All those ****** remotes!!

[chris03053]

I would like to know what everybody has done with all those remotes that seem to come out of no where. Every time i turn around there's one just sitting there saying "Hey, you know my batteries need to be changed."

[DTB300]

Buy rechargeable batteries for your remotes. Here is the company I use:

http://www.thomas-distributing.com/

I also use their batteries in my Digital Camera (Olympus) - I heard about them from recommendations by folks at a camera forum where people were complaining about having to buy batteries on a monthly or weekly basis. There were many recommendations for them.

Look for the package deal where you get a charger and batteries for a decent price. With my kids and their CD Portables along with all my remotes for the TV and Audio System, these have been great for us.

BTW, you can get a charger that does both AAA and AA sizes.

Dan

[Kruppy]

You can actually find your remote(s)?

My crumb catchers (kids) tend to make them dissappear for what seems like days. My wife crams them in-between the couch cushions, why? :confused: It's to the point where I don't even turn on the family room TV unless I can find the cable remote within 2 minutes of searching. Anything longer than that and I know it's futile and the explicitives start to flow. :mad:

Now, on my stereo and HT stuff in the basement. Let the beatings commence if they get a hold of any remote associated with that (and they know it). ;)

[aliveatfive]

You can try a muti-capable remote. Some of them actually work. Sony makes one for about 200 bucks, but it is a bear to program. It will allow you to program "macros" which perform several functions at once. Another possibility is the Harmony remote which connects to your computer through a USB port, and can be programmed using their website. Harmony is easier to program than Sony, IMHO.

[SugarMedia]

Sound aspects aside, is it important for anyone out there to get a nice remote control when you purchase your amp? For me it is.

I'm sure a few of you have seen the remotes you get with Classe gear...now that is a proper remote control. The thing is heavy and fits in your hand perfectly.

And then there's my new MF remote... what a piece of shit for the money I paid for that amp. Of course none of us buy amplifiers just for the remote, and it does what it is suppose to do, but I would think the manufacturer would put a little more thought into it. Kinda like icing on the cake.

[rtagle]

I would like to know what everybody has done with all those remotes that seem to come out of no where. Every time i turn around there's one just sitting there saying "Hey, you know my batteries need to be changed."

I bought a Philips Pronto Pro 7000. It has a base that charges the unit automatically. This will solve your problem instantly!

[zaphod]

I would like to know what everybody has done with all those remotes that seem to come out of no where. Every time i turn around there's one just sitting there saying "Hey, you know my batteries need to be changed."

i got harmony remote. it's "activity based" so you press a button to watch TV and everything is set up to watch TV.

[Taz]

Big fan of Universal Remotes Professional Line. They are a little $$$ but they are the best IMO. I own three. Easy to use, A little complicated for a non tech person on the PC but when you do it on the PC you can make it act the way you want. It does everything plus the are RF and very strong. Also well built I have 4 kids and never had a problem.

[sakhavi]

I find the trend in which every product I buy has a remote that wants to be my universal remote mildly annoying... Much the same as the trend in which every app I download on my computer wants to be my default (browser, audio program, video player, email client, etc) and put its big ugly shortcut on my desktop.

The best antidote I've found to Remote Hell is to simplify: with one player, one receiver and one TV there's not too much room for befuddlement. Of course, that solution will last me only til the next must-have technology comes out (HDDVD, anyone?).

[chris03053]

i got harmony remote. it's "activity based" so you press a button to watch TV and everything is set up to watch TV.I have read positive reports on Harmony. The "easy to use" i like the most. I'll have to check on that one again.

[HK-Steve]

Well, as I have just solved my Remote Control Nightmare,
It is pretty easy, but it will hurt the pocket a little :rolleyes:

I replaced all my remotes with the URC MX3000, and I love it.

It has a base station to recharge the remote, so no more flat battery problems.

Cheers
Steve

My Remote Control Nightmare (http://groups.msn.com/SteveHomeTheater/htequipment.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=14)

My MX3000
MX3000 (http://groups.msn.com/SteveHomeTheater/htequipment.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=13)

[risabet]

makes a nice universal, programmable touch screen remote for around $100.00 that has replaced my eight remotes with one. Has macros to control multiple devices automatically and the wife can't figure it out!

[MarkNewbie]

I would like to know what everybody has done with all those remotes that seem to come out of no where. Every time i turn around there's one just sitting there saying "Hey, you know my batteries need to be changed."

Holy crap Batman! I have seven of those remotes shown in your picture! I never thought about how many remotes I have laying around in different rooms, not to mention ones no longer in use that are stuffed into drawers!

Too funny!

[Jeff Zaret]

Well I also have a bunch of remotes and the same issue of Playboy :)

Jeff :cool:

[socialxray]

I have had both the Sony RM 3000 AV Commander and the Harmony 688. (I think those model numbers are correct.)

Funny thing is that the Sony had some WOW factor to it. And I was very happy with it until my son decided to test gravity with it. It would have usually withstood such punishment; but, surprisingly, this time its number came up. Fate intervened I guess.

The Sony was definitely a 2-handed remote and was a pain to program (as previously mentioned in this thread) but when people saw it they where impressed just by its size and looks. The fact that I would spend days figuring out how to make it easy to use helped a lot. Most people would have thrown the thing out in frustration.

The Harmony by comparison looks sort of generic and less impressive but it is much easier to live with and use and it is one-handed and yes it is much easier to program. Plus the IR performance is much better. In my media room, I can actually control my devices even if I point the remote in the opposite direction. Never been able to do that before.

The only problem I have had is that to get to the advanced programing stuff you have to dig around on the Harmony website a bit. That and its generic looks are my only complaints and really shouldn't stop anybody from looking into buying the remote. (I do think it looks a lot better than the Theater Master remotes though.)

After using the Harmony I cannot imagine spending hundreds of dollars on a remote now. Unless you REALLY want that WOW factor in the looks department.

I got mine for around $120 (including shipping) which was even cheaper than my old Sony remote.

[SteveInNC]

I have had both the Sony RM 3000 AV Commander and the Harmony 688. (I think those model numbers are correct.)



That's interesting to me because I have the Sony and have been considering the Harmony DVR model (which I think is the one you're referring to). I have mostly Sony gear, so programming is "free". Unfortunately, as I get older, my eyes aren't too fond of the LCD in a darker room. I've also never liked the backlight - it's just a weird color against the LCD contrast. The harmony is nice becuase it has more hard buttons. I have a DirecTivo, so I mainly use that excellent remote for TV stuff, and have it programmed to do master volume. The Sony just turns everything on for a given source selection.

My only concern with the Harmony is that based on reviews at remotecentral, the only way to program it is via the web interface. This means that you are dependent on Logitech or its users to enter codes for new gear, and hope that they don't screw that up. You're also hosed if they ever shut down the site (think Divx DVD players).

I've also considered a Pronto, but am unwilling to drop $1k on a remote.

[chris03053]

Well I also have a bunch of remotes and the same issue of Playboy :)

Jeff :cool:How did THAT get in the picture? :D. Well Jeff we'll have to discuss the Jose article in the Bunny forum. ;)

[Jeff Zaret]

I figure that helps with finger, hand and eye coordination when you are not using the remotes. :D

I have got to get some female companionship! :eek:


Jeff :cool:

[socialxray]

Hello SteveInNC,

Correction: My model is actually the 676. I chose that over the 688 because I liked the button layout in the 676 better.

Your points are valid about the web interface but Logitech is a pretty big company and they seem pretty committed to the Harmony Remote.

As for the codes, I am not sure how Logitech gets the codes but they do get a lot of codes. For example many of my components responded to codes from the Harmony database that where not even on my remote.

A case in point: I could never program a discreet on or off command in the Sony because many of the remotes for my components only had a button that just toggled the power. Even components listed in Sony's manufacturer codes did not provide a discreet on or off signal. Since I had basically programmed the Sony based on activities (which is the same idea with the Harmony) if I turned off a component during that activity (such as turning off the TV when listening to DVD-As) and then decided to exit that activity, everything would turn off except the component that was previously turned off. That component would be turned on instead. Maddening. With the Harmony these discreet codes and many others are available in their database.

On the negative side my receiver was only listed in the Harmony database with the bare bone commands and many where missing. My solution was to tell the web interface that I was using the next model up. Those codes covered all of the commands of my receiver and more. But some commands did not work or did something other than what was instended. I had to go through and delete the useless commands from the remote. Even so it was still easier than programming the Sony and I did not lose any commands.

