Remote Controls

[mlail]

I am looking into buying a remote control unit that will not only simplify watching TV, playing DVD's... but one that can also change the lighting, control the temp, and all of the automation available today. I want to do it myself and save the bucks for equipment.

I have looked into many different systems but I still cannot see a clear winner. The MX-890 has Zwave capability, but the MX-980 does not mention additional function for the extra bucks. I have read the Control4 site and I really dislike the remote control. I was wondering if they had a display remote instead of the basic remote shown on the site. Control4 however is not designed for the DIY people.

Lighting controls from x-10 are just toys. Controls with UPB us a much stronger signal which prevent erroneous signals. HAI appears more robust even still but I no less about them.

So what remotes are you using and what do you control with it? If you had the extra cash which one would you buy? Why?

Keep in mind the DIY desire and each strength or weakness.

thanks!

 

[bandphan]

I am looking into buying a remote control unit that will not only simplify watching TV, playing DVD's... but one that can also change the lighting, control the temp, and all of the automation available today. I want to do it myself and save the bucks for equipment.

I have looked into many different systems but I still cannot see a clear winner. The MX-890 has Zwave capability, but the MX-980 does not mention additional function for the extra bucks. I have read the Control4 site and I really dislike the remote control. I was wondering if they had a display remote instead of the basic remote shown on the site. Control4 however is not designed for the DIY people.

Lighting controls from x-10 are just toys. Controls with UPB us a much stronger signal which prevent erroneous signals. HAI appears more robust even still but I no less about them.

So what remotes are you using and what do you control with it? If you had the extra cash which one would you buy? Why?

Keep in mind the DIY desire and each strength or weakness.

thanks!

Universal remote has native RF control over new lutron products, http://universalremote.com/product_detail.php?model=157 some of the older remotes have to be learned but most of the new ones do not. If you go with universal brand, make sure that you have access to the software (pro line) or a model that isnt pc programed. Once a remote is deceided, just choose which lutron switches/modules you would need. IMO this a very nice feature, that elimanates hardwiring issues.

 

[Phil Taylor]

The Logitech Harmony 890 RF&IR remote will control Lutron. It's programmed via your PC and has an extremely deep database of codes for damn near anything - lighting, climate control and appliances - in addition to A/V gear. Goes for about $280.

 

[OttoMatic]

Yes, I use my 890 to control ZWave light switches. It works perfectly, though I wish I could include the lights as "devices" under "activities". But that's basically a nit.

I'm not sure about it controlling your furnace thermostat, though. If there is a ZWave thermostat out there, I imagine it would be able to control it.

 

[bandphan]

The Logitech Harmony 890 RF&IR remote will control Lutron. It's programmed via your PC and has an extremely deep database of codes for damn near anything - lighting, climate control and appliances - in addition to A/V gear. Goes for about $280.

Phil, imo if you are going to do rf moving up to URC gives more control and the native rf on the lighting from lutron. For a simple i room system id the Harmony.
Jmo

 

[Phil Taylor]

Phil, imo if you are going to do rf moving up to URC gives more control and the native rf on the lighting from lutron. For a simple i room system id the Harmony.
Jmo

I'm unclear on what you mean by "native rf". The Harmony 890 is RF and IR "native" as well - i.e. it transmits both signals simultaneously. Its stated RF range is "up to" 100ft.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I'm unclear on what you mean by "native rf". The Harmony 890 is RF and IR "native" as well - i.e. it transmits both signals simultaneously. Its stated RF range is "up to" 100ft.

Native RF for the lighting.

That is, the URC can directly control the RF lighting, using RF control. Unless the RF channel is built into a remote, it can't directly control other RF channels beyond the one it is programmed for.

The typical Harmony remote doesn't control via RF, it sends commands via RF to a base station which are then turned back into IR. The only RF communication is has is between the base station and the remote.

URC, apparently, has a remote which includes Z-Wave RF built in so that it can control some Lutron dimmers directly via RF and some programming.

Not sure, I actually program Crestron, which is "DIY" for me, but certainly isn't for many people.

 

[mlail]

Not sure, I actually program Crestron, which is "DIY" for me, but certainly isn't for many people.

Which Crestron would you recommend that would cover what I am looking for? At this time I am open to suggestions. I just want to get it right the first time and not end up buying many different remotes with hopes of everything working. It's all about the fine print and too often many devices are full of fine print. Simply put a device will control x if I am using y. But what many devices don't tell me is I would never want y because it uses some other frequency or whatever. I know that is vague but there are many traps out there and I hope to avoid them this go around!

