Quote:
Originally Posted by bryansj /forum/post/18240073
The key word is "almost". If it doesn't do what you need then it isn't worth the low price to that person. An activity based remote with the ability to map discrete codes is the key for most people to gain the all important WAF.
Not to mention the need for RF if you have some hidden devices.
I have to jump in here and put in a plug for the one partial exception to the above rule, which is JP1 remotes. The RCA RCRP05B, for example, is a $20 remote has the ability to map discrete codes and make "activity" macros as well as program from a PC. It's just a little more difficult to program (no wizards), and you can't see your softkey names on an LCD. In fact, I have to use my cheap one-for-all quite a bit just to teach my expensive remote discretes that aren't in its database.
Pauses are no problem. State tracking with JP1 is doable, but takes some programming skill to pull off. But unlike harmony, you can nest macros on some JP1 remotes and have complete control over what's in them. You can put several functions on one key (shifted, long press, double press and short press). You can also backup and restore as many configs as you want on your own computer and aren't tied to a web server.
RF is a different story. While there are a few RF JP1 remotes around (URC-9910 comes to mind), they're very hard to find. Otherwise you'll have to go with a 3rd party solution like next generation.
For the sake of full disclosure, to do all this programming via a PC you need to buy or build a $20-$30 cable. But the software is free. And there's a big community of expert users and developers to help you with any problems.
You may ask if JP1 is so great, then why do you use an expensive remote as well? JP1 served me well for nearly 10 years. My remotes could run circles around harmony any day in terms of speed, durability and customization. But when refurbs harmonys started to approach JP1 prices ($30-$40), I gave them a try. While the clunky, labyrinthine software and 5 step macros are very frustrating, as Bryan pointed out, the WAF is indeed higher because she can see the macro names and soft button names on the LCD. So the family can use the harmony on one side of the room, and I can use my JP1 on the other side, and in other rooms where I don't need to spend a lot of money.
