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Advice on Selection, Please
This thread has 26 replies. Displaying posts 1 through 15.
Post 1 made on Tuesday January 20, 2015 at 15:20
Herman Trivilino
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I'm looking for a consumer remote with the following features:

1. Back-light hard-button remote.

2. Fully computer programmable (including delays).

3. Color screen with editable button labels.

I won't mention price other than to say I'm looking for value. I just want my money's worth even if it means I have to pay more. But I would prefer to be able to get what I want at a lower price.

Thanks for your help.
Origin: Big Bang
Post 2 made on Tuesday January 20, 2015 at 15:42
djy
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Check out this thread.
Post 3 made on Monday January 26, 2015 at 10:54
mdavej
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Xsight Color from ebay $18.
OP | Post 4 made on Monday January 26, 2015 at 20:45
Herman Trivilino
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I checked out that thread. Seems the recommended choices are One-for-All or Harmony. I also watched the LinusTechTips Video review of the Harmony Ultimate, and it seems to have all the features I said I wanted, but the price -- ouch!

I'm thinking that if I go with a less-expensive Harmony I'll get the wizard-style programming, which I doubt I'll like. I don't mind spending time programming a remote, in fact I enjoy it.

If I get a One-for-All I guess I won't have the ability to program on the computer, but that might be ok.

I was also looking at the URC R40.

Any advice would be appreciated.
Origin: Big Bang
Post 5 made on Tuesday January 27, 2015 at 19:00
mdavej
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Most One-For-All are PC programmable one way or another. $18 Xsight Color above is also One-For-All and PC programmable and far more powerful than the URC R40 and meets all your requirements. There is no way you'll find a better value than that (a $150 remote for $18).

All Harmony remotes are programmed essentially the same way.
OP | Post 6 made on Friday January 30, 2015 at 21:13
Herman Trivilino
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On January 27, 2015 at 19:00, mdavej said...
Most One-For-All are PC programmable one way or another.

The ones I see for sale, for example on Amazon, don't seem to be. The One For All URC 9960 Kameleon is the only one I see there that is, and it's discontinued. All the others are far less expensive. How can they be programmed on a PC?

$18 Xsight Color above is also One-For-All and PC programmable and far more powerful than the URC R40 and meets all your requirements.

I'll put in my bid and see if I can get it.

All Harmony remotes are programmed essentially the same way.

I downloaded and installed the Harmony Remote software. I see a message there that the Harmony 650, for example, must be set up at myharmony.com. I seem to remember reading somewhere that myharmony.com is a less flexible way to program the remote. Have I managed to confuse myself?
Origin: Big Bang
Post 7 made on Monday February 2, 2015 at 02:30
dcmorrow
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I have the Harmony 650. As I recall, It does work with the Logitech Harmony Remote Software, along with the 550, 720, and 880, which I have used before.

The only remote I could not use with the older software, was the 300, which I got for my dad.

I have been eying Acoustic Research remotes. The ones on eBay, seem to come from Hong Kong, and this has me really worried, as they might be knockoffs. Anyone have some knowledge about these Xsight Touches direct from China?
Post 8 made on Monday February 2, 2015 at 10:08
mdavej
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On January 30, 2015 at 21:13, Herman Trivilino said...
The ones I see for sale, for example on Amazon, don't seem to be. The One For All URC 9960 Kameleon is the only one I see there that is, and it's discontinued. All the others are far less expensive. How can they be programmed on a PC?

I'll put in my bid and see if I can get it.

I downloaded and installed the Harmony Remote software. I see a message there that the Harmony 650, for example, must be set up at myharmony.com. I seem to remember reading somewhere that myharmony.com is a less flexible way to program the remote. Have I managed to confuse myself?

Nearly all are programmable via JP1. The 9960 was obsolete 12 years ago. The OARUSB04G and Xsight models come with a cable. Others are JP1 programmable with an $8 USB/Serial cable from ebay. The fact that they're cheap and PC programmable is what makes them such amazing remotes. Here's at least 100 One-For-All remotes programmable on a PC:
[Link: hifi-remote.com]

You should read some of the other articles on that wiki site to get a better idea of how One-For-All remotes work and what makes them unique.

No need to bid. $18 is the Buy It Now price.

That's old information about myharmony. It used to be really terrible, but it's better than the old software now.

Last edited by mdavej on February 2, 2015 10:16.
Post 9 made on Monday February 2, 2015 at 10:11
mdavej
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On February 2, 2015 at 02:30, dcmorrow said...
I have the Harmony 650. As I recall, It does work with the Logitech Harmony Remote Software, along with the 550, 720, and 880, which I have used before.

The only remote I could not use with the older software, was the 300, which I got for my dad.

