Is Marantz app the cure all or is URC the answer ?

[Steve M]

Working out the bugs on my new system and the factory remote looks to be as old as the 80s
and just plain stupid !! not an option for multiple zone music and zone 1 HT . does anyone have the marantz app working proper for the 8802a for multi zone . and zone 2 and 3 are for audio only
Will that app solve complexity and make it simple so wife can use it and so i do not need a 6 pack of remotes to use my system ?
Goal is to keep it simple to use for wife and my self . play movies ,cable box next flix , and stream spoifyi in zone 1 , zone 2 and 3 are for audio only

8802a
New Samsung 65 inch smart tv
XPA 5 gen 3
a700
roku
oppo 203
ht 5.1 and 2.1 audio
Bar 2.1 audio only ,
Outside ,4 speakers audio only

 

[2channel lover]

Working out the bugs on my new system and the factory remote looks to be as old as the 80s
and just plain stupid !! not an option for multiple zone music and zone 1 HT . does anyone have the marantz app working proper for the 8802a for multi zone . and zone 2 and 3 are for audio only
Will that app solve complexity and make it simple so wife can use it and so i do not need a 6 pack of remotes to use my system ?
Goal is to keep it simple to use for wife and my self . play movies ,cable box next flix , and stream spoifyi in zone 1 , zone 2 and 3 are for audio only

8802a
New Samsung 65 inch smart tv
XPA 5 gen 3
a700
roku
oppo 203
ht 5.1 and 2.1 audio
Bar 2.1 audio only ,
Outside ,4 speakers audio only

I have a lower level AV from Marantz...7702mkii. Not sure if the remote is the same or not, but I'm sure it's not better than the 8802a...I also have 2 additional audio only zones set up.

Admittedly, the remote is harder to use, especially if I'm not using the TV screen. But I'm typically using the Airplay source for zone 2 and or zone 3, but I have also used CD, Pandora, and FM Tuner sources. So far, no real problems to speak of.

I also have the Marantz APP on my phone. It's fairly easy as well to, but it's not that stable....at least once a week it seems to forget the 7702mkii is on the network.

My issue is getting everything on a trigger.

 

[rojo]

@Steve M: Yeah, if your goal is to replace multiple remotes, then a URC is the best solution. I'm a fan of Harmony remotes, personally. I haven't tried any of their RF stuff, as I've intentionally avoided any RF-controlled components in my chains. If you've got a stick gadget of some sort (FireTV stick, Chromecast, Roku stick, etc), pay special attention to whether the remote control you're considering will operate it, or plan to continue using the OEM remote for those incidental gadgets. And maybe continuing to use the Marantz app to control your secondary zones wouldn't be the worst thing to happen.

But for home theater operation, I'm not a big fan of apps for casual remote control. They're fine for very occasional use, for tweaking settings and so forth, but I prefer tactile buttons for typical operation. I don't want to have to look away from the show to launch an app to manipulate the volume, pause, navigate the cursor, whatever.

 

[everettT]

With a network controller from urc, you can have phone and tablet app instead of a handheld remote. This will probably require you to pay a CI for the programing. URC consumer level remotes are good, but if you want complex control, I'd go the CI route with handheld or app.

 

[Steve M]

I had the pro guy program a mx 450 to try and its works good , he has been doing it for 25 years and it was a challange .
The main issue now streaming spotifyi via roku it locks up . and is limited and does not work well
I can stream via blue tooth and works perfect with much better fromat and control ect but its not as clear and i have to use my phone or a tablet
I am going to try streaming spotfyi next via sonos and see how that pans out
Mabee Neeo with sovle the riddle ?

I might step up to total control urc and app combo in the end
IF i would have know about this FU remote crud when using multizone pre amps , i would have listen to the installer and and went a different route in the begening before $$ spent ,but i folowed incomplete paid advice !