One other thing about the harmony remote, all of the soft keys (the LCD labels) are listed in alphabetical order when the remote is first programmed. So there is no logic to the grouping of the soft keys on the different "pages" of the LCD. Of course this was not a big deal to me since I would have tweaked this remote no matter what, but to get the most out of the LCD pages you are going to have to move buttons around using the web interface and that is a chore.

Say you want to have the "Eject" label to come after the "Display" label in the LCD. To do this you must move all of the labels that are between Display and Eject down one space (so you can make room for Eject) in the web interface and then use the drop-down fields next to the label to re-assign the correct command since moving the label has changed the actual command assigned to that label. (For example the "Eject" label is actually listed as Open/Close in the Harmony database. You can change the label to Eject, Spew, or anything you want and that is the name that will show up in the LCD screen, but the command is still listed as Open/Close in the database.)

There are no up or down buttons to assist you in moving the labels and the actual commands do not stay with the label. They must be re-assigned. If you have a hundred commands between Display and Eject you are in for some good times.

What I did was actually write everything that I wanted to do out on paper before delving into changing the names and orders of the labels and I would highly recommend that strategy if you have a lot of commands to move around.

(I have already complained to Harmony about this because I think that it is definitely a bad user experience.)

Even after all of that Harmony still beats the Sony in price, performance, and ease of use.

Now for the intangible factors. As previously stated even with all of its faults I would have never moved on from the Sony if it had not have been broken. First of all I spent what I consider a lot of money on it. And secondly it just caught peoples' eyes. That heavy 2-handed slab of plastic and glass looked every bit the part of its namesake: AV Commander. It was a veritable tank and people loved it.

The Harmony gets nothing (well at least the 676 doesn't) in the way of comments. People look at it and the only thing they say is that its red. I guess because it closely resembles a million other remotes out there.

It make me chuckle because I do kind of miss those comments about the Sony.

[MR X]

Well, as I have just solved my Remote Control Nightmare,
It is pretty easy, but it will hurt the pocket a little :rolleyes:

I replaced all my remotes with the URC MX3000, and I love it.

It has a base station to recharge the remote, so no more flat battery problems.

Cheers
Steve

My Remote Control Nightmare (http://groups.msn.com/SteveHomeTheater/htequipment.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=14)

My MX3000
MX3000 (http://groups.msn.com/SteveHomeTheater/htequipment.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=13)
Steve, Did you hook up the 250-rf with the mx-3000?

[SteveInNC]

Continuing the Harmony discussion, I just bought the 880. I do wish the transport buttons were higher like on the 680, but I'll make do.

The initial experience hasn't been very good: there is a bug in the Mac version of the remote updater code. Nowhere on the website in any help, FAQ, or other area does it mention this fact. After screwing around for several hours trying to configure and update my remote, I had to give up until I could get tech support the next day. They immediately mentioned the "known issue" with the Mac software and emailed me an update. That version (5.something) seems to work. Kudos to tech support for not making me jump through hoops, but boo-hiss to Logitech for not automatically checking for updates, or at least flagging that in their "Troubleshooting" pages as a potential issue.

The remote works all components in my system based on the default database at Harmony, except for my Sony DA4ES AVR. None of the device codes work for that unit. One option is to have the device learn the codes from your existing remote. I tried that in my first night, but found that their device template has numerous functions that do not exist on my remote, or has inputs that do not exist on the receiver. Learning and uploading each code is also painfully slow over the web. It appears that for this device at least, they must have set up some generic Sony AVR template. Their database is also missing numerous codes for that template.

You would think that you could just skip over definitions for functions that you don't use, but their website will not let you update your remote until you have entered codes for all of what it thinks are required functions, even if none of your activities use those functions. I was sending the Mute code for each of these unsupported functions, just to give the website something to chew on.

One other option is that you can upload Pronto hex codes for device functions. I'm going to see if I can find a code list at remotecentral and enter those by hand. So far I give Harmony a 2/5. The remote seems well-designed, and they have a really good concept, but they only managed to get about 95% of that right, and the remaining 5% that they get wrong almost renders the rest moot.

[SteveInNC]

The remote works all components in my system based on the default database at Harmony, except for my Sony DA4ES AVR. None of the device codes work for that unit.

Following up on my own post: As an experiment, I lied to the Harmony setup site and told it that my receiver was the next model up, the Sony DA7ES, and that seems to have fixed the problem. Everything now performs in a mostly-rational way. There are some timing issues - the default interkey and interdevice delays that Harmony uses are excessively long. Fortunately, their website will let you tweak the delays for particular devices.

