Just finished annoying people over at the Lcd and Plasma section with new jack questions over the past few months now I'm here:o. I did learn alot and try to help others when capable.

I'm looking for a remote that can control my HDTVdvr SA 8300 from Time Warner. I want it to have all the buttons the original one has like record, loop, page, info,buttons a,b,c etc...

Also want to control a Samsung lnt 4665 LCD. Menu, picture size, up, down etc...

And I have a Bose wave cd /radio that is hooked up to the TV via aux input. It has a small remote which if there is no codes I understand you need a remote that learns it.

In the future maybe a reciever or something or other (future proof).

Would Like:
Something durable. I tend to drop remotes alot.
Nice buttons so I can navigate the remote.
A nice useful LCD ( not neccessary).
One that lights up.

I am fully capable of learning programs that come with some remotes .PC programing etc..

I would greatly appreciate some insight or recommendations on remotes that would do the above.

Thanks in advance.
Ron

Do you have a budget in mind. Some of the remotes to start looking at are the Logitech Harmony remotes, Universal Remote Control (URC) remotes or the Universal Electronics One-For-All remotes with JP1 programming. It would be easiest if you did a bit more background research, found one you think you like and then get opinions. The features you outlined are pretty standard so there are many, many remotes that will do what you want.

Do you have a budget in mind. Some of the remotes to start looking at are the Logitech Harmony remotes, Universal Remote Control (URC) remotes or the Universal Electronics One-For-All remotes with JP1 programming. It would be easiest if you did a bit more background research, found one you think you like and then get opinions. The features you outlined are pretty standard so there are many, many remotes that will do what you want.

Hey thanks.
Well I looked into URC-8910 seemed great except I found that it didn't have some of the buttons for Cable TV. I like the jp1 cable ability and heard good things about this company.
I am nervous about the Harmony remotes even though they seemed to have most of the stuff I need.
My concerns are from what I have read others say like: If you drop them you have to reprogram them or that they are faulty or do not communicate well between devices.

My budget is I am willing to spend on something reliable, durable yet practical for a set up as I have. Something that does what it says and does it well.

Today is my first day here on the remote side of things so forgive my lack of indepth research. I am eager to order a new toy:D
on a side note:
I aslo have PS3 but have the bluetooth remote. I can deal with this one.
And a Xbox 360 which I don't need a remote for it.

okay so I looked around and I noticed all of the urc 810,850, 650,350 have what I need but no A,B or C buttons for the cable.
Are there any?

okay so I looked around and I noticed all of the urc 810,850, 650,350 have what I need but no A,B or C buttons for the cable.
Are there any?

Any of the remotes with an LCD screen will work for you. You just place the a,b,c, or any other buttons you want in the lcd screen. Also, if you are afraid of dropping a remote, steer clear of harmony. I have seen many a harmony's with the usb connection snapped off and rattling inside due to a slight drop. URC is a LOT more durable IMHO.

okay so I looked around and I noticed all of the urc 810,850, 650,350 have what I need but no A,B or C buttons for the cable.
Are there any?

I don't have the SA 8300, but I do have the SA 3250HD. It also uses the A, B, and C buttons. I was able to easily add them to the LCD screen of my Harmony 670. The 670 does have all of the DVR, DVD, VCR transport keys located together in the center of the remote.

I don't know how susceptible the Harmony remotes are to damage from being dropped. I drop mine sometimes, but is it always on carpet. Other users could be more helpful in determining this.

Okay I understand now you add these buttons with the memory.
I definitly drop my remotes on a hardwood floor.

I guess I'm leaning toward a URC mx, any recommendations within 0 - 250 dollar range that an end consumer can program.

oh yeah sorry for this next dumb question. What is macros function?

...
I definitly drop my remotes on a hardwood floor.

I guess I'm leaning toward a URC mx, any recommendations within 0 - 250 dollar range that an end consumer can program.

oh yeah sorry for this next dumb question. What is macros function?
I think Harmony remotes are excellent, but I would not describe them as "drop friendly"! Some URC owners describe their remotes as "built like tanks", so that certainly sounds better!

To see what you can get, you might check amazon.com pricing (but don't buy there or you will have no software updates, unless they have been listed as an authorized retailer). Otherwise, MikeSRC and surfremotecontrol.com seem to be a good source for URC. MSRP means nothing with these remotes, so you should probably not have to pay even 75% of that.

As for macros: they basically enable a remote to send several commands with one button push: Watch TV turns on the TV, selects the correct input, turns on the receiver (satellite or cable) if appropriate, turns on the amp and selects the correct input (if appropriate) and adjusts the surround mode ... bla bla bla! One complaint I hear from URC owners compared to Harmony is that they want to be able to program macros to individual buttons (not just activities, as Harmony does) so that if they press the "play" button on a DVD, the lights dim; if they press the "pause" button, the lights come back on etc. etc.

I think Harmony remotes are excellent, but I would not describe them as "drop friendly"! Some URC owners describe their remotes as "built like tanks", so that certainly sounds better!

To see what you can get, you might check amazon.com pricing (but don't buy there or you will have no software updates, unless they have been listed as an authorized retailer). Otherwise, MikeSRC and surfremotecontrol.com seem to be a good source for URC. MSRP means nothing with these remotes, so you should probably not have to pay even 75% of that.

As for macros: they basically enable a remote to send several commands with one button push: Watch TV turns on the TV, selects the correct input, turns on the receiver (satellite or cable) if appropriate, turns on the amp and selects the correct input (if appropriate) and adjusts the surround mode ... bla bla bla! One complaint I hear from URC owners compared to Harmony is that they want to be able to program macros to individual buttons (not just activities, as Harmony does) so that if they press the "play" button on a DVD, the lights dim; if they press the "pause" button, the lights come back on etc. etc.

Alright ,like when I press power on the cable tv remote both my cable box and tv turn on at the same time.
So this possible with urc. thanks btw