Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 31

Thread: Universal Remotes

  1. #1
    Site Admin Tulsa's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Posts
    19,322
    Thanks
    3,317
    Thanks Received
    9,538

    Default Universal Remotes

    Harmony remotes are made by Logitech, certainly a name everyone is familiar with.


    Harmony remotes page


    I have the 670 and an older version of that same remote. The main question in my mind for choosing a universal remote is do you like hard buttons or a touch screen style. All of these remotes will control most if not all of the devices and if they can't control them all, what the heck do you have in your home?

    Like most others they will not do bluetooth signals, so I can't control my PS3 with it but I can live with that one little over-sight. I went with the 670 because I prefer hard buttons. I can feel my way around the remote in a dark room without having to look at the unit. Flat surface buttons or LCD's you have to look, there is no other way to operate them. The harmony's have a very nice single handed operation which is also a plus to me. I had an older Sony remote that was like a Whopper, it definitely took two hands to handle that sucker.

    The software interface is a bit clunky and cumbersome but once you get used to it, it's not that difficult. I had a Universal Remote Universal Remote Control Model MX-500 prior to the harmony and it didn't have a software interface and I felt it was much easier to program. You did have to learn each button press from all of your remotes, but it was really straight forward in it's design. Simple and effective.

    In the software, first you build each of your devices. This is accomplished by selecting from a wide variety already supported by the Harmony or you can learn each remotes signals individually. This is a powerful tool. Most remotes offer secret codes like changing from input to another. In the remotes native mode it might take two button presses to accomplish this task but in their secret mode, you have only one press to change inputs. This is important as universal remotes can not easily learn the combine a "input" button and a "number" button in the same key sequence, so you most often need to learn the secret codes.

    In the old days we used an old radio shack remote with a "magic button" that allowed you to try each possible code up to 256, i.e., "magic button" + 1 or "magic button" +2 and so on, just to see if your device, like your tv would accept secret codes. It was how we leaned what they were. Today most manufacturers remotes will perform this multi-function but you'll have to do some searching on the internet to find the code sequence to turn your remote's magic codes on.

    The Harmony software once your devices are built and you have learned any individual commands that were not inherent in the profile of your device, now you begin to build how you want it to function with modes that incorporate functions from your various devices. I have a mode I call simply enough, "TV". When I press the button for the "TV" mode, it will power on my tv, turn it to the proper input, power on my home theatre receiver and my directtv DVR. To change to my PS3, I make another press of one button and I can switch the input on the TV, change the output of my receiver and turn off the directtv DVR. Then I grab my PS3 bluetooth remote and power on my PS3. Another button press changes the input on the "TV", powers on my 400 disc standard DVD player and I'm watching DVD's. All while I can control the volume of the receiver or the info button of whatever device I'm watching without having to grab another remote.

    Currently I have my Mits TV, DVR, PS3, DVD, DVD recorder, Wii and Radio all programmed into my remote to be one or two button easy to switch to. Since my remote will work with up to 15 devices, I'm more than set. I get my hard buttons I prefer and I have two remotes on my table, the Harmony and the PS3.

    We have a lady house sit when we take vacations for us and she's a bit older. Meaning she does not take that well to technology. The Harmony is easy enough once set up to allow her to easily control the TV while she there without having to call me and ask me what to do to watch freakin' Oprah or some other drivel she prefers.

    There you have it, the ramblings of a loon with only one question to ask, "If you aren't using a universal remote, why?"
    Meanwhile, somewhere in Oklahoma.

  2. The following 10 users say "Thanks" to Tulsa


  3. #2
    The Barbarian johntofva's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Virginia
    Posts
    6,181
    Thanks
    8,814
    Thanks Received
    4,128

    Default Re: Netflix instantly to your TV

    Wow, a wonderful write up Tulsa... Thanks, I know it will help many of us, especially me.
    Last edited by johntofva; 12-08-2008 at 11:35 PM.
    Life
    It's what happens
    When you least expect it.

  4. #3
    Kungishi Youngjedi's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    1,780
    Thanks
    18
    Thanks Received
    2,305

    Default Re: Universal Remotes

    No remblings like a loon here...That was an awesome write up. I was looking into getting a Harmony, but worried about the compatiblility. I love the idea of hitting one button, and turning on the tv, cable box, home theater receiver...Awesome!
    Youngjedi


  5. #4
    Stuey - The RADministrator MrGneiss's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Indianapolis, IN
    Posts
    38,308
    Thanks
    67,899
    Thanks Received
    44,913

    Default Re: Universal Remotes

    I also prefer real buttons...I had a touch screen type remote for a year or so...and while it was neat, it was a pain to use, especially in the dark...and having it light up in the dark during a movie just to see it wasn't that nice either!!

