Can you recommend a remote for my system?

Hello Patrick, I was able to pick up a Logitech 650 remote the other day at the local BB for $50 as it would do all that you need/want. It will do 5/6 devices so in essance it would fit your situation well. It has hard button as aposed to touch screen. They make the 700 series as well. THe differnace between the two is the 700 is rechargeable ( 650 is not ) and the 700 will do 6/7 devices... but the 700 cost another $45 or so more.

My set up:
LG PG60PG TV
Panny 210 BD player
Onkyo 808 receiver
Direct TV
Wii
PS3

* For the Wii & PS3 I have it set to doo all functions that I needsuch as inputs and etc. except turn on the PS3& Wii ( as I/we just walk over to the unit to turn on is all). I'm not sure if it can turn on the wii or not, I havent played around with it that much yet but it cant control the PS3 unless you get the adapter for it.

Anyhow, not sure if that helps or not.

Sorry but what you ask isn't possible. You can't do any macros or favorites without programming. Are you willing to hire someone else to program it?

If you're willing to do a little programming, I like to use the Xsight Touch on DirecTV systems since it can control the box via RF like the original DirecTV remote.

No matter what you get, it won't control the Wii. But it can set up the inputs and turn on the TV for it of course. So you essentially have 4 devices which just about any remote can control. Any harmony from the 600 and above will work, but they also require programming. You can set up a harmony or Xsight in about 15-20 minutes if you're willing to program it yourself.

Sure the One is fine, but it's overkill for 4 devices and doesn't have the 4 hard colored buttons for DirecTV, etc., so you have to take up valuable LCD screen space for them. The 600/650/700 already recommended is a better fit. Xsight is still best IMO because of the RF and much lower price. But if you like the styling of the One better and don't mind the big price tag, go for it.

All do.

Just bought the xsight and well worth the price. I really don't understand how or why they dropped the price this low.
Looks good, feels nice and easy to program. Getting used to button layout is the hardest part. Still fine tuning it after programing it twice. Which is nice to add what you want and it being easy to redo. So simple even a caveman can do it.

The One is the way to go. Short of having RF it is the perfect remote.

Uh, so does the xsight 18.
Maybe you should take another look at it, it offers alot for the money. I was looking at the one and the r40 but couldn't bring myself to over spend that much on a device that has options I'll never use. I don't even fully use the xsight.
I don't own enough equipment to fill it up!!
R40 was my first choice until I saw the Xsight18

Yes the buttons are different. I'm getting used to them. If money wasn't the issue id get the r40! The one is nice but just looks so common.

Spend the extra $ for the One. You might want to go check out the Amazon reviews for the XSight 18. Many unhappy reviews.

not many but yes there are some and i also read that its because that was before they updated the software.

how many unhappy reviews are there with the upgraded software? just saying if you dont even need what a $50 remote can offer why spend another $100 plus on top of that???

the buttons are the only thing that would keep me from wanting more out of this remote!

I'm with salty. I've had the One and the 700 and like my Xsight best. Definitely the best bang for the buck. And unlike the One, it's RF, and macros can be more than 5 steps. The macro limitations aren't a big deal to most, but I can't live without them, especially considering it takes an 8 step macro to toggle captions on DirecTV. That's hard to do on a One and impossible on a 700 without using the old version of the software.

I can only personally vouch for the One as this is what controls my gear. If multiple people here say the XSight is a good bang for the buck remote then so be it.

Hello Patrick.... I found this deal on "Slick Deals" as it has a referb One unit straight from Logitech for $99. Not sure if it helps but something to look at anyhow. Good luck

Logitech has Logitech Harmony One Advanced Universal Remote Control (Refurbished) for $129.99 - $30 off code logi_h1_1611 = $99.99. Shipping is free

Link
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/remote...yx0crbtbk0myoo

Just have to enter the code is all

Most of my harmonys have been refurbs. They're usually mint, so that's an excellent deal.

I hope I am not hijacking the thread, but adding to it

At $99.00 for the Harmony One (thanks Skally for the refurbished One link) and $66 for the Xsight 18, which one would you buy?

I heard the Xsight 18 do not keep power state, so is that a deal killer? I was quite happy with the features Xsight had, but kind of backed off when I heard about the lack of power state tracking. Now at $99 for the refurb, I am almost inclined to buy the One. Of course I have no first hand knowledge of any Universal remote yet, so I do not know how this will affect usability in real life. I am sure I can manage the programming as I have a little coding experience.

Also which RF base for the Xsight?

If all your devices have discrete power on/off codes then power state tracking is of little value in the comparison. RF is a nice feature even if you do not have devices hidden away as it results in less missed commands. There is an additional cost for the AR RF Extender Kit that may change the price comparison. This bring the comparison down ergonomic features (looks, layout, buttons on the remote), and budget.

Thanks a lot. Can you please tell me how to figure out if the device has a discrete power on/off. Of the equipments that I have only the Denon AVR 1910 has a discrete power off button on the remote. All others (Panasonic Plasma, Humax Set top box, Dune HD Smart D1, PS3) do not have it on the remote. Does that mean they do not have it or do discrete power codes exist even if it is not there on the remote? Is there a place or database where this could be checked?

