Looking for Cheap Universal RF Remote

[krzywica]

I just moved into a new house and am looking to put my gear in a different room than my listening area. Whats the best solution under $100 that will allow me to control my AVR, and SMS-1. The Popcorn Hour is the only source and is already RF out of the box.

 

[bandphan]

Cheapest and best @ the price, bout $78 with rf base

 

[njedpx3]

Cheapest and best @ the price, bout $78 with rf base

Above = MasterControl-RF20-Universal-Learning-Capability for $55.10

I almost agree but I would get the URC RFS200 PowerPak Bundle w/ MasterControl RF20 and PowerBlaster instead for 79.48 This includes the RF controller instead of just being RF capable.

I have this and it is great, easy to program and easy to use. Has pre-programmed mode, learning mode and macro mode.

Good luck!

Forest Man

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Well, since it krzywica - i'm sure he'll figure out URC programming so I wont even mention harmony 550

oops - I did

 

[krzywica]

Thanks a lot guys!!

However....

After pondering this for a minute I had a facepalm moment and realized I can just go with an IR extender as I do not mind using several remotes.....

This will be especially convenient because all my devices have 1/8th" IR receiver ports on them so I won't even have to install the eyes.

I've had Harmony remotes in the past and liked them, but they are kinda limited.....I'm still waiting for the day to come for a device that has direct control.....2 way talking....that will be nice!

I just ordered one of these BTW.

 

[jostenmeat]

krzywica, I would have spent the extra $33 or whatever to have the blaster, emitters, and remote.

Well, since it krzywica - i'm sure he'll figure out URC programming so I wont even mention harmony 550

oops - I did

Firstly, the 550 doesn't do RF. Secondly, URC programming is soooooooo much easier and convenient than Harmony.

To recommend a 550 over the RF20 is akin to any of the following:

recommending Monster over Monoprice
recommending lcd over plasma
recommending Bose over PSB

Yes, IMO, that bad. I own the 520. Here are the 550 and 520, they are 99.9% the same.

This is what I PMd to bandphan just two days ago, on Saturday, as I decided to bust out the retired 520 (which I knew the play button didn't work so well, but wasn't sure if it was completely broke, which it is, and furthermore I discovered the volume buttons are completely broke too, after a little more than a year's use).

. . . but I busted out the old POS Harmony 520, programmed it to control my stereo. I had to plug/unplug at least three times, and the finest gradation I could get the volume commands were by three clicks.

BTW, the original volume keys are dead, as is the play button. What a total POS.

I then programmed a new macro into my RF20, and will simply grab the remote, and take it to whatever room it needs to be in . . .

. . . lol. ugh, the 520 is such pure crap. I think I will soak it in lighter fluid, and torch it.

sincerely,
jostenmeat

p.s. what I meant by "plug/unplug" is going thru the programming thing with the computer, because whatever didn't work or catch. URC programming is less than 5 minutes.

 

[krzywica]

krzywica, I would have spent the extra $33 or whatever to have the blaster, emitters, and remote.



Firstly, the 550 doesn't do RF. Secondly, URC programming is soooooooo much easier and convenient than Harmony.

To recommend a 550 over the RF20 is akin to any of the following:

recommending Monster over Monoprice
recommending lcd over plasma
recommending Bose over PSB

Yes, IMO, that bad. I own the 520. Here are the 550 and 520, they are 99.9% the same.

This is what I PMd to bandphan just two days ago, on Saturday, as I decided to bust out the retired 520 (which I knew the play button didn't work so well, but wasn't sure if it was completely broke, which it is, and furthermore I discovered the volume buttons are completely broke too, after a little more than a year's use).



sincerely,
jostenmeat

p.s. what I meant by "plug/unplug" is going thru the programming thing with the computer, because whatever didn't work or catch. URC programming is less than 5 minutes.

Sweet. Thanks for the advice/rant.

I would love to get a universal remote down the road but thats something that I have learned in the past to not half a$$. If I get one I'm gonna get one and I'm not going to mind spending $500 on a quality product...but it better be sexy and it better work right.

 

[jostenmeat]

Sweet. Thanks for the advice/rant.

I would love to get a universal remote down the road but thats something that I have learned in the past to not half a$$. If I get one I'm gonna get one and I'm not going to mind spending $500 on a quality product...but it better be sexy and it better work right.

I understand, but it's only $33 more? You can sell it for that much easily after a year's use I imagine.

Now, it won't compare to a $500 remote, but what it lacks compared to a unit costing multiples more are a couple of things such as inability to discretely command two different home theaters, or that any commands cannot be specified to output only as either IR or RF. The RF20 being recommended simply outputs both simultaneously.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Firstly, the 550 doesn't do RF.

Sorry, I missed RF in title - I guess rushed to troll a bit too fast

 

[jostenmeat]

Oh I forgot to mention that besides the broken volume buttons, broken play button, also at least one of the "free" assignable buttons is broken as well, namely the upper left button.

These 5xx series from Harmony are absolute utter pieces of crap.

