Universal Remotes Functionality Question - How much can they do? (URC and Logitech)

msg

Hey guys,
as part of the system build out I'm considering adding a universal remote. I've always been curious about these things, for years now, but never really used one except for tv/cable boxes.

I read a few older posts. I'm specifically curious now as to just how much control the reasonably late models from URC and Logitech can provide. Can they easily provide access to features such as tone control, channel level control, and switch between the different processing modes on a preamp/processor? They do seem really advanced.

EndersShadow

msg wrote: »

Hey guys,
as part of the system build out I'm considering adding a universal remote. I've always been curious about these things, for years now, but never really used one except for tv/cable boxes.

I read a few older posts. I'm specifically curious now as to just how much control the reasonably late models from URC and Logitech can provide. Can they easily provide access to features such as tone control, channel level control, and switch between the different processing modes on a preamp/processor? They do seem really advanced.

I cannot speak for all of them, but I have 2 Harmony One Remotes, one for each of my systems. I am able to control ANY funtion I choose, however it will take you some time to set it up. Once its configured its a cinch to add a button, move one, etc.

I can easily adjust between the Movie/TV, Music, etc modes on my Integra with ease on my Harmony One.

You can have buttons from different devices on the same screen. I have my DVR (Recorded TV), Integra (Audio Modes) on the same screen.

Setting it up is easy, customizing the buttons on the touch screen part is where you have to really think about what you use the most.

You also can customize each "Device" as to what buttons are on what screen. The software is very easy to work as well.

Conradicles

Harmony software is very user friendly and the remotes are fantastic.
I have used both URC and Harmony and the Harmony beats the URC no competition.

dkg999

I'm starting to catch on to the URC programming, and it seems like the capabilities are only limited by my understanding.

maximillian

Not directly related to your question, but... I use a Harmony remote 600 for my daily TV viewing. This controls a Tivo, Pioneer AVR, and the Samsung LCD. There's also a DVD player and original Xbox (Xbmc) that it controls too, but that is less frequent.

Programming it was pretty easy and using it is easy too. It is a pretty good solution. My only complaints are:
1) Drop the remote it reboots into thinking everything is in it's off mode. So you can't even change the channel or volume until you turn everything back "on" again.
2) Battery life is only 3-6 months based on use. That is a little on the poor side.

So those two items are annoying, but this remote does pretty much replace the rest of the functionality of all the other remotes. Of course, the TV's remote has a WYSIWIG keyboard that the harmony does not, but we don't use the keyboard anyway.

badchad

I like my Harmony. As others have said, you can customize pretty much anything you want.

I think it really shines once you get things (mostly) set up the way you want them too though since its activity based. If need be though, you can control individual devices with it.

leftwinger57

For me it could not be the end all of devices. Most of my gear is IR ready and the remote would work but then I have other gear that's not. There is a way around that by plugging my Adcom and tt into my Onkyo pre. I was told by everyone here and some professional refurbers to never plug in anything into your pre/amp a.c. sockets. So for me it's not cost effective,I have to get up and turn on my amp and tt and change records anyway. I've used my friend's and he had a battery problem and then it can not always do the function you want at that time.

Mikey081057

I use multiple apps on my droid phone I never could get all the power on sequencing tight with the harmony.

I have Marantz app for my pre
Directv app
Oppo App
Squeezebox app

And they are all free.

There are universal paid apps that you can "program" too