Have the following components:
- Panny 50PZ800u
- Onkyo 606 AVR
- 5.1 speakers
- Scientific American HD DVR cable box (Time Warner)
- PS3

So I finally put together the above setup, and realize I now have three remotes (4 if you include the bluetooth PS3 controller): TV, Cable and AVR.

Ideally I want 1 remote that can
i) power on all devices at the same time, and
ii) control the unique functionality of each remote - for example, from the same remote I can bring up the cable channel guide, adjust the 4:3/16:9 of the TV, change video source (from both AVR and TV), change the speaker output on the AVR, etc, etc

Two questions:
- It seems like the cable remote or the AVR remote can both serve as a universal remote given the buttons on there. Is there anything that prevents me from controlling everything from one of those remotes? For example, can I program a button on my AVR remote to bring up the Cable channel guide?
- If I can't use an existing remote for all the functionality, what universal remote would be a good recommendation for my needs?

Please note: I have line of sight to all devices.

thanks.

What's the model number of the remote that came with your cable box (there might be a sticker in the battery compartment, or maybe something written on the back)?

I'm not at home (at work), but I did some digging online and found it in this list: http://www.universalremote.com/downloads.php

Not sure which one it is exactly, but all the UR5U-xxxx models look like my remote.

Once I go home I'll confirm the exact model number.

You can download the manual from the site in your link. It looks like it has codes for all your devices (except the PS3 which is bluetooth and won't work with any universal without a special IR converter of some kind). According to the manual you can also program a master power macro.

You can download the manual from the site in your link. It looks like it has codes for all your devices (except the PS3 which is bluetooth and won't work with any universal without a special IR converter of some kind). According to the manual you can also program a master power macro.

Thanks. I'll try it tonight when I get home. Why do people get universal remotes if this cable remote can handle all the functions?

My cable box remote (for the SA 8300HD) could technically control all my devices (Samsung DLP, Yamaha receiver, DVD player) but lacked customizable buttons, which meant I was simply missing functions for certain equipment. Most glaringly, I couldn't change inputs on my receiver at all, and while I could cycle through inputs on the TV, I had to cycle through all of them one by one, which on my TV is very slow. Getting a Harmony let me find discrete codes to go directly to a specific input, something I couldn't do with even the original TV remote, and switches the receiver input at the same time.

Frankly, I think universal remotes are way too expensive for what they do (even having bought my Harmony One at 35% off), but streamlining is always a premium in this hobby.

Why do people get universal remotes if this cable remote can handle all the functions?Many want a simpler interface without having to deal with entering lots of codes. Others want more advanced macro capabilites. Some cable remotes are so old they lack codes for the latest equipment. As for the really good cable remotes, I don't think people are aware of the capabilities. And you can't blame them since these remotes often come with no instructions or lists of codes. Even with instructions, many functions are undocumented or poorly documented. But with the proper interface cable, many can even be programmed via computer to do about as much as a high end universal. Unfortunately your's can't be programmed that way. But it's simple enough to do what you need manually.

Why do people get universal remotes if this cable remote can handle all the functions?

Well with my activities based Harmony remote, I don't need to explain to my wife and 10 year old how to navigate through this mess to watch a DVD.

http://home.comcast.net/~jimsoubra/system.JPG

I press one button on my $10 universal remote to run a macro to watch a DVD on a similarly complex system.

Thanks everyone. I checked last night and determined this is the remote I have: http://www.universalremote.com/resources/pdfs/UR5U-8800L.pdf

I'll look into the macros. I'm still skeptical that this one remote will be able to control the advanced functionality on my AVR, such as switching audio modes and video sources (all components connected via HDMI for audio & video to AVR then 1 HDMI out to TV). But my setup is not that complicated, so we'll see.

Ok reporting back. My time warner (Universal) remote was able to control the TV and Receiver without a problem once I got the codes in there. Also, I got it set up where the power button turns everything on/off at once, and the volume button works regardless of what component's mode I'm in.

I don't see a way, however, to control the advanced functionality on the receiver (change video source/audio mode) or TV (change aspect ratio, etc). The macro button on the remote just seems to be a shortcut to get a specific channel (according to the manual).

Is there a hack or other back-door way I can enable a specific button on the remote to do what a button the TV or receiver remote does? ie, can I teach a button to do something based on another remote?

thanks.

Many cable remotes made by UEI, maker of One-For-All, can learn and remap specific buttons, as well as do macros beyond favorite channel lists. Unfortunately, your's, made by URC, can't. I would recommend a UEI remote (see my sig) as a low cost alternative. The radio shack 15-100 is one UEI model that is quite capable, or the 15-135, if you prefer something smaller. Both have extensive codes sets and all the capabilities above.