I have been eying Acoustic Research remotes. The ones on eBay, seem to come from Hong Kong, and this has me really worried, as they might be knockoffs. Anyone have some knowledge about these Xsight Touches direct from China?

It is impossible to program a new 650 with the old software now. If you've had it for a few years, then you were grandfathered in. If you switch to the new software, you gain 3 devices and 25 step sequences (compared to 5 steps).

I have bought over a dozen Xsights from China. They are the real thing and the remote deal of the century IMO, seeing these were originally $150 and $250, now $18 and $38 respectively for the Color and Touch.
Post 10 made on Tuesday February 3, 2015 at 01:36
dcmorrow
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On February 2, 2015 at 10:11, mdavej said...
It is impossible to program a new 650 with the old software now. If you've had it for a few years, then you were grandfathered in. If you switch to the new software, you gain 3 devices and 25 step sequences (compared to 5 steps).

I have bought over a dozen Xsights from China. They are the real thing and the remote deal of the century IMO, seeing these were originally $150 and $250, now $18 and $38 respectively for the Color and Touch.

I got my 650 in 08/2011. Believe it or not, Logitech sent me a 50% off coupon for any single item on their website. So I got the remote for $34.99, from their online store. I could have gotten something else, but I keep my unplanned purchases below $50, or so. Then next remote up from the 650, was over $120.

Thanks for the feedback on the Xsights. I am really interested now.

I am also eyeing used X-7, originally sold at Best Buy, I heard. I know what they are, I think URC 780s. I am willing to make a project out of it. I am not sure though, because they are to be installed by a professional.
OP | Post 11 made on Tuesday February 3, 2015 at 07:33
Herman Trivilino
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On February 2, 2015 at 10:08, mdavej said...
No need to bid. $18 is the Buy It Now price.

Oh, I think I see it now. The ARRX15G for $18.99 from China. There's a warning about scratches.

[Link: ebay.com]

Is this the same item, but with no warning about scratches and a price of $30.25?

[Link: ebay.com]

Is it worth the extra $11 and change?

That's old information about myharmony. It used to be really terrible, but it's better than the old software now.

Thanks for that. And for the info on JP1.
Origin: Big Bang
Post 12 made on Tuesday February 3, 2015 at 20:52
mdavej
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The dozen or so Xsights I've bought have all been from that very vendor. All mine appeared to be mint, but you never know.

The $11 isn't for condition (it's also used and could still have scratches), but for the box, cable, instructions and CD, none of which are included with the cheaper one. The CD is out of date, instructions can be downloaded, and any generic mini-USB cable you have on hand will work with it.

If $30 works for you, then you should just add a few more bucks and spring for the Touch model. It's a far better remote (rechargeable, includes battery, base, charger and cable, is slimmer, has more devices, touch screen and RF capability).
OP | Post 13 made on Wednesday February 4, 2015 at 20:24
Herman Trivilino
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On February 3, 2015 at 20:52, mdavej said...
If $30 works for you, then you should just add a few more bucks and spring for the Touch model. It's a far better remote (rechargeable, includes battery, base, charger and cable, is slimmer, has more devices, touch screen and RF capability).

About $42. All these prices include shipping.

And for a bit more, $54, I can get a new Harmony 650.

Decisions, decisions ...
Origin: Big Bang
Post 14 made on Thursday February 5, 2015 at 04:50
dcmorrow
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Okay, I sprung for an Xsight, from breeze9988.

AR Acoustic Research ARRX18G Learning Remote Control Touchscreen
[Link: ebay.com]

Acoustic Research Xsight Touch RF Extender
[Link: ebay.com]

The ARRX18G, listed didn't mention anything about being bulk or with scratches, etc. The price was a bit higher too, $54.24. So I am hoping this is a best of the batch lot. All the others are bulk used with scratches. My understanding is these are demo units, that had stuck on security cords and what not, so they have been in a lot of hands over the years. They come with US power cords, so I don't know how they ended up in China. Didn't Best Buy sell these at one time?

The AR website said the software was available for download, but I couldn't find it there. Any tips would be appreciated.

So what do you think? Am I schmuck for paying $10 more, and getting the IR extender, or do you think this is a pretty good deal equivalent to getting the Harmony 900, with extender?
OP | Post 15 made on Thursday February 5, 2015 at 06:54
Herman Trivilino
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Based on my limited knowledge, I'd say you made a good deal. The Harmony is more expensive and probably has fewer features, but has the advantages of being new and being a current product so that things like the software and support are more readily available and more easily accessed.

There's probably plenty of support out there for the Xsight, too, but my guess is it's community-based rather than corporate-based. Kind of like Linux.
Origin: Big Bang
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