HDTV universal remote question

[momv630]

Does anyone have any suggestions for a universal remote to use with HDTV?
I've been looking into it and Logitech is coming out with a Harmony model #880 in April.  They claim you will be able to use it to change the aspect mode and get a tv guide on the color display.  It sounds really good for a $250 price.
Any thoughts and does any other company make something like this?
Thanks

[AndrewP]

My Harmony 659 is a perfect remote.
With one button touch I am switching to HD mode (TV on a certain input, receiver on a certain input, and Settop Box input if needed (Dish 6000, Voom doesn't need a special input), or SD mode (receiver off, TV on a certain SD input), DVD (TV on a certain input, DVD on, receiver on a certain input).
Pushing "off" button will turn off all devices.
It is a very nice remote.
My concern was a price tag of $250. It is too much. I paid for mine $120.
Look at //www.etronics.com, //www.bludo.com

Andrew

[momv630]

Can you change aspect mode with yours and vue tv guide info on the remote screen? (although, I heard there is a per monthly fee for the guide)  If so yours sounds just right for a better price.  I just don't want to switch remotes anymore. I've had it! :bang:

[HDefinicktion]

For the past four years, I have been using the Sony RM-VL1000.  It is a learning remote, and will do everything that the Harmony remotes do, however the setup is a little more labor intensive.  Since it is a learning remote, I have been able to program it to use all of my remotes for the TV, Directv, Receiver, DVD, CD-Changer, Media player, VCR, and even the blinds in the room.  You can get these refurb from the Sony store in Kenosha for around 30 bucks.  Not bad when retail is around 80...However, if you are looking to drop off some money, the Harmony remotes are a breeze to setup, and are wonderful for the money....

My only question is...what is the value to seeing the guide on the remote?  The screen can't be that big that you would be able to see anything, would you?

[momv630]

Well I figured since we would be giving back TWC's remote we would loose the "guide" feature which we use alot. This is a feature that only TWC has.  I want something that is completely all-in-one. But you are right, it would be very small on that screen.  I'm sure it doesn't give you alot of info like the TWC one does and I wonder how much extra it costs per month for that feature. I'll call Logitech tomorrow.
Can yours change the aspect mode?

[gb4fan92]

Well I figured since we would be giving back TWC's remote we would loose the "guide" feature which we use alot. Can yours change the aspect mode?

A good universal remote will let you copy these buttons from the remote to your new remote. Usually you aim the old remote at the new remote and press the button you want to copy and then press a button on your new remote to remember that command. That's how my MX-500 works. A great remote that does everything I want. The family is very happy with it as I programmed it for one button access to cable, dvd, and vcr. Push one button and all the correct components turn on in the correct mode. I also have one button to turn off all components and one button to turn on tv, cable box and reciever. A very wife friendly remote! :rofl:

[AndrewP]

Can you change aspect mode with yours and vue tv guide info on the remote screen? (although, I heard there is a per monthly fee for the guide)  If so yours sounds just right for a better price.  I just don't want to switch remotes anymore. I've had it! :bang:

First, I don't need to chang aspect ratio. I preset it to values I like. Then if you want you can insert aspect command to the custom button.
TV Guide is downloadable and it is free (I know they said about fee, but in reality it is free for now). But actualy you will be better off with TV Guide on TV. Remote Guide doesn't have any program description.

My remote is 659 and I like it a lot.

I set up the following activities:
1. Watch SD TV (Voom).
2. Watch HD TV (Voom)
3. Watch HD TV (Dish Network, do not use now. Dish is on hold).
4. Watch DVD.
5. Watch VCR.
6. Listen CD.

Pushing one button will bring all components to the necessary inputs.
Pusing "OFF" button will turn off all components.


Andrew

[momv630]

Thanks all for your help.
Love this site  

[Bebop]

Go for the Harmony. It's the best universal remote I have used so far.

Here's a 25% off rebate.

http://www.logitech.com/lang/pdf/rebates/OLRS00371_Harmony_TiVo_25.pdf

No, you don't need to own a tivo.

[hikerak]

I really like my Home theater Master MX 500..One remote does it all.  and it is an older model so I think you can get it relatively inexpensively...

Matt

[Rick Sass]

Go for the Harmony. It's the best universal remote I have used so far.

Here's a 25% off rebate.

http://www.logitech.com/lang/pdf/rebates/OLRS00371_Harmony_TiVo_25.pdf

No, you don't need to own a tivo.

I'll second that - Harmony remote works for me   .

[momv630]

Thank you for the rebate info Bebop.  
I'm getting the Harmony today.

[TPK]

The remote I use is the Home Thater Master MX-1000

... Here is a review of it: http://www.remotecentral.com/mx1000/

...  I love it because it has a full size LCD screen, and it interfaces with a computer (with a SERIAL cable... yuck!!) and I can completely customize the look of the screen(s) and where the buttons are...

Of course, if your going to do that, it takes some time...  Or you can just use the default screens....

Like most of the higher-end remotes, it has component pre-sets and it can also learn from other remotes as well, so any features you have on your current remote you should be able to use on this one...

The remote can be programmed for 12 devices, and each device has 4 'pages' of buttons, and with 12 buttons per page (48 buttons per devices), plus 12 'hard' buttons and a control stick, that should be more than enough to suit your needs..

It has a back-light too, so you can see the buttons and screen in the dark...

.. It does suck up batteries though (especially if your like me, and use the backlight a lot), but what I do is I have 8 rechargeable AA batteries (the remote takes 4), so when 4 are not in use, they are charging in the charger....

I can tell you more about it if you want, but probably not a lot that is outside the review I posted above...

Let me know if you have any questions about it....

[Bebop]

The remote I use is the Home Thater Master MX-1000

... Here is a review of it: http://www.remotecentral.com/mx1000/

...  I love it because it has a full size LCD screen, and it interfaces with a computer (with a SERIAL cable... yuck!!) and I can completely customize the look of the screen(s) and where the buttons are...

Of course, if your going to do that, it takes some time...  Or you can just use the default screens....

You can also customize the Harmony to your heart's desire via a USB to your computer (Mac or PC).  I think the process is even easier.

[audiopile]

Don't know just how much you want a remote to do for you - but take a look at the offerings of Universal remote @ universalremote.com. I've been using one of their SL-9000 for years - comes pre-loaded with codes for Hughes E-86 box -single exception is the info button which appears to be  un-cloneable..
      Their offerings are seriously tough - I've probably dropped mine onto the hardwood floor at least a couple of dozen times - the more fully featured offerings are capable of being pretty seriously programed - at least one dealer I know of is replacing all the Pronto like remotes he has sold with these. The main construction advantage is that the displays on the Universal's don't tend to fail when dropped the way a lot of the other units do.
      They are a OEM manufactorer and their prices seem extremly reasonable. Comes with a seriously large and comprehensive libary of pre-loaded codes and can learn anything you now have a remote for. About the only exceptions  to this are some of the older  European electronics ( Tanberg,B&O,Siemens) that used different infrared frequencies (wavelenghts).