    "Blowing smoke rings at the moon."

  6. The following user says "Thanks" to MrGneiss


  7. #5
    Fever Hunter bearngg00se's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    North of 50, Nord du Quebec
    Posts
    185
    Thanks
    69
    Thanks Received
    288

    Default Re: Universal Remotes

    We purchased the Harmony 1000 for $599 plus 15% taxes. The instructions said it took 30 minutes to load all the drivers from the internet. After a day and a half, I took it back. I like the idea of a universal remote - but the touch screen is a pain. Now looking for a good remote with buttons!
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    I'm not a complete idiot
    - some parts are missing
    *Thunder VII**Azteca Legends**NeoPlanetT

  8. #6
    Wing Dingaling doug's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Toledo, Ohio
    Posts
    1,905
    Thanks
    1,516
    Thanks Received
    2,918

    Default Re: Universal Remotes

    Any one else with kids have the problem where the remote runs off and hides and found most of the time in the sofa

  9. #7
    Captain Weirdo Sid's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Athens Greece
    Posts
    24,902
    Thanks
    19,835
    Thanks Received
    28,648

    Default Re: Universal Remotes

    personally i just cant justify paying so much money for a remote control.
    there are so many other goodies out there to spend my money on..
    and the remote control issue can be solved easily.

    IKEA | Organizers | Newspaper racks | FLÖRT | Remote control pocket
    $4.99

    "I've stopped fighting my inner demons, we are on the same side now."

  10. The following 5 users say "Thanks" to Sid


  11. #8
    Mr. Pachitalk arbycoffee's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Jesup Iowa 'The Right Place'
    Posts
    19,372
    Thanks
    2,920
    Thanks Received
    15,150

    Default Re: Universal Remotes

    That is the only exersize I get, getting up and walking to the box
    "This is My Personal Opinion and no others"

  12. The following 2 users say "Thanks" to arbycoffee


  13. #9
    da shadow d mowery's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Minneapolis Mn
    Posts
    2,154
    Thanks
    1,231
    Thanks Received
    804

    Default Re: Universal Remotes

    I just use the one that came with the Hi Def Comcast an it workes all 3 units I use
    These are my opinions and no body elses and you can't have them

  14. #10
    PachiTalk Hostess dattia's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    SE PA
    Posts
    11,810
    Thanks
    12,458
    Thanks Received
    11,503

    Default Re: Universal Remotes

    WOW! It looks like Don hit 2000 Posts today... and on his 43 wedding anniversary! Did you plan it that way?

    Congrats Don... on both achievements!
    Dawn

  15. #11
    da shadow d mowery's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Minneapolis Mn
    Posts
    2,154
    Thanks
    1,231
    Thanks Received
    804

    Default Re: Universal Remotes

    Of course , Thanks for the bubbley , I will have it tonight
    These are my opinions and no body elses and you can't have them

  16. #12
    PachiTalk Hostess dattia's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    SE PA
    Posts
    11,810
    Thanks
    12,458
    Thanks Received
    11,503

    Default Re: Universal Remotes

    I see hanabi posted almost the exact same thing in another thread...

    What can I say, great minds think alike!
    Dawn

  17. The following user says "Thanks" to dattia


  18. #13
    Goodwill Ambassador luckydog's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    bradenton, florida
    Posts
    31,487
    Thanks
    13,448
    Thanks Received
    24,112

    Default Re: Universal Remotes

    I'm happy with my dozen orginal remotes,

    I buy them all new batteries for Christmas
    幸運わんわん Luckydog or Yukiwanwan in Japanese

  19. #14
    Sandwich Shooter teqkng's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    South Florida
    Posts
    413
    Thanks
    513
    Thanks Received
    373

    Default Re: Universal Remotes

    OR you can make it easy by just buying a setup from www.AMX.com or www.philips.com and program the things via your computer with ALL of the proper codes and even set up easy custom Macros, I.E. When you switch the input to DVD, it turns on the dvd, the stereo sets the stereo output to dvd and puts the dolby selection up to be chosen... All kinds of FUN custom touches... and they will accomodate ANY remote controlled item ever built, even the ultrasonic units, to OLD rs232 IR, IR, UV, Bluetooth, Interlink, you name it.
    A token for your thoughts???

