Physical & Digital EST: The Future of Home Video Discussion Thread

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Point? My voice is my remote! .

Have that upstairs (Alexa and Google) but as good as their voice control works it would never do in my home theater. My start, break time, immersive audio selection, device selection, end of movie watching, shut down, etc. requires several button pushes. No biggie with macros. I don't use them but the remote can do conditional logic (If, Then, Else), timers, play sounds and animated GIF's. Just imagine what it would like if the Donster had a remote like this.

Some do use Alexa and/or Google with a Harmony Hub for control. The Harmony Hub is fine for upstairs use but a non starter downstairs because of the 8 device limitation (15 with certain Harmony remotes). The Yamaha CX-A5100 AVP is 4 zones with each zone being a separate device, so 4 of 8 already gone just for 1 box.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

Have that upstairs (Alexa and Google) but as good as their voice control works it would never do in my home theater. My start, break time, immersive audio selection, device selection, end of movie watching, shut down, etc. requires several button pushes. No biggie with macros. I don't use them but the remote can do conditional logic (If, Then, Else), timers, play sounds and animated GIF's. Just imagine what it would like if the Donster had a remote like this.

Some do use Alexa and/or Google with a Harmony Hub for control. The Harmony Hub is fine for upstairs use but a non starter downstairs because of the 8 device limitation (15 with certain Harmony remotes). The Yamaha CX-A5100 AVP is 4 zones with each zone being a separate device, so 4 of 8 already gone just for 1 box.

Yeah, I jest. I only use it with my Sky Q box. The feature comes courtesy of every American’s favourite company, Comcast! :

I use individual remotes. Never had a problem doing so. It’s bad practice sure, but not a big deal for me.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I use individual remotes. Never had a problem doing so. It’s bad practice sure, but not a big deal for me.

Just not practical for me and been that way for many years for two reasons. Trying to find which one of 9 to 11 remotes to use in the dark would be a pain and only 3 of those has back lighting. I well remember how thrilling it was when I procured a Marantz RC2000 MKII. A very nice remote but a real hassle to program because you had to learn every key stroke for non Marantz devices.

Been using URC MX-980's for many years now, back light comes on when moved and all programming done via a PC. I do all my own programming and do a lot of my graphics for backgrounds and soft keys.

[Vilya]

Personally, I never saw a need for a fancy expensive programmable remote. When watching a movie I power on three things: Display, AVR, and disc player. During the movie I usually only use the disc player's remote to pause and once in awhile I use the AVR's remote to adjust volume, but that is it. If I am streaming, then I am using the TV's remote instead of the disc player's. During the movie I am at most using two remotes, and usually just one, and infrequently at that. Most of my remotes sit unused as I am only using two to three devices when watching something and I am typically only using a single remote during the show itself.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Personally, I never saw a need for a fancy expensive programmable remote. When watching a movie I power on three things: Display, AVR, and disc player. During the movie I usually only use the disc player's remote to pause and once in awhile I use the AVR's remote to adjust volume, but that is it. If I am streaming, then I am using the TV's remote instead of the disc player's. During the movie I am at most using two remotes, and usually just one, and infrequently at that. Most of my remotes sit unused as I am only using two to three devices when watching something and I am typically only using a single remote during the show itself.

Yeah, pretty much this. I sometimes have to fiddle a bit with Disney films to get the right audio balance but apart from that, I rarely need to adjust things. I have a drawer in my display cabinet that I keep my remotes in.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Yeah, pretty much this. I sometimes have to fiddle a bit with Disney films to get the right audio balance but apart from that, I rarely need to adjust things. I have a drawer in my display cabinet that I keep my remotes in.

I make most of my adjustments, and these are usually very few, at the program start and then, except for pausing for kitchen raids and such, I am done tinkering. I want to immerse myself in the movie and messing with settings constantly defeats that purpose.

[The_Donster]

[Vilya]

The home page is partially not refreshing for me again; this seems to happen a lot on weekends. The "Latest Blu-ray Forum Posts" section will not refresh no matter how many times I reload the web page. Using this website often makes me feel like I have traveled back in time to 1996's internet. No issues with any other website, just this one.

[The_Donster]

I just hit the new posts (or my posts if I’m running short on time) at this point.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by The_Donster

I just hit the new posts (or my posts if I’m running short on time) at this point.

I will try checking the "new posts" and see if that is more reliable, but one of the reasons that I like refreshing the home page is that I can also monitor if anyone is commenting on any of the news announcements, too. This is the buggiest website that I visit bar none.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Personally, I never saw a need for a fancy expensive programmable remote.

Understood.

A programmable remote just makes control a lot easier with all the devices that I have. You can see all of them in left pane of the graphic below. The middle pane shows all the soft keys for the Yamaha main zone.

In the theater I have 14 X10 light and switch control devices, they are controlled via macros in a X10 Computer Interface. The remote initiates the the macros via IR to X10 interface. The Yamaha has 12 Scenes for various forms of operation, i.e., Pandora (with certain effects) Oppo with Dolby Atmos, Oppo with DTS:X, Sony with Dolby Atmos, Sony with DTS:X, etc.

