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Best Universal Remote?

What is the best universal remote out there at a reasonable price?

There are many universal remotes out there, but outside of turning on,
switching channels, playing & recording, most don't seem to control all
functions so you still have to keep the original remote to set
schedules for the VCR or the contrast, brightness, etc for TV's and so
on. Even if some of these are controllable by the remote, good luck in
finding where they are or remembering what button to push. If all the
buttons were on the remote, it would be the size of the family car.
Using the original remote to program the codes in the univeral remote
would be long and tedious to get all the functions from the old remote.

My idea of a perfect remote would be one that would allow you to select
each device by a single button and have a touch screen that would be
setup to emulate all the device's functions. It would probably have to
be set up using a code like most do today, but I would think that
downloading the functions from the internet or an included CD would be
more practical since loading and maintaining all the functions you
would need would be very hard in the remote itself. I would think
doing the setup and generating the macros would best be done on a
computer also.

Is there any remote out there that does this that does not cost as much
as a TV itself?

I have seen products by a company called Universal Remote Control that
are interesting. The MX-350 Osiris has some nice features and can
control things by RF. The price at around $130 (street) and its
associated MRF-250 RF receiver (about $60 street) are reasonable. My
son just got this unit with his home theater. I am going to check it
out, but I thought I would see what you-all thought.
 
J

JR North

Jan 1, 1970
0
I use the 'One For All Big Easy 3'. This is an uncomplicated, simple to
program and use URM with great, big glow-in-the-dark keys. It will
operate 3 devices, and works the full menu options and functions with my
Magnavox TVs, Sanyo VCRs and DVD players. Comes with a vast list of
supported devices. $12 on the web.
My .02
JR
 
R

RonKZ650

Jan 1, 1970
0
They are all 100% Chinese scum of the earth. If you want a good remote
you need to buy the original equipment part.
 
R

RonKZ650

Jan 1, 1970
0
They are all 100% Chinese scum of the earth. If you want a good remote
you need to buy the original equipment part.
 
J

Jerry G.

Jan 1, 1970
0
The universal remotes will never do all the functions of the set. You
will only be able to do the basics. I found for me, the best universal
was the One-For-All series.

In the end, you will need the origional if you want to be able to
access all the features of your set.


Jerry G.
======
 
R

Ray L. Volts

Jan 1, 1970
0
RonKZ650 said:
They are all 100% Chinese scum of the earth. If you want a good remote
you need to buy the original equipment part.

Most originals are 100% Chinese scum of the earth now.
 
T

Thomas Tornblom

Jan 1, 1970
0
I have a One for All Kameleon 10, and it works pretty well.

Controls up to 10 devices, touch screen, both IR and RF, receiver
included, can be upgraded over the phone(!), or with audio files
downloaded from their web. Chargable batteries and charger included.

http://www.oneforall-int.com/english/products/urc/URC-8210.htm

It appears that this one is not available in the US.

I paid around $170, which is a bit, but well worth it for me. I use it
to control all my stuff from another room. I use the universal remote
that came with my Denon AVR-3805 HT receiver to control the stuff
while I'm in the room with all the stuff.
 
The Harmony looks good, but I'll tell you, you can't beat the RF
remotes. No misfires. The one my son has is the MX-350 Osiris by
Universal Remote. It has the handheld unit and a RF remote that
retransmits to devices that work on infrared through little
transmitters (6 of them) that stick to each device as well as a
retransmitter on the RF remote itself. It appears to work like the
The Kameleon 10 sounded good until you said you use the Denon remote
when you are in the room with all the equipment. If it was as good as
what I am looking for, it would be used all the time!

Harmony 880, but is more like the Logitech 966193-0403 PC / MAC
Infrared / RF Remote Control. That thing sells for nearly $400 where
the MX-350 sells for about $190 for both units on the street. The
MX-350 (that my son has) does not seem to have a way to connect it to a
computer, but
maybe I am wrong here. It does seem to be a very nice unit and easy to
use.


Anyone ever have a chance to compare these two?
 
