Universal Remote?

[TCS]

On Wed, 26 Jan 2005 23:48:54 -0800, Lunaray <yarNOT@easystreet.com> wrote:
>Okay, I give up, this is getting ridiculous! I need a Universal Remote, one
>that REALLY works! But there's so many choices, I need some opinions!

>I have mostly Sony equipment and a Dish Network Satellite receiver, and I
>want something that is simple to use in a dark room (meaning bright
>phosphorescent backlit buttons/display), but will handle most of all of the
>usual functions of each of my components. I don't expect it to be as
>thorough as each of my dedicated remotes, but just the average operations.

>Anyone have any suggestions?

google search for universal remote

home automation systems has a good selection

[cjdaytonjrnospam@cox.net]

Andrew J Caines <A.J.Caines@halplant.com> wrote:
> In the classic work of erotic fiction,
> <X7-dnQ-3MZxpk2TcRVn-uA@comcast.com>, <xman@thedripper.com> wrote:
> > Take a look at the MX700 by Universal Remote. Look for the review on
> > remotecentral.com. I love it.
>
> Seconded, though the MX-700/800[1] is very expensive and for the majority
> of users doesn't offer much more than much cheaper but substantially
> similar MX-500. I love my Home Theater Master MX-500[2] and wouldn't swap
> it for any of the more expensive remotes.
>
> There are many more pretty remotes which can hook up to your 'puter or
> washing machine and use to balance your chequebook or play solitaire, but
> unlike them, this one feels comfortable in the hand, has buttons you can
> navigate by touch (and if you can't find one, it can light up in the
> dark). All this and it still has more programmable macros than a
> spreadsheet, can learn from almost any other remote, has a fully
> programmable display, etc. etc.
>
> [1] http://www.remotecentral.com/mx700/
> [2] http://www.remotecentral.com/mx500/
> [Mine: http://halplant.com:88/images/photos/MX-500.jpg]
>
> -Andrew-


I have the MX-500 also. It is very easy to program and use.
I got it from Amazon.com for under $70, although I understand
that it does not carry the warrantee because they are not a dealer.
Chip

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Usenet Newsgroup Service $9.95/Month 30GB

[Lunaray]

Thanks for the tip Rob, they're in stock and I just placed my order!

[Andrew J Caines]

In the classic work of erotic fiction,
<X7-dnQ-3MZxpk2TcRVn-uA@comcast.com>, <xman@thedripper.com> wrote:
> Take a look at the MX700 by Universal Remote. Look for the review on
> remotecentral.com. I love it.

Seconded, though the MX-700/800[1] is very expensive and for the majority
of users doesn't offer much more than much cheaper but substantially
similar MX-500. I love my Home Theater Master MX-500[2] and wouldn't swap
it for any of the more expensive remotes.

There are many more pretty remotes which can hook up to your 'puter or
washing machine and use to balance your chequebook or play solitaire, but
unlike them, this one feels comfortable in the hand, has buttons you can
navigate by touch (and if you can't find one, it can light up in the dark).
All this and it still has more programmable macros than a spreadsheet, can
learn from almost any other remote, has a fully programmable display, etc.
etc.


[1] http://www.remotecentral.com/mx700/
[2] http://www.remotecentral.com/mx500/
[Mine: http://halplant.com:88/images/photos/MX-500.jpg]

-Andrew-
--
__________________________________________________ _____________________
| -Andrew J. Caines- Unix Systems Engineer A.J.Caines@halplant.com |
| "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary |
| safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" - Benjamin Franklin, 1759 |

[Lunaray]

Thank you all for your replies to my post, it came down to the Logitech
Harmony 659 and the Universal Remote MX series, but the Logitech won because
of the price. I just couldn't justify spending more for a remote than I
spent for my new DVD player! :-)

I've purchased several MX700 units from Ebay (brand new of course) from a
dealer that WAS NOT authorized. This meant no warranty. I felt saving $200
on each unit was well worth it since the reliability of these remotes is
excellent and they do last a long time to begin with. The MX700 is just a
hands down powerhouse remote which can handle just about anything you throw
at it. Lots of good feeling buttons with a normal size LCD screen make it
very useful. You'll get very use to it and won't even need to look at
anymore because your fingers will be your eyes. The remotes that are mostly
LCD and touch screen you can't do this. I bought several MX700 on Ebay brand
new for approx $150 each. I think they retail at an authorized dealer for
like $350 or some thing. Way tooooo much!

"Andrew J Caines" <A.J.Caines@halplant.com> wrote in message
news:slrncvjegd.igh.A.J.Caines@hal10000.halplant.c om...
> In the classic work of erotic fiction,
> <X7-dnQ-3MZxpk2TcRVn-uA@comcast.com>, <xman@thedripper.com> wrote:
> > Take a look at the MX700 by Universal Remote. Look for the review on
> > remotecentral.com. I love it.
>
> Seconded, though the MX-700/800[1] is very expensive and for the majority
> of users doesn't offer much more than much cheaper but substantially
> similar MX-500. I love my Home Theater Master MX-500[2] and wouldn't swap
> it for any of the more expensive remotes.
>
> There are many more pretty remotes which can hook up to your 'puter or
> washing machine and use to balance your chequebook or play solitaire, but
> unlike them, this one feels comfortable in the hand, has buttons you can
> navigate by touch (and if you can't find one, it can light up in the
dark).
> All this and it still has more programmable macros than a spreadsheet, can
> learn from almost any other remote, has a fully programmable display, etc.
> etc.
>
>
> [1] http://www.remotecentral.com/mx700/
> [2] http://www.remotecentral.com/mx500/
> [Mine: http://halplant.com:88/images/photos/MX-500.jpg]
>
> -Andrew-
> --
> __________________________________________________ _____________________
> | -Andrew J. Caines- Unix Systems Engineer A.J.Caines@halplant.com |
> | "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary |
> | safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" - Benjamin Franklin, 1759 |

