Greetings Learned Forum:

I have read all of the "help me decide" threads I can get my hands on, along with the websites of the major players. I was hoping to solicit some of your advice as to which remotes I should be focusing on, given my unique circumstances.

First, given that all of my equipment except for the projector is in a closed closet, I believe I need RF. It is not far away at all, but definitely lacks line-of-site.

Secondly, I don't have much stuff. Projector, DVD player, AV Receiver and ability to control 3 sets of lights is it. For now. I can't imagine going too crazy, but I might add a thing or two later, as things develop.

Third, I have an installer helping me, so I won't be on my own.

Fourth, I would like to avoid sticker shock. Everything in my HT is middle-of-the-road. Nothing is super cheap. Nothing is over the top. I would feel silly with a $1,000 remote, even if I could afford it. I was hoping to keep it down to about $200, but for the right remote, I could stretch.

Last, and least importantly, I have gravitated toward Harmony and URC and have read the most about these two.

So that's my story and I'm sticking to it...

HELP! It is a little overwhelming out there.

Your opinions and suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Nick

You will be hard pressed to find a remote and a RF base station for $200 or less. Based on this price, you will probably want to stick with Logitech or maybe take a look at the new Nevo C series remotes.

Thank you for your reply, jb. What would you suggest for for a reasonably priced but decent RF remote?

If you shop around, and are willing to program it yourself you can do it for less however budgeting $350-$500 would be a safe bet.

As of today, if I had a $500.00 budget, I would get a MX-980 and a MRF-260 (4 ir ports) or MRF-300(6 ir ports) rf base station, spend a few days learning how to program it and call it done..

Is it over kill.. probably..... is it expensive.... yes.... but you will be hard pressed to ever out grow it or have any regrets.. It is a tough remote to beat when you compare cost to feature set.

I hear what you are saying, including the "overkill." Is there nothing out there that would be a better fit (ie, NOT overkill)? Thank you again, very much.

Nick

If it isn't obvious, I'm a bit biased towards a specific remote :) , Alot of it has to do with my personal remote control upgrades and use over the last couple of years and the fact that you mentioned URC. Bottom line you need other opinions... Mine is seriously clouded :)

Based on your budget, you will be happy with a Logitech. They are nice remotes.

While the MX-980 is a great remote, with the purchase of an RF unit you will be above the $500 mark. I would not reccomend a Harmony in this case. I don't feel that the remote has the proper look and feel in a dark room with a projector and never suggest a Logitech to clients using a projector/theater room system. While I don't think you need a $1000+ remote, but I do reccomend a different approach to the project. There is a certain level of customization that a Logitech remote will not provide you.

Here is a crazy thought. And this may exist. I just don't know about it. Is there such a thing as an IR receiver that can be in line of sight with the remote that is hard wired to the closet containing the components? I could easily snake a wire from one of the front speakers back to the closet. In other words, is there a way to cheat and go with IR? Remember that I would also like some basic lighting control, if that is a consideration. Thank you all very much.

Nick

Here is a crazy thought. And this may exist. I just don't know about it. Is there such a thing as an IR receiver that can be in line of sight with the remote that is hard wired to the closet containing the components? I could easily snake a wire from one of the front speakers back to the closet. In other words, is there a way to cheat and go with IR? Remember that I would also like some basic lighting control, if that is a consideration. Thank you all very much.

NickThey are call IR repeaters (and a bunch of other names). I was going to suggest this. You have systems that work over a simple wire like twisted pair or you can inject the IR signals over your existing coax. I use this (http://www.parts-express.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?=&PartNumber=180-725&gclid=CNXv_5zDlJ0CFQ0aswodAB9s3g) device to control my equipment from 4 different rooms. It has the added benefit of being able to modulate 2 channels (i.e. watch a DVR located in my theater room from my bedroom). If all you want is IR you can use something like this (http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=182-458). Depending on the remote you choose you may also be able to use this (http://www.amazon.com/Next-Generation-Remote-Control-Extender/dp/B000C1Z0HA). See this AVS post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=979814) for details. There are many options to choose from. Good luck.

