Universal Remote Control Recommendations

[mpompey]

I need help with all of my remotes. I have a remote for my receiver, DVD player, LD player, VCR (Yes I still have one!) and DLP projector.

I was using the Sony RM-AV3000 Remote Control to control the devices. But the device is big and unwieldy. Plus there are way too many buttons on my Receiver remote (rx-v1500) to replicate the functionality I need with the Sony.

Can anybody recommend a remote that can wrangle all of my remotes?

 

[briggek8717]

The Logitech Harmony 880 is a great remote. It is some of the best money I have ever spent on my home entertainment. Not having to direct my wife to the correct remote anymore is worth it alone!

 

[j_garcia]

I'd probably have to say the Harmonys also. Next choice would be the Home Theater Master or URC, which are made by the same company. I've used these guys and I really like them - all are capable of being expanded to RF simply by buying the RF base.

I really just never liked the big LCD Sony remotes, or most touch screen remotes for that matter. I use the touch screen remote that came with my receiver with my bedroom system because I never have to change the screen (though I do still have to look at it for some functions).

A programmable remote is a MUST for all systems, IMHO.

 

[gcmarshall]

i use the Universal Remote MX-850 and love it. i did not like the keypad on the harmony remotes. make sure you hold both and see which style keypad appeals to you. also, the harmony 880 does not have RF capability, only its newer version (the 890) has RF. most of the top UR models do have RF and RF is great!

 

[j_garcia]

All of the URC remotes are RF capable. I used a URC-100 with the RF base in a multi-level, multi-zone setup and it worked great.

 

[Bryce_H]

Another vote for the Harmony (I have a 676). Incredabily easy to program. Took a half an hour to integrate 2 new components into the schemes (macros) a Lutron Graphics Eye and Epson front projector. I couldn't be happier. I had an old Marantz RC2000MKII and it took too long to program. Plus you needed the origanial remotes. With the harmony - plug it into your computer, tell it what components you have, it downloads the codes, and sets up your remote. Also very easy to customize.

 

[majorloser]

I have an older TSU6000 Phillips Pronto Pro and can't complain. You can still pick them up fairly cheap on Ebay with the RF extenders. It is a touch screen color remote. I would go for the newer TSU7000 Pronto Pro NG. I really didn't find programming hard even though some people have complained in the past.

Try this site to help you choose and read reviews:

www.remotecentral.com

 

[gcmarshall]

i would have to say also that Universal Remote's website is lacking some IR codes for some run of the mill components, while i have heard good things about how easy and up-to-date Harmony's web site is for programming. however, for me, i figured i would get my Univ Remote programmed somehow and would be happier with the more traditional push button layout versus the harmony's keypad, which i did not care for. so, kudos to harmony for a presumed better programming experience, but kudos to Univ Remote for what for me is a better keypad and RF. as i said before, having RF is GREAT.

 

[JVC]

I have the Harmony 628, and like it a lot. I definately don't mind the keys (buttons) on it. It's still much better than dealing with 4 or 5 other remotes. It sells at most places for $129.95. Sam's Club sells it for $79.95. It's amazing what pushing just one button will do!

 

[mak99]

Harmony remotes - great for the money!

I need help with all of my remotes. I have a remote for my receiver, DVD player, LD player, VCR (Yes I still have one!) and DLP projector.

I've used primarily One-For-All remotes until I discovered Harmony, pre-Logitech. I started with the 659, then upgraded when the 880 hit the stores. The 880 is great with the customization available and the awesome color screen. Programming itself is quite simple, but the actual "connection" can be frustrating at times, mostly due to my antivirus software.

Pros are the rechargable batteries, motion-sensor backlighting, and very east to use.

Cons are backlighting/key identification could be more readable, awkward to hit lower buttons with one hand use.

All in all, a great remote. Buy from your local retailer, try it out for up to 30 days, then take it back. If you like it, buy it off ebay for cheap, and your settings will still be on the web for quick downloading...

Enjoy!

 

[MDS]

Personal preferences are very important when choosing a universal remote and I'm with gcmarshall on this topic. I currently have the MX-350 and prior to that had the MX-500.

IMO, the button layout is far superior on the Home Theater Master remotes. The cursor pad is in the center and is kind of like 'home row' on a keyboard. Your thumb naturally rests there and every other button can be found relative to the cursor pad - in other words it is easy as pie to operate in total darkness just by feel. I didn't care for the large number of tiny, closely spaced buttons on the Harmonies (I've never bought one but my friend has one).

A lot of people like the idea of 'pre-programmed' remotes (entering setup codes for your devices) instead of learning from the original remotes and the Harmony does improve on that process by having a very large database on the web. However, anytime you have pre-programmed setup codes there can be functions placed on buttons where you don't want them and some functions that don't work at all (due to subtle variations from one model of the equipment to the next model year). I think the Harmony does have facilities to let you move and/or delete those functions but then you are back to the very thing you tried to avoid (manual programming).

