Universal remote controls

ibewbrother
ibewbrother Posts: 186
edited February 2010 in Electronics
I was thinking about getting a nice touch screen remote. Does anyone have any preferences? I want to control a Panasonic G10 plasma, Onkyo tx-sr806, Panasonic bd-60(I think) Blu-Ray, and a Direct TV HD DVR. Right now it is getting frustrating to have to look for the right remote to do simple things....considering I have 4 of them...

Any thought would be appreciated...

...Brother
"Making life enjoyable through expensive electronics." BillD

Pioneer Elite SC-57
M70 series 2 mains
CS2 center
M40 surround
M30 front height
SVS PB 12 NSD

Carver TFM-45 (mains)
Carver A753x (center, surround)

320GB PS3, 42" Panasonic G10,

M60's as a Zone 2 off of the Pioneer in the living room

R.I.P. Onkyo TX-NR807
Post edited by ibewbrother on
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Comments

  • Huck344
    Huck344 Posts: 453
    edited February 2010
    I have a Phillips Pronto TSU9600 that is a touchscreen. I love it, but it's expensive (about a thousand bucks). If you know a little bit about programming remotes, you should be able to program it yourself. If not, you'll need to pay someone like www.onlyoneremote.com to program it. Also, it is hard to find authorized brick and mortar stores that sell Phillips remotes. You can find lots of information and reviews about remotes at www.remotecentral.com. What is your price range? Phillips also makes the TSU9400 for around $700. Other good touch screens are RTI and Nevo. I know those are expensive, but I don't know pricing on those. Personally, I would stay away from URC, but that's my opinion. I know there are others that love URC.
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  • kuntasensei
    kuntasensei Posts: 3,263
    edited February 2010
    I thought I'd dig a touchscreen until I actually tried one... then realized that I was spending too much time looking at the remote. You take for granted how much you get used to just knowing where buttons are on a tactile level until you don't have that tactile feedback anymore. That's how I ended up with a Harmony 880, which has been an absolute dream to use. The software let me program the buttons I use most where I wanted them and let me assign cross-device functions on the screen up top for when I need them.

    YMMV, but there's a lot to be said for having a remote in your hand and not having to look down at it to use it. There's definitely a cool factor to touchscreens, but IMHO it's a big tradeoff for actual usability.
    Equipment list:
    Onkyo TX-NR3010 9.2 AVR
    Emotiva XPA-3 amp
    Polk RTi70 mains, CSi40 center, RTi38 surrounds, RTi28 rears and heights
    SVS 20-39CS+ subwoofer powered by Crown XLS1500
    Oppo BDP-93 Blu-ray player
    DarbeeVision DVP5000 video processor
    Epson 8500UB 1080p projector
    Elite Screens Sable 120" CineWhite screen
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited February 2010
    How about a mix of everything, check out the Harmony 1.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • grif32
    grif32 Posts: 267
    edited February 2010
    I had the Harmony 880 which I loved until I got the Harmony 1. By far the best remote ever.
    (3) PS3's, Xbox 360, (2) Wii's and Nintendo NES
    (2) Panny DMPBDT110 3D Standalone Players
    Panny 60" 3D Plasma TC-60ST30
    Panny 50" Plasma TC-P50G10
    Panny 50" 3D TV TC-P50GT25
    Denon AVR-891
    Harmoney One Remote
    Polk Monitor 70's,Polk CS2, Polk Monitor 40's
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  • bopicasso
    bopicasso Posts: 878
    edited February 2010
    +1 for the harmony one!
    Living Room setup: Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH, Krell KAV 300i, PS Audio DL III DAC, Tyler Acoustics Taylo 7u, Dynaudio Audience 120C+, SVS 25/31PCI, B-P-T Clean Power Center, Ps3, Panny 50" S1 Plasma, Tekline speaker cables, Audio Art interconnects, and Pangea power cables.
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  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited February 2010
    +2 for the H. ONE! the ONE and only.
    I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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  • kuntasensei
    kuntasensei Posts: 3,263
    edited February 2010
    grif32 wrote: »
    I had the Harmony 880 which I loved until I got the Harmony 1. By far the best remote ever.

    Hmmm... what do you prefer on the Harmony 1 over the 880? Just curious.
    Equipment list:
    Onkyo TX-NR3010 9.2 AVR
    Emotiva XPA-3 amp
    Polk RTi70 mains, CSi40 center, RTi38 surrounds, RTi28 rears and heights
    SVS 20-39CS+ subwoofer powered by Crown XLS1500
    Oppo BDP-93 Blu-ray player
    DarbeeVision DVP5000 video processor
    Epson 8500UB 1080p projector
    Elite Screens Sable 120" CineWhite screen
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,327
    edited February 2010
    Unless you are going to have one professionally programmed I also suggest the Harmony line. They care on line programmable and they walk you through the entire programming process.
    Custom programmed remotes are much better and more personal but I have found these Harmony remotes to be a above average remote for a hobbiest who wants a customer type remote.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • ibewbrother
    ibewbrother Posts: 186
    edited February 2010
    Thanks for all of the advice. From what research I have done, and the input given here, I am going with the Harmony one.

