Need advice for Universal Remote

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Need advice for Universal Remote

dougierydal

274 posts

Ultimate Geek

#89646 6-Sep-2011 17:54

Hi all - I purchased an Argosy HV355t Media Player and installed a 500GB Hard Drive into it, and it has been a terrific purchase. But the remote seems to have lost the will to live, and the Media Player has no physical buttons, and all programming etc is done via the remote.

I contact the supplier (firstin.co.nz), they said i would need to send the entire unit back and they would check it etc and either, repair, replace or refund. Well i'm not that keen on posting the unit to Auckland, and it got me thinking about getting a Universal Remote.

I am only considering a cheap one $50-75 range. But what i want to know is

Do they require an old remote (ie the broken one) to program it to work?
Any suggestions on brand etc, i had thought of the Harmony 300

Thanks in advance all.

Dougie

1 | 2

7681 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#517697 6-Sep-2011 18:28

If you're just after something basic:
I just saw this

Pluralsight

Learn cloud, mobile, security, data and web technologies with Pluralsight (affiliate link).

askelon

797 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#517721 6-Sep-2011 19:47

The logitech harmony ones are good. Ive just checked my config program and it does support argosy devices - even supports yours - its classed as a media center PC as far as the config goes.

steve98

1381 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#517742 6-Sep-2011 20:38

Definitely get a Logitech Harmony, but don't get that cheap one, get one with a screen. Why? I know, it sounds like a gimmick to have a screen on a remote control, but I absolutely guarantee you that at least one of your devices will have a function that is not catered for by the buttons on the remote. The ones with the screens allow you to add more commands which you scroll through with the screen and just press the corresponding button to activate it.

For example, my home theatre receiver has a Night Mode that I am always using, but the Logitech remote of course doesn't have a button for this, so you just create one via the screen. Magic. Couldn't be without my Harmony, mine is the 525 although this may be discontinued by now (I've had it about four years or more).

Steve

dougierydal

274 posts

Ultimate Geek

#517755 6-Sep-2011 20:55

Thanks for the reply guys... so i assume i don't need the old remote, do you just program the remote with Argosy codes (or similar)?

sen8or

1611 posts

Uber Geek

#517804 6-Sep-2011 21:52

Load the remote software on a pc and follow the step by step guide to set it up correctly

I have the 525 and love it, set up activities so that everything is just right for what you are doing (watch tv, watch dvd etc) and all the relevant buttons on the remote are still correct (eg volume still controls the amp even though the arrow buttons control the dvd).

You can spend heaps on them or a little, the 525 was around $100 when I got it a few years ago, I think the 700 is around this price now, look on pricespy for logitech harmony, should yield results.

You dont need the screen if you set up the activity correctly on the PC. It can be a little trial and error to get it just right, but its worth the effort

Oh, and no, in general you don't need the old remote there is the odd exception if there is a command that is not in the logitech database, but for most things, its fine

steve98

1381 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#517897 7-Sep-2011 07:54

sen8or:

You dont need the screen if you set up the activity correctly on the PC. It can be a little trial and error to get it just right, but its worth the effort

Doesn't matter how "correctly" the activitiy is setup - if the remote doesn't have a button that corresponds to one of the functions of the original remote that you wish to use frequently you're kind of stuffed without a screen and therefore customisable buttons.

Jaxson

7681 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#517906 7-Sep-2011 08:26

steve98:
Doesn't matter how "correctly" the activitiy is setup - if the remote doesn't have a button that corresponds to one of the functions of the original remote that you wish to use frequently you're kind of stuffed without a screen and therefore customisable buttons.

Not entirely, but I fully agree it is worth spending the extra if you can or you feel you need it.

What you can do is change the use of some buttons, so if your device doesn't have an EPG then you map display brightness or whatever missing command you want to the EPG button. Essentially every button on a harmony remote is customisable, but you can't change the label on it if it's not on the lcd screen part.

It's not pretty, but it could work for you.

askelon

797 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#517908 7-Sep-2011 08:34

The ones with the screens are generally the rechargable ones too which makes it alot nicer. Ive got a 885, sold a few of the cheaper ones, definately prefer just chucking mine on the charging station once a week as opposed to finding batteries. As for the actual screen on it, its nice to have but not sure if its worth 4 times the price (havent seen prices on current ones so dont quote me on that!)..

JimmyH

2820 posts

Uber Geek

#518230 7-Sep-2011 18:46

I have a Logitech 525 and a 785. While the functionality is basically the same, the 785 is a much nicer unit to use. However, but I would buy a cheaper 525 instead if I was faced with the choice.

The 525 will take rechargeable NiMHs and the eneloops seem to last 4-5 months between charges. The 785 is rechargeable, with a proprietary battery, and is a PITA to charge. It has to sit on the screwy proprietary cradle "just right" or nothing happens, and I am not sure what I do if the battery ever needs to be replaced.

Jaxson

7681 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#518346 8-Sep-2011 01:19

JimmyH: The 525 will take rechargeable NiMHs and the eneloops seem to last 4-5 months between charges.

That's my setup exactly. Nearly all the units have the same core functionality. They just get prettier the more you spend. (Logitech brought out those 4 device only remotes I'm sure to add a real price point of difference).

The real cheap ones will be fine if you just want it to replace one device.
If you think you might look at getting smart with your whole setup then, as everyone is saying, go for a nicer one than the real base model.

tchart

2299 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#518359 8-Sep-2011 07:47

+1 for Harmony 785 (battery charging aside)

I mucked around for years with several other cheap universal remotes (ie $30-$60) and none compare to the Harmony. I would never go back to anything else.

I dont use "activities" so I prefer dediacted "device" buttons - this is how the cheaper remotes work. On the 785 you have to press the device button first and then select the device. I think some of the cheaper Harmony models have device buttons.

askelon

797 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#518377 8-Sep-2011 08:33

Wonder if they redesigned the charging cradle yet. Ive always found mine to be substandard as well - I actually pulled it apart and made the contacts higher and wider with some foil. Works better..

tchart

2299 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#518791 8-Sep-2011 21:54

You can buy a new 785 battery and a "external" charger (ie the battery goes in it) for round US$15 on Ebay.

illicit

553 posts

Ultimate Geek

#518843 9-Sep-2011 07:44

I have two 785's and both have no issues with charging.

@tchart - The 'activities' are the whole point of a harmony remote, otherwise you are pressing multiple buttons unnecessarily. (the way you are using it, is the same as the crap uni remotes)

trig42

5604 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#518870 9-Sep-2011 09:01

I have a 785 - love it. When it dies another Harmony will replace it.

1 | 2