I have a Onkyo TX-SR803 setup for two zones (living room and dining room/kitchen). While most of the time, the same input is being used for both zones, it's not that uncommon for different inputs to being used.

With that in mind, I'm looking for a remote which:
- Handles controlling multiple zones gracefully
- Supports RF extenders so that I can change input/volume in the dining room rather then yelling out "How's the volume now???"
- Reasonably priced. Say $300ish.
- Bonus: controlling multiple receivers

I don't have a lot of equipment (Tivo S3, Oppo DVD, PS2) so that's not critical.

So far, the only remotes I've seen which seem to market themselves as multi-zone are the H890Pro and the Monster 300, both of which seem to be more $$$ then I want to spend. The 890 (non-Pro) looks like a great deal, but I can't figure out how well it handles multiple zones.

Thanks,
Aaron

What do you need to do different to control the two zones seperately?

What do you need to do different to control the two zones seperately?

well typically a zoneable receiver has sperate codes for the Zone 2/3 operation than from the main zone of operation. This is of course so that the receiver knows to control the zone 2 operation. For example if main zone is watching a DVD, and the zone 2 is listening to a CD and you want the volume to go up in zone 2 but not the main listening area.


As for the the 2 remotes, the harmony and the monster use the same software, as monster had harmony design it for them.
Now for the zone 2 operation neither is very good or easy to use for a multi zone application.
I would recommend using a URC or RTI or even a pronto controller as they will both do a much better job.

So, basically, all you need to do is send the "zone 1" or "zone 2" remote signals, depending on where you are, that shouldn't be a problem. Using JP1 to program it, I bet we could get a URC-9910 remote set up to your liking. Drop me a line if you're interested.

I'm interested in the same thing. Basically, I have a Harmony for 360 remote that I thought was capable of programming macros. I just hooked up a zone 2 tonight and found out otherwise. I have an Onkyo 605 and to turn on zone 2 you have to press Zone 2->Standby On to get sound out of your zone 2 speakers. To control volume, it's Zone 2->Level + or Zone 2->Level -. Since it takes two button presses from the standard remote to control zone 2, there isn't anyway to do it with the Harmony. What other options are out there?

I would recommend using a URC or RTI or even a pronto controller as they will both do a much better job.

Which of the URC or RTI controllers would you recommend? I see SurfRemoteControl carries the URC's, but I don't know of any reputable dealers for the RTI.

Honestly, I'm not thrilled with the URC or RTI which are programmed only via Windows since all my computers are Mac's, but hopefully the software works under Parallels. I was looking at the MX-900 which seems reasonably popular and near my price point. I'm not sure if it's worth spending the extra $$$ for the MRF-300 or 350.

synfinatic, any RTI controller will be able to perform this function.

The reason you can not find any "reputable" dealers, is that no reputable RTI dealer will sell there product online as it violates dealer agreemants. This also why you do not find AMX or Crestron product online among others.

If you would like me to provide you with a controller I would be happy to. If you would like it programmed as well let me know.
PM me for a price list of the controllers

I'm interested in the same thing. Basically, I have a Harmony for 360 remote that I thought was capable of programming macros. I just hooked up a zone 2 tonight and found out otherwise. I have an Onkyo 605 and to turn on zone 2 you have to press Zone 2->Standby On to get sound out of your zone 2 speakers. To control volume, it's Zone 2->Level + or Zone 2->Level -. Since it takes two button presses from the standard remote to control zone 2, there isn't anyway to do it with the Harmony. What other options are out there?
- Have you tried creating a "mini-macro"? You can basically try to teach both commands to the Harmony in RAW mode. It may take a few tries, but you might be able to create a custom command this way.

Basically, you want to send the initial command, immediately followed by the second command. If you time it correctly, the Harmony will see it as one command.

- Have you tried creating a "mini-macro"? You can basically try to teach both commands to the Harmony in RAW mode. It may take a few tries, but you might be able to create a custom command this way.

Basically, you want to send the initial command, immediately followed by the second command. If you time it correctly, the Harmony will see it as one command.

time it correctly???? Wow. To me this sounds like a "just because you can, doesn't mean you should situation" or that your trying to cram 4 lbs. of info into a 2 lbs can.

time it correctly???? Wow. To me this sounds like a "just because you can, doesn't mean you should situation" or that your trying to cram 4 lbs. of info into a 2 lbs can.
- So your advice to this owner of the Harmony 360 is to scrap the remote altogether and spend a few hundred dollars on a new remote and programming fees from another company?