    Thanks All,


    .....Brother
    "Making life enjoyable through expensive electronics." BillD

    Pioneer Elite SC-57
    M70 series 2 mains
    CS2 center
    M40 surround
    M30 front height
    SVS PB 12 NSD

    Carver TFM-45 (mains)
    Carver A753x (center, surround)

    320GB PS3, 42" Panasonic G10,

    M60's as a Zone 2 off of the Pioneer in the living room

    R.I.P. Onkyo TX-NR807
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited February 2010
    No problem Brother, if you have any questions just ask. The One is the shizzle.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • DMara
    DMara Posts: 1,434
    edited February 2010
    I used the Harmony 880 for quite a long time, LOVED IT! I recently upgraded to the Harmony 900 because of the RF function. However, the RF system of this remote sucked big time, do not buy it if it's what you are looking for :mad: Without RF, it becomes the Harmony One. So yeah, go with the One :)

    By the way, comparing the 880 and 900, to me the really great thing about the 900 is it adds 4 color buttons, which is extremely great with devices such as the DirecTV Tivo :D
    Gears shared to both living room & bedroom:
    Integra DHC-80.3 / Oppo BDP-105 / DirecTV HR24 DVR /APC S15blk PC-UPS
    Living room:
    LSiM707's / LSiM706c / LSiM702 F/X's / dual JL Audio Fathom F113's / Parasound Halo A51 / Panasonic 65" TC-P65VT50
    Bedroom:
    Usher Dancer Mini 2 Diamond DMD's / Logitech SB Touch / W4S STP-SE / W4S DAC-2 / W4S ST-1000 / Samsung 52" LN52B750
    Other rooms:
    Audioengine AP4's / GLOW Audio Sub One / audio-gd NFB-3 DAC / Audioengine N22
    audio-gd NFB-10.2 / Denon AH-D7000
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  • kuntasensei
    kuntasensei Posts: 3,263
    edited February 2010
    DMara wrote: »
    By the way, comparing the 880 and 900, to me the really great thing about the 900 is it adds 4 color buttons, which is extremely great with devices such as the DirecTV Tivo :D

    I made a custom background image for my 880 that has the colored buttons for when I use my Oppo BDP-83. Works quite well and doesn't look too bad on all the other screens either. But I looked at the 900, and... yeah, that remote is very slick.
    Equipment list:
    Onkyo TX-NR3010 9.2 AVR
    Emotiva XPA-3 amp
    Polk RTi70 mains, CSi40 center, RTi38 surrounds, RTi28 rears and heights
    SVS 20-39CS+ subwoofer powered by Crown XLS1500
    Oppo BDP-93 Blu-ray player
    DarbeeVision DVP5000 video processor
    Epson 8500UB 1080p projector
    Elite Screens Sable 120" CineWhite screen
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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited February 2010
    kuntasensei wrote: »
    I thought I'd dig a touchscreen until I actually tried one... then realized that I was spending too much time looking at the remote. You take for granted how much you get used to just knowing where buttons are on a tactile level until you don't have that tactile feedback anymore. That's how I ended up with a Harmony 880, which has been an absolute dream to use. The software let me program the buttons I use most where I wanted them and let me assign cross-device functions on the screen up top for when I need them.

    YMMV, but there's a lot to be said for having a remote in your hand and not having to look down at it to use it. There's definitely a cool factor to touchscreens, but IMHO it's a big tradeoff for actual usability.

    +100

    I had the Harmony 880 and loved it. I needed to get another remote for a 2nd HT rig. I got the Harmony One on sale at the CCity closeout, and I have to agree--its been a PITA--Always having to look at the screen, or accidentally switching pages---arrghh. I like the ergonomics and all the other improvements, but its just not the same as the 880 for tactile feel.
    I always find myself handling the H-One with kid gloves--Sometimes when I set it down on the couch next to me, if it bumps into a pillow or something it accidentally hits a command--arrrgh.

    The tactile feel of buttons is my preference.
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
    2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
    Pool: Atrium 60's/45's
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  • DMara
    DMara Posts: 1,434
    edited February 2010
    Harmony One for $153 after $25 rebate:
    http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-Advanced-Universal-Remote/dp/B00119T6NQ/ref=sr_1_1?tag=slickdeals&ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1267372480&sr=8-1
    Gears shared to both living room & bedroom:
    Integra DHC-80.3 / Oppo BDP-105 / DirecTV HR24 DVR /APC S15blk PC-UPS
    Living room:
    LSiM707's / LSiM706c / LSiM702 F/X's / dual JL Audio Fathom F113's / Parasound Halo A51 / Panasonic 65" TC-P65VT50
    Bedroom:
    Usher Dancer Mini 2 Diamond DMD's / Logitech SB Touch / W4S STP-SE / W4S DAC-2 / W4S ST-1000 / Samsung 52" LN52B750
    Other rooms:
    Audioengine AP4's / GLOW Audio Sub One / audio-gd NFB-3 DAC / Audioengine N22
    audio-gd NFB-10.2 / Denon AH-D7000
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  • phipiper10
    phipiper10 Posts: 961
    edited February 2010
    That seems like a reasonable deal on the Harmony. My Onkyo - while not touch screen came with a programmable remote which operates all my of my equipment below - TT excluded ; )
    Analog Source: Rega P3-24 Exact 2 w/GT delrin platter & Neo TT-PSU Digital Source: Lumin U2 w/Roon (NUC) DAC:T+A DAC 200 Phono Preamp: Rega Aria MK3 Preamp: Rogue RP-7 Amp: Infigo Method 6 Speakers: Joseph Audio Perspective 2, Audio Physic Tempo Plus Cables: Cardas Clear Reflection SC/IC, Shunyata PCs Misc: Shunyata Hydra Delta D6, VTI rack, GIK acoustic panels
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