[Show spoiler]

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

Understood.

A programmable remote just makes control a lot easier with all the devices that I have. You can see all of them in left pane of the graphic below. The middle pane shows all the soft keys for the Yamaha main zone.

In the theater I have 14 X10 light and switch control devices, they are controlled via macros in a X10 Computer Interface. The remote initiates the the macros via IR to X10 interface. The Yamaha has 12 Scenes for various forms of operation, i.e., Pandora (with certain effects) Oppo with Dolby Atmos, Oppo with DTS:X, Sony with Dolby Atmos, Sony with DTS:X, etc.

[Show spoiler]

It looks like Nasa could get an Apollo mission launched before you could get a movie started. Do you do a countdown like they do?

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Yeah, I jest. I only use it with my Sky Q box. The feature comes courtesy of every American’s favourite company, Comcast! .

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

Just not practical for me and been that way for many years for two reasons.

Originally Posted by Vilya

Personally, I never saw a need for a fancy expensive programmable remote.

it all depends what we are talking about. at one end of the spectrum A smart TV where you use the in built features to watch something, no question a better remote is not needed. On the other end you have a Projector, Matrix switcher, BD player, console, PVR, amp, pre-amp.... where you need to control half a dozen devices and set several of them up correctly just to watch that movie and you want it accessible to spouse, kids and anyone visiting and a powerful programmable remote becomes a necessity.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by Vilya

It looks like Nasa could get an Apollo mission launched before you could get a movie started.

Very but nah, I have three pages of soft keys with a macro programmed to each soft key. So only one to three key pushes are required.

Do you do a countdown like they do?

No, most macros only take a few seconds to operate. I have thought about modifying this cool graphic (below) to display while the macro preforms.

[Show spoiler]

[Wendell R. Breland]

Another great thing about programmable remotes is the use of discrete IR or control codes. Most of my devices has discrete power On and Off codes but most factory remotes only toggle power On and Off. Discrete codes are very useful in macros.

A lot of functions on several of my devices are accessible via menu scrolling or not available via the factory remote. These same functions may have discrete codes making for easy access via a programmable remote. A lot of these codes can be found at Remote Central, Global Caché (account needed), the manufactures WEB site and other sites.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

it all depends what we are talking about. at one end of the spectrum A smart TV where you use the in built features to watch something, no question a better remote is not needed. On the other end you have a Projector, Matrix switcher, BD player, console, PVR, amp, pre-amp.... where you need to control half a dozen devices and set several of them up correctly just to watch that movie and you want it accessible to spouse, kids and anyone visiting and a powerful programmable remote becomes a necessity.

It only needs to be accessible to me so it’s not a concern. If you are needing to adjust settings all the time before watching a film, something is wrong. Having said that, I watch only films on my projector and tv on my living room set.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

The poster in question gave me the impression that the folks that delivered his TV set it up. He has never mentioned purchasing a separate calibration nor posted the results here. If he did purchase one he has never mentioned what setting he uses.

This was a couple of years ago when the BB Techs set up my Sony UHD TV. I did pay extra for this, and the Techs did ask me about different Picture settings when they brought up my IPTV Box and some Streaming Sites.

I use only two Remotes, one for my IPTV Server and the Sony UHD TV Remote to access all my Streaming Providers.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by alchav21

I did pay extra for this, and the Techs did ask me about different Picture settings when they brought up my IPTV Box and some Streaming Sites.

Paid extra for what, delivery? Calibration? If calibration, how did they supply you with the results. Which mode(s) did they calibrate (TV, Cinema, Movie, Game, TV, etc.)? You really need to be specific.

I use only two Remotes, one for my IPTV Server and the Sony UHD TV Remote to access all my Streaming Providers.

With a simple setup you do not need a programmable remote or a most a cheap Logitech.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

With a simple setup you do not need a programmable remote or a most a cheap Logitech.

Who you callin' "simple?"

[Anthony P]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

It only needs to be accessible to me so it’s not a concern.

get that, but not everyone is a grumpy old loner w hat am I supposed to do when my nephew(s) comes to spend some days with me in the summer say " no you can't watch on my TV" how about b t the kids? my GF? my sister and her family? other out of town guests?

that might not be an important part of your life but it is in mine.

If you are needing to adjust settings all the time before watching a film, something is wrong.

well
1) where did I say adjust settings?
2) I don't before every film but since you brought it up that is an other bonus of my remote, you need to enter a PIN to access the settings so no one but me can mess around with them and screw them up
3) it is a matter of choice and ease.

click on the image of
- film reel: to change the inputs to UHD BD player
- antenna: to switch inputs to OTA PVR
- satellite: to switch inputs to FTAS PVR
- play station logo:to switch inputs to PS for games

---- auxiliaries
- word HDMI: for auxiliary HDMI device like a modern laptop
- computer Image: for old fashion VGA
- RGB plugs: for component input
- RCA plug : for composite input (usually retro gaming)
- Coax plug : for coax (usually retro gaming)

Having said that, I watch only films on my projector and tv on my living room set.

well first of all I have seen you in the PS forum and you have often talked about gaming in this thread as well. So either you were BSing before or you are you are not fully honest now