Good Multi Remote

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MikeAqua

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Topic # 152317 23-Sep-2014 14:23

I'm going to try training the family to use a multi-remote.

What is a good model these days?

My other half is wonderful, but not particularly good with gadgetry, so it needs to be intuitive. Ideally push one button too watch freeview, one to watch bluray etc, and the relevant appliances are switched on and the correct inputs selected.

Applicable components: -

Sony Bravia LCD TV
Dish TV Satellite box (S7090PVR)
Onkyo Networks Receiver (NR 609)
Samsung BD5500 Bluray player w 'Smart' Hub

All the above, except the Dish unit worked with a previous Harmony Remote, which has since died. This was OK from a family usability factor. It had one touch keys, but the range of labels for those keys (Black LCD screen) was limited to a list and not that clear.

Mike

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Reply # 1134595 23-Sep-2014 14:37

3 people support this post

Logitech Harmony 650 is the cheapest, best featured you will get.

Anything with a touch screen will drive you mad with batteries.

Use mine for:
TV
Home Theatre Amp (Onkyo)
MySKY HDI
Roku 3 (Netflix)
WDTV Live

Their software is the best and most intuitive by a mile.

Inphinity

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Reply # 1134597 23-Sep-2014 14:39

Logitech Harmony series is great, there's a few models depending on features & price you're happy with. Otherwise just use your phone?

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tangerz

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Reply # 1134598 23-Sep-2014 14:41

Another Harmony would be the way to go. The best of them was the Harmony One but that is now discontinued. (Have a look on TradeMe)

I've found the newer 'Touchscreen' Harmony remotes no where near as good, (or practical), as those with physical buttons.

Why did the DishTV unit not work with it? Even if you couldn't find it in the database you could always have used the 'learning' function of the Harmony to teach it!

bazzer

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Reply # 1134608 23-Sep-2014 14:58

I use the Harmony Ultimate. Does everything my old Harmony did, but better. :)

tchart

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Reply # 1134618 23-Sep-2014 15:05

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+1 for Harmony

I have an older 785 model. It has the wife-approval-factor as well as being able to be used by two boys (< 10 years).

Pros: They have a huge IR database and generally you can find any device on the planet. If not you can program it from an existing remote.

Cons: I don't use/like the activities function so switching between devices is a two click process (prior to the Harmony I had another remote which had physiical buttons to switch devices - but if thats the case you have are limited to X number of devices and cant rename them).

I hear the newer Philips remotes are good too.

qyiet

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Reply # 1134620 23-Sep-2014 15:08

I use the Logitech Smart Control without the associated app. It has a simple RF remote that talks to an IR blaster base station (and a single secondary IR transmitter). I now have all my things in a cupboard out of sight (apart from the screen of course).

I like it because you don't have to keep the remote pointed at your stuff after you issue a command and the IR chugs through a series of commands like "turn on TV, wait, set to HDMI2, Turn on XB1, Turn on Audio Unit, wait, set to optical 1".

The IR blaster can step through all that stuff while you get on with doing other stuff.

Warning: reality may differ from above post

trig42

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Reply # 1134647 23-Sep-2014 15:37

Another vote for Harmony.

Best for the WAF.

geekiegeek

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Reply # 1134672 23-Sep-2014 16:09

wasabi2k: Logitech Harmony 650 is the cheapest, best featured you will get.

Anything with a touch screen will drive you mad with batteries.

Use mine for:
TV
Home Theatre Amp (Onkyo)
MySKY HDI
Roku 3 (Netflix)
WDTV Live

Their software is the best and most intuitive by a mile.

+1 so easy, one button activities mean that when you hit watch movie it can switch on your AVR, TV and bluray and set all the right inputs etc. Hit all off when finished and everything gets switched off.