 

[Phil Taylor]

Native RF for the lighting.

That is, the URC can directly control the RF lighting, using RF control. Unless the RF channel is built into a remote, it can't directly control other RF channels beyond the one it is programmed for.

The typical Harmony remote doesn't control via RF, it sends commands via RF to a base station which are then turned back into IR. The only RF communication is has is between the base station and the remote.

URC, apparently, has a remote which includes Z-Wave RF built in so that it can control some Lutron dimmers directly via RF and some programming.

Not sure, I actually program Crestron, which is "DIY" for me, but certainly isn't for many people.

The 1000 won't yet but the 890 will --
Copied from Z-Wave world ---
http://www.zwaveworld.com/ask/ask12.php

"
Both the 890 and the 890 pro support Z-Wave Basic Command Class. Please go to the Logitech support website, for instructions on using your 890 or 890 pro as secondary controllers. In your specific case, the Primary Remote (the one originally used to set up your network) will "Copy To" or Replicate its information to your 890 or 890 pro. You will need to find out how to get your Primary Remote to send the information and then place your 890 of 890 pro in Learn mode. "

 

[OttoMatic]

The typical Harmony remote doesn't control via RF, it sends commands via RF to a base station which are then turned back into IR. The only RF communication is has is between the base station and the remote.

The Harmony 890 definitely has ZWave built in.

 

[bandphan]

read the page I linked. URC and Lutron have partnered to provide control solutions via RF to their lighting products. Nothing against Harmony, my suggestion for rf and anything other than a basic setup would warrant looking at other products. The one thing that bugs me with harmony is the lack of discrete control via rf.

 

[mlail]

I talked to another friend and he believes that the Crestron while expensive is a great way to go.

 

[OttoMatic]

read the page I linked. URC and Lutron have partnered to provide control solutions via RF to their lighting products. Nothing against Harmony, my suggestion for rf and anything other than a basic setup would warrant looking at other products.

OK, I read the link. I'm not trying to be a Harmony fanboy, but I think that the 890 and any ZWave switches/dimmers/whatever can do the same type of thing -- natively control, via RF, those switches, in various rooms, implement "scenes", set the lights to whatever predetermined values for each "activity" (e.g., dim the lights when you select "watch a movie"), etc.

The one thing that bugs me with harmony is the lack of discrete control via rf.

I have an 890 controlling a single switch, but I can add as many as I want and create scenes. I can control it from throughout the house, and don't need any converters, etc. I can control that switch or others discretely via RF.

Am I missing something here?

Crestron is definitely cool stuff, and we used it at my previous workplace. However, for the normal consumer it's too expensive or complicated.

 

[bandphan]

Am I missing something here?

My rf was in general, not only specific to lighting. The discrete control Im refering to is the abilty to assign flasher outputs, for use with identical gear and multiple rf units.

 

[mlail]

OK, I read the link. I'm not trying to be a Harmony fanboy, but I think that the 890 and any ZWave switches/dimmers/whatever can do the same type of thing -- natively control, via RF, those switches, in various rooms, implement "scenes", set the lights to whatever predetermined values for each "activity" (e.g., dim the lights when you select "watch a movie"), etc.



I have an 890 controlling a single switch, but I can add as many as I want and create scenes. I can control it from throughout the house, and don't need any converters, etc. I can control that switch or others discretely via RF.

Am I missing something here?

Crestron is definitely cool stuff, and we used it at my previous workplace. However, for the normal consumer it's too expensive or complicated.

I am seriously leaning toward the 890 as well. I like how Logitech allows the user to plug the remote into their PC and program it via the web. However, I also like URC's support with Lutron devices. Logitech does not mention on their web site that their remotes can control anything other than HT equipment. I'll have to poke around some more!

It would be great to find a Logitech that controls lighting, drapes... and HT gear. The list prices for URC 880 and the 980 are very steep.

Thoughts anyone?

I have set up many x-10 devices so how much harder is Lutron to configure? My job is building and configuring servers so technical things come natural to me. Not to mention the help people like you offer if I run into a snag.

 

[OttoMatic]

It would be great to find a Logitech that controls lighting, drapes... and HT gear.

Thoughts anyone?

Check here and here.

I found those by just Googling for zwave and drapes. There are many more out there. If you're handy, you could integrate those motors to control pretty much whatever...

I have set up many x-10 devices so how much harder is Lutron to configure?

I don't know about the Lutron stuff, but ZWave programming is very easy; you will have no problem.

 

[Swerve]

Harmony 890

... when's the new RF equipped One coming out?!