L

Leonard Caillouet

Jan 1, 1970
0
The downside of the MX350 is that it requires a $170 interface to connect to
a computer to archive or upload programs. It made sense for us to get
becasue we do dozens of them for our clients. For an individual, I'd
suggest the Harmony. It is a bit easier to work with IMO and has the USB
interface built in.

Leonard
 
hmmmm. Interesting. That sure gives one to the Harmony. What else
besides the USB built-in interface makes it easier to work with? Why
don't you use it, because it is more expensive after you purchase the
interface for the MX350?
 
L

Leonard Caillouet

Jan 1, 1970
0
I think the Harmony is easier for someone who is not used to programming
these remotes and can just download the configuration with the USB
interface. The MX350 is cheaper and we use a lot of them. We invested in
the interface because we do use them. The MX350 is really easy to set up if
you have to learn codes from another remote.

Either is fine if yo uget to know them well enough. For an individual who
may not spend a lot of time learning to program, I think the Harmony is
easier. JMO, YMMV.

Leonard
 
M

Matti Kaki

Jan 1, 1970
0
The universal remotes will never do all the functions of the set. You
will only be able to do the basics. I found for me, the best universal
was the One-For-All series.

And if you have SONY HDD-DVD -recorder you probably can't find
an universal remote which can be used. I needed extra remote for
upstairs where I'm using wireless link.

Finally I found a reasonable good one from Clas Ohlson. Was 66 euros
and it can be programmed. Is quite sutrdy too. May a little bit too
sturdy. :) Has worked just fine. Named only "SMART Remote".

www.clasohlson.se/images/products/S/hi/B/326100_X_2004-06-29_161029.jpg

It is a swedish company and has no shops in the UK. But if somebody
recognizes this remote it is perhaps possible to find worldwide too.

This programmable remote has been quite popular but I haven't tired it.

http://www.remotecentral.com/mx500/

Medion has one too but it is just awful. You can't really use it and
some SONY codes were impossible to store. Here is a picture just for
warning. Do not buy this one!

http://www.sci.fi/~oh2bio/medion.jpg
 
G

GregS

Jan 1, 1970
0
And if you have SONY HDD-DVD -recorder you probably can't find
an universal remote which can be used. I needed extra remote for
upstairs where I'm using wireless link.

Finally I found a reasonable good one from Clas Ohlson. Was 66 euros
and it can be programmed. Is quite sutrdy too. May a little bit too
sturdy. :) Has worked just fine. Named only "SMART Remote".

www.clasohlson.se/images/products/S/hi/B/326100_X_2004-06-29_161029.jpg

It is a swedish company and has no shops in the UK. But if somebody
recognizes this remote it is perhaps possible to find worldwide too.

This programmable remote has been quite popular but I haven't tired it.

http://www.remotecentral.com/mx500/

Medion has one too but it is just awful. You can't really use it and
some SONY codes were impossible to store. Here is a picture just for
warning. Do not buy this one!

http://www.sci.fi/~oh2bio/medion.jpg

I have a big problem with remotes that only do one TV set. I prefer to have at least two TV's
set up and running.

greg
 
M

MTLNews

Jan 1, 1970
0
I got myself 2 OneForAll URC-8811 units, and they work like a charm for all
my devices. Even wierd remotes like my Yamaha Receiver which needs discrete
codes, and a small Samsung TV which I could not get any other remote which
had access to some of the special buttons. And even if you can't get the
discrete tables for your devices (which are not too difficult to find on the
net), there are Learning keys. Remote can be had for < $25 in most cases.

Combine that with a JP1 cable, and you got yourslef a fully customizable
remote, which can do just about anything for most IR remotes. They even
have the 9910 model, which is similar but has an RF addition. RF base,
which can be used as a repeater. Great for controling Larger HT units and
HTPC, which are hidden away in closets, etc....

The URC8811 is honestly the best bang for the buck in my opinion. Plenty
8811 and 8910/11 units to be had on ebay also. Remotes are made by UEI, and
distributed under the "OneForALL" name brand.

They even have 4 macro buttons, which I love for turning on all my devices
one shot, and same for turning them all off.

Just my $0.02 worth.
-Tony
 
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