"Stock" Remotes are ugly

[X400]

I don't really know where a thread like this goes... so Home Theatre seems appropiate as it encompasses everything, but mods do as you will



So here's my Gripe... why is it that the remotes that come with our TVs/Amps/Players/etc are all very ugly/unattractive?? even when you pay for top of the line equipment the remotes that are provided are either
a. bland/ugly
b. large and look like they're from the 80's

sure there are Harmony remotes/etc that you can buy for a low price that look great... but why aren't the stock ones just as nice??

If you lost your stock remote and you wanted a replacement from the factory they'll charge like $200+ (not sure about now but the last time i required a replacement it went for more a lil more then that) so the remotes aren't cheap.. but why do they look it??



anyway that's my current gripe and im done with the rant

anyone else feel that way?

[tacoreed]

That is one of the reasons why I'm going to pick up one of those Harmony remotes for $50 at Coscto this weekend!

[theprophecy247]

do harmony remotes work or do anything for the ps3?

[haushausman]

Have you ever seen a remote from the 80's? They're like bricks with hard plastic buttons.

But I know what you mean. You'd think the remotes for some of these $2,000+ HDTV's would be made of titanium with LCD screens on sh*t on them.

It would probably not be cost effective though.

When has the remote ever been the deciding factor for anyone? You don't even usually see it until you get home and unbox it.

Manufacturers probably realized this and make them as cheap as possible.

[tacoreed]

Originally Posted by theprophecy247

do harmony remotes work or do anything for the ps3?

I was just involved in a discussion about it this morning here:

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...ghlight=costco

[X400]

Originally Posted by haushausman

Have you ever seen a remote from the 80's? They're like bricks with hard plastic buttons.

haha yes my receivers remote looks just like its from back then except without the metal/wood overlay

[SDBlu]

So...is it worth it to get one of these expensive remotes (Harmony, Monster, Marantz)? For those who already own them, could you elaborate on the pros and cons? For example, im sure there must be certain functions that these universal remotes are incapable of doing.

[tacoreed]

Originally Posted by MarcosG

So...is it worth it to get one of these expensive remotes (Harmony, Monster, Marantz)? For those who already own them, could you elaborate on the pros and cons? For example, im sure there must be certain functions that these universal remotes are incapable of doing.

I do not have one yet, but from my understanding you can program the Harmony remotes to change inputs with the touch of one button (if you have multiple functions). Ex. Push the DVD button and the remote will automatically change the TV to input 2, turn the receiver to the DVD input, and turn your DVD player on. I would rather have one remote to complete all these tasks with one button rather than use 4 seperate remotes. The programs are downloaded from the computer via USB. The only drawback so far is that they do nat have Bluetooth for the PS3 yet.

[haushausman]

Originally Posted by MarcosG

So...is it worth it to get one of these expensive remotes (Harmony, Monster, Marantz)?

I'm waiting for one that controls a PS3 via bluetooth. Then I'm game

[tacoreed]

Originally Posted by haushausman

I'm waiting for one that controls a PS3 via bluetooth. Then I'm game

Check this out also, supposedly you can use the Harmony remote with a bluwave dongle.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread....ghlight=costco

[Johk]

Originally Posted by tacoreed

Check this out also, supposedly you can use the Harmony remote with a bluwave dongle.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread....ghlight=costco

I have the blu-wave usb dongle and my harmony remote works like a charm with it... I did remap some of the functions but right now the only thing that I can't do with it is power up the ps3...

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by X400

I don't really know where a thread like this goes... so Home Theatre seems appropiate as it encompasses everything, but mods do as you will



So here's my Gripe... why is it that the remotes that come with our TVs/Amps/Players/etc are all very ugly/unattractive?? even when you pay for top of the line equipment the remotes that are provided are either
a. bland/ugly
b. large and look like they're from the 80's

sure there are Harmony remotes/etc that you can buy for a low price that look great... but why aren't the stock ones just as nice??

If you lost your stock remote and you wanted a replacement from the factory they'll charge like $200+ (not sure about now but the last time i required a replacement it went for more a lil more then that) so the remotes aren't cheap.. but why do they look it??



anyway that's my current gripe and im done with the rant

anyone else feel that way?

Manufacturers will continue to put in the cheapest remote control possible in order to keep their costs low. They know that any serious home theater install will just use a Harmony or some other advanced learning remote, and they don't want to compete on that basis.

I use a Harmony 880 remote in my home theater room, and I love it. It controls all of my components, including the PS3, with a simple touch of a button. It has a color LCD screen that has activities listed such as Watch a Movie, Watch TV, Play PS3, and Listen to Music. With a single press of the appropriate button, it will set up each component correctly for that activity.

I no longer need to set things individually, or more importantly, deal with my family members that can't figure it out. Now everyone can quickly and easily do what they need to on the system. If anything goes wrong, a simple press of the help button will ask the user a series of simple questions while the remote does the trouble shooting. It really couldn't be any easier.

Plus, the remote is future proofed. Harmony remotes are updated via Logitech's web site database, so it will be able to operate new components as they are released. You simply connect the remote to your PC via a USB port, and the software management system helps setup and customize your system, no matter how simple or complex it is. The whole process takes around 10 minutes, and it leads you through with a series of questions.

The Harmony with a simple adapter also controls all functions of the PS3. The only thing it cannot do is turn the PS3 on remotely or access the PS button functions. It can turn the system off though via the XMB, and all the screens and buttons are setup with PS3 specific commands, just like the Blu-ray remote.

Anyway, there's no way a component manufacturer is going to try competing with that sort of setup or customization with the in-box remote. Installers have their own remotes they like working with, whether they're Harmony, Phillip Pronto, Control4, or something else.

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by Johk

I have the blu-wave usb dongle and my harmony remote works like a charm with it... I did remap some of the functions but right now the only thing that I can't do with it is power up the ps3...

ditto but for my 705 remote. like the fact its back-lit. i dont think its really ugly, but i dont look at it long enough to care. too busy watching my tv.

[tron3]

The remote is the easiest place to cut costs. No one looks at an HDTV on display and states, "Let me see the remote control." This is why they come with those cheapie carbon-zinc batteries.

You can tell from the layout that a lot of thought goes into these things, but not a lot of money. They are made to be thrown away. Nice enough that people will use them, bad enough that people want to spend more on a better remote control. It's all marketing. No one wants to make a remote that lasts 10 years like your tv.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by MarcosG

So...is it worth it to get one of these expensive remotes (Harmony, Monster, Marantz)? For those who already own them, could you elaborate on the pros and cons? For example, im sure there must be certain functions that these universal remotes are incapable of doing.

I got a pronto TSU-9000 (I think that's what it was called) when it went on sale for $900 and I sent it back....... I'm on my third "Remote Commander" from Sony..... not the best looking, or smallest remote out there..... but I'm "used" to it.... so I stick with them

[GORT]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

I got a pronto TSU-9000 (I think that's what it was called) when it went on sale for $900 and I sent it back....... I'm on my third "Remote Commander" from Sony..... not the best looking, or smallest remote out there..... but I'm "used" to it.... so I stick with them

$900, that must be one hell of a remote

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by FEP3108

$900, that must be one hell of a remote

nope.... that's why I returned it!

[gillies]

Here is what I did:

Harmony 550 remote - it's cheap compared to the other Harmony's at under $100 - combined with a PS3 Toothfairy at $100. For the cost of a touch screen Harmony, I got FULL functionality for all of my equipment, including the PS3.

Note: the Harmony 550 does not have rechargeable batteries and a charging station. It runs on regular batteries. I've had it for over two months now with regular daily use and the batteries are still fine - rechargeable maybe not such a huge issue?

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by gillies

Here is what I did:

Harmony 550 remote - it's cheap compared to the other Harmony's at under $100 - combined with a PS3 Toothfairy at $100. For the cost of a touch screen Harmony, I got FULL functionality for all of my equipment, including the PS3.

Note: the Harmony 550 does not have rechargeable batteries and a charging station. It runs on regular batteries. I've had it for over two months now with regular daily use and the batteries are still fine - rechargeable maybe not such a huge issue?

Battery usage isn't horrible with Harmony remotes. I have the 880 in my main system, with the charging station, while my 640 uses alkaline batteries in the den. I typically have to change batteries in the 640 every 3 months or so, and it gets daily use.

So, does the PS3 toothfairy remotely turn on the PS3 as well? I bought the Blu-wave remote for $15, and that's the only thing it doesn't do. I don't miss it though, so in my case I'd rather put the money toward the remote itself than the adapter.

[gillies]

Originally Posted by kingofgrills

Battery usage isn't horrible with Harmony remotes. I have the 880 in my main system, with the charging station, while my 640 uses alkaline batteries in the den. I typically have to change batteries in the 640 every 3 months or so, and it gets daily use.

So, does the PS3 toothfairy remotely turn on the PS3 as well? I bought the Blu-wave remote for $15, and that's the only thing it doesn't do. I don't miss it though, so in my case I'd rather put the money toward the remote itself than the adapter.

Good to hear on total battery life. Three months isn't too bad. Yes, the PS3 Toothfairy gives you total control over the PS3 - on, off, everything. It's about the size of a deck of cards and doesn't connect to the PS3 at all. Just plug in a little AC adapter, pair them up, and good to go. Neat device. Also, I've read on here folks are getting Harmonys at Costco for $50. What a deal! Wish they'd been doing that two months ago!

http://www.ps3toothfairy.com/