Universal Remote?

[jmy2469]

I am shopping for my 1st universal remote. What's everyone using? Are there any to stay away from?

[mystiksuicide]

We have the Harmony 890 RF - IR controller. It sure easier than having multiple controllers laying around.

But remember PS3 is bluetooth and the Harmony will not help you if you have one.

[quetzalcoatl]

I am using a harmony 880. Very solid and easy to use. Setup takes awhile and has a little learning curve.

[cawgijoe]

http://www.remotecentral.com/

Look for reviews and recommendations here.

[Fred333]

Thanks for that site. I have been scouring the net looking for areview site like that.

[bhampton]

Harmony 659 here and loving it.

I think you can get these uber-cheap now too.

EDIT - I've even used this remote since day one with my PS3 by way of the known IR work-around.

-Brian

[Wheelman1970]

Originally Posted by mystiksuicide

We have the Harmony 890 RF - IR controller. It sure easier than having multiple controllers laying around.

But remember PS3 is bluetooth and the Harmony will not help you if you have one.

I am currently using the same. When I move into my new house with my designated entertainment room I will likely upgrade to the Harmony 1000. The touch pad takes a few more steps but I find the 890's buttons are starting to creak from just normal everyday use and it's only 10 months old.

[Jeri]

I just replaced my 1st generation Harmony remote with the 1000 model. Works like a charm and looks cool!

[cpgator]

Originally Posted by Jeri

I just replaced my 1st generation Harmony remote with the 1000 model. Works like a charm and looks cool!

As others had said, go with a Harmony - you get the most bang for the buck. Just check the different models to see what would best fit your needs.

[Zaphod]

I have been very happy with the Logitech 880, here is the cheapest place I found it...$99.99:

Amazon.com Logitech 880 Remote Control

Worried about a refurbished remote? If you have no conscience, you can buy it from a store like CC and then when you get the one from Amazon, you can swich it out and thus returning the refurbished one in the packaging back to CC and keeping the new factory one from CC. There is nothing on the actual remote stating it is refurbished...this post is for informational purposes only, I don't condone this type of practice nor guarantee it's ability to work...

[Zotar]

Originally Posted by bhampton

Harmony 659 here and loving it.

I think you can get these uber-cheap now too.

EDIT - I've even used this remote since day one with my PS3 by way of the known IR work-around.

-Brian

What is the IR workaround on the PS3?

Also, does anyone know if there are any blootooth capable universal remotes coming out in the future?

[Donnie Eldridge]

Originally Posted by jmy2469

I am shopping for my 1st universal remote. What's everyone using? Are there any to stay away from?

What's your budget?

[ESUNintel]

I have two Harmony remotes for two rooms, one is the H659 and the the 550. The 659, I must admit looks ugly (shaped like a fish), but it works really well with all my components. I love the look of the 550, but must admit I hate it, the numbers always get stuck. I saw an 880 at the store the other day, I might just replace the 550 (or maybe both) with the 880. It has a color screen and is rechargeable At retail it sells for $20, you can find it for around $150 on Amazon.

The Logitech Harmony is so easy to set-up, I would not try any other brand for now.

[love blu or go home!]

Originally Posted by Zotar

What is the IR workaround on the PS3?

Also, does anyone know if there are any blootooth capable universal remotes coming out in the future?

The USB IR work around isn't that great you still can't power on the ps3 so if you have to getup from your couch then what is the point of a remote? I have the 890 and the 1000, and I like the 890 better. The 1000 you need two hands to operate it and the touch screen isn't as good as having hard buttons. I'm getting a stand alone blu-ray player this x-mas and then my PS3 will go on ebay.

[civicspeedny]

i have the harmony 1000 its pretty easy to set up and works well plus it looks cool

[Galley]

Harmony 676; the software is crap, though.

[Anthony P]

http://www.remotecentral.com/

Look for reviews and recommendations here.

agree, best site to get info on remotes. There is also the clickerpicker there which helps you narrow down the selection.

Also you need to give a lot of info such as price range and features (equipment is much less important)

As for wha we have? The two main ones are a Pronto and a Harmony

[binarymelon]

I'm using the dongle from this item (http://www.nyko.com/nyko/products/?i=113) along with the Harmony 550 on the PS3 and it works quite well. Not as good as the actual PS3 remote, but good enough.

[bhampton]

Quote The USB IR work around isn't that great you still can't power on the ps3 so if you have to getup from your couch then what is the point of a remote?


Well, here's the thing,.. I tend to power up the PS3 by putting in a Blu Ray and when I finish watching it I go eject it to put it away and power off the PS3 when I'm there taking the disc out. I don't sleep in the theater.

Anyway,.. to get to the question about the PS3 IR work around,... I bought a PS2 remote that came with IR Reciever and a ps2 to USB adapter at radio shack and that's about all there is to it.

Plug in the PS2 IR reciever into the ps2 to USB adapter and plug that into the PS3 and then tell you universal remote you have a ps2.

One catch,.. if you also game a bit the ir reciever thingie takes over slot one which is a problem for some games. You can hit up the ps3 button on the sixaxis and over-ride this before you start gaming.

-Brian

[bilbravo]

Originally Posted by binarymelon

I'm using the dongle from this item (http://www.nyko.com/nyko/products/?i=113) along with the Harmony 550 on the PS3 and it works quite well. Not as good as the actual PS3 remote, but good enough.

Very interesting. I have the 550 and might try this out. It controls everything in my house (even our tower-fan!?!?) except the PS3.