I clearly likes the Harmony One's looks and feel, but Xsight even with an RF extender look cheaper to buy. Of course I was Ok with about $250 levels and backed out from Harmony 900 for lack of macros (as I believe I can use them productively). Of course I have to pay about $30-40 more or about 20% more depending on value to have it imported into my country, but once below $100 dollars, it reach point a point I can take risk and buy it to see if it works.

I can't find the RF extender anywhere on order and wonder Xsight price drop had anything to do with it.

Next Gen and Nevo RF bases work find with Xsight if you can't find the Xsight branded one.

Those of us with the right tools can find discretes. When I have more time later I'll take a look. Off the top of my head, I'm pretty sure Panny has discretes, and Humax does not (usually just always leave the box on all the time in that case since power use is no different in standby). I'll have to up that Dune. PS3 off is via macro anyway, so that's essentially a discrete off.

If you're uncertain about the Xsight, Harmony is a good alternative.

Thanks for that tip. If Panny sure has discrete, then only the Dune need the attention. If I can find it, then I will buy the Xsight plus one of the RF extenders.

Would you please care to elaborate a bit on what tools are needed to find the discretes?

I am not averse to the Xsight, I was quite fascinated by the features and prices and in my book the 'negatives' were lack of power state tracking, looks (compared to One) and now that I heard it, hesitation of buying into dead end product if the company stopped making remotes. The price and features more than make it up though. So how do I dig the Dune Discretes?

Dune lists their IR codes here . Newer players, which includes the HD Smart do have discrete Power On and Off.

These players use the NEC1 IR protocol device 0.191 (shown in hexadecimal format as 00 BF). The discrete Power On is function number 95 (shown as 5F A0) and Off is 94 (5E A1)

In Pronto Hex:
Off Device Code: 0.191 Function: 94
0000 006C 0022 0002 015B 00AD 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0041 0016 0041 0016 0041 0016 0041 0016 0041 0016 0041 0016 0016 0016 0041 0016 0016 0016 0041 0016 0041 0016 0041 0016 0041 0016 0016 0016 0041 0016 0016 0016 0041 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0041 0016 0016 0016 0041 0016 0699 015B 0057 0016 0EA3
On Device Code: 0.191 Function: 95
0000 006C 0022 0002 015B 00AD 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0041 0016 0041 0016 0041 0016 0041 0016 0041 0016 0041 0016 0016 0016 0041 0016 0041 0016 0041 0016 0041 0016 0041 0016 0041 0016 0016 0016 0041 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0041 0016 0016 0016 0041 0016 0699 015B 0057 0016 0EA3

Pannys generally have discretes, but why not tell us the exact model number? Maybe one us will know for sure.

Thanks 3FG. So chances are the Xsight already has Dune discretes. If it doesn't, the posted codes give us something to work with but may require another remote to teach them from. We'll cross that bridge when/if we come to it.

To answer the question of where to get codes, I usually try these places (in order) : JP1 files, Remote Central, Manufacturer's site, Harmony database. JP1 files require some software tools to read, so just install the Remote Master program and related config files from that site, then look up your model. Harmony codes require a harmony remote to get. Something like the $20 harmony 200 works find for that purpose. Getting codes into another remote is done with something like that cheap harmony or a JP1 remote like the $15 RCA RCRP05B. The RCA remote has been indispensable for loading codes into both harmony and Xsight from pronto hex and JP1 sources. So I recommend picking up one of those at some point no matter what remote you get. If you get a higher end URC, Pronto or a JP1 programming cable, then you can load pronto hex directly. You can also load pronto hex into some harmony models via some 3rd party tools, but it's complicated.

Wow! That's lot of work done on my behalf. Thank you mdavej and 3FingeredGlove, Bplayer and others who have chipped in the thread.

I am not sure of the Plasma model I have, but I feel it is Viera TH-42PZ800 or some of the 800 series model (not sure it is PZ, other letters match). Hope it has the discrete codes.

I am now looking to buy the Xsight 18 with a suitable RF Base. Also will buy a RCA remote as you suggested. I am seeing the Xsight at as low as $50 and that is another $15 towards the cost of accessories . Is RCA remote alone sufficient for loading the codes into Xsight or do I need anything else like a cable etc?

See RF base options in THIS thread.

I confirmed your model has discrete power like other panasonics.

In most cases you can load codes via the RCA without needing a cable.

Thanks again mdavej. This whole community is incredible.

I could find some unknown web site selling the Nevo RF base. I will take risk and take it. The Next Gen is such an eye sore, I do not want to buy it unless I have no option.

Anyone knows where to buy some spare batteries for the Xsight, other than Ebay (my forwarder cannot order from Ebay as a policy matter). I hear many stories of dead batteries and I am better off having some spares.

Thanks for checking the Panny out . Do Xsight database load the Panny model and the appropriate discrete or do I have to feed it to the remote?