Hi All!

I'm looking for a new remote! The big features I’m looking for are: 1) Color LCD touch screen, 2) 100% customizable by custom buttons, programming/codes/icons/etc. 3) one hand operation would be nice but not required, 4) a learn Remote Code feature, 5) doesn’t need Blue-tooth, 6) doesn’t need to stream media to the remote, 7) IR is ok, but I think I’d like an RF extender option.

Overall biggest needs are: Color touch screen, a few fixed buttons for common functions such as power, volume up/down and channel up/down, and 100% customize layout and custom programmable.

I do not want it to be programmed by a software wizard only. From my recent experiences with a Logitech Harmony 1100, I hated that the wizard was the only way to setup the remote and customize it, and you always needed an internet connection or the software would not load. I found a lot of limitations with the wizard that simply made no sense to me. I did update the software and firmware but the limitations still existed.

A little background: I use to have the Phillips Pronto (can’t remember the model # but it was the one that looked like an original Palm Pilot, a little bigger though and had a grey scale touch screen). I got rid of it way back when because at the time I really didn’t have much need for it at the time. I liked that I was able to have custom buttons on the main screen that were for [Me], [Kids], [Wife], [Guest], then each button was tailored from there with each of our preferences. For instance, I always used the Receiver for audio for TV, DVD, Xbox 360, but they used the TV’s built in audio. So I had it programmed to accommodate each, and to list our own favorite channels with icons etc. I had a button on every screen of my [Watch TV] activity that said [Football Saturday]. This was the shortcut to a special list of favorite channels with icons that were ALL major channels that carried NCAA Football on Saturday so I could quickly flip between the games etc.

I just purchased the Logitech Harmony 1100 and will be returning it to the store tomorrow. It’s really nice as far as the remote itself, the screen, how the touch screen feels and you can hold it with one hand and operate it. But the layout of the screens is pretty much fixed and you must use the software wizard to program it and have an internet connection just to load the software.

Price range $0 to $600

Thanks in advance for any help!

Color touchscreen, not Harmony, fully customizable, RF option, $600. Believe it or not I don't think you have any options.

The cheapest remote in the [real] Pronto series is currently the TSU9300 at $799 MSRP. This does not include an RF basestation.

URC has a number of good color remotes, but they're not touchscreen (well, not for anywhere near that price).

One hard to get option may be the UEI NevoQ50 ($699). There's also a new Nevo model coming out in September that will likely be cheaper (kind of a deluxe version of the Xsight Touch but we don't really know what its capabilities will be yet).

Otherwise I think you need to raise your price limit, or remove your requirement for a touchscreen.

Your purchase of the logitech remote leads me to believe that you want a touchscreen vs a hand held remote. I don't know if one exists in your price range.

What are your thoughts about a color LCD that is driven by soft key buttons like the MX-880?



Other remotes you might want to take a look at are the Philips TSU9400 and the URC MX-3000. These are more expensive but i think they are more a long the lines of what your looking for.

I am going to piggy back 39's suggestion with a Pronto 9300. The 880 is a great remote, but it sounds like you want a higher level of customizabliity. It's hard to find that in your budget once you add an RF base, but if you can swing the MX-980 with MRF-260 or MRF-350 base that might be worth reaching for. Otherwise Pronto is pretty customizable and can learn. There is a decent following and the database provided by Only one Remote is excellent.

Vincent

OK... all great info and it’s helped me refine my search criteria…Thanks!

So here is what I'm thinking now:

TSU9600????
Overall price range $1,000 to $1,700 or so

The RF base is an optional capability that I want to make sure it has, but I don’t need right now or in the initial price range I’m setting. The reason the RF option is important is because I also have a DLP projector and when I use it, the screen lowers from the ceiling and actually blocks my A/V cabinet so the remotes (IRs) don’t work so well. I’ve used IR extenders but they really stink and I’ve even used cheaper RF base/receivers and they didn’t work all that great in my application.

So in that price range can you recommend if the TSU 9600 is good or not or should I look at something totally different?


Also 1) Is the TSU9600 totally customizable like I mention the pronto was (i think it is) in my first post? and 2) is the MX-3000, MX-5000 or MX-6000 just as customizable and should I consider looking at them if I'm already ok and will to pay the price of the TSU9600?

Now the cost isn't the issue since I've done a bit more research on the features I want. It's more the features I want and the price is what it is. One thing is I don't need multi room control, but RF is still an option I want to make sure I can add later.

Thanks again!

OK, think now of just going with the MX-3000. On the outside of the box at my local Best Buy retail store it says: "Professional program required, no programming software is included with this purchase". Does that mean I can't get software and program it myslef? I've looked up the MX Editor but can seem to find it.

Thanks for any help!

The most customizable/powerful of that lot would be the Pronto series, simply due to the ProntoScript support (basically Javascript for the remote - you can integrate all sorts of functionality and online content). You'd get that on the TSU9400 through TSU9800, but not on the TSU9300 which is more like a traditional remote control.

The MX-3000 and MX-6000 are otherwise fully customizable; the MX-5000 hasn't come out yet (and is a hybrid remote rather than pure touchscreen).

If you buy a URC remote, ensure you get it from an authorized dealer who WILL give you the software. URC allows dealers to distribute the programming software, however it is left up to the dealer to decide whether they will or not. For the MX-3000 (and only the MX-3000) you can download a "user" version of the software online, however you won't get the new CCP program that way.

Daniel, the MX-5000 hit the disty's a couple of weeks ago, they are very cool.

Oh really? OK, I hadn't noticed yet. Haven't heard much on 'em yet.