Recommend me a Universal Remote please

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jonathan18

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#1280242 10-Apr-2015 09:35

I"d agree with the general support for the Harmonys - we use Harmony Ones for both our main systems; while the set-up is a hassle, it's workable, and making minor changes isn't too painful. The only annoyance I've had is the double-up of codes between the Apple TV and our Mac Mini, meaning the Mini switches on and is controlled whenever using the Apple TV (never managed to sort out alternative codes). Oh, given some devices now have blutooth remotes means these learning remotes cannot always replace every remote (eg, our Amazon Fire TV), so it's no longer one remote to rule them all!

The Ultimate is expensive at nearly $400 (see http://pricespy.co.nz/#rparams=ss=logitech%20harmony) - almost twice that of the One, but that is starting to get fairly old in the tooth (I think we bought our first One at least five years ago?). If I was buying today I'd probably look seriously at some of the more recent models like the Ultimate.

I would seriously avoid relying on a mobile or tablet to act as your 'smart remote'. Despite having many devices that can technically be controlled by this means (ATV, receiver, TV, Bluray...), I find I never use them as it's just a hassle and not intuitive. Also, as the post suggested above, it's fine for the individual with their phone set up that way, but it's really not a device that's easy for all to use. What happens when that particular device isn't available? Or flat? The Logitechs have base units which means they're always charged and always easy to find (unless the damn kids forget to replace them on the dock!).

Also, there's no substitute for hard buttons of a proper remote - my first 'smart' remote was full touch-screen, and it was a complete dog to operate, given the user had to check to be sure they were pressing the right buttons. The One falls naturally in the hand, and I'd know the location of all the important buttons without looking. It's always to find that important balance between hard and soft buttons, and indeed their location (something I vaguely recall reading that the Ultimate hadn't got quite right?).

SumnerBoy

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#1280332 10-Apr-2015 11:01

@reven - have you seen this?

https://github.com/tuck182/openhab-harmony-binding

Looks like a pretty handy openHAB binding for the Harmony Hub. Have you tried this? When I retire my old RedEye IR blaster I think one of these hubs could well be on the shopping list.

littleheaven

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#1280338 10-Apr-2015 11:08

Thanks for all the awesome information! I've narrowed it down to either the Harmony 650, which I can get for $60 from PB Tech (hooray for special corporate associate discounts) or the Harmony Ultimate One, which is the Ultimate without the RF blaster, which I can get for $190 (normally $299). I'm leaning towards the One because it's such a good deal and I like the touch screen. The Smart Control looks great and would contol the PS3 but I want a more fully featured stand alone remote than it offers.

So I'm prepared for a finicky set-up but I should be able to work the Apple TV, Sony TV, and Sony Blu-Ray no issue. The very new Panasonic PVR is not on their device list, though very similar models are. Could I choose the next model down and have it work, or will I need to train it manually?

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Stu

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#1280350 10-Apr-2015 11:22

Choosing the previous or similar models usually works. Manually adding or tweaking anything missing or not quite right to complete the setup.

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littleheaven

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#1280372 10-Apr-2015 11:45

Stu: Choosing the previous or similar models usually works. Manually adding or tweaking anything missing or not quite right to complete the setup.

Excellent, thanks. I have the DMR-BWT840 and I think they support the BWT740, which appears to be identical in terms of form and spec, the only difference being the 840 sells in NZ and the 740 in Australia.

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trig42

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#1280394 10-Apr-2015 12:25

You should be fine with all of those devices. Setup is not that hard, just be prepared to do a bit of tweaking to get everything how you want it.

I found with when I upgraded my Harmony 785 to the Ultimate, the ultimate had less physical buttons, so I had to program more 'soft' buttons on the touchscreen. Not a hassle to do, just something that I had to come back to (upgrading the remotes was really easy though).

littleheaven

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#1280418 10-Apr-2015 12:54

trig42: You should be fine with all of those devices. Setup is not that hard, just be prepared to do a bit of tweaking to get everything how you want it.

I found with when I upgraded my Harmony 785 to the Ultimate, the ultimate had less physical buttons, so I had to program more 'soft' buttons on the touchscreen. Not a hassle to do, just something that I had to come back to (upgrading the remotes was really easy though).

Cool, thanks. Looking forward to the challenge :)

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redherring

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#1280425 10-Apr-2015 13:04

littleheaven:
Stu: Choosing the previous or similar models usually works. Manually adding or tweaking anything missing or not quite right to complete the setup.

Excellent, thanks. I have the DMR-BWT840 and I think they support the BWT740, which appears to be identical in terms of form and spec, the only difference being the 840 sells in NZ and the 740 in Australia.

I recently upgraded from a Panasonic DMR-XW350 PVR (2009 model, DVD only) to a DMR-BWT840. At first I didn't update the logitech remote - almost all of the controls worked exactly the same. I did eventually update the device in the Harmony software to add the internet button. You should be fine with any recent Panasonic PVR.

littleheaven

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#1280428 10-Apr-2015 13:07

redherring:
littleheaven:
Stu: Choosing the previous or similar models usually works. Manually adding or tweaking anything missing or not quite right to complete the setup.

Excellent, thanks. I have the DMR-BWT840 and I think they support the BWT740, which appears to be identical in terms of form and spec, the only difference being the 840 sells in NZ and the 740 in Australia.

I recently upgraded from a Panasonic DMR-XW350 PVR (2009 model, DVD only) to a DMR-BWT840. At first I didn't update the logitech remote - almost all of the controls worked exactly the same. I did eventually update the device in the Harmony software to add the internet button. You should be fine with any recent Panasonic PVR.

Thank you, that's great to know!

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Stu

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#1280463 10-Apr-2015 13:39

Perhaps try using the DMR-BWT835 config?

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littleheaven

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#1280483 10-Apr-2015 13:50

Stu: Perhaps try using the DMR-BWT835 config?

Yes, that seems sensible - I think the only difference in the 835 is the colour of the casing and lack of 4k upscaling, neither of which should affect the commands.

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Regs

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#1280488 10-Apr-2015 14:00

the harmony 650 is awesome, works great across my onkyo amp, Panasonic smart tv, windows media center, and xbox one. has enough buttons and macros to make wverything work easily - kids/wife fine with it,

the one is more awesomer - but only if you can see yourself spending the extra $140 (or $200).

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littleheaven

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#1280542 10-Apr-2015 15:07

The 650 has fantastic reviews - I'm leaning towards the One mainly because of the extra devices it can handle. Don't need that many now but might in the not too distant future if I get a bit carried away :)

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

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