    TEQ. http://www.pachitalk.com/forums/group.php?groupid=3

  20. The following user says "Thanks" to teqkng


  21. #15
    Sandwich Shooter heavyguitarman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    between orlando and daytona beach
    Posts
    351
    Thanks
    374
    Thanks Received
    757

    Default Re: Universal Remotes

    I dont know if anyone mentioned it but there is a dongle for the ps3 called IR2BT that converts infrared to bluetooth but so popular theres a waiting list.

  22. The following user says "Thanks" to heavyguitarman


  23. #16
    PachiTalk Hostess dattia's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    SE PA
    Posts
    11,810
    Thanks
    12,458
    Thanks Received
    11,503

    Default Re: Universal Remotes

    I wonder if daverob could build one?
    Dawn

  24. #17
    Chicken Fried Steak takethecastle57's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Monterey , Ca
    Posts
    21,240
    Thanks
    26,028
    Thanks Received
    11,937

    Default Re: Universal Remotes

    ThinkGeek :: Dueling Galactic Marines Copter Set
    ______________________________________________________
    ThinkGeek :: Search Results
    ______________________________________________________
    ThinkGeek :: Micro Spy Remote
    Last edited by takethecastle57; 12-10-2008 at 02:03 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
    When things don't go right the 1st time , Step back ,Take a break and come back renewed. RGS

  25. The following 3 users say "Thanks" to takethecastle57


  26. #18
    SNORTARRIFIC! new in town's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Jacksonville Florida
    Posts
    5,925
    Thanks
    12,836
    Thanks Received
    11,417

    Thumbs up Re: Universal Remotes

    For those with coke bottle glasses.

    Universal Big Button Remote Control - Tek Partner - Hy-Tek Tek Partner Low Vision Remote Control - Allegro Medical Supplies

    I picked a couple of these up off of E-Bay 2 years ago and gave them to some of my older friends.

    Real hard to loose in the couch also.

    Operating System: Pre-Programmed Infrared Remote Control System.

    Compatibility: Replaces most brands of infrared remote controls for TV, VCR, Cable and Satellites.

    Power: 4 AA alkaline batteries (not included)

    Battery Life: One year under normal operation.

    Effective Range: 7.6m(25ft.),+/- 25 deg.

    Dimensions: 139mm(5 1/2") width
    215mm(8 1/2") length
    63mm(2 1/2") height.

    Weight: 12 oz. (without batteries)

    Keypad: Durable Conductive Rubber.

    Button Size: 19mm(3/4") square

    Light Source: High Intensity Light Emitting Diode.

    Molded Case: High Impact ABS Plastic.

    Warranty: 1 year (except misuse).
    72 Pachi's, 36 Pachinko's, 2 Pallots, 3 Pinn's & 2 Pachinko Bar Signs. Links to About Me: pachijunkie's Videos


  27. The following 2 users say "Thanks" to new in town


  28. #19
    Sandwich Shooter revmondo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    The Death Star MKIII
    Posts
    479
    Thanks
    533
    Thanks Received
    810

    Default Re: Universal Remotes

    The Universal Remote MX850 is my personal fav. They can be found online for under $300 and you can run just about anything with them. This is what I do for a living and these are the only remotes I use. You do have to program them with a laptop but I can give the software to any pachitalk members that want it.
    Pachinko Captain Solo in the Cargo Bay

  29. The following 4 users say "Thanks" to revmondo


  30. #20
    Hyah! rubberratt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Nebula M78
    Posts
    1,969
    Thanks
    2,484
    Thanks Received
    2,631

    Default Re: Universal Remotes

    I have come to learn, contrary to popular belief, that universal remotes do NOT, in fact, allow you to control the universe

    せぶん戦闘機 せぶん

  31. The following 5 users say "Thanks" to rubberratt


Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Universal Flipper vs Solex
    By jjsandell in forum Model Talk
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 06-14-2010, 10:59 AM
  2. Help with a dead Universal Pachislo...
    By dpalmi in forum Pachislo Technical Support Tickets
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 05-02-2009, 09:52 AM
  3. universal
    By hammer0422 in forum Pachislo Technical Support Tickets
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 07-15-2008, 11:57 AM
  4. Universal dilemma
    By rdmkr1 in forum Modern Pachinko
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 08-11-2006, 01:39 AM
  5. Who needs a universal Pachinko KEY!
    By coldluck in forum Vendors & Manufacturers Pachinko
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 02-08-2006, 09:41 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •