Universal Remote, what is everyone using?
11-07-2007, 01:39 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Universal Remote, what is everyone using?
Looking to buy a universal remote. What should I look at? Are there any to stay away from? Something for my Sony KDSR60XBR1,Onkyo 605 and Direct TV H20 receiver.Those are my main things.I also have the the XBOX 360 and PS3,if I could find something to work with thos ealso, that would be great. Thanks for the help.
11-07-2007, 02:02 PM
#2
Big Block go VROOOM!
Everyone seems to extol the virtues the Logitechs, but I've been completely happy with my Universal Remote URC-300 "Customizer". I believe the current equivalent model would be their RF30.
11-07-2007, 02:52 PM
#4
Big White Chocolate
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Originally Posted by gatrhumpy
Love it, guests hate it.
I like the Harmony 1000.
As far as the PS3, since it's Bluetooth, the only way to program a universal remote is buying one of the IR remote packages that plugs into the USB port and then programming your universal remote.
11-07-2007, 04:08 PM
#5
Because Of You
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I don't like changing/charging batteries. So, I have a Sony RM-VL600. Very easy to use. Some of the buttons are a little bit small but the ones you use most are big and are placed in the right spot.
It is just $25
http://www.remotecentral.com/vl600/index.html
I was going to buy a $100 Logitech but I didn't like the feel of the buttons. And the buttons are small.
The best remote I have used is the one that comes with my Dishnetwork DVR receiver.
It is just $25
http://www.remotecentral.com/vl600/index.html
I was going to buy a $100 Logitech but I didn't like the feel of the buttons. And the buttons are small.
The best remote I have used is the one that comes with my Dishnetwork DVR receiver.
11-07-2007, 04:15 PM
#7
Suzuka Master
Universal MX-900. Blows away any remote in the Harmony lineup, but then again I believe then ANY URC remote blows away any Harmony. Some people love them, but once you try out a URC you will not want to go back. It all depends on how much you want to spend on a remote though. URC, in most cases, will run you a lot more then a Harmony.
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11-07-2007, 04:53 PM
#9
Big White Chocolate
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Originally Posted by soopa
I had a Harmony 1000 but returned it because it sucked.
11-07-2007, 07:52 PM
#11
Big up ya self, BO!
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I have the OG Logitech Harmony 659 which has been my favorite remote by far. It's withstood many drops and bites from the dog. Logitech also has a remote specifically for the xbox 360, but you can program any of their remotes to work with xbox 360 or ps3.
11-07-2007, 08:24 PM
#12
Suzuka Master
Originally Posted by Type Sun
I have the OG Logitech Harmony 659 which has been my favorite remote by far. It's withstood many drops and bites from the dog. Logitech also has a remote specifically for the xbox 360, but you can program any of their remotes to work with xbox 360 or ps3.
Who said you can program a Harmony for a PS3? The PS3 utilizes Bluetooth technology for it's remote. I believe some people were able to utilize the remote add-on for the PS2 that uses IR, otherwise you cannot use an IR or RF remote with the PS3. Someone correct me if I am wrong please.
11-07-2007, 09:18 PM
#14
The Creator
Originally Posted by NetEditor
Hmmm. Was it the technology or the feel? I think remotes are like shoes: You need to find one that fits you well.
11-08-2007, 04:56 AM
#15
I miss my 03 CL-S :(
I've had a Harmony 880 for a couple of years and I like it.
My parents and two ex GF's have been able to use it without supervision with only a few seconds of instructions.
...the real hard part is programming all the devices and getting the delays just right so everything works. Using it isn't that hard, IMO
My parents and two ex GF's have been able to use it without supervision with only a few seconds of instructions.
...the real hard part is programming all the devices and getting the delays just right so everything works. Using it isn't that hard, IMO
11-08-2007, 06:45 AM
#16
Big up ya self, BO!
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Originally Posted by 2001AudiS4
Who said you can program a Harmony for a PS3? The PS3 utilizes Bluetooth technology for it's remote. I believe some people were able to utilize the remote add-on for the PS2 that uses IR, otherwise you cannot use an IR or RF remote with the PS3. Someone correct me if I am wrong please.
http://www.remotecentral.com/articles/ps3-ir-remote.htm
11-08-2007, 08:49 AM
#18
Someone stole "My Garage"
I use the 5-device unviersal remote that came with my SA8300 HD DVR (Rogers Cable). It controls my new Panasonic plasma just fine, and can operate my DVD and audio system as well. I've set it up that pressing Power will turn on the TV and cable box in the right sequence, etc. I rarely watch DVD's, and my audio system stays on 24/7 anyhow (w/ no input signal it goes into sleep mode I believe), so I only set up the remote to control the TV and SA8300 on the default Power-on sequence.