The only remaining issue I have is that the "activity" to view my DirecTivo tries to always set the sat tuner to tuner 1, which is A) not very useful, and B) instead kicks into a DVR menu. This points out another weakness in the Harmony model at present: it is obvious that the activity buttons are simply doing macros, which is fine. The part that sucks is that they won't let you change the macro definitions to suit your particular needs - you're stuck with whatever a Harmony programmer decided was the right series of events to invoke. They do allow you to add functions to the end of the sequence that they use, but you can't change anything in their definition. I might have to hack their setup protocol to accomplish what I want.

[zaphod]

you're stuck with whatever a Harmony programmer decided was the right series of events to invoke. They do allow you to add functions to the end of the sequence that they use, but you can't change anything in their definition. I might have to hack their setup protocol to accomplish what I want.

i hear you. boy do i hear you. but you can play tricks on the device.

for example, i like to leave my VCR in "timer record" mode instead of turning it off. this way, when i'm not using my VCR and it's time to record something it does.

i just could NOT do this with the harmony. so tech support and I worked out a trick


define the VCR to have no power button
each time i leave a VCR activity, send the timer command
each time i enter a VCR activity send the timer command followed by the power on command


works like a charm.

on the other hand, i cannot get the harmony website to communicate with the remote at my home due to my firewall. sigh. so i trundle it into work, make the changes and then bring it home at night.

version 5.x of the software will apparently fix this, it's due out next week. i volunteered to beta test, but that didn't fly.

one that that really cheeses me off is that they used to have a "simulator" on the webpage. this popped up a java image of your remote and allowed you to push the button and have the actual actions debugged in a separate window.

WOW was that ever useful. because i do my coding of the remote at work away from the equipment, it allowed me to see exactly what was happening and spot mistakes i had made or spot sequencing errors i could fix.

but they removed the simulator, so i chewed on the duty manager for a long while.

Sometimes I think that the harmony training manual has a special note or two about me. because having strong opinions, and having studied compter-human-interfacing since 1987 or so means that i seem to always get bumped up to a duty manager for further discussion :)

sad thing is, the duty manager, being more knowledgable typically can solve the problem that the front line person could not solve.

or maybe i'm just an *sshole, but since i get the answers i need when bumped up to a duty manager, exactly what behaviour are they rewarding :)

[socialxray]

Wow, a 2/5 when the remote gets 95% of what it is suppose to do right? That's pretty steep. But, I have been there too. Yes they need a better web interface that allows more control.

Anyway, here are some more gripes.

The whole reason for choosing a remote control with "hard" keys is because you eventually learn where all the buttons are at and can then navigate by feel alone without looking away from the TV. Well that is much harder to achieve with the Harmony 676 because just about all of the buttons are the same size and texture. I think this is a major oversight. More often than not I have to light up the remote, then find the right key. Of course I will eventually "learn" the remote but the processes is taking longer than my Dish Network remote. I already have than one down pat. I have had that remote longer and I do use it more often but still, the same size/texture keys are a hinderance.

Lastly the position of the glow button is down right frustrating. It is in the middle of a bunch of other keys that are, again, the same shape and size. Half of the time I hit the 2 button instead. I actually use one of the unused LCD "soft key" buttons to light up the remote now. (This was after changing the remote settings to light up whenever any key is pressed.)

Yes with the Sony I was always forced to look at the remote to hit the right key, but at least I always hit the right key. The Harmony does come down a notch in my opinion due to the button issue but I still would choose it over the Sony because it is still a lot easier to program even with the web interface defeciancies.

[SteveInNC]

One of the significant advantages of the 880 is that it has a tilt sensor which activates the backlighting. If you pick up the remote, it lights ups. The 880 also has a charging cradle and lithium battery, so the resulting excessive backlighting isn't as much of a deal as it would be on the AA powered remotes.

As to the 2/5 for 95%, if you had a Ferrari, and a wheel fell off every time you made a right turn, despite the style of the rest of the car, you probably wouldn't be very happy :) I've upped the ranking to 3/5 (Average) now, since I've managed to end-run most of the issues that I had to start with. The web interface still bites though - supposedly they have a better version in the works.

