I need help deciding between some remotes for my system.
My system is primarily a Denon AVR-4802 which is a great receiver imho, but it has a TERRIBLE remote in the AKTIS RC-8000. It is supposed to be a universal remote but it stinks. It’s bulky, complicated, hard to use, ineffective and unsupported by Denon and I never use it except to control specific functions of my receiver. I have a Pioneer TiVo/DVD recorder and I use the TiVo peanut remote which is great for its purpose and I use it for most functions but it is very limited. I’ve wanted a good, intuitive, fully programmable remote for a long time but now I just got a Panasonic Commercial Plasma display and since I switch aspect ratios between SD channels and DVD content etc. I now need a good programmable remote so that I don’t have to keep 2 remotes within hands reach at all times.

Here is what I have:
Denon AVR-4802 receiver
Pioneer DVR-57H TiVo/DVD recorder
Panasonic TH-50PH9UK plasma display
Onkyo secondary receiver (for multiroom)
VCR
PS2
Will be adding a media PC to home theater setup soon and maybe Nintendo Wii or PS3

What I need:
Programmable remote, intuitive, lots of hard buttons (because wife doesn’t like touch screens) must be rechargeable, backlit, and computer programmable.
$200 - $400 price range. Cheaper is better as long as I get all the features and functionality I want. I'm very computer and tech savvy and I am perfectly willing to spend a lot of time programming this remote. Even if the programming is complicated and tedious, that is fine as long as when I'm done it will work great with all my equipment.

Considering:
Philips TSU3500
Universal Remote Control MX950 or MX900
Logitech Harmony 890, 880, or 670

Concerns:
The Philips looks bulky, is touchscreen based and may be too similar to the AKTIS for my liking but otherwise seems good.

Universal Remote Control seems to make some highly customizable devices but I worry about recent complaints and dissatisfied customers due to their rigid “authorized dealer only” policy. I would only buy URC from an authorized dealer if I buy at all.
The MX950 has lots of hard buttons and meets all my criteria according to specs but is the most expensive of all those listed.
The MX900 probably has more than adequate functionality but is not easily rechargeable.

The Harmony remotes are very popular (probably due to the ubiquity of Logitech), but I’ve read bad things about them in terms of durability, build quality, ergonomics and spotty support. I’m also not thrilled about being at the mercy of web based programming which I suspect is somewhat limiting. I prefer system based programming with software updates over online programming.

If there are other, better, remotes for my needs please let me know, otherwise, which of those remotes listed would you guys recommend?

I realize some of these remotes may be overkill for my current system but I would rather get one now that does everything I want it to (and more) than end up with one that is limited or won’t control certain devices or some functions of certain devices (PS3 with Bluetooth an obvious exception)
I want a remote that I can program to do virtually whatever I want and that will be future proof for many years to come. If I buy new equipment in 2015 I want this remote to control it.

Any and all advice greatly appreciated and seriously considered - THANKS!

Exactly. If you want lots of hard buttons, don't go with this. Also probably the least wife-friendly.


Buy from www.surfremote.com, www.proremotes.com, or www.bluedo.com. All of them include the updatable software and are very good with their customers. E-mail them and ask them about "unadvertised specials".

True, the MX-900 does not have a dock or rechargable batteries. You'd need to buy rechargable AAA's and recharge them in their own charger. I never had a problem with this...I'm used to changing batteries in everything. Not that recharging isn't useful though! Although I like the 2-column display on the MX-950...I was used to it from the 700/850. Either way, they're both great remotes.


They don't seem to last too long, very true.


I kinda like the "peanut shape" but other than that...


Yes, it's quite limiting compared to URC.


Check out the article on the left side of this page.


Funny thing is that I still have a working Marantz RC2000, used in the basement, and it still works fine! That's gotta be getting close to 10 years old...