Which is the best remote?

[ParadigmDawg]

Oooh. Good thing we don't have women on this forum.
Wives = Remote control.
I didn't really say that.

I dont think I like you attitude; please box up all your gear and make your HT room a craft room ASAP....

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Does anyone have any feedback on this remote?

http://www.universalremote.com/product_detail.php?model=128

That is a cool looking remote. I kept on looking for the "TALK" button, though. It reminds me of a cell phone.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I dont think I like you attitude; please box up all your gear and make your HT room a craft room ASAP....

Hey, I took Arts & Crafts back in high-school. A lot of babes in that class.

The only craft done in my HT room is cutting speaker wires for the locking bananas!

Hey, programming a remote is considered crafting, isn't it?
Takes some talent.

I've seriously considered buying a new Harmony universal remote several times at Best Buy. I put the remote in my cart. 15 minutes later, it went back on the shelf.

To me, universal remotes are cool.
Maybe after my 4 yr old daughter passes the stage of killing remotes, I may buy a new one.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Hey, I took Arts & Crafts back in high-school. A lot of babes in that class.

The only craft done in my HT room is cutting speaker wires for the locking bananas!

Hey, programming a remote is considered crafting, isn't it?
Takes some talent.

I've seriously considered buying a new Harmony universal remote several times at Best Buy. I put the remote in my cart. 15 minutes later, it went back on the shelf.

To me, universal remotes are cool.
Maybe after my 4 yr old daughter passes the stage of killing remotes, I may buy a new one.

They are really good for wifes; mine was frustrated with the HT until I got one, she likes being able to just it one button. They are worth the money but I would wait and see if someone make a Blue-Tooth version that will work the PS3.

 

[Thaedium]

You have to have a universal remote; if you dont then your are not an audioholic and need to stay off this site!

In the immortal words of Homer Simpson... DOH!!!!


I dropped the ball, I'm sorry guys. I seriously don't have a universal... not even close to it. I kid you not when I say I have 5 remotes.

1. Sony TV remote... It really is the only one I rarely use. When I do, its to alter some of the TV's options, like time/alarm functions, colour / brightness levels, wide / standard screen display.

2. My Bell reciever remote, which I utilize for turning on or off the TV, satellite. Handles the channels, the guide, and the PVR's programing.

3. Pioneer reciever remote. It's actually not that shabby, has a tiny LCD screen which allows you to see which device its commanding. I really don't use it to its fullest potential as I only use it to handle the recievers functions.

4. Pioneer DVD player remote. Used obviously to handle the DVD player. 301 discs and I can sit at my couch and choose whichever one I want without ever having to get up. Its ugly, simplistic, but works well.

5. Velodyne DD-15 remote, which I use only when I want to turn on or off my sub, alter various settings, or utilize the preset buttons to change the sub from music listening to movie listening.


Ever since I've gotten my new setup I've been largely mulling over the idea of a universal remote. My roomate is often baffled by it other then the most obvious functions, and lately (after 2 months) hes slowly started to learn how to use the system without being babysat through the process. Guests however are instantaneously confused, and immediately awed by it. If I had one of you guys over you'd laugh at me and would definently not be awed... To funny!

The thing is, I just don't know what remote to go with. I'm not sure if I want a touch panel, or traditional style remote, and I haven't decided on a budget for it. Regardless, I'm kinda curious as to any suggestions anyone might have for me?

 

[MDS]

The thing is, I just don't know what remote to go with. I'm not sure if I want a touch panel, or traditional style remote, and I haven't decided on a budget for it. Regardless, I'm kinda curious as to any suggestions anyone might have for me?

Here's my two cents. I've had many different 'universal' remotes and have even done JP1 programming to customise the low price One-For-All remotes. There are advantages and disadvantages to any remote and it's hard to develop a preference for one or the other without buying one of each and living with it for awhile. Having said that...

I am firmly in the camp that prefers the remotes from Universal Remote (Home Theater Master). I prefer the ones that have an LCD screen with programmable buttons next to the entries on the LCD but NOT an LCD touchscreen.

