Brightonuk,

You don't say which universal remote (if any) you plan to use with your setup! Or what your "small project" is. I also think there are loads more than the 2 players you mention.

Here in the UK X10 and Zwave are not so well known, but X10 is better known than Zwave and Zwave only has a limited choice of switches etc. I have assumed you are in UK since I don't know where Plantation is (as per your profile!) but I know where Brighton is lol! I'll talk about the UK and the little bit of experience I have.

You probably already know that to use X10 and Zwave you need dedicated remotes, but you can control either with some universal remotes. I use the Pronto remotes as they can control X10 here (but not Zwave) and they can also control RF switches such as the HomeEasy range (available in B&Q) and they can control Rako (more upmarket and more expensive) without line of sight.

I know you can use Harmony to control X10 and Zwave.

Both the Pronto and Harmony remotes can control various IR remote dimmer switches such as the GET Ultimate and Varilight ranges. I have a mixture of IR, X10 & RF sockets and switches and they all seem to work fine. The HomeEasy stuff is a little more reliable than the X10. All the above mentioned are "retro fit" in that no extra wiring is needed.

If you let us know roughly what you were planning to do, we all can give our thoughts on a setup and then you have more to make your mind up from. If you were not planning to use a universal remote then it would be best to stick to one type of control - IR, X10, Zwave or RF and not try to mix and match as you will end up with even more remote controls to go with the ones you already have.

Stoobie

(Edit)

Ah.... just read your other post and see you are using and MX-3000 - I don't know one of those so what i say may not be applicable