Oh yeah, the paint or whatever is coming off of it in different places. Looks real sleek now!

 

[MDS]

As is probably well known by now, I'm in the URC fan club. I have an MX-350 and the associated MRF-260 RF basestation. Together they cost a tad over $300.

The RF-20 with blaster does 90% of what the MX-350 combo can do at one third the price (it didn't exist when I bought my latest remote).

I know many people like some of the newer models (whether Harmony or URC) that have fancy graphics and icons and can control 60 pieces of AV equipment, but who needs all of that? It's like buying an expensive receiver with a zillion inputs when your HT system has 3 components. The RF-20 or MX-350 can already do more than is really necessary for most people.

To attest to the simplicity, I am now forced to watch TV with the TV speakers. The only thing worse than that of course, it to have to juggle multiple remotes. Since I had the TV commands programmed to the TV device, I just punched the TV volume commands to the Cable device so I don't have to go Main->TV->Volume->Main->Cable. Total elapsed time to make the change: 5 seconds.

 

[krzywica]

As is probably well known by now, I'm in the URC fan club. I have an MX-350 and the associated MRF-260 RF basestation. Together they cost a tad over $300.

The RF-20 with blaster does 90% of what the MX-350 combo can do at one third the price (it didn't exist when I bought my latest remote).

I know many people like some of the newer models (whether Harmony or URC) that have fancy graphics and icons and can control 60 pieces of AV equipment, but who needs all of that? It's like buying an expensive receiver with a zillion inputs when your HT system has 3 components. The RF-20 or MX-350 can already do more than is really necessary for most people.

To attest to the simplicity, I am now forced to watch TV with the TV speakers. The only thing worse than that of course, it to have to juggle multiple remotes. Since I had the TV commands programmed to the TV device, I just punched the TV volume commands to the Cable device so I don't have to go Main->TV->Volume->Main->Cable. Total elapsed time to make the change: 5 seconds.

Cool thanks for the input.

The only drawback that I can think of at this point to having the equipment in the other room is that there is not OSD overlay for volume and processing mode on the 663. This isn't a big deal for volume as I can just set it accordingly and have the volume limited to a certain max volume as I do already. The processing may be an issue though...as I have one source device, so I can;t really filter the default decoder by source. So as some of the content will be 2 channel (Music or TV Shows) I would want to matrix surround for TV Shows but not Music......but this is just a tiny gripe.

I would love to take a swing at those URC remotes. I have heard nothing but good things about them. I really like the Digital R50. Do these things support Popcorn Hour devices? If not that would be a deal breaker. And keep in mind I can't learn codes as I don't have an IR remote for the Popcorn Hour.

Wow I just looked and this thing is only $80....might have to pick one up in a few weeks and give it a go!

 

[jostenmeat]

The only drawback that I can think of at this point to having the equipment in the other room is that there is not OSD overlay for volume and processing mode on the 663. This isn't a big deal for volume as I can just set it accordingly and have the volume limited to a certain max volume as I do already. The processing may be an issue though...as I have one source device, so I can;t really filter the default decoder by source. So as some of the content will be 2 channel (Music or TV Shows) I would want to matrix surround for TV Shows but not Music......but this is just a tiny gripe.

Yeah, I don't have OSD overlay, and I don't want it, because it's a dedicated HT and that would be weird IMO. My components are behind me, and most of the time I'm not exactly sure where the volume is at. Just a close idea.

Why would processing be limited by the URC? On page one of the assignable free buttons, I know that I have THX (to cycle thru, if desired for matrixing, for instance), as well as DRC (to defeat autoflagged DRC on TrueHD bitstreams to my Onkyo), as well as Re-EQ which I haven't used in I don't remember how long. If you are so lucky to have discrete commands for any sort of processing, well lucky you.

Do these things support Popcorn Hour devices? If not that would be a deal breaker. And keep in mind I can't learn codes as I don't have an IR remote for the Popcorn Hour.

Jamie was forced to go URC because he bought "foreign" equipment. IOW, I have no doubt that it can control your Popcorn if it accepts IR. Does it accept IR? Or does it only accept RF? That is probably trickier.
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47535

 

[njedpx3]

Sweet. Thanks for the advice/rant.

I would love to get a universal remote down the road but thats something that I have learned in the past to not half a$$. If I get one I'm gonna get one and I'm not going to mind spending $500 on a quality product...but it better be sexy and it better work right.

krzywica - the 2-way fully programmable universal that is sexy, already exists ..but it is expensive to keep tuned and fully operational

e.g. you have to buy HER occasional niceties, take her out to dinner, new furniture, new knicknacks, etc,

Peace and Good Control,

Forest Man

 

[krzywica]

Yeah, I don't have OSD overlay, and I don't want it, because it's a dedicated HT and that would be weird IMO. My components are behind me, and most of the time I'm not exactly sure where the volume is at. Just a close idea.