My suggestion of trying a mini-macro is something that doesn't cost anything to try and may be exactly what the user is looking for. I've used this method since I first learned about it from the Sony line of universal remotes since their manuals describe how to do it in detail.

no I'm not saying anyone needs to spend more money, I'm just questioning the overall ability of the product to function in a "easy" manor. also last time I checked the reason most people purchase a harmony remote is that it's easy to setup for basic operation.
So far it just sounds as if this may not be the right controller for this individual, or that perhaps they have outgrown the unit in which case maybe they do need a new remote and spend some money.
In any case I have used Harmony, RTI, URC, Pronto's, Sony, RCA and a half dozen others over the years and have to say I used to like harmony, but quickly relized their limitations & who they were really intended for.

Re: Onkyo zone 2 (alkie4life):

I've always assumed that the Zone2 button on the remote just remaps some of the buttons to send a different code, rather then enabling a macro prefix for each command.

If that's true, then you shouldn't have any problem teaching your Harmony the commands as the Zone2 button doesn't emit a code (at least I know it doesn't for either Onkyo receiver I own).

Or does someone with more experience know otherwise?

I've always assumed that the Zone2 button on the remote just remaps some of the buttons to send a different code, rather then enabling a macro prefix for each command.
- I'm not familiar with Onkyo receivers, but you can test this theory rather easily. If you have a digital camera with a LCD display, just focus on the IR emitter of the Onkyo remote. You can see when the remote sends an IR signal.

I'm waiting to see if I can get ahold of the signal info for Zone2 (and any other zones if there are more), but once I have this info I can easily set up a "One For All" remote control to be a multi-zone remote, so if you don't absolutely need to spend the big $$$s on an expensive remote, there is a cheaper option. For example, the URC-9910 IR/RF remote that I mentioned earlier would be $34 shipped. If you want the ability to program the remote from your PC you would also need a $15 JP1 cable.

I've done a bit of research and it does appear that the ZONE2 button sends an actual IR signal (NEC1 210.109, OBC 204). According to the user manual (http://63.148.251.135/redirect_service.cfm?type=own_manuals&file=TXSR803703_En.pdf) you need to press the ZONE2 button before pressing a regular button in order for that button to perform a zone2 function. Reading between the lines it sounds like you have to press ZONE2 first *every* time, which is a bit of a drag. Can any Onkyo users confirm that?

If you want to set up a true zone2 mode on a learning remote control, you could try doing a quick press of the ZONE2 button followed by a press of the regular button when you teach the learning remote, that might work.

If there's any interest in a JP1 remote that would automatically send the ZONE2 signal in front of the regular signals, let me know and I'll put one together.

I setup Zone2 on MX-900's quite often for Marantz receivers. In those cases, you have to press the m-spkr or multi buttons (two seperate buttons) to cycle off the zone2 and then again back on in order to change your zone2 source or volume. I set up a macro so that while in a multi zone page, you press your source, say CD. The remote will send the m-spkr command, then a time delay, then send another m-spkr command and finaly, the CD source command. It works well and makes the whole process much easier on the customer.

Today I had to program a MX-900 for zone 2 on a Denon receiver. On this receiver, there is a zone 2 button that does not send an IR command, but it puts the remote into the zone2 mode so when you press a source or volume, it will control zone 2 rather then the main zone. Because the zone2 button does not send a command, I did not have a way to learn this command. This particular receiver was not in the IR database, but luckily, I tried another model numbers zone 2 codes and it worked. All the customer has to do is press z2-on or z2-off to cycle the zone off, and then just select their source. I like the marantz's zone2 setup because it makes it very easy to use both with or without a universal remote.

I've read a bit more about the Onkyo and Zone2 and I'm back to thinking that the ZONE2 button itself doesn't send a signal, but what it does do is cause the next button to be pressed to send out a one-time signal before sending out the regular signal. It sounds like you would need to press ZONE2 before pressing another button too, it doesn't sound like the mode sticks.

But even so, if you were programming a learning remote, while the learning process itself would be tedious (with all those extra button presses) most learning remotes should be able to capture the sent-once portion and the repeating portion OK.

