Favorite Universal Remote

okiepolkie

What is your favorite universal remote?

I have had good experiences with two different Sony's. Right now I'm using the RMVL700S with very few problems. Very easy to program.

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=RMVL900&Dept=acc&CategoryName=acc_Remotes

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=RMVL700S&Dept=acc&CategoryName=acc_Remotes

I've also heard really good things about the Harmony 768 as a possible last-buy remote. If anyone is using one, let me know how you like it.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/detailsharmony/US/EN,CRID=2084,CONTENTID=8870

What are your thoughts?

PhantomOG

Radio Shack 8-in-1

Actually, my favorite is the same as the above but with the RF transmitter installed (15-2117 I think) but they don't make it anymore.

All hard buttons so you can use buttons by "feel" instead of having to look at the remote. JP1 enabled so it is completely customizable by computer, and (at least with mine) its RF so I don't have to be in the same room or even point it at my devices. Macros work awesome, and "My System" mode is nice, where you don't need to switch between device "modes" -- volume controls the receiver, channel up/dwn controls the cable box, play/stop/transport keys control the DVD player, etc etc.

Best of all its CHEAP. I got mine for 19.99 plus tax. So I can treat it like a remote, not like a $200 gizmo to be careful with.

Grimster74

I two have both the Sony remote controls you are showing and love both of them. One is used in the living room upstairs and the other in the master bedroom. As far as downstairs, I use the Philips Pronto TSU-3000. All my macros are setup to cut everything on with one touch of a button. When I select watch tv or watch dvd, it changes all inputs for me. I even have it setup to dim the lights automatically once play is pushed on the DVD player.

http://www.plazaaudio.com/phprts1.html

GZ

I like my Home Theatre Master MX-500.

dorokusai

I like my finger.

Jstas

Originally posted by dorokusai
I like my finger.

No, no, no. He said REMOTE.


MY favorite remote is the Honeycan remote by J.C. and Co.

It basically goes like this: "Honey, can you put on channel 6?"

Works like a charm!

howie777

I like my Home Theatre Master MX-800 a lot. Very nice remote, only thing missing is RF device control. Oh well, so I need a second remote for the fan/lights..

Howie

drakan

out of the pile the one that stands out from the rest is my aktis rc8000

http://www.usa.denon.com/aktis/overview.asp

drakan

Emlyn

Originally posted by okiepolkie
What is your favorite universal remote?
I've also heard really good things about the Harmony 768 as a possible last-buy remote. If anyone is using one, let me know how you like it. What are your thoughts?

The Harmony would be my first choice if I was to start using a universal remote again. It's not too expensive and it supports virtually any product, including something as unusual as a Perreaux cd player. It's easy and reliable. I don't use a universal now because I've swapped so much home theater gear around over the last couple of years I'd no sooner have a universal programmed than I'd have to reprogram it and relearn it again.

I use the six remotes on the coffee table method. However, this does annoy my friend when she comes around when she has to ask which remote is used to turn the volume down.

PolkThug

Harmony remotes kick much ****. NO CODE GUESSING!! You just need to know your model numbers. Its all web based setup, very easy. *here's a blurry pic for ya!

okiepolkie

The home theater I'm designing for a new house(only wish it were my house) will need a good universal remote.

http://clubpolk.polkaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22986

I'm thinking the Harmony would be a good one because it is simple to setup and use. Touch screen remotes look cool(like the Pronto), but since the family hasn't had this type of system before, my thinking is that the familiarity of conventional remotes would be easier to operate.

The only problem I can see for it is that most of the components will be mounted in a closet behind the television.

I know the Harmony isn't an RF remote, so is there something like an infrared repeater or extension that I could put in the living room to send signals to the componentsin the closet?

Edit- I found this. Will it work?

http://www.iautomate.com/powermid.html

okiepolkie

Found this deal this morning while searching for a good price on a Harmony.

Even though it is reconditioned, it is a great deal for $10 shipped.

http://www.pcmall.com/pcmall/shop/detail.asp?dpno=503846

I might even buy a couple more for myself as backups to the one I already use(or good Christmas gifts).

Found this one later. At $19 shipped, it should be a bargain.

http://www.pcmall.com/pcmall/shop/detail.asp?dpno=400704

bikezappa

The black pyramides work 97% of the time. They are sensitive to position however. RS sells them for the same price. I have 4 sets in my home.

okiepolkie

I'm thinking about mounting one of the pyramids under the television(since that is where most people point the remote anyway) and the other in the closet with the rest of the components.

Do you know if there is something similar that could be flush mounted in the wall?

Maybe I'll build a nitch for the pyramid and put a piece of tinted plexiglass in front of it, although I'm not sure how attractive that would look.

LittleCar_w/12s

There is a system, don't remember where I saw it, that works wonders with closet/cabinet/behind glass setups. It has one receiver point for IR, then has a singnal amp box, then has about six IR out lines.. The little outputs are tiny rectangles, self-adhese to the recieving component, and still allow direct IR to the component. The system's IR receiver is a tiny little square that can be mounted anywhere.
edit: Found it... Go here.. nice clean setup, sure it'll work for you, and happens to be on salre for 70 instead of 100.... http://www.smarthome.com/8225.html

Bonham

I picked up a Harmony remote lately and I am liking it so far. It has had some quirks here and there (not wanting to operate things consistantly) but not much... and when it did it was actually very easy to fix/overcome.

While some of the others may potentially be more versatile in some ways the ease of setup and use makes the Harmony great for people/friends/etc with absolutely no 'techie' blood running through their veins to use. Pary of the reason I got it is so the others in the family and litterally just press the "Watch a movie" button and have the proper components turn on and have the specific buttons on the remote sending signals to the proper piece of equipment without having to switch remote functions.

Put simply, the FF, REW, Play, etc buttons go to the DVD player, the Volume and sounds options go to the receiver, and if I want to play with the picture format those signals go to the TV... all without me having to switch between components. Now, I'm sure some of the other higher end remotes out there do that... but it takes a hell of a lot more time to get them there and most peoples parents could never figure out how to do it.

Tour2ma

Originally posted by LittleCar_w/12s
It has one receiver point for IR, then has a singnal amp box, then has about six IR out lines.. The little outputs are tiny rectangles, self-adhese to the recieving component, and still allow direct IR to the component. The system's IR receiver is a tiny little square that can be mounted anywhere.
edit: Found it... Go here.. nice clean setup, sure it'll work for you, and happens to be on salre for 70 instead of 100.... http://www.smarthome.com/8225.html

I've used the Xantech Hidden Link for ten years now. Simple install and easy to add additional repeaters as you acquire more remote controlled gear...

And doro wasn't joking... he can detach and levitate his right index finger at will... kinda gruesome and cool at the same time... perfect for the Halloween season.