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richrdh18

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Reply # 1134676 23-Sep-2014 16:13

Logitech Harmony 785 if you can get one these days. Easy to set up. Mrs and kids friendly.

floydie

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Reply # 1137017 24-Sep-2014 22:38

i have a harmony 785 and it is the single best piece of equipment ive bought in terms of making the whole system WAF positive.

switching between tv/htpc/windows is so easy and if wifey moans and says she doesnt like something....you just tweek it!

playing with the remote mapping and XBMC keymap file i have got everything totally intuitive.

i have heard that the new logitech remotes are nowhere near as good..... sigh why couldnt they just leave things alone??????

not looking forward to replaceing my 785...anything so far on the market is a downgrade

Dunnersfella

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Reply # 1138045 26-Sep-2014 10:27

I've gone from a Logitech Harmony One to a Harmony Ultimate.
The touch screen is spot on for me, the rechargable cradle is used one a week (fine with me) and if it's charging, I can use the app on my phone or tablet.
The blaster arrangement means you don't have to point the remote at your gear for it to work, this means an end to people pressing a button, then pointing the remote away... missing half the activity and getting into strife.

qyiet

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Reply # 1138091 26-Sep-2014 11:08

Dunnersfella: ..
The blaster arrangement means you don't have to point the remote at your gear for it to work, this means an end to people pressing a button, then pointing the remote away... missing half the activity and getting into strife.

I've got to second this: getting the RF+IR blaster type setup is a big step over the direct IR harmony devices.

Warning: reality may differ from above post

MikeAqua

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Reply # 1138131 26-Sep-2014 11:47

Thanks for the responses. Looks like Harmony Ultimate is a good option. I like the idea of a charging cradle. It's good place to consistently return the remote to after use. The smart phone app will appeal as well.

[edit: good info on positioning hub and multi-compartments here: http://support.myharmony.com/en/home-hub?utm_source=logitech.com&utm_medium=global%20support%20link&utm_campaign=getting%20started%20-%20home%20hub?section=downloads]

@tangerz I haven't tried a harmony remote on a DishTV box. So wasn't sure if it will work or not. But just checked harmony website and it is compatible with all harmony remotes.

Mike

lchiu7

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Reply # 1138363 26-Sep-2014 16:32

I love Harmony remotes and have a 880 and a Harmony One.

But I am now experimenting with iRule and using an Android tablet to control my devices. One of the advantages of tablet based control (whether it's iRule for Android/IOS or Roomie Remote for iPhone only) is IP control.

Most of my devices are now IP controllable so I don't have to worry about line of sight from the control to the unit.

Of course it does mean you have to invest in some like this

http://www.globalcache.com/products/itach/wf2irspecs/

And the programming effort is not trivial (well it's not for iRule) but the end result looks like it will be cool.

System One: Popcorn Hour A200, PS3 SuperSlim, NPVR and Plex Server running on Gigabyte Brix (Windows 10 Pro), Sony BDP-S390 BD player, Pioneer AVR, Raspberry Pi running Kodi and Plex, Panasonic 60" 3D plasma, Google Chromecast

System Two: Popcorn Hour A200 , Oppo BDP-80 BluRay Player with hardware mode to be region free, Vivitek HD1080P 1080P DLP projector with 100" screen. Harman Kardon HK AVR 254 7.1 receiver, Samsung 4K player, Google Chromecast

My Google+ page

https://plus.google.com/+laurencechiu

Dunnersfella

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Reply # 1142812 27-Sep-2014 21:07

lchiu7: I love Harmony remotes and have a 880 and a Harmony One.

But I am now experimenting with iRule and using an Android tablet to control my devices. One of the advantages of tablet based control (whether it's iRule for Android/IOS or Roomie Remote for iPhone only) is IP control.

Most of my devices are now IP controllable so I don't have to worry about line of sight from the control to the unit.

Of course it does mean you have to invest in some like this

http://www.globalcache.com/products/itach/wf2irspecs/

And the programming effort is not trivial (well it's not for iRule) but the end result looks like it will be cool.

I'd be very interested to hear about your experiences with this sort of kit.
A step by step / photo project could be quite a cool sticky for this forum... if you have time, that is.

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