the last thing to buy? I need a good remote that works for my wife 100%of the time. i have 1500$ left.
I have
denon 4308 ci
jvc rs-1
Toshiba hd-xa2
direct tv/ hd-dvr
ps-3
thanks for the help.
I miss spell check!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

that $$$ will get you a really nice remote, but tell us:

Do you like touchscreens, or prefer hard buttons?

Do you want small/compact or large/easy to read?

Rugged (dropped a lot) or not an issue?

Activity based, or don't care?

Are your devices hidden in a cabinet (needing a remote that has companion RF/IR blaster) or all visible with direct IR line of sight?

There are so many choices from Harmony to Pronto to URC with everything in between (including RTi but that is dealer-programmable only as I understand it). Knowing a little more about what you want to do with it (and whether you will program or have programmed) will help with recommendations.

Also, I think the PS3 is bluetooth only, so I don't think you will be able to integrate control of it into a universal remote. All of the rest of your devices should be controllable with no real issues (discrete power for XA2 was an issue, not sure if resolved, but there are workarounds I think).

Hmmm...$1,500? I'd hire one of the local college girls to wear a bikini and press the buttons on my component rack when I tell her to!

Hmmm...$1,500? I'd hire one of the local college girls to wear a bikini and press the buttons on my component rack when I tell her to!
:D

I agree with that sentiment.

I like a touchscreen.large screen because I hit 45 the eyes are going. Me and the wife so rugged is no issue.
The pc's are in a cabinet so RF would be nice. Ps/3 bluetooth works great.I have a freind at the sound shop that can program the remote.
Thanks mike,for the help.
PS. jetstream
I ask about the college girl in a bikini .lets say i can not wright want she said,
but i like the idea.
thanks for the help!

I would check out the MX-3000 and the MRF-300. I just set up both and they are awesome. They are also in your price range. Check out some threads at remotecentral.com.

Well. . .I'll disclaim it right now that I'm a big URC fan. I own an MX-3000 and MRF300 as well, and have really enjoyed them. I like the flexibility of programming and graphics (it's pretty much whatever you want to do with it). For the person with more toys in the rack, they have the MSC 400 which expands the remote to serial control capabilities through the MSC device. At full retail, the MX and MRF are within your budget, but if you buy through certain authorized dealers (some frequently post in these forums), you likely will get a discounted price that makes it even better.

However, to be fair, I've not tried some of the other products. Pronto makes the TSU9600, which looks pretty nice, and also has rf bases (I think they refer to it as an extender). Logitech Harmony makes the Harmony 1000 remote, but that's about all I know about them. Not sure if they have remote bases or not.

I would search these forums and those on remotecentral for user input on these remotes and then decide what seems best to you.

You say you have a friend at the sound shop that can program the remote? I would ask him what remote(s) he is familiar with. Programming the MX and Pronto is somewhat harder than the Harmony, but at the same time, I tried programming a cheap Harmony for my mom a couple of years ago and finally took it out back and shot it because I was so frustrated. :) Seriously, each has its pros/cons, the Harmony is easy to use wizard, the other two take some graphic skills and learning of the programming software interface. You will also find a number of files for either the MX or Pronto at remotecentral that will give you a starting point for graphics/buttons/programming.

Good luck!

You could go with an IR distribution system instead of RF. You have an IR receiver that sees the remote IR signal, then distributes it to the equipment in the closet. No need for RF in that case. Just something to consider that might give you a few more choices. 4 emitters + receiver + distribution box kits run about $150.

Thanks for the input. All will help . Looks like i have alot of reading to do and i thought this would be the easy part.

that budget certainly opens a lot of doors and I would strongly recommend the Philips TSU9600 because of the gorgeous VGA touch screens. Or... you may want to wait for a new RTI remote with a similar touch screen (the newly announced T3-V) but that will require a custom installer and will surely put you over budget

Good luck controlling the PS3 with any universal remote, as it uses Bluetooth for communications. >.<

Does the PS3 have a keyboard input? If so, the msc-400 can emulate a pc keyboard.

The msc-400 is a really cool box. The sensor inputs allow for some interesting alternative control options. Walk in the room, the system turns on, or turn on the wii, and the projector and audio system go to game mode, etc.

for me...if I as the consumer (who happens to be a programmer and a scripting/macro expert) cant program the remote ...I aint interested in it whehter or not its dealer programmerable or not.

If I cant adjust what the dealer has done..forget it.


However, question: of these remotes, is their a way to backup what you do?
some sort of: I want to save what ive done, so if I screw up I can reload from backup?

Sure you can back up your remotes's programming, if you used a pc to program the remote.