I’ve been using Marantz remotes (RC5000 and then RC5000i) and I’m ready to start over (new house, lots of new equipment, and a need to simplify and have something more fool proof for my wife). I do not want another remote like the RC5000i which doesn't already have lots of built-in codes for equipment other than Marantz. Programming this beast was way too time consuming (maybe 35 hours over time). My wife hated the RC5000i because she was always getting it out of sync.

One installer suggested the Niles IntelliController System. That seemed to make sense. I also see the Universal Remote Control MSC-400, which looks very similar and can be used with any of 4 different Universal Remote Control remotes (MX-900, MX-950, MX-3000 & TX-1000). Do you have any idea how the Niles compares to the Universal Remote Control system? And, of the 4 different Universal Remote Control remotes listed above, which is the best (disregarding cost, easiest to program and use)?

Are these my best choices or should I chose something else? I'm thinking these look best because they appear to be easy to program AND they're difficult to get out of sync due to their ability to know what the status of each piece of equipment. My budgetary limit is around $1500.

Thanks,
Gary

You'll have to get Niles from an installer, it's not available to the public.

As for the URC's, they're great. First you need to decide if you want the touchscreen or not. The MX-900 and MX-950 are non-touchscreen and by far the easiest to program. The TX-1000 doesn't do variables, although URC stated it may in the future. The MX-900 doesn't do variables yet either, but URC did say that they're working to enable that feature. The MX-950 does have variables. So does the MX-3000.

I'd look into the MX-3000 or MX-950, depending on what you want. You'll be able to get either one for the budget you stated.

OTAHD,

Thanks for your reply! I've got an installer that will buy the Niles for me, so it is a viable option. That said, which system would you recommend (or possibly somebody else's)?

Thanks again,
Gary

The Niles remote is a nice remote for 1999. It also takes D Cell battery’s which makes the remote very heavy. The Universal MX900/950/3000 will be a lot better for you to use. You get more pages for favorite channels, you can customize it a little more and its a lot lighter. Also you don't need to buy the intellifile (which is not supposed to be sold to end users) to program. If you are having this installed by a pro I would also take a look at the RTI T2+ or T3 remotes.

My suggestion is (if you are planning on doing this yourself) a URC MX-900, 950 or 3000 and a MSC or MRF unit if you plan on using RF.

If a pro is installing this take a look at RTI.

I agree completely. Niles is probably overkill to DIY, plus URC has more features (display/customization wise) URC works nicely.

I would have to agree with OTAHD, If you don't want to go with another remote like the Pronto or Marantz, the MX-3000(which i like the best because of touch capabilities) or another URC remote is perfect for you.

Thank you to all who replied!
Gary

Gary,

Depending on how much equipment you have, the MX-900 is a VERY popular remote. You may or may not need an MSC-400, also depending on your equipment. The MX-900 and MRF-350 is a great combination.

We also can program the remote for you, saving you a lot of time and trouble, making it nice and user friendly for you and your wife!

Feel free to e-mail or call for a free consultation.



Thank you,
Damon DG
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http://www.ProRemotes.com - Authorized Dealer & Remote Programming Services

If I were going to consider RTI (the company I'm using to do the cabling in the house is an authorized RTI dealer), which remote should I consider? Which "brain" if any at all? What other ancillary parts will be necessary? From what I've read, most people here like URC but would recommend RTI over URC. Is that pretty accurate? Is there anything I'm missing or not asking?

Thanks,
Gary

Look at the T3 and an RP-6 with the RM-433 antenna, this will give you the most control over your system. We sell RTI and 90% of the remotes are T3's followed by T2+ then the T1, I personally use a T3 and a T1 at home with a RP-6/RM433 setup.

I really like the RTI systems as we have had no RF issues and dont get called back for performance issues, URC was great in the beginning and then we began to experience RF issues that caused us days of greif and inoperable systems, we still have several systems that go down from time to time

All of our RTI systems have worked reliably with no Issues...only call backs on RTI systems are clients asking us to add more equipment or favorite channels to the remote

I will recommend URC to others as many never have issues, I just hate working on them myself anymore, as I dont know if it will work after I upload..recently had issues on a system that was working great..added a sat receiver to each system, upper system worked perfect when done, lower system had no control over sat when done, had to swap emitters and swap remotes to get it to work...and took me several hours of testing and adjusting to figure it out...was at client home untill after 8 then had to go back next day to finish it