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Harmony or Home Theater Master for the novice. Quick response needed Thanks!

729 Views 4 Replies 5 Participants Last post by CMR, Dec 22, 2005

avoiceoreason

Discussion Starter · Dec 16, 2005

I need to get a easy-to-use universal for my step-father for Christmas. A lot of emphasis on easy-to-use/understand. I have two Home Theater Master models and find them intuitive and easy to use but I have never tried the Harmony line.

Which brand do you all think would be easier to use (I will do the programming, so no worries there) for someone who gets easily confused by all things electronic?

Pretty simple set up: TV, DVD, Tivo, Comcast digital cable box.

Hoping to order one today to get here in time for the holidays. Thanks in advance!

P.S. - if your recommendation is Harmony any thoughts on model given the above setup would be greatly appreciated since I am just not familiar with their offerings.

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BSteely

· #2 · Dec 18, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by avoiceoreason
I need to get a easy-to-use universal for my step-father for Christmas. A lot of emphasis on easy-to-use/understand. I have two Home Theater Master models and find them intuitive and easy to use but I have never tried the Harmony line.

Which brand do you all think would be easier to use (I will do the programming, so no worries there) for someone who gets easily confused by all things electronic?

Pretty simple set up: TV, DVD, Tivo, Comcast digital cable box.

Hoping to order one today to get here in time for the holidays. Thanks in advance!

P.S. - if your recommendation is Harmony any thoughts on model given the above setup would be greatly appreciated since I am just not familiar with their offerings.

I've always felt it would be really cool for Harmony to come out with a senior friendly remote. I have the 880 and the backlit color display is quite vivid. You can also go into the setup and change the display to an even bigger, single column display instead of the default, which is two columns. So that part I would describe as senior friendly. However, the 880 totally fails the senior test in the buttons department. Even though the buttons are backlit, they are tiny, and the text on the buttons even tinier. So I can't recommend the 880, or any other Harmony come to think of it, as being a good choice for a senior citizen.

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takeaim

· #3 · Dec 18, 2005

So then within the Universal Remote Control options, what is the difference between:

1. Custom Professional Products, like the MX-850 or the MX-950 with the MRF-300 rf receiver

2. Home Theater Master Series, like the MX-800

Is one programmable on a computer and the program transferred to the remote, while the other relies on codes from manufacturers and URC to control the equipment?

Take Aim

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MikeSRC

· #4 · Dec 18, 2005

Both the MX-800 and 850 are PC-programmable and use the same software. The 850 differs from the 800 in that it has a separate "Select" button in the center of the thumbpad, better backlighting of the LCD screen and is sold separately from the RF base station (the MX-800 comes packaged with one).

All URC remotes from the MX-700 and higher are PC-programmable. The MX-800 is just an RF version of the 700.

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CMR

· #5 · Dec 22, 2005

I have just setup my MX-800 and absolutely love it. I have had several Harmony remotes through the years this is the happiest I have been with a remote. I have not setup many macros as of yet just went online and downloaded my equipment. I was up and running in less than 20 minutes. As stated here, the MX800 comes with the RF station which I should have done a long time ago. What a difference. No more aggravation.

Not that I dislike Harmony (well that one model with the wheel on thhe side really was horrible) I just feel this remote was the best of the lot. A nice size, comfortable, easy interface (would have prefered USB, it is a serial port cable) and the backlighting is not as bad as I read about. I am not sure about battery life but I doubt it is going to be to good as te display is always on. Other than those few gripes, my vote is the MX Family.

Very pleased!!

PS - This is also the first remote my wife actually liked!! (BIG plus).

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