New DVD player or universal remote?

[bwolf]

I've got approximately $250 to spend on my home theater. I'm pretty happy with all of my equipment at this point (replacement stuff would cost a lot more than $250) The only weak point that I see is the DVD player as it's just a cheap $90 Sony from Best Buy. I've also been interested in setting up the system with a good universal remote since I'm tired of using 3 remotes all of the time.

What's going to give me the best bang for my buck? Is there something else? Is it silly to upgrade the DVD player with the new formats on the horizon? I'm jsut looking for ideas. The wife doesn't give me the opportunity to spend some money on the theater very often so I want to take action. Thanks.

 

[MDS]

The new formats are on the horizon, sure, but that horizon is still very far away. Even if HD-DVD is released in early 2006 as Toshiba has promised, players will be very expensive and content will be scarce. Then you will have to have other compatable equipment like a TV with HDMI to be able to view them.

A good universal remote is a MUST HAVE, IMO. You will use it everyday. Given your two choices, I would choose the universal remote.

 

[DISCMAN]

I second the vote for a universal remote. When ever I go to a friends that don't have them, I almost want to bring mine with.

 

[j_garcia]

The remote that comes with the 5000 is a programmable remote (I've owned one, solid unit), though it isn't particularly easy to use or program and it also is not backlit. If you only need basic functions, it should be able to do it. I wouldn't recommend getting a crazy remote with a system like that. You can pick up a URC-100 for $70 at www.avtoybox.com . Then use the rest of the funds to either save for a nice DVD player or some movies or music.

 

[bwolf]

Unfortunately, my Marantz remote is pretty chewed up...had a run in with a puppy about 3 years ago. I want something simple, but also fairly powerful. My main concern is getting the remote to control all of my theater components and also my digital cable box with all of the guides and menus and such. Had my eye on the Home Theater Master MX-500 or something similar. Will that remote work for what I'm trying to accomplish? ...or can anyone recommend something that will?

 

[MDS]

The MX-500 will be able to control everything. It's best to learn every command from your original remotes though. It does have an extensive database of pre-programmed codes, like other remotes, but you can't move the commands to different buttons if you use the pre-programmed codes and don't like where it puts them.

 

[j_garcia]

You might also consider looking around for a used Marantz remote like the RC2000MkII. You can pick them up very cheap on Audiogon and it already has every code you'll ever need for the 5000 (it came out at the same time the 5000s did). It is also fully programmable, backlit and good on batteries. The MX500 is a very good remote also.