I like the remote because it has (obviously) the exact controls required for the DVR, and I've been using a DVR w/ the same remote for over a year, so I can control it w/o taking my eyes off of the TV.
I like the remote because it has (obviously) the exact controls required for the DVR, and I've been using a DVR w/ the same remote for over a year, so I can control it w/o taking my eyes off of the TV.
11-08-2007, 09:10 AM
#19
Punctuation Nazi
RTI all the way. It's RF and not IR, so I can take it anywhere in the house and it works. It is a bit pricier than the Harmony, but the capabilities are out of control. The only drawback is that to change a programmed setting, I have to get the installers out to my house again.
I have a PS3 as well, and there is no integrating with that thing, the installers tried for days to get it to work. The remote for the PS3 is Bluetooth and the controllers are wireless, so no dice.
I have a PS3 as well, and there is no integrating with that thing, the installers tried for days to get it to work. The remote for the PS3 is Bluetooth and the controllers are wireless, so no dice.
11-08-2007, 11:01 AM
#21
Team Owner
Harmony 880 here. It works really well and is easy to customize for the minimal customization I've needed to do. My wife and kids find it very simple to use.
11-08-2007, 03:02 PM
#22
Safety Car
Harmony 670, absolutely love it.
What is it with them? 
11-18-2007, 02:23 PM
#27
Team Owner
My 880 is starting to get a little screwed up. Some of the buttons don't quite work right. In it's defense it gets dropped onto hardwood floor several times a day. Considering what it has been through it holds up well.
11-18-2007, 03:15 PM
#28
I miss my 03 CL-S :(
Carpet flooring FTW!
Actually, I hate having carpets, but my laptop, remotes, camera, and any number of other fragile things would have been destroyed if I didn't have carpets throughout my house (especially the stairs)
Actually, I hate having carpets, but my laptop, remotes, camera, and any number of other fragile things would have been destroyed if I didn't have carpets throughout my house (especially the stairs)
11-19-2007, 08:38 AM
#29
Senior Moderator
hmmm..... sounds like some of these universal remotes are not guest friendly? Any super friendly universal remotes that can be figured out by anyone?
11-20-2007, 02:09 PM
#33
Bent = #1
Originally Posted by bent09
Get it! That is a killer deal. I am considering buying one for the upstairs.
Yeah gotta ask the gf to get it for me
I have one plasma, 2 20" tvs, receiver and HD DVR box. I'd assume it support all of those.
11-20-2007, 04:00 PM
#34
Make a hole, coming thru!
Originally Posted by synth19
hmmm..... sounds like some of these universal remotes are not guest friendly? Any super friendly universal remotes that can be figured out by anyone?
Because the buttons for each of 8 components is customizable, both in what the buttons are used for, but also what buttons can be "hidden," you can have a "dumb visitor" mode which only has the buttons they need: stop, play, pause, << and >>, |<< and >>|, master volume, etc. I have my DVD component programmed with buttons for all DVD-related functions, including changing decoding formats on the amp, setting the aspect ratio on the TV, etc. Every button has 4-5 image options (what they represent) and can be programmed for anything. Oh, there's a macro learning facility, too, but I've never bothered to used that. Supposedly, I could program a single macro to turn on all 3 (tv, amp, DVD), select the DVD input on the amp, then press play on the DVD. Nice backlighting, too, not too intrusive during lights-out movie watching.
I'm sorry to see that Brookstone doesn't sell it (or the later revision, which boasted even more buttons per component, via "pages") anymore. Pity. Damn good remote. Helps if you have a stylus or PDA-tip pen to use with it.
12-18-2007, 04:17 PM
#38
Senior Moderator
Well, been a couple weeks since I've had the 880. what can I say..... AWESOME remote. My only complaint is the size of some of the buttons (too small). But I am getting used to them. It was a breeze to program. Connecting it via USB to my home PC (with vista) was smooth as can be. Best of all, wife figured out the remote in minutes.
12-21-2007, 08:01 AM
#40
registered pw
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don't you guys miss being able to change the channel or volume w/o looking at the remote?
i have the standard remote with the physical buttons. i know that i feel my way around it and know what to push.
do you find it difficult to push the right button w/o looking at the remote?
i have the standard remote with the physical buttons. i know that i feel my way around it and know what to push.
do you find it difficult to push the right button w/o looking at the remote?