As to my DirecTivo problem, it turns out that the default Harmony code used for power-on is the "tivo" function, which sends the unit to the main menu in addition to power on. I used the custom configuration stuff to change the power-on sequence to be the "LiveTV" function instead, which will also power on the unit, but goes straight to video signal - problem solved.

Hey zaphod, if you're on a Mac, I have the version 5 software for that (it works). I can probably point you at a copy. I seem to recall that someone posted a link on the RemoteCentral site.

[HK-Steve]

I am using the MRF-300 with my MX3000,
I was told that the MRF-300 has less problems that the 250 with reception and stray RF rejection.

I love it, best thing I have bought yet.


Cheers
Steve

[Taz]

Stick with URC's pro line Best programing out there.

[zaphod]

Hey zaphod, if you're on a Mac, I have the version 5 software for that (it works). I can probably point you at a copy. I seem to recall that someone posted a link on the RemoteCentral site.

nope, no mac. heck, technically no PeeCee either because i use my wife's at home. i'm unix (SunOS) all the way :)

but i called harmony today when i found the same s/w on the site and not upgraded. person on the phone said "hmmm, no way that should be out, they are still working on it.

back up a level to the duty manager (i promise i was nice) and i got a link to version 5.0.1

it's now on my work peecee and it seems pretty shiny. we'll see how it works at home through the firewall tonight.

[chris03053]

Well i bought the Mx-3000. Harmony was a good choice too but i went with the MX. I have to get somebody to program it. My system is too big and complicated for me to try and figure it out, especialy those MACROS! I called Tweeter but the vibes i got didn't feel right. I'll keep in touch with progress.
By the way did Joey V get his room back?

[zaphod]

Well i bought the Mx-3000. Harmony was a good choice too but i went with the MX. I have to get somebody to program it. My system is too big and complicated for me to try and figure it out, especialy those MACROS! I called Tweeter but the vibes i got didn't feel right. I'll keep in touch with progress.
By the way did Joey V get his room back?

i seem to remember when i look at the MX that there was a GUI for programming it and the macros (where the strength of the product lies).

you grabbed it off the support section of the MX web site. i also seem to remember that between the MX-500 and the MX-3000, one had a really good programing GUI and one sucked. hugely.

[Taz]

i seem to remember when i look at the MX that there was a GUI for programming it and the macros (where the strength of the product lies).

you grabbed it off the support section of the MX web site. i also seem to remember that between the MX-500 and the MX-3000, one had a really good programing GUI and one sucked. hugely.
They use one basic PC program that is just tweaked to match the remote and buttons. You need to get into the MX-700 and above to be able to program on your PC. And the program is excellent. You can easily get this remote to do about everything and the way you want it to do.

[chris03053]

They use one basic PC program that is just tweaked to match the remote and buttons. You need to get into the MX-700 and above to be able to program on your PC. And the program is excellent. You can easily get this remote to do about everything and the way you want it to do.So the manual for the 700 should by easy to understand then the 3000? I'm not too brite in the PC programming department :) but i'll give it a try. Thanks

[Taz]

The manual is off the hook because you can do so much. Install the program and get in there and play around is how I learned.

[MR X]

I am using the MRF-300 with my MX3000,
I was told that the MRF-300 has less problems that the 250 with reception and stray RF rejection.

I love it, best thing I have bought yet.


Cheers
Steve Hi Steve, have you tried the DMX-3000 sampler.What do you think about it? MR X

[chris03053]

Well, after 2 months of going back and forth with my " professional installer" finally got my universal remote working right. I also got this software from http://www.triplebsoftware.com. If anybody has a DVD Megaplayer IT WORKS GREAT. They give you a Demo for 24 DVDs so you can check it out

[MR X]

Well, after 2 months of going back and forth with my " professional installer" finally got my universal remote working right. I also got this software from http://www.triplebsoftware.com. If anybody has a DVD Megaplayer IT WORKS GREAT. They give you a Demo for 24 DVDs so you can check it outThat looks sooooo cool Chris. I ask Steve (Switzerland) and he said it's great. He said it takes a little time to get it going, i think he has 2 players.

[chris03053]

That looks sooooo cool Chris. I ask Steve (Switzerland) and he said it's great. He said it takes a little time to get it going, i think he has 2 players.Yeah, i'm pretty happy with it. It beats the hell out of spending 2,3 thousands dollars for a Fireball. I'm still doing a few tweeks here and there.