphics capabilities, they do look far better than RTI screens. Some of them look like an old Casio watch face. Crestron is cool but awfully expensive. They just came out with a less expensive model but $15K for the 12" touch screen is a bit much, even if it can be used as a TV.

One of the programmers I worked with got a weird look from a client one day after saying that he wanted to attach a .wav file to the lighting control ON command so it sounded like hands clapping.

 

[moreira85]

are the harmony remotes compatible with Dish Network? I am tired of using 3 remotes. One for dish, one for reciever, one for dvd.
Great Thread

 

[highfigh]

are the harmony remotes compatible with Dish Network? I am tired of using 3 remotes. One for dish, one for reciever, one for dvd.
Great Thread

Any remote that can learn codes is compatible with Dish Network or any other remote as long as the device's remote isn't transmitting RF.

I hung a new LCD TV in a bar today and although I have already talked with the owner about setting up one remote for the whole place, he's up to 8 different OEM remotes now and he still wants to add more TVs. If he keeps the trend going, they won't be the same brand as any of the others.

 

[strube]

lsiberian, I recommend the URC combo offered earlier in this thread, for $85. I'm also going to ask you to consider not using the 1 touch macro.

...

YMMV, and these are just my opinions on the matter. Harmony is extremely popular, and I'm sure it must be for good reason. However, I'd love for any of the Harmony lovers here who have tried and/or own a URC to raise their hands.

I will simply echo Jostenmeat's lengthy post:

My dad has the Harmony One, which I got for his b-day, set up for him and have used often. It was $179 on sale.

Jostenmeat recommended the URC combo to me a long while back. It was $90 on Amazon. For that price, I will take the URC any day, and my wife doesn't have any problem operating the system. I set it up with macros so that if you hold in the device button for 2 seconds, it turns everything on and sets the inputs and outputs correctly, then sets the remote to the proper device so controlling it is easy (just like Harmony activities). Holding in the Off button for 2 seconds shuts the PJ and AVR down, and all she has to do is shut off the disc player she was using after she takes the disc out and puts it away, which is required by Strube HT Law . It never gets out of sync, blah blah. I could go on forever but I would just be repeating Jostenmeat.

In addition to all of that, his point about your spending habits and DIYness makes me agree that the URC RF-20 combo pack would probably be perfect for you (and your wife).

 

[abboudc]

I have a Harmony 880 and it works well for the job at hand, with a few minor annoyances (my inlaws and father also got one, so i have to hear their complaints too):

Pros --

i haven't found anything it can't control yet. I have a Yamaha receiver, 10 year old JVC Minidisc deck, 10 year old 200 cd changer, Toshiba DVD player, Comcast cable box -- it controlled it all. Same with my father and inlaws. Unless you have some REALLY obscure gear, it should work fine (though i'm not sure you can get more obscure than a JVC Minidisc deck!)

You can set up one button operation for most tasks and program it via the computer.

Nice color screen.

Cons --
IMO the buttons are absolutely horrible. They're hard plastic which is nice, but they don't give you good feedback. They're also horribly located.

The charger stinks. Many of them won't dock properly (though Logitech has been pretty good replacing them). Still, shouldn't happen with a remote with a $200 msrp.

No RF.

No Touchscreen.

Sync with computer is slow.

Aside from the buttons though, i haven't really had any major complaints. My wife loves it, my inlaws love theirs, my father hates his.

I wouldn't get the 1000, it looks cool, but it's ultimately a flawed remote (do some searches on google...). The Harmony One would be a much better choice IMO.

 

[highfigh]

I have a Harmony 880 and it works well for the job at hand, with a few minor annoyances (my inlaws and father also got one, so i have to hear their complaints too):

Pros --

i haven't found anything it can't control yet. I have a Yamaha receiver, 10 year old JVC Minidisc deck, 10 year old 200 cd changer, Toshiba DVD player, Comcast cable box -- it controlled it all. Same with my father and inlaws. Unless you have some REALLY obscure gear, it should work fine (though i'm not sure you can get more obscure than a JVC Minidisc deck!)

