longbough

In the quest for a good universal remote control it's hard to find one that isn't just a monstrosity of buttons for every feature.

I understand it's important to access everything to be "universal" but there ought to be some decent ergonomics applied so that common functions (e.g. volume) can be found quickly without having to search with your eyes (or can be found by touch alone).

Last time I searched around the Harmony looked like the way to go. Granted, it may not suffice for a complex centralized home AV entertainment system but seemed like it was great solution for most of us.

Anyone with experience with the Harmony? Or is there something better or more innovative out there? I haven't researched it lately. I pretty much gave up.

Daniel_

I used to have a software package that ran on my Visio (a now defunct Palm clone) that would learn any IR remote's codes and replay them at the touch of the screen - you could arrange the buttons on the screen however you wanted.

Theoretically, any cell phone with IR can be programmed to learn your remote's functions too.

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flat5

It is a good question, longbough.

How would you go about it?

I qould suggest having "the most common" buttons in the middle and two covered pannels. One above, one below.
The covers can be removed. There is enough space between the three that you can easily feel where "you are".

Upper set of buttons for TV advanced functions.
Lower for Video.

(no responce to this is expected)

micah67

Check out Remote Central for lots of reviews on just about any remote out there.

I've gone through many remotes in search of the ideal merge of function and cost. The one I use is the Home Theater Master MX-500. It has the ability for complex use but the basics are very intuitive.

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Chingal0

Phillips pronto makes nice remotes, I got a rc5000 off ebay for like 60 bucks a year ago. The newer ones are color, but this one with a the usb cord is super customizable, as far as the screen and any kind of buttons, images or anything else really.

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brandon11983

I'm not a huge fan of the Pronto's. They are VERY nice remotes, but not very user friendly. I am not claiming this from a programming standpoint, mind you, but the thing is just too damn big and does not fit nicely in the hand, and cannot be used with one hand. I have really taken a liking to the NevoSL remote, little less than the Pronto ProNG, at $799, just as powerful (if not more), and can be used comfortably with one hand.

http://www.mynevo.com/

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Cynthetiq

Harmony Remote 880



USB connection to program it via a webpage, simple to make functions like "Watch Movie", "Listen to CD"

I love mine.. and showing my mother in law how to use the DVD player or play CDs was as simple as saying, Press "Watch Movie"

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brandon11983

The Harmony is also a good choice, and reasonably priced. I've programmed a bunch of 'em. I haven't played with their software *too* much, but it seemed to be sort of a closed platform and didn't allow for much customisation from the initial configuration. The "push" or "always on top" functionality seems somewhat lackng too. Sometimes you need a certain button to always perform the same function, regardless of what operation you are performing. For example, adjusting the volume up or down while surfing through a DVD menu. (Yes I know they have that specific funcionality out of the box... it was merely an example...)

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Cynthetiq

from techbargains
Logitech Harmony 880 Remote $149...

Dell Home has the Logitech Harmony 880 Advanced Universal Remote $249 - $100 off Code: Z0FV5PFFK5JQS7 Exp 9/1 4pm or 2000 uses = $149 shipped free.

this is about what I paid for mine...

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lpj8

Universal Remote Control Inc. makes great remotes.

I have a Home Theater Master MX-600, and I find it to be great. Excellent construction, RF capabilities (which is much better than IR), and easy to configure. I picked it up for about 120 from newegg a few months ago.

Check out the user reviews on the Home Theater Master Series here: http://www.remotecentral.com/ureview/

nikkiana

I love the Harmony. If I had the extra money, I'd buy one in a heartbeat. My in-laws have one and it's an absolute dream to program.

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catback

IR is old-school, these higher end (harmony, pronto, nevo, etc, etc) companies need to make a dual IR/RF remote and I don't mean RF to be used with an IR extender but a remote that can control devices that come with an RF remote like the bose systems and remote control ceiling fans (both of which I use, and yes I know the bose can take IR input but that's only after using the original remote to set it so, so god forbid the remote should ever get lost and the power go out). Maybe I'm asking a bit much but if I'm paying big for a remote to control a whole lotta my stuff then it should be able to control all my stuff.

yotta

I have a URC-8811 and I've built a JP1 cable for it. It was under $20, and is computer programable. No screen, though.

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