Best Universal Remote & Why

[zodiak]

I am seeking out a quality universal remote for my HT, I have heard of Logitech they make many different models so Im not sure why one is better than another.

So with your help and knowledge Id like for you to give me your opinion on your preffered universal remote.

Thanks

[BrettLee3232]

Depends on your price range. If you want something under $200 then go logitech. Logitech makes an ok remote, but if you want something that is going to work everytime then your going to want Universal Remote Control. You can program a URC remote to be bullet proof. Especially if you pair it with a RF base station. When you press watch TV everything will work the first time. No more pressing "Help" with the logitech when something does not turn on. For a standard setup you could get a MX-450 & can program the macros from the remote. Or you could step up to the MX-880 or my favorite MX-6000 it just depends on what money you have & what you expoect out of the remote.

[Hep]

I use a Harmony 900. This is the best Harmony I have used for my money. The big selling features for me: RF, ergonomical, quality buttons, full colour touch screen interface.

[solarrdadd]

i've had the harmony one for about a year and i've never been happier. it controls everything i have, it even controlled the HDMI switcher when i had one. it controls the lights and everything, my ceiling fan too. i won't say it's the best cause i don't believe there is any such thing. i will tell you it is very good at what it does for the money and i would highly recommend it to anyone. so far i have not had one hick-up with this thing working right, when used correctly.

well, there ya go, kinda!

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by Hep

I use a Harmony 900. This is the best Harmony I have used for my money. The big selling features for me: RF, ergonomical, quality buttons, full colour touch screen interface.

hey hep, what's going on baby?!?

[Hammie]

I have been an owner of a few Harmony remotes. The biggest difference, IMO, is shape and button placement.

The thing about Harmony is that EVERY button can be easily reprogrammed to do whatever you want it to.

I do not care for the touchscreen remotes because there are just some functions I would prefer to do without haveing to take my eyes off the screen.

[Robbieedr]

Same here , I own the Harmony 900 , amazing , I control my PS3 , Home Theater , TV and everything just with it. One touch screen button from everything and the style is divine , It's worth the money and I think amazon has a really good price for it comparing to best buy.

[thePope666]

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

i've had the harmony one for about a year and i've never been happier. it controls everything i have, it even controlled the HDMI switcher when i had one. it controls the lights and everything, my ceiling fan too. i won't say it's the best cause i don't believe there is any such thing. i will tell you it is very good at what it does for the money and i would highly recommend it to anyone. so far i have not had one hick-up with this thing working right, when used correctly.

well, there ya go, kinda!

+1

I've had the Harmony one for about 2 weeks and i love it!

[Blown 4.3]

i was thinking about getting an H1. then i looked at the last few posts on avs.
looks like a handfull of problems, to me.

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by Blown 4.3

i was thinking about getting an H1. then i looked at the last few posts on avs.
looks like a handfull of problems, to me.

Like what exactly?

I've had mine for maybe a year or two and the only thing ever wrong with it was the battery. Wouldn't hold a charge.

[Steve]

I have a Harmony One and absolutely love it. There are times, however, when I wouldn't mind having RF functionality as well. My next remote will most likely be something with RF.

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by zodiak

So with your help and knowledge Id like for you to give me your opinion on your preffered universal remote.

Philips Pronto, there are a few models.

why? I like a large touch screen, it makes everything much better and easier to use, no useless buttons or cryptic commands, you can also have channel logos so with one button you switch to the channel you want (and easily recognizable by anyone visiting). The SW is easy to use and the configuration extremely customizable. You can create games for it, you can use images ( scanned covers for multidisk player, pics of familly members for favourite channels),...

This, for the most part has to do with why I prefer a good TS over button remotes, but Prontos are not the only ones. So why pick Pronto over say MX-3000 or Nevo or other similiar remotes? well the simple fact is that back in 99 I needed something for work and it was the only good choice, in 2000 (due to the experience with it at work) I bought one for home and that one is still going strong even though it went flying several times, at work one day someone spilled coffee on one of them. When I upgraded my HT and decided to relegate my TS-1000 to the bedroom I went with a Pronto again and that one is as good as the original one I bought. I can't say if a Pronto is better then the competing upscale TS remotes, but I never had an issue for close to 10 years with the original and so I don't see a reason to change.

As for cheaper push button remotes, I have tried/owned many of them, even two Harmony remotes (including the original one before Logitech bought the company) and they have not lasted as long. The screen on the Harmony remotes makes them more interesting then a button only remote (you know those that cost 10-20$) but they are not customizable enough. Plus most of the other remotes have not lasted as long (which is funny since you would assume a big glass screen should be harder to brake)


But like others have said, it depends what you want and what you want to spend, my first Pronto was over 400$ and my second one over 1000$(and they don't make cheaper 4 shades of "green/black" models any more like the original)

[ShockWave]

Originally Posted by BrettLee3232

Depends on your price range. If you want something under $200 then go logitech. Logitech makes an ok remote, but if you want something that is going to work everytime then your going to want Universal Remote Control. You can program a URC remote to be bullet proof. Especially if you pair it with a RF base station. When you press watch TV everything will work the first time. No more pressing "Help" with the logitech when something does not turn on. For a standard setup you could get a MX-450 & can program the macros from the remote. Or you could step up to the MX-880 or my favorite MX-6000 it just depends on what money you have & what you expoect out of the remote.

+1. Most pro installers use Universal remotes because like mentioned above each button has it's own command. No need to hit help if the macro fails. But, most remotes will make you happy. The next remote I get will be Universal.

[spcamaj]

Harmony 1100 is on top i've had this remote for 2 months and never had a problem with it its just awesome.

[kingofgrills]

In my main theater room I've used a Harmony 880 for about 3 years now, and it has been completely trouble free. I use a Harmony 550 in my 2-channel setup, and that has been great as well.

I highly recommend Harmony remotes. They are very versatile, and their web-based updating system makes setup a breeze.

[kpkelley]

I've only used Harmony remotes, so I can't comment on the others. What I will say is that I prefer the newer line of Harmony's over the older because I find the new buttons are easier to find than the recessed buttons on some of the older models(one vs. 880) and I like the white backlight instead of the blue.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by kingofgrills

In my main theater room I've used a Harmony 880 for about 3 years now, and it has been completely trouble free. I use a Harmony 550 in my 2-channel setup, and that has been great as well.

I highly recommend Harmony remotes. They are very versatile, and their web-based updating system makes setup a breeze.

+1 on the 880...mine is 2 1/2 yrs old and the remote works great. The only issue I have is with the cradle and having the remote settle properly in it to recharge. They have since corrected this problem since I bought mine.

[statikcat]

I have a Harmony 550 and I am not too crazy about it. I mean I got it for a steal on sale for 50$ and it has great functionality.. but

The bottom surface is always wearing off and it's kind of rough feeling on the bottom. Not a huge deal but it makes it little annoying to hold.

A few of the soft buttons that are longer you have to press a certain way to get them to really work. Otherwise you will be pressing really hard.

Mine is a little laggy in commands. I know you can adjust this in the settings but I could never get it to work very well in this regard. I have to hit 'Activity' and then the button and hold the remote for too long. I would prefer the Activities list to be default.

I mean this is nit picking.. it's probably by far the best remote you can get for under 80$ when it comes to functionality. For some people it is overkill and actually more trouble that it's worth compared to even 20$ Sony universal remote. Don't think just because you have a decent setup you need a fancy remote.

[Blown 4.3]

Originally Posted by Hammie

Like what exactly?

I've had mine for maybe a year or two and the only thing ever wrong with it was the battery. Wouldn't hold a charge.

well, there ya go, one problem. i have had rechargable batteries for 10 years, and not a problem. so why do the H1 batteries have a bunch of problems.

and i saw bad screens on em.

i would like to have a fancy cool remote. but i don't like buying problems.

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by Blown 4.3

well, there ya go, one problem. i have had rechargable batteries for 10 years, and not a problem. so why do the H1 batteries have a bunch of problems.

and i saw bad screens on em.

i would like to have a fancy cool remote. but i don't like buying problems.

You've been very fortunate with rechargable batteries then.

I would say that my energizer batteries that I use with my camera gear need to get replaced avery 12-18 months. My blackberry battery has been replaced three times in two years. Fortunately, my iPod and iPhone batteries have been okay.

Oh, also, my laptop batteries (so far 4 out of the 6 of them) have had to have new batteries purchased.

Maybe I have really bad luck or something.