[caeguy]

I'm new to this area. I currently have a DVD, Cable, TV, and AVR remote. Is it possible to consolidate these remotes into one and still have complete control over these devices? If so, what is the most cost effective solution?


Thanks

 

[Tachy]

It depends on your wallet size and your preferences.


On the low end...........you have "one for all" remotes
http://www.ofausa.com/


These are button remotes that are fairly programmable and under $50. They allow pretty good programming especially if you get the jp1 cable to link to your pc.


My next choice (and in my opinion a step up) (and I am biased and own 2 of them) is the Mx 500 by home theater master/Universal remote control, inc.
http://universalremote.com/htm/


It has really come down in price recently and runs about $80 now via internet (I paid almost 3X as much for my first one). I recommend actually buying this with one of the "one for all remotes" as well, to help program discrete and advanced codes, and because the internal databases for these are much better (and you can buy a cheap one for all for under $20).


The Mx series has the advantage of having an LCD screen that allows 2 screens of 10 buttons for each device, giving you the advantage of actually being able to remember what you programmed where (a problem I sometimes had using a "one for all" remote as my primary remote). Some dealers actually bundle the Mx500 with a one for all, on on occasion with a one for all AND a jp1 cable. It has a very functional light, so you can see all the buttons in the dark, and with the tactile/buttons once you know where the common ones are....you can often use frequently used features without even looking down.


If you are willing to spend more......there are better MX models (look under the "complete control" section in URC website http://universalremote.com/complete_control/

The MX 650 and MX 850 offer more programablity and in the case of the 850 PC programming.


There is also a large following for touch screen remotes and advantages and disadvantages of button vs. touchscreen. They range from black and white pronto remotes up to the MX 3000......ranging from a couple hundred to almost $1000. These are very programmable, and allow great customization, but again it is a preference thing.....and depends on your desires.....what you want to do with the remote....and your pocketbook. These allow the most customization.


I personally think you get more bang for your buck...and almost enough remote for most basic situations from the mx 500...but ask around.......and check out remote central......where the only topic is remotes....they have a forum for each make remote....as well as general ones. http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin/mboard/forums.cgi


And a long answer to a short question.....you should be able to put your native remotes away entirely and just keep the universal remote out. The only time in years that I have brought the others out, is when I want to fine tune the placement of buttons or when I buy a new device.

 

[caeguy]

Thanks for your post.


I will begin to research your suggestions. I do really want to put away my remotes. It gets very confusing for the wife and kids.


I just wanted to make sure that:


- I can get to the guide, record and to the settings on my Cable DVR.

- Get to the setup on the TV as well as switching inputs. Hopefully automatically.

- Get to all my functions on my DVD like info, chapters, titles, etc.

- and inputs and speaker setup on my AVR


Thanks

 

[Kerzon]

I really like the Logitech harmony remotes, they take some tweaking to get working right but they can be programed to control everything you want.


Cnet has a nice review on them.

Harmony Remote

 

[brcobb]

I will add my vote for the MX-500. I just bought one a few weeks ago. I am using it to control 7 different components and it handles them all. It controls all functions and menus. And as stated above, it only costs about $80.

 

[Tachy]

I forgot to mention one of the best features of the MX-500 (in my opinion). You can program macros on each of the device keys, so that pressing the key for just a second switches the remote to the 10 button choices for the remote, but if you HOLD down the key for a FEW seconds, it sends out the MACRO for that button.


I have the macros on each device button programmed to turn ON each device needed (using Discrete ON keys, which were available for everything but my cable box), and then it turns every input to the correct place for that device........hence pressing DVD...turns on the dvd player, the receiver, the tv, and turns the audio input to DVD, and the tv input to DVD as well......making switching from one function to the next, fairly thoughtless.


There are 3 macro buttons at the bottom of the MX 500 also that allow any macros....and I have the middle one toggle on and of all devices and inputs for watching cable.......which is my most common function......so it is thoughtless to turn everything on and turn everything off (there is a macro "all off" button on the remote, which I programmed for discrete OFF for everything except the cable which again is not available (I wish those cable box companies would get on board like the rest of the devices). The outer buttons, m1 and m3 turn off and on certain room lignts for movie watching...using an x-10 lighting system.


The FAV button is good too. It is several pages of favorite channels, listed by name (such as HBO, SHO, etc, that you can program for cable channels to switch from one to the next quickly. Some people use these as well to program additional macros........which is a bit more complicated....but doable if you take the time to learn.


Happy hunting.

 

[jcg]

You might also look at the URC-200 made by the same company that makes the MX-500. The URC-200 allows instant macros on the LCD keys which in my opinion is way better than the hold the key down for a couple seconds macro on the MX-500. If you don't need instant macros then the MX-500 is a better choice as it has 10 LCD keys vs 5 LCD keys on the URC-200. I tried both and needed instant macros so went with the 200, and both are about the same price so just depends on your needs.


John

 

[AnthonyP]

cheapest way to consolidate is the one-for all remotes, on the other hand if you want to make it easier to use, I think Harmony or HTM remotes are better. The OFA remotes can do everything you want, but hey are standard buttons and you might need to push a button called X that does function Y.


The HTM remotes have a small LCD screen and that (in most) is used to label the button next to it (though it is limited to 5 characters), the Harmony remotes are activity based and also have an LCD, less LCD buttons or you need to go through more pages of LCD buttons, but you can use full names and the many butons take care of most stuff

 

[Pablopsd]

I had one of the Sony universal remotes, and just changed to a Harmony, since the Sony broke. I researched A LOT and was thinking of the Pronto or something like that, I liked the looks but the price was a little steep for a color one. After doing the research, I found myself leaning toward the Harmony. I am running 8 devices, including lights and an antennae rotor, and 2 satellite receivers. I am still tweaking the setup a little, mainly because I like to play! I am really happy with it. It is less intimidating for people than my Sony, and it is nice to have buttons labeled for what they are. My mother, sister and mother in law are here babysitting, and I used to have to leave out a list of directions for the old remote. Now to watch TV press the watch TV button. Yes there are no macros, but the activity approach pretty much eliminates the need for them in my opinion. I used macros on the Sony to set inputs and the like. However, if something needed to be turned on, you can't always rely on the macro, unless you turn everything on at the start. The harmony will "remember" what it has turned on and off. So if I go from "Watch TV" to "Watch Movies" for example, it knows the TV is already on, and just changes the input on it. If I pressed "Watch Movie" when everything is off, It will turn on what is needed, TV, DVD, AVR, and set them to what is needed to play the movie. It then sets up the remote to operate the DVD player. You are able to customize the labels of the LCD buttons, and can use passthroughs for lights etc. This is all done on your computer, MAC or a slower pc I found it pretty easy to set up and operate. It is much cheaper online, and there are more choices online for models then there are in my area at local stores. All I could find locally is the 659 which I paid more $ for since the other one broke, and I have no patience! Sorry for the long post. Hope it helps.


Pablo

 

[xboxjunkie]

I vote for the harmony!