Why would processing be limited by the URC? On page one of the assignable free buttons, I know that I have THX (to cycle thru, if desired for matrixing, for instance), as well as DRC (to defeat autoflagged DRC on TrueHD bitstreams to my Onkyo), as well as Re-EQ which I haven't used in I don't remember how long. If you are so lucky to have discrete commands for any sort of processing, well lucky you.

I was saying it was limited by the remote. I was saying my receiver will be in another room, with no line of site. And I don't think there are discrete codes fo decoders on the 663 so figuring out what the receiver is doing with the signal would prove difficult. With movies this will be a non issue as I have it setup to always choose the native decoder, IE DD or DTS and their HD audio equivalents are actually locked in and not able to change, which in this case is a good thing. The problem would lye when trying to select the correct processing mode for 2 channel content. I would want PLII for TV shows and "straight mode" for 2 channel music listening. This would be easy to select as there is one button for straight and one to toggle surround modes...and hitting the straight button multiple times does nothing......however hitting the surround button multiple times toggles surround modes....which I do not want....

Jamie was forced to go URC because he bought "foreign" equipment. IOW, I have no doubt that it can control your Popcorn if it accepts IR. Does it accept IR? Or does it only accept RF? That is probably trickier.
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47535

The C-200 has an 1/8th" IR input jack. Getting the programming setup in the remote would be the issue I would be concerned with.....my ignorance about URC remotes should be readily apparent at this point as I'm not sure how you would program the remote other than to "teach" it every button press from a C-200 remote....I guess I would always borrow Warpdrv's C-200 IR remote (as they come with RF only remotes and you have to order them seperate).

 

[jostenmeat]

I was saying it was limited by the remote. I was saying my receiver will be in another room, with no line of site. And I don't think there are discrete codes fo decoders on the 663 so figuring out what the receiver is doing with the signal would prove difficult. With movies this will be a non issue as I have it setup to always choose the native decoder, IE DD or DTS and their HD audio equivalents are actually locked in and not able to change, which in this case is a good thing. The problem would lye when trying to select the correct processing mode for 2 channel content. I would want PLII for TV shows and "straight mode" for 2 channel music listening. This would be easy to select as there is one button for straight and one to toggle surround modes...and hitting the straight button multiple times does nothing......however hitting the surround button multiple times toggles surround modes....which I do not want....

Ok, I have a clearer idea. What are all of the source devices? You said... you only have one source device? If it's a bluray player, but not a Sony player or at least older Sony, perhaps shotgun outputs like a pair of RCA stereo as well as the HDMI. Assign that for 2ch duties, and problem solved? Or hopefully mitigated. In fact, maybe S/PDIF for TV, RCAs for stereo, and HDMI for blurays/dvds?

The C-200 has an 1/8th" IR input jack. Getting the programming setup in the remote would be the issue I would be concerned with.....my ignorance about URC remotes should be readily apparent at this point as I'm not sure how you would program the remote other than to "teach" it every button press from a C-200 remote....I guess I would always borrow Warpdrv's C-200 IR remote (as they come with RF only remotes and you have to order them seperate).

I am sure URC can help you. Just contact them. So, the URC + your purchase today should work out. All IR codes are just strings of hex codes, if I understand correctly.

If they can solve Jamie's English products, I'm sure they can solve Popcorn.

oh yeah, you may want a remote that is IR only, or at least where the RF can be defeated. The reason I say that is because you won't need RF, and RF eats batteries more quickly AFAIK.

 

[krzywica]

Ok, I have a clearer idea. What are all of the source devices? You said... you only have one source device? If it's a bluray player, but not a Sony player or at least older Sony, perhaps shotgun outputs like a pair of RCA stereo as well as the HDMI. Assign that for 2ch duties, and problem solved? Or hopefully mitigated.



I am sure URC can help you. Just contact them. So, the URC + your purchase today should work out. All IR codes are just strings of hex codes, if I understand correctly.

If they can solve Jamie's English products, I'm sure they can solve Popcorn.

oh yeah, you may want a remote that is IR only, or at least where the RF can be defeated. The reason I say that is because you won't need RF, and RF eats batteries more quickly AFAIK.

COOL!

Thanks a lot for the info. I will contact URC and see what they can brew up!

 

[krzywica]

I got a "oooo that looks cool" from the woman and then a "so what does that do" immediately after. Thats a good sign that I may be picking one up soon.

 

[lsiberian]

I got a "oooo that looks cool" from the woman and then a "so what does that do" immediately after. Thats a good sign that I may be picking one up soon.

I got a Harmony 660 from ecost.com for around 30 bucks and it works just fine.

 

[krzywica]

I got a Harmony 660 from ecost.com for around 30 bucks and it works just fine.

Meh....I've had a few LH's in the past and while they were ok, they just didn't quite do it for me. When I moved on and sold it I never really missed it for a second. You would think if it was for me then I would have missed it a little at least ya know? I have never owned a URC remote and would love to give them a shot. I have a question into them so we will see if I end up getting one or not.

Thanks for the input though as always...even if it was met my rejection/hostility.