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Universal remote recommendation
This thread has 5 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Saturday August 18, 2012 at 08:16
j_lowder
Lurking Member
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4
I am in the market for a universal remote. It needs both IR (direct and via RF-to-IR repeater) and RF capabilities due to some of the components hidden from direct view in a cabinet. I would prefer a unit which can perform macros to simplify its usage.

Samsung TV UN40B7000; direct IR
Samsung DVD BD-P3600; IR via RF-to-IR repeater
Apple TV; direct IR
Bose Cinemate Series II; direct IR
Nexus 21 L-27S TV Lift; IR via RF-to-IR repeater
Dish Network VIP-722K DVR (dual output)
a) RF
b) IR via RF-to-IR repeater

Due to the possible complexity of programming, I would consider hiring a programmer.

I would appreciate recommendations for an appropriate remote and programmers.

Thanks in advance for suggestions.

Last edited by j_lowder on August 18, 2012 08:38.
Post 2 made on Thursday August 30, 2012 at 18:34
TwistedMelon
Long Time Member
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435
Look in one of the Pro groups or Custom Installer forums for someone in your area to set you up.

Otherwise, for a current product you're looking at Harmony 900 if you want RF and IR in a consumer-level product. I'm not sure anyone else is still selling such remotes at the consumer end.

The other alternative is a strictly IR-based remote and a repeater system. There are a few type to choose from:

IR-to-RF to RF-to-IR repeater. A base station receives IR and sends RF to another station that receives RF and sends IR. This is a wireless link.

EMI to RF to IR. This is comprised of a special RF transmitter that sits inside your remote in place of one of its batteries. It picks up small electromagnetic interference from the circuit board of your remote when you press buttons and sends that same information over RF to its transceiver which then spits it back out as IR inside a cabinet, behind a wall, etc. This is also a wireless system.

IR to IR repeater. This is a wired system. You have basically a connecting block with a single IR receiver on a wire that you would place somewhere in line of sight of your remote, though concealed enough that it's not a distraction. Then you also have wired IR emitters (they're tiny) that you stick onto the face of the hidden components.

In every such example every component in your system will receive every IR signal every time. There is no routing of specific signals to specific components. If you needed something like this (you don't) then you'd be looking at a pro product (older generation or current) and spending a few hundred minimum. Note that if you go the pro remote route as DIY, that you should only consider a product from URC and make sure the seller is providing you with the required software. Otherwise you're looking at likely a minimum of $1000 to get someone to drop one into your system professionally.

In your situation, I'd recommend a wired repeater from Xantech with as little as 4 output ports. Easy as pie to set up and should cost you no more than $70 (maybe less than $50 if you look around). If you have money to burn and don't want to buy matches, then get a custom installer to come out and set you up. :)

Last edited by TwistedMelon on August 30, 2012 18:41.
https://TwistedMelon.com - Mira & Manta IR - Remote Control Your Apps
OP | Post 3 made on Monday September 3, 2012 at 15:32
j_lowder
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TwistedMelon

I very much appreciate you response to my question.

I have previously purchased a Harmony 900 and a Logitech Harmony RF Wireless Extender.

If I'm thinking correctly, all of my components can wirelessly controlled with these except maybe the RF side of the Dish Network PVR. You may have answered this above, and I just didn't understand. Can the Harmony 900 send a RF signal directly to the PVR, or, if not, is there an intermediate device that the remote can communicate and send the correct RF signal sent to the PVR?
Post 4 made on Monday September 3, 2012 at 16:56
TwistedMelon
Long Time Member
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435
You cannot communicate from the Harmony to the Dish player directly with RF. But that's OK because all Dish receivers can also accept IR input.
https://TwistedMelon.com - Mira & Manta IR - Remote Control Your Apps
OP | Post 5 made on Tuesday September 4, 2012 at 07:45
j_lowder
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Are you saying that the RF side of the receiver (TV1 output) can also be controlled by an IR signal? If so, how is that configured?
Post 6 made on Tuesday September 4, 2012 at 13:32
TwistedMelon
Long Time Member
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435
I'm not sure what you're asking. All Dish/Echostar receivers that I've used that support RF can also be controlled by IR.

I'm pretty sure that the receiver already comes set to accept IR codes. You just need to add the Dish receiver to your Harmony remote and should be all set once you include it in an activity.

But you can also adjust a setting in the menu of the receiver to enable IR input if it doesn't already respond to IR. The setting should definitely enable IR output on the original remote at the very least (for testing, because you won't be using that remote of course)

See today's post in this thread for the specific menus to navigate: [Link: remotecentral.com]
https://TwistedMelon.com - Mira & Manta IR - Remote Control Your Apps


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