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In search of an advanced home theater universal remote control

Saturday, January 06, 2007 10:10:12 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00) ( Geek Out | Tech )

I've decided after juggling multiple remotes for a bunch of different equipment for far too long that it's time to go on the search for an advanced universal home theater remote that will let me control my projector, surround system, various components like DVD players and XBOXes and whatnot, as well as my room lighting. Programmable one-button setups for multiple devices is what I have in mind. I want to be able to hit a button and have al these systems lines themselves up, set the volume, turn down the lights, etc. In fact, bonus points if it can also control other items in other parts of the house and if I can set up enough macros to where my roomie can have his own preferences for lighting, volume, etc.

In my early searches, I have found a number of very expensive models that I would have to take a new mortgage out for in order to acquire. People actually spend that much money on remotes? Holy cow! We're talking in the thousands of dollars for some of these things. It's ridiculous. There is no way in the world I can spend more than say $800, and even that would really be way too much unless it does everything I am looking for. I'd hope to be able to do some Froogling and find some street prices that get it all under $500. I'm not holding my breath.

Anyhow, what do people recommend? There are a number of home theater geeks at my work and I am sure they'll each have their opinions and experiences, and I hope to get some more ideas before diving into the water myself. Please leave a comment with your thoughts and experiences, or with descriptions of remotes you may have run across in your own research. Thanks!

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Saturday, January 06, 2007 11:45:04 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)

take a look at Logitech Harmony 550 , it's not expensive remote

Dror Engel

Sunday, January 07, 2007 5:43:13 AM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)

Shoot, for $500 ill do all that for ya.. but only for a week. Like you could say, Davedave Lights. Davedave feed dog. Davedave channel 47. =)

Then again maby not.

Dave

Sunday, January 07, 2007 7:06:40 AM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)

Logitech Harmony 880 has worked great for me, it's online database of "components" is very extensive.

Stephen Patten

Sunday, January 07, 2007 9:30:22 AM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)

I have the Harmony 550 and love it. The setup is the best part, you just run a program on your computer and type in your model # and it ask you a few simple questions ("What input on your receiver do you use while watching tv?" for example). Then you plug in the remote via USB and your done.

I'm not 100% sure it will do everything you want, you can't customize the default macro's very much, but it is worth looking at. The higher models, like hte 890 and 1000, have built in RF so they can control Z-Wave devices to do home automation stuff too.

Tony Bunce

Sunday, January 07, 2007 6:49:50 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)

I am looking at the Logitech/Harmony remotes - checked out the one at Costco and saw a couple models at Comp USA when I wandered through there. I think they are close, but only the ones that do the lighting/RF thing - that's a must-have for me for this particular little project.

There are a bunch of others out there, too - I wonder if the Harmony models are the only ones people really touch due to the fact that they are super-marketed? My fear is that they won't quite do what I need from a flexibility standpoint, but the upper-tier models might. I will take a closer look.

Greg

Sunday, January 07, 2007 6:55:37 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)

Also, found this site (remote central), which has a lot of reviews of various remotes - useful resource:

http://www.remotecentral.com/remotes.htm

Greg

Monday, January 08, 2007 8:27:32 AM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)

For an alternative to all these harmony people, take a look a Philips Prontos. We have a TSU2000 for the past 3-4 years and love it. Highly customizable, but the software does take a bit to learn. Several new models have come out since the one we have but our works great so haven't upgraded. Ebay would be a great way to get your feet wet (TSU2000 or TSU3000) for not much money (less than $150). As far as lighting goes, we have a simple on/off using X10. Nothing fancy like you're talking about.

Bob Willis

Wednesday, January 10, 2007 12:56:12 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)

Greg, I've gone through probably 8 remotes in the past 2 years so I'm a self-proclaimed expert in this area :)

I finally ended up with a Harmony 680 which is their remote for MCE since it has the green button. While the layout of the remote still isn't perfect, I havent' found anything better that also has the extensive product database that Logitech/Harmony has.

Harmony/Logitech released other more expensive remotes like the 880 and 890, but IMO, those are a waste since color screen is overrated and batteries in the remote arne' that big of a deal. The only reason to really upgrade would be if you needed RF instead of just IR.

My big fear of Harmony in the past was that their remote setup is web+activeX based and what would happen if they went under? Now they were acquired by logitech my fears have melted away :)

Come to think of it, I might have an older Harmony 659 remote I could send you if you're a good boy :) Shoot me a mail.

Trevin

Saturday, March 24, 2007 4:49:12 PM (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-07:00)

If, by any chance you are still looking the Monster Central remote control is fantastic. Truly easy to set up (uses harmony technology online) and the light controls can be as easy as plug in or putting in a light switch (I even did it and I'm a girl!) and the lighting units are relatively inexpensive compared to other systems. check it out.

BARB