An LCD touchscreen is neato for awhile but is problematic for use by feel in the dark (sure you can turn on the backlight). A touchscreen remote requires you to look at the screen to ensure you touch the correct icon.

The remotes that are programmed via computer are ok in the sense that you can get it done quickly and save a backup of your config but the downside is exactly the need to connect to your computer to make even minor changes. The computer programmable remotes are nice if you don't have the originals to teach the universal but in some cases you need to tweak it anyway if you don't like the location of the functions on the buttons.

Pre-programmed remotes, where you enter 'setup codes' are the pits. You rarely have the ability to change the location of functions.

So for me, I like the remotes that are highly customizable but take a little work on your part to learn the codes from the originals. I like the remotes like the HTM MX-350 that allow you to put any function on any button in any mode and create macros that span all of the modes (like my 'power on' that turns on the TV, receiver, and cable box all in one shot). I like to have 'receiver' functions (like surround mode and late night mode) in DVD and Cable mode so I don't have to change modes to DVD or Receiver to change the surround mode.

If you have 10 devices or fewer (and remember a 'device' can be anything - like my fireplace light is a 'device'), IMO the MX-350 is the best thing going. If I had more than 10 devices, I'd opt for the MX-650 which is essentially the same thing but supports more devices.

 

[Thaedium]

That sounds right up my alley. I really am interested in something that is highly customizable, and requires some effort on my part to set it up. It just appeals to my tech-geekiness for some reason.

The issues you brought up regarding the touch screen are very interesting, and something I had not thought of before. I would be required to watch the screen in order to make whatever changes I was making to occur, and that would make doing anything on the fly a little slower, if not inconvienent for applications such as pausing, fast forwarding a movie.

One of the ideas I had that I would like to see in this remote I plan to get was that I could create a menu of sorts with it. For instance, my Pioneer Elite VSX-TXH reciever has a horrible menu system for accessing its features. It doesn't display on-screen, and you are therefore forced to watch the display on the reciever to utilize the menu. I'd like to be able to create a simplistic, and efficient displayed menu that I could either watch the remote, or tv and go through the options there. This is not a make or break thing for me, but just a feature I was hoping to see.

I also like the idea regarding the cable or DVD mode that allows you to alter the audio options on the fly without altering all of them. That would be quite handy and reduce tinkering time.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

In the immortal words of Homer Simpson... DOH!!!!


I dropped the ball, I'm sorry guys. I seriously don't have a universal... not even close to it. I kid you not when I say I have 5 remotes.

Hey, when the wife is away I still pull out around 5 remotes just to tweak around with stuff but I must admit; having one remote and pushing one button that turns on all your stuff at the same time with the correct settings is cool.

I actually prefer the simple, bare-bones Harmony and like the fact that you can set it up via the computer.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Hey, when the wife is away I still pull out around 5 remotes just to tweak around with stuff but I must admit; having one remote and pushing one button that turns on all your stuff at the same time with the correct settings is cool.

I actually prefer the simple, bare-bones Harmony and like the fact that you can set it up via the computer.

Geez. Receivers are so complicated. Just don't buy them.
Get those simple manual switch analog preamplifiers & amps and no remotes.

 

[mafiaahem]

Am I the only one too cheap to get a universal remote control?

Nope, you are not alone. I am the same kind - get off the couch and do some stuff manually and fiddle with different remotes and give the brain some run.

I switch my amp on manually, do not want to add batteries to my cd player remote so I can get on my feet every so often to play a cd, and give my brain a workout by making it think what I want to do next and how to accomplish it with five remotes that I have.

As my name demands it...ahem!...I need to keep fit

Mafia...ahem!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Nope, you are not alone. I am the same kind - get off the couch and do some stuff manually and fiddle with different remotes and give the brain some run.

I switch my amp on manually, do not want to add batteries to my cd player remote so I can get on my feet every so often to play a cd, and give my brain a workout by making it think what I want to do next and how to accomplish it with five remotes that I have.

As my name demands it...ahem!...I need to keep fit

Mafia...ahem!

Alright. Good to know someone has at least one thing in common with me.