I am looking for advice on my next remote.

I had a bad experience with a URC MX-980 and am looking at other options.

These are the functions I would like:

1 - Have a list of TV Channels to scroll through by color icon. I would like a remote that comes with lots of channel buttons that I can add and change. One of the real problems with the URC remote that Dealers are expensive and want lots of money for nice icons and I am using text icons.

2 - I would like it to be able to work well with a Sony receiver STR-DA5400ES (the URC MX-980 does not support this out of the box), Sony Sony Bravia KDL-52XBR5, Playstation 3 (with IR add on to also be purchased), XBOX 360, Wii, Cable DVR box.

3 - End user programable. URC does not support giving out software or updates I will not buy one of their products again. I don't want to play software games, fight to get icons, etc.

4 - RF to be able to have the remote work equipment housed behind closed cabinet doors.

Super cool preference (not necessary but) - Control iTunes either through an Apple TV or (preferably) the screen of the remote with the songs and selections able to be made on the remote.

I also don't want to have to work with a dealer. I am told I made a bad choice of dealers when I made my URC purchase. I chose Tweeter which went bankrupt and were the largest custom installer in the Washington, DC area. I don't know how to choose a good dealer.

Thanks

Harmony....

The 900 is a revamped One, that has RF capability. You can learn any code you like. A forum member "squareeyes" has his own website with additional graphics for the Harmony line up. He does ask for donations to support his efforts, but no worries...he won't force you to pay anything.

You can download channel icons allover the web for free. Start here : [Link: blog.guifx.com]

I assume the expense you are referring to is attached to the labor of having someone else do it for you vs doing it yourself.


Professional products like the MX-980 are not required to work with anything out of the box. The database is a nice feature but anything not covered can be learned easily. This rule should apply to your future purchase also. If it is not a learning remote it will quickly become a paper weight.


The policy is that the dealer can offer software to you if they wish. Find a dealer that wants to sell you what your looking to buy. Software updates are pretty much nonsense since you can learn any remote.

I am not sure what you mean about fighting to get icons. You can get them for free or make them yourself. Google Images is a great resource for locating "CNN LOGO" etc. guifx.com provides free software for making your channel icons called copilot.


Are you looking for IR routing or just an IR blaster or 'dumb' emitters? Ir routing is important for situations where you have multiple satellite receivers or TV's or products that may share the same code set.


Apple TV is the best way to go in a room with a TV. You cant beat having that nice big 42" or 50" menu to look at while navigating your library. I dont know of anything that provides feedback from itunes but there are some ipod docs that will. Its not much fun on a small screen though.


Your options are..

A.Purchase a consumer remote like Logitech Harmony or URC consumer products.

B.Purchase a professional remote online @ ebay or from someone who is breaking their dealer agreement. I suggest you demand software up front so that you don't get forgotten about once your payment clears. You will most likely not have access to service and support when purchasing items from ebay or other grey market online retailers.

What's "lots of money" to you? Shouldn't the dealers be able to make a living?


You want a universal remote that works with a SOny receiver "out of the box"? Then get a Sony univerasl remote.
Hopefully you mean an IR-to-Bluetooth module, since the IR add-ons only work with the PS2. (39, you should have caught that one)
Wii??? What do you want to control on the Wii with a remote?


URC sure does support giving out software, updates, etc., but only to dealers. The remote you have is designed for Professionals, not Consumers.


So you madee a bad choice of picking a dealer, b/c they went out of business? And that's going to keep you from finding another dealer in your area to work with? I hope the dealership you bought your car isn't one of the thousands across the country going out of business.
A good tip to find a good dealer in your area is to simply, ask around. Ask your friends. Ask your co-workers. Ask your neighbors.

Good luck.

Not dealing with a dealer anymore because it went out of business would be a bad long term move. A dealer can offer you so much more than not - warranty, protection, service, advice, expandability, future discounts, a relationship. These are unprecedented economic times - to say your not going to deal with a dealer anymore would be like someone saying they would never buy a stock again. All things equal a dealer can offer you a lot of options.

I'm not a gamer :) so its very easy for me to miss that stuff. I didn't really address that part but i probably assumed he was just using the wrong terminology.