The best way to set up the HTM remotes is to learn every single function from every original remote you have. It is simple and goes quickly - the hardest part is planning your layout but at least you have total control over which functions go where and you can mix and match commands from different devices on a single page to emulate the 'activity based' approach of the Harmony. You also have more control over macros - they are not limited to simple 'activities' where say the DVD mode turns on all the devices for watching a DVD and turns off everything else and they can have far more steps.

Both companies get a lot of praise for their remotes but are aimed at different types of people. For me, the HTM remotes are the way to go but the only way to be sure of your choice is to try them both and see which one you prefer.

 

[dponeill]

I would also say Harmony. I have had about a dozen universal remotes in the last 15 years or so. Of these, I would say that my least favorite was the Pronto TSU-2000 and, up until I got a Harmony 688, my favorite would have been the HTM MX-700. I would agree that the button layout and feel were better on the MX-700, but the Harmony is easier to set up and, more importantly, can do some things that would not be possible with the HTM remotes.

 

[andy sullivan]

Anybody know how the 520 and the 628 compare?

 

[JVC]

I like the way my 628 conforms to my hand. I like the layout of the buttons. I just like the look of it better than the 520. I've never USED a 520 though, so I don't know about performance or usability..........

 

[gnagel]

Another vote for the Harmony (I have a 676). Incredabily easy to program. Took a half an hour to integrate 2 new components into the schemes (macros) a Lutron Graphics Eye and Epson front projector. I couldn't be happier.

And I'll add another vote for the Harmony 676. After the rebate, I bought mine for $70 and couldn't be happier.

It works all of my components: Sony SXRD, Motorola HD/DVR box, Yamaha A/V receiver, Oppo DVD player and Lutron lighting. I was easily able to customize a number of activity commands. For example, I touch "Watch a DVD" and then...the TV shifts to the DVD input, the A/V receiver shifts to DVD channel, the DVD player fires up and the lights dim to the preset level!

If I touch "Watch PVR", then...the DVD player shuts off, the TV shifts to the Cable input, the A/V receiver shifts to the TV channel and the lights dim to the preset level.

Many people complain about the limited battery life for the 676. However, after three months, I'm still using the original set of four AAA batteries. Once they finally die, I simply recharge them using my 15 minute charger.

 

[andy sullivan]

Try the All For One 8910 with a jpi cable. For $60 delivered it will do pretty much everything you could possibly need or want.

 

[MDS]

Try the All For One 8910 with a jpi cable. For $60 delivered it will do pretty much everything you could possibly need or want.

The only problem with OFA remotes is that you end up being creative with assigning functions to buttons because they do not have the facility to label some of the buttons like the LCD buttons on the HTM and Harmony remotes.

So for example, if you want to create a macro to switch from cable to dvd viewing, you'd have to put it on a button like 'M1' which is not quite as descriptive as using the 'dvd' button as you could with a press-and-hold macro on the HTM remotes. Have a function like 'late night' (dynamic compression) on your receiver? You'd have to put it on a button like 'L1' which again is not as descriptive as labeling an LCD button 'LNITE'. Try explaining to the non-technical people, like your babysitter, all of the button mappings you've done and they won't get it. I first tried that approach with my sister and brother-in-law and they could never remember which button did what and ended up using 3 remotes again.

You also cannot create an activity based setup because those remotes are purely device based. You cannot for example put a function like 'late night' in the DVD mode, unless you make it a learned button. Learning memory is very limited (2-3K) so cannot easily learn all of the functions from all of your original remotes.

Still, with JP1 you can customize it quite a bit. I think the 8811 or 8810w (w for sold at Walmart) is the best bang for the buck. I keep mine around solely for the rare cases where I can get a discrete code into it and use it to teach the MX-350.

 

[skasol]

Universal remote

Another vote for the Harmony 880

 

[jrfuda]

I have an MX-700 and URC-200 and they are both phenomenal remotes. The 700 is PC-programable and the 200 is not. Both can learn just about any code out there and have very powerful macro capabilites.

I use the PC to program the 700, and then just learn the 700's commands to the 200.. however, I have to manually program the 200's macros since those can't be "learned."

We use the 700 in the living room and the 200 in the dining room and kitchen (which has a clear view of the living room) and they both work flawlessly.

Both remotes have LCD displays and nearly identical button layouts. The LCD is for display only and not a touchscreen. The beauty of this is you can have dynamic, custom labeled buttons (via the LCD) and never have to look at the remote becuase you can "feel' your way around. I prefer being able to feel my way around rather than have to look down at a touchscreen when I want to push a button.

Shop around and you should be able to find a good deal on any of the HTM/URC remotes.