I've done a bit of research and it does appear that the ZONE2 button sends an actual IR signal (NEC1 210.109, OBC 204). According to the user manual (http://63.148.251.135/redirect_service.cfm?type=own_manuals&file=TXSR803703_En.pdf) you need to press the ZONE2 button before pressing a regular button in order for that button to perform a zone2 function. Reading between the lines it sounds like you have to press ZONE2 first *every* time, which is a bit of a drag. Can any Onkyo users confirm that?

If you want to set up a true zone2 mode on a learning remote control, you could try doing a quick press of the ZONE2 button followed by a press of the regular button when you teach the learning remote, that might work.

If there's any interest in a JP1 remote that would automatically send the ZONE2 signal in front of the regular signals, let me know and I'll put one together.

On my TX-SR803 and RC-620M remote which was included with it, you press the zone2 and then can make any number of zone2 adjustments (volume, input, etc) *without* having to press the zone2 button again. If you want to modify Zone1 you have to press the Receiver button to go back.

Pressing the zone2 button does *not* send an IR signal to the receiver.

As for the JP1 based URC-9910, that sounds rather interesting. I found the JP1 forums and it sounds like some people have it working under OSX/Parallels with a USB interface which is what I'd be using.

Just FYI, I have created a new JP1 upgrade that will work the Zone2 functions for Onkyo receivers. I sent it to sfhub, who is also a JP1 user and has an Onkyo receiver, and he tested it and confirmed that it works.

Here's the JP1 file...
http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/dload.php?action=file&file_id=4807

No interest in a multi-zone remote for Onkyo anymore?

Robman, in a setup like this:

- Main a/v Equipment in basement.
- Three different locations with individual TVs (and possibly DVD).
- Cat5 wire to basement already installed if useful (for IR repeater if useful).

Can a JP-1 type remote (remotes for all three locations) be set up to handle this? If so: what would you advise and what would be the cost?

but hopefully the software works under Parallels.Try out the new vmware Mac Beta. I hear it's far superior to parallels.

Robman, in a setup like this:

- Main a/v Equipment in basement.
- Three different locations with individual TVs (and possibly DVD).
- Cat5 wire to basement already installed if useful (for IR repeater if useful).

Can a JP-1 type remote (remotes for all three locations) be set up to handle this? If so: what would you advise and what would be the cost?You would be looking to have a different remote in each location, right, as opposed to one remote that you would carry around from location to location. I would recommend the first approach but either one can be made to work.

If the cat5 wire repeater is set up, which means you could use the original remotes in any location, any JP1 remote could be setup to replicate that. This would be your best option because you have more flexibility in chosing a remote (JP1 or otherwise). My JP1 remotes start at $19.

Without the cat5 repeater, I assume the remote in each location would need to be able to control the gear that's in the basement (along with the local TV, DVD, etc). In that case, you would need remotes like the URC-9910 or URC-9964 which have RF extenders built in. I sell the 9910 for $29 but I'm almost out. I do have some modified 9964s available for $49 each (modified means I have soldered in a 6-pin JP1 connector).

To get the most out of any of these remotes you would also need a JP1 cable, which you can use to re-program the remotes from your computer. If you have a parallel port you can get the $15 "Simple" cable, otherwise you would need the $35 USB cable. If you have a serial port, you could go with a "JP1.2" remote and get a $20 JP1.x serial cable. I also have serial-to-USB converter cables available for $15, so USB is an option too for JP1.2 remotes.

So, bottom line, if you set up the cat5 repeater, you could get 3 remotes and a Simple JP1 cable for $72 plus $5 shipping.

Great stuff Robman! I know somebody that is interested in exactly this, I think, and budget preferences probably make this the only solution that will fit. I will point him to this thread! Thnx!

well typically a zoneable receiver has sperate codes for the Zone 2/3 operation than from the main zone of operation. This is of course so that the receiver knows to control the zone 2 operation. For example if main zone is watching a DVD, and the zone 2 is listening to a CD and you want the volume to go up in zone 2 but not the main listening area.


As for the the 2 remotes, the harmony and the monster use the same software, as monster had harmony design it for them.
Now for the zone 2 operation neither is very good or easy to use for a multi zone application.
I would recommend using a URC or RTI or even a pronto controller as they will both do a much better job.
RTI has been great for me.