Wow...what a great web site. I look forward to your experienced advices in helping me resolve my remote control(s) problem.

I just went out and bought a great home theater system this past year. Because I place a great deal of importance on ease of use, I went with all Sony equipment(ES variety) hoping that it would work seamlessly from one remote. Well, I was not satisfied. I have just recently replaced my Sony STR90ESG receiver for a Denon 5700 and now I've complicated things even more.

Anyway, here's my list of equipment:

Denon 5700 Receiver
Sony KP-53XBR45 TV
Sony DVP S-7000 DVD player
Sony CDP-CX90ES 200-disk CD player
Sony SAS-AD3 Satellite system
Sony SLV-795HF hifi VCR
Sony TC-WE605S cassette player (no remote/unimportant. I don't use cassettes that much)

A couple points here.

1. I watch DSS probably 50% of the time, listen to my CDs 30% of the time, DVD/video rental the remaining 20%.

2a. I have everything hooked up via S-VHS connection, except my VCR which does not support S-VHS and CD on-screen programming (both hooked up to video jacks through receiver to TV monitor on Video 3). So I watch DSS and DVD via S-VHS on TV Video 1 and VCR and CD selection on-screen control via Video 3.

2b. I will soon buy a S-VHS VCR so this will simplify things a bit. Any suggestions of a S-VHS VCR which will control timed-programming via mouse control with my DSS and fit in nicely with my remote control system would be much appreciated.

3. Basic things I would like to do.

* Start everything at once with one button and shut everything off with one button. (I find even this hard to imagine.)
* Receiver (source control/volume/sound fields - if possible)
* DVD player (play/FF/rewind/menu/the basics)
* DSS (Guide and other selection functionalities)
* VCR (Play/REW/FF/on-screen programming - if possible)
* 200-disk CD player - hopefully using the TV on-screen selection controls where I can sort by number/artist/music group as well as Play/REW/FF/Jump to next track, etc.

4. Obviously the dream is to control everything from one remote. I'm sure that this is practically impossible. But I would think if anyone can help, it would be the people on this forum.

Anyway, I will be doing my homework and studying this site well. In the meantime, the only remote I've heard of before is the Sony RM 2000AV. (Maybe this is the one for me?) Ease of use is very important so I would spend a $200-$400 to get something that's great. Hopefully it'll cost less than that.

I hope I haven't offended anyone with this long message. I look forward to your advices.

Sid

Well, first might I comment that replacing the 90ESG was your first great step towards owning a universal-remote compatible system. Nothing currently can control VisionTouch receivers, but your Denon should be fine.

With your complement of equipment, you'll need something fairly capable (though basic functions could be controlled by most any universal remote out there), especially if you want to completely replace all of your existing remotes for good. For $300 you simply can't go wrong with the Pronto (or Marantz RC5000). Unlimited devices, unlimited macros, your own graphics, great IR range, etc.

The only drawback is it can take a fair amount of time to get going from scratch, but then again many people take it up as a hobby. :-) You could always download a "pre-defined" configuration to start off with, but then again you could always stick with the default Pronto templates (as I did for many months). One benefit of the Pronto is you can have it select the correct audio and video inputs for each device as you select it.

The only thing I'm not certain of is if your Denon has "direct access" buttons to all of its unputs. If so, there's codes on this site that will allow you to do the same with your TV. Turning things on and off should be no problem at all, especially considering "discrete" on/off codes are posted for all of your Sony equipment.

If you are looking to spend less than $300 there are other options available (which we can discuss if you wish), but if $300 doesn't phase you the Pronto's the way to go -- bar none.