Jay

Nick,

Check out http://www.hifi-remote.com/ofa/, where you can customize many "One For All" brand and some Radio Shack universal remotes! Some are RF also! Free software and support!
Might need to make a cable or buy one to communicate with remote. And some time learning how it all works.

Duane123

How about this..........

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10105&cs_id=1010503&p_id=5415&seq=1&format=2

Worth trying it just because it would be so darn cheap if it works for you

Thank you for your ideas and especially for the links. I will be checking them out more thoroughly over the next couple of days and will let you know what I find. There seem to be many more options that I initially thought. Here is a question. If the repeaters/extenders work as described, why do so many people pay the extra money to go with RF? Thanks again.


Nick

Thank you for your ideas and especially for the links. I will be checking them out more thoroughly over the next couple of days and will let you know what I find. There seem to be many more options that I initially thought. Here is a question. If the repeaters/extenders work as described, why do so many people pay the extra money to go with RF? Thanks again.


Nick

Nick - can you share with us what you found? I'm in the same boat as you.

Thank you for your ideas and especially for the links. I will be checking them out more thoroughly over the next couple of days and will let you know what I find. There seem to be many more options that I initially thought. Here is a question. If the repeaters/extenders work as described, why do so many people pay the extra money to go with RF? Thanks again.


Nick

IR repeaters/extenders need line of site and RF does not... it's sounds to me that the Harmony 1100 fits your needs... all programing is done with an online software interface where you just select your product/device and it does the rest

IR repeaters/extenders need line of site and RF does not... it's sounds to me that the Harmony 1100 fits your needs... all programing is done with an online software interface where you just select your product/device and it does the rest
Except Nick's budget was $200. That'll require a $150-ish harmony (or URC) plus something like next gen RF, which will also meet his needs just fine without needing line-of-sight. So a 700 or a used or refurb 600 series or 890 would to the trick. Plus he can program sequences on any of those, whereas it's impossible on the 1100.

Except Nick's budget was $200. That'll require a $150-ish harmony (or URC) plus something like next gen RF, which will also meet his needs just fine without needing line-of-sight. So a 700 or a used or refurb 600 series or 890 would to the trick. Plus he can program sequences on any of those, whereas it's impossible on the 1100.

@mdavj

Hello,

Regard the PC Remote you have.

I know the mouse can do everything, but make things simpler can it do following ?

Few questions,
1) Is there a DISPLAY change button so I can show it on my tv with one push? I use labtop 2 tv.
2) Is there a SHUT DOWN button or I had to press few keys?
3) I have IR reciever build in on my labtop , do I still need to attach the usb ir cable reciever (how long is the ir cable )?
4) Where can I find a clear large picture of this remote with button layout?
5) Is it Compatible to 64 bit Vista?

Thx
m

1-4 Answered by PM

5. Uses OS's native USB HID drivers, so I can't imagine you'd have a problem.

1-4 Answered by PM

5. Uses OS's native USB HID drivers, so I can't imagine you'd have a problem.

Thx, I will repost your answer so other can get it.

Few questions,
1) Is there a DISPLAY change button so I can show it on my tv with one push? Not exactly. I'd use one of the hotkeys on the remote to invoke that function on your PC. You have a choice of 12 key combinations. I have such keys set up to change resolutions and launch Youtube, Netflix and Hulu for example.2) Is there a SHUT DOWN button or I had to press few keys? Yes, there is a shut down button.
3) I have IR reciever build in on my labtop , do I still need to attach the usb ir cable reciever (how long is the ir cable )? You must use the USB cable. It's about 3ft long.4) Where can I find a clear large picture of this remote with button layout? Google usb pc media remote and you'll find a few pictures, but none are very large
http://www.ozauctionbroker.com.au/images/d037/spe.jpg

Thx
m

Keep im mind unless you have the cradle right next to you where you sit,I wouldnt buy this remote...Battery drains out in no time, I wish I had known this before I bought it..Its rated for 2 hours when uses continously thats when its new I cant imagine what would it be like 6 months down the road.

Watching football on direct tv and switching between games in time your battery will be dead by halftime on the morning games...