You can set up one button operation for most tasks and program it via the computer.

Nice color screen.

Cons --
IMO the buttons are absolutely horrible. They're hard plastic which is nice, but they don't give you good feedback. They're also horribly located.

The charger stinks. Many of them won't dock properly (though Logitech has been pretty good replacing them). Still, shouldn't happen with a remote with a $200 msrp.

No RF.

No Touchscreen.

Sync with computer is slow.

Aside from the buttons though, i haven't really had any major complaints. My wife loves it, my inlaws love theirs, my father hates his.

I wouldn't get the 1000, it looks cool, but it's ultimately a flawed remote (do some searches on google...). The Harmony One would be a much better choice IMO.

The 1000was flawed- personally, I think they needed to test it more before bringing it to market. AFAIK, the bugs are gone. I still would have liked for them to have hard buttons for the keypad but other than that, now that the bugs are gone, it's a great remote.

 

[Amherst]

Hello to everyone on this forum, this is my first post.
Had to comment on the remote control debate here as it's a real sore spot with me after years of frustration with logitech remotes. I have just purchased a Philips Pronto 9200 and RF extender, and should have it here on monday. I will let everyone know how I make out with this product after set-up and some use.
I almost purchased the deal jostenmeat recommended on the URC, after reading this thread. The only reason I didn't was the internal database (future proofing) of the URC. I wanted something I could configure and update through a computer.
Harmony was ruined after being purchased by logitech, just look at what the 659 could do before and after the companies aquisition. It's capability was severely dumbed down so logitech could justify the $200 remote purchase in their newer models. I for one would love to see a company like URC gain a stronger foothold on the market with a superior product and reasonable pricing.

 

[strube]

I almost purchased the deal jostenmeat recommended on the URC, after reading this thread. The only reason I didn't was the internal database (future proofing) of the URC. I wanted something I could configure and update through a computer.

Welcome to the forum!

I thought the same thing at first about the URC system, but honestly, it is future-proof IMO, because it can learn any command from any IR remote.

Additionally, the "dated" codes still work even for devices that weren't around when the URC unit was made. For example, DVD codes worked for my Panasonic BD player and my Toshiba HD-DVD player. The JVC projector I have on loan at the moment worked just fine using a JVC TV remote code.

That said, I found after entering all of the codes for all of my equipment that I preferred to use the learning function to set it up exactly how I wanted it. With the exception of my Sony projector (which had more functionality from the URC DB than was even available on the factory remote - typical Sony ), I used the learning function for all of the devices.

 

[Amherst]

Thanks for the welcome strube!

Hoping the 9200 is able to get me over a few humps with macros. I also read that I can maybe pick up a few commands that are not on the original remotes.
This unit will also give me direct access to channel favorites which I am looking forward too.
Another selling point for me was a gigantic discount on amazon if anyone is interested.

Already aware that the program to configure this particular remote is not from the Pronto Pro series and is a keister pain, but I hope to spend some time (translationatience) on working this thing into doing what I want. Sure I'm going to need some luck also.

 

[strube]

Thanks for the welcome strube!

Hoping the 9200 is able to get me over a few humps with macros. I also read that I can maybe pick up a few commands that are not on the original remotes.
This unit will also give me direct access to channel favorites which I am looking forward too.
Another selling point for me was a gigantic discount on amazon if anyone is interested.

Already aware that the program to configure this particular remote is not from the Pronto Pro series and is a keister pain, but I hope to spend some time (translationatience) on working this thing into doing what I want. Sure I'm going to need some luck also.

Sounds great. I am sure it will work excellent for your needs - I was just defending my old-timey URC remote a little . Good luck!

 

[Amherst]

Yes, I agree on the old timey URC's. Had one of the 8 for ones that was moded
by a fellow so you could put any code you wanted in it. About ten years ago, but I was never able to master the code for the set-up and get it completely where I wanted it.
I am afraid that I am over my head with this unit but plan on a run for the money.

 

[cool-runnin]

Harmony 880 remote

If in your process of looking for a remote, you decide that a 880 can work for you, I have one that has been sitting around unused, let me know if interested.