Six months ago I had a home theatre system installed in my house. My original goal was to watch Sopranos in High Definition but ended up purchasing some high tech equipment after getting hooked. I am very pleased with my system and recieve immense pleasure while in coach-potato mode. However I have four controls to contend with that is cumbersome and inconveniente. God forbid should a guest try to use them. Not being a tech junky, I need a simple and low cost solution ($200 - $400 etc.)

My components:
SONY PLASMA PFM - 42B1
SONY SAT - HD100
PANASONIC DVD RP91
YAMAHA RX-V1000
BOSE AR-15 SURROUND SOUND

Looking forward to you recommendations.

P.S. My girlfriend is a software tech engineer that may be able to help with programming.

Thanks
ERIC

Does the Bose system just respond to RF signals (as opposed to infrared)? If so, you won't be able to control this with a universal remote.

Moving on, the next question is, do you want a touchscreen or a buttoned remote?

If you want a touchscreen, there are many choices, there's the Pronto, the Sony AV2100, the uCommands, etc The top of the pile is definitely the Pronto as it's totally customizable and you can program it from your PC.

In between, there's the MX500, which has quite a few buttons and a small LCD screen for the more unusual buttons.

If you really want a buttoned remote, I would recommend any of the higher end One For All or Radio Shack remotes, as these allow you to re-program individual buttons using "advanced codes".

If you really want to get advanced, you can re-program OFA and RS remotes using JP1 from your computer.

Rob.
http://www.hifi-remote.com

Eric,

If your Bose system is controlled by RF, do some research on the Pronto section of this site. Although I am not a Pronto owner, I believe you can purchase an accessory for it that will allow it to control RF devices as well as IR.

If you only need IR, I second Rob's recommendations accross the board. I use an MX-500 and am very satisfied with it. I have also purchased an OFA Cinema 7, but haven't progressed to the point where I can use its advanced capabilities yet... I purchased both remotes on the advice of the talented experts like Rob that you find here.

Good Luck on your purchase, and enjoy your system. -Bruce

Bruce: I am a big Pronto fan, but it cannot control RF devices any more then any other remote.

Eric: I would also add to Rob's list the Harmony remote. I have not tried it, but from what I read in its forum it also looks like a good choice.

There are some of the newer Bose systems that can be controlled by IR, but I cannot remember what they are.

There is also a mythical device that can change IR to Bose RF, and some have used it. But it is supposedly very hard to find, if it still exists.

Anthony,

I think I combined the optional Pronto RF Extender with the X10 IR to RF converter (which suggests the Pronto as a source remote), to create a Pronto RF to IR converter. Nice idea, but only a Fig Newton of my imagination... (sigh).

IR to RF, are you sure anthony....

Hey, look, it's a Jackalope!!!

; )

Hello,

There is a simple way to control Bose Lifestyle systems of any type, using learning remote controls like the Pronto. If anyone is still interested in learning how, please E-mail me directly.

Regards,

dbanks@audioauthority.com