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Help, tired of buying remotes that ALMOST work.
This thread has 7 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Sunday September 3, 2006 at 20:38
toy4x4
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
April 2003
17
Here is what I have:

Mitsubishi 46809
Panasonic E80
Denon 2803 AV Surround Receiver
Motorola DCT6200

I've tried the Sony AV3000, Harmony 880 and that's the ones worth mentioning.

I don't remember what I didn't like about the Sony, but I definately know I never liked being stuck with the button labels and layout on the screen.

On the Harmony I had a couple problems with. how it worked. First, it didn't sit in the cradle well enough that it would not charge. No big deal except that if it worked how I really wanted it would still be annoying. The main issue I think I had (it's been awile since I used it) was that it tried to keep track of whether the power was on or off. In addition, I belive it was too slow when trying to do commands with multiple devices.

I guess what I am looking for is a remote I can tell it to turn on the TV, the AMP, the DVD player, change the amp to DVD input then wait 10 seconds to put the TV on the DVD input.

I'm looking at several remotes like the URC MX-950, Nevo and RTI remotes.

Basically I need a remote that I can setup that really works that if I was gone for a week I would not have to worry about it p*ssing my wife off.
Post 2 made on Monday September 4, 2006 at 18:10
Glackowitz
RC Moderator
Joined:
Posts:
May 2002
3,792
From what you have said above, the URC would be a good choice, the RTI is a dealer only line and is to be programmed by a dealer only.

If your components dont have discrete power commands, you might struggle with some of the macros and gettng things powered up properly

URC now has the MSC400 base unit that can accept sensors to detect if a unit is on or off

Im not saying you will need. check with Damon at Pro Remotes for the URC line and specials

For RTI you will need to contact a dealer and see what they charge for Programming, Installation. They also offer a couple of base units with Sensor options the RP-1 has a built in current sensor, and the RP-6 has the ability to use a video or current sensor.

Nevo, I havent worked with yet
There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.
Post 3 made on Wednesday September 6, 2006 at 01:48
Control Remotes
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2003
3,434
There are several remotes to handle what you are looking for. The best value would be an MX-900. The button layout is very nice and it is highly functional. I don't know if your Panasonic uses "play" as a power on command - many DVD players do. That's a possible workaround for discrete power. The cable box also does not have a discrete power command, but that is usually solved by leaving it powered on. There is usually no additional power consumption by leaving it on.

If you want nothing less than a remote system to sense if a component is on or not, it becomes a little more involved. Either a URC remote (like the MX-900) with a MSC-400 and sensors, or an RTI remote system with a RP6 and sensors. Either of those will handle power for your components without discrete powr commands.

Please feel free to e-mail or call if you have any questions. I would be happy to help you.



Thank you,
Damon DG
= = = = =
http://www.ProRemotes.com - Authorized Dealer & Remote Programming Services
Remote Programming Services for URC Remotes
http://www.PremierAVDesigns.com - 914-509-5360
Follow me on Twitter @HomeTheaterNY
Post 4 made on Wednesday September 6, 2006 at 04:12
Den
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
December 2005
10
I keep banging on about the Philips Pronto series, but I have used them for years without any problems. You will be able to do all the things you wish (macros) and more, including designing your own layout on the PC. Regards, Den.
Post 5 made on Wednesday September 13, 2006 at 14:07
JerryR
Founding Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2001
27
On September 3, 2006 at 20:38, toy4x4 said...
Here is what I have:

Mitsubishi 46809
Panasonic E80
Denon 2803 AV Surround Receiver
Motorola DCT6200

I've tried the Sony AV3000, Harmony 880 and that's the
ones worth mentioning.

I don't remember what I didn't like about the Sony, but
I definately know I never liked being stuck with the button
labels and layout on the screen.

On the Harmony I had a couple problems with. how it worked.
First, it didn't sit in the cradle well enough that it
would not charge. No big deal except that if it worked
how I really wanted it would still be annoying. The main
issue I think I had (it's been awile since I used it)
was that it tried to keep track of whether the power was
on or off. In addition, I belive it was too slow when
trying to do commands with multiple devices.

I guess what I am looking for is a remote I can tell it
to turn on the TV, the AMP, the DVD player, change the
amp to DVD input then wait 10 seconds to put the TV on
the DVD input.

I'm looking at several remotes like the URC MX-950, Nevo
and RTI remotes.

Basically I need a remote that I can setup that really
works that if I was gone for a week I would not have to
worry about it p*ssing my wife off.

I'm glad I read your post. I, too, would need the remote to wait about 10 seconds before switching the TV to the proper input. From what you wrote, it appears that the Harmony 880 can not do this. Do I understand that correctly?
Post 6 made on Thursday September 14, 2006 at 01:02
czzer
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2005
318
On September 13, 2006 at 14:07, JerryR said...
I'm glad I read your post. I, too, would need the remote
to wait about 10 seconds before switching the TV to the
proper input. From what you wrote, it appears that the
Harmony 880 can not do this. Do I understand that correctly?

The 880 will wait up to 30 seconds before setting inputs if you want it to. It has Smart State which keeps track of power and input state of your equipment too, which means you don't need to have discretes for your devices, and the 10 second delay you mentioned will only be sent when you turn the TV on, and won't be invoked when switching between activities when the TV is already on.
Post 7 made on Thursday September 14, 2006 at 09:20
JerryR
Founding Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2001
27
Thanks again CZZER. I could not find this info in any of the reviews or on Logitech's or HK's websites. I appreciate it. Do you happen to know if either the TC-30 or the Harmony 880 can issue a discrete TV/Video input code? My older Sony RPTV uses a "toggle" code from the factory remote. You just keep pressing the TV/Video button until you reach the desired input. I'd need the remote to be able to issue a discrete code to go directly to the proper input. If it can't be programmed from the web databases, can a "learned code" be inserted into the activity? Does Smart State help with this?
Post 8 made on Thursday September 14, 2006 at 19:30
czzer
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2005
318
On September 14, 2006 at 09:20, JerryR said...
Thanks again CZZER. I could not find this info in any
of the reviews or on Logitech's or HK's websites. I appreciate
it. Do you happen to know if either the TC-30 or the Harmony
880 can issue a discrete TV/Video input code? My older
Sony RPTV uses a "toggle" code from the factory remote.
You just keep pressing the TV/Video button until you reach
the desired input. I'd need the remote to be able to issue
a discrete code to go directly to the proper input. If
it can't be programmed from the web databases, can a "learned
code" be inserted into the activity? Does Smart State
help with this?

If a discrete code exists, the Harmony can use it. It would more than likely already be in the Harmony database, but if it isn't, and you can find it in Pronto hex format, you can add it to the database.

If a discrete doesn't exist, you're still in luck because Smart State keeps track of inputs even using toggle commands. eg if you are in an activity that uses "Input 2" and you select a new activity that uses "Input 5" it knows it need to send 3 "Input toggle" commands to get to the input you need.

You can set it up to use input toggle commands, bring up and select inputs from a menu, or use discretes...whatever is available.

Basically, when you set up the remote you tell it what devices you want in each activity, what function they perform(volume control, video display, passthrough etc)and what input they need to be set to. Then when you select an activity it makes up it's own "macro" on the fly to get the devices from their current state to the state required for the newly selected activity...ie turns devices on or off as required and sets everything to the proper input...even if they don't have discretes.


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