Hi Guys,

Ok... here's the deal... I tired of my Harmony 890 and I'm currently in the market for a new universal remote. The H890's buttons are starting to fail. I tried to repair myself but still has same issues.

Here are some of the requirements:

*Must be Z-Wave enabled
*Color screen
*Touch Screen would be nice
*Need to control equipment in separate room outside of theater via IR repeaters

Besides the Nevo q50 and the Nevo s70, which other remotes are Z-Wave enabled? No Logitech products please. I have 3 Vizio RF dimmers and 3 plug-in units for other lighting (all Z-Wave) inside the theater.

Thanks in advance!!!

You could try to find an IR to Z-wave converter so your remote options wouldn't be so limited.

Something like this maybe? http://www.amazon.com/Leviton-VRCZ4-1LX-4-Button-Controller-Capability/dp/B001U3Z4DY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1255695750&sr=8-3

You could try to find an IR to Z-wave converter so your remote options wouldn't be so limited.

Something like this maybe? http://www.amazon.com/Leviton-VRCZ4-1LX-4-Button-Controller-Capability/dp/B001U3Z4DY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1255695750&sr=8-3

I like the idea!!! Would this mean that I could use any remote (URC MX-6000 for example) that can connect to a RF base station?

In other words it would look like this:

1. Press command for lighting on remote
2. Command is transmitted to base station via RF
3. Base station transmits command to VRCZ4-1LX via IR
4. VRCZ4-1LX receives command and performs task

Next question, would I have the same on, off, dimming functions with this setup along with scenes or will I be limited in what I can do?

I've never used the device, I'm still stuck with my 890 with five Z-wave switches. However, the idea is to cut the link for Z-wave on the remote. So any IR remote could control your Z-wave switches.

Your plan should work. You just need to learn the proper IR codes which I assume come from this device http://www.amazon.com/Vizia-RF-Z-Wave-IR-Remote/dp/B000R4L3FA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1255701971&sr=8-2

This should give you full control just like you have now.

There might be cheaper alternatives to what I've linked. If I had to do it over I would go with something that has IR input but outputs some sort of RF to switches.

Right now I would probably go with the IR to Insteon transceiver with Insteon switches. Run an IR emitter from my 890's RF extender to the IRLinc and now I'm not stuck with the abandoned (on Harmony remotes) Z-wave protocol.

http://www.amazon.com/Receiver-Control-INSTEON-lighting-wireless/dp/B0013O931Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1255702087&sr=1-1

I've personally had excellent success with the Z-wave protocol but I understand your frustration because Logitech never really adopted it and implemented it as well as they could have. The Monster AVL-300 is essentially the same as the 890 but Monster has continued to develop their Z-wave support making it a much more reliable solution. The Nevo remotes are excellent solutions as well.

The advantage from a Home Control point of view is that Z-wave can offer 2-way feedback. You can program a remote like the Nevo to tell you if the Z-wave light on the second floor is on or off. You can also program Z-wave thermostats and see the temperature on the remote itself.

My question for you would be what are you looking for from the home control aspect? Are you building towards a total home control solution or do you just want to be able to operate a few lights in the room? What kind of investment have you made in z-wave devices already? (other than the 890)

You mentioned you'd like a touchscreen but suggest that you're looking for something other than Nevo? Is there a specific feature that you're looking for?

There are ways to make ANY solution work and even ways to combine INSTEON and Z-wave and other protocols in the same home but the cost can get up there pretty quickly.

I also love my Nevo with my Z-wave. It tells when my kitchen lights are on and I am going to be adding many more z-wave through out my house.

I've personally had excellent success with the Z-wave protocol but I understand your frustration because Logitech never really adopted it and implemented it as well as they could have. The Monster AVL-300 is essentially the same as the 890 but Monster has continued to develop their Z-wave support making it a much more reliable solution. The Nevo remotes are excellent solutions as well.

The advantage from a Home Control point of view is that Z-wave can offer 2-way feedback. You can program a remote like the Nevo to tell you if the Z-wave light on the second floor is on or off. You can also program Z-wave thermostats and see the temperature on the remote itself.

My question for you would be what are you looking for from the home control aspect? Are you building towards a total home control solution or do you just want to be able to operate a few lights in the room? What kind of investment have you made in z-wave devices already? (other than the 890)

You mentioned you'd like a touchscreen but suggest that you're looking for something other than Nevo? Is there a specific feature that you're looking for?

There are ways to make ANY solution work and even ways to combine INSTEON and Z-wave and other protocols in the same home but the cost can get up there pretty quickly.

Thanks for the info. I was asking for remotes other than the Nevo's only because they are the only one's that kept coming up during my research and I was curious to see if there were any other remotes out there that were Z-Wave compatible.

Since I'm upgrading, I'd like to have a remote with a large screen (Example: Nevo s70 or URC MX-6000) and that are wifi capable along with Z-Wave. This remote will be located in the theater only.

As far as total home control, not yet. Although I'm upgrading everything slowly to Z-Wave (switched, dimmers, thermostat, etc.), there will be another remote for the rest of the house and that will more than likely be a Nevo s70 since I won't have to install any IR.

BTW, do you think what I wrote above would work with something like the MX-6000?

I've never used the device, I'm still stuck with my 890 with five Z-wave switches. However, the idea is to cut the link for Z-wave on the remote. So any IR remote could control your Z-wave switches.

Your plan should work. You just need to learn the proper IR codes which I assume come from this device http://www.amazon.com/Vizia-RF-Z-Wave-IR-Remote/dp/B000R4L3FA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1255701971&sr=8-2

This should give you full control just like you have now.

There might be cheaper alternatives to what I've linked. If I had to do it over I would go with something that has IR input but outputs some sort of RF to switches.

Right now I would probably go with the IR to Insteon transceiver with Insteon switches. Run an IR emitter from my 890's RF extender to the IRLinc and now I'm not stuck with the abandoned (on Harmony remotes) Z-wave protocol.

http://www.amazon.com/Receiver-Control-INSTEON-lighting-wireless/dp/B0013O931Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1255702087&sr=1-1

Thanks for the help Bryan. I'm thinking that the Vizia RF VRCZ4-1LX may be the way to go with the MX-6000 for the theater. As for the rest of the house it's going to be a Nevo s70.