Hello All,

Thanks in advance for help with this question. I'm trying to decide what is the most "user friendly" remote for the family's use. I currently have several Comcast (grey button) remotes and three Atlas 1056s programmed for the living room use. I have all the macros programmed for DVD, VCR, etc.

The problem is that it is still too much for the family. As simple as I've tried to make it, things like pressing "F1" on the Atlas remote to watch a DVD are too much to remember for them. They also "mis finger" macros buttons, and of course I'm called to put it back to "TV".

So, I think I'm conceding to a Harmony or Sony that has the "Watch DVD", "Watch VCR" etc. inputs clearly labeled. Of course it kills me to pay these amounts for remotes that do nothing more than the current ones!

Any feedback on models to consider, or avoid? Are the Harmonys really that easy to use? Any feedback on the higher end Sony models? Perhaps others?

P.S. Our living room set up is:

Cable Modem: Comcast HD Motorola box
TV: Samsung HD LCD
Audio/DVD: Sony HTC-800 HTIB set up
VCR/DVD: Sony
Remotes:
Comcast 1067 (grey "OK" button)-4 remotes programmed
Atlas 1056 five device- 3 remotes programmed

THANKS!!!

P.S. I do have a Kameleon 9960 I bought on line coming in a few days, though I have no experience with this remote....

Why not buy a JP1.2/3 cable ($29) and install an "extender". Extenders replace part of the remote's firmware and provide additional capability. They're available for both your Comcast and Atlas remotes. I have a Comcast setup using an extender so that the user simply pushes the TV device mode button (or Cable) to start watching TV. Using discrete functions (like Power On, or HDMI input#3), the entire setup is arranged for watching TV. If one of my teenagers sits on the remote before our Sony TV is able to accept input selection, he just needs to press TV again.

They press AUX to get the Blu-Ray player fully configured. Internally, the Comcast remote has a 4th device mode, and we have the receiver on that. But the family never needs to think about selecting the receiver, since the volume and mute keys are always routed to it, and off course the power and inputs are handled by the macros invoked by the TV, etc. buttons.

The only thing which isn't obvious: to shut off power to the components, the user presses the red AllOn button, which actually shuts everything off.

The remotes you have, in conjunction with a JP1 cable are more powerful than Harmony remotes-- way more macro capability-- and IMO, quite user friendly.

Hi 3FG,

Great suggestion, and I'm going to consider it. However, little things like clearly marked "Eject" (DVD/VCR), and using the HT for the other functions (CD, Tuner) still throw them. (Actually, they just always call me to do it!).

The other problem is that my equipment (HTIB, TV) are not HDMI configured, they're just over the "age". The TV is DVI, and all the other are component cabled. I'm definitely not at the point of replacing all the equipment for them!

But, perhaps I could program the remotes to do the functions in an easier fashion.

Honestly, I'm not that thrilled about the idea of a Harmony either, but I'm trying to make this as error proofed as possible. For instance, in my daughter's room, I configured everything to a Pelican Selector, all she has to do is push the button of what she wants to do (TV, Playstation, DVD/VCR, other video game).

What it comes down to is simply labeling of the buttons; hence my idea of the Harmony. I'm going to try the Kameleon when I get it, then I may go for full JP1 programming as you recommended.

You lost me on this one. Either the inputs are selectable by IR control, and any programmable remote can control them, or the components don't respond to IR, in which case no remote will work.

Anyway, clearly labeled buttons or softkeys are nice!

Sorry about losing you on the HDMI reference. I read somewhere that HDMI connections allow a "macros" type function for changing inputs and modes on equipment (w/o programming it into a remote). I may be wrong on this one!

You bring up a great point w/using an extender, for the discrete code usage. The "Power On" task is another issue I'm fighting. I do need to program the discrete codes so the family can merely press "TV/Cable" if the Power "macros" does not function completely. I do like that feature of programming!

Hi 3FG,

I've been thinking about your suggestion re: extender/JP1 programming for my family use. I think in the end I'll have to do both!

I've spoiled the family w/multiple (duplicate) remotes, so there is always one handy or available. So, these are excellent candidates for your suggestion. They can be programmed for the majority of functions in an "error proofed" manner, and they'll retain their On Demand/FAV buttons they're so used to having.

But, I think a Harmony "like" remote will be needed to cover all the functions. Keeping a dedicated remote for VCR, CD, Tuner functions that is one button use, and clearly marked is my only full solution. I realize that even the Harmony will not have the keys the family is used to having on say, a Comcast remote.

I will stick with the Atlas myself, I love that one. But life would be easier with the JP1 programming, if only to copy one remote to another.

Hi 3FG,

Quick question about your suggestion; when you state "extender:, are you referring to IR or RF signals? I'm assuming IR, but I've been looking into this and noticed the two set ups.

Also, can the same extender be used for say my Comcast and Atlas remotes?

Today verified I need to go the full JP1 progamming route, the family "turned on the TV", but somehow blocked the signal to the cable box. They couldn't figure out how to "fix" it, and had to wait for me to get home to adjust!

Time for discreet codes and better signals!

The term extender can refer to some hardware that uses RF to go through walls and other opaque objects.

But as I wrote above, a JP1 extender is a modification to the firmware that increases the number of things a IR remote can do.

May I point out that you're not making much use of existing documents? Go to the JP1 Extender forum and read the two sticky threads. Then you'll have a good idea of what an extender is and what it could do for you/