[Brad Houser]

"Youngin..." <youngmarin@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:DK-dnbFCIK6TZWXcRVn-3w@rogers.com...
> I bought a Harmony 659 and it is super easy to use. You hook it up
> to your computer via USB, program your devices and away you go. So easy
> even my wife can now operate my system.

I can second that. My wife used to yell at me to change the settings so she
can watch a DVD. Now she won't use anything else.

Harmony has a high WAF. (Wife Acceptance Factor)

Brad Houser

[Rob V]

Just an fyi - buy.com has it for 91.11 w/ free shipping

If your new - use this link and get another $5.00 off.

http://www.buy.com/retail/coupon.asp?prid=85094736&dcaid=1688


"Lunaray" <yarNOT@easystreet.com> wrote in message
news:10vivvtbmij1i51@corp.supernews.com...
> I'm in the US (Oregon) and I found it at TigerDirect for $99.99
> http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1090227&CatId=358 I
> haven't called them yet though, that's something I've learned about
> shopping on the web, make sure that it's in stock before you push the
> 'Submit' button :-) Thanks again!
> .
>

[Lunaray]

Oops, for some reason the link didn't work??

[cjdaytonjrnospam@cox.net]

"Lunaray" <yarNOT@easystreet.com> wrote:
> Oops, for some reason the link didn't work??

Works for me!
Chip

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Usenet Newsgroup Service $9.95/Month 30GB

[Lunaray]

Their server must've been busy, works for me now too!

[Youngin...]

Depending on where you are there are deals to be had everywhere on this
remote. I bought mine at Future Shop in Canada on sale for $99.99 with
a $40 mail in rebate so it was really only $60. I see
www.tigerdirect.ca still have them for around $135 canadian.

young...

Lunaray wrote:
> Thanks!
>
> I've looked at a lot of remotes since my post, and considering my budget,
> this one seems to be the one!
>
>

[Lunaray]

I'm in the US (Oregon) and I found it at TigerDirect for $99.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1090227&CatId=358
I haven't called them yet though, that's something I've learned about
shopping on the web, make sure that it's in stock before you push the
'Submit' button :-) Thanks again!
..

[Lunaray]

Thanks!

I've looked at a lot of remotes since my post, and considering my budget,
this one seems to be the one!

[Lunaray]

Okay, I give up, this is getting ridiculous! I need a Universal Remote, one
that REALLY works! But there's so many choices, I need some opinions!

I have mostly Sony equipment and a Dish Network Satellite receiver, and I
want something that is simple to use in a dark room (meaning bright
phosphorescent backlit buttons/display), but will handle most of all of the
usual functions of each of my components. I don't expect it to be as
thorough as each of my dedicated remotes, but just the average operations.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks all!

Ray
www.rayspace.com/gallery.html
-------------------------------------------
"I'd rather wake up in the middle of nowhere,
than in any city on earth" - Steve McQueen

[georgiarose]

"Lunaray" <yarNOT@easystreet.com> wrote in message
news:10vh7778gilps11@corp.supernews.com...
> Okay, I give up, this is getting ridiculous! I need a Universal Remote,
> one that REALLY works! But there's so many choices, I need some
> opinions!
>
> I have mostly Sony equipment and a Dish Network Satellite receiver, and I
> want something that is simple to use in a dark room (meaning bright
> phosphorescent backlit buttons/display), but will handle most of all of
> the usual functions of each of my components. I don't expect it to be as
> thorough as each of my dedicated remotes, but just the average operations.
>
> Anyone have any suggestions?
>
> Thanks all!
>
> Ray
> www.rayspace.com/gallery.html
> -------------------------------------------
> "I'd rather wake up in the middle of nowhere,
> than in any city on earth" - Steve McQueen
>
>

Have a look at the Sunwave SRC-3810.
http://www.remotecentral.com/src3810/index.html

[Youngin...]

I bought a Harmony 659 and it is super easy to use. You hook it up
to your computer via USB, program your devices and away you go. So easy
even my wife can now operate my system.

young...

Lunaray wrote:
> Okay, I give up, this is getting ridiculous! I need a Universal Remote, one
> that REALLY works! But there's so many choices, I need some opinions!
>
> I have mostly Sony equipment and a Dish Network Satellite receiver, and I
> want something that is simple to use in a dark room (meaning bright
> phosphorescent backlit buttons/display), but will handle most of all of the
> usual functions of each of my components. I don't expect it to be as
> thorough as each of my dedicated remotes, but just the average operations.
>
> Anyone have any suggestions?
>
> Thanks all!
>
> Ray
> www.rayspace.com/gallery.html
> -------------------------------------------
> "I'd rather wake up in the middle of nowhere,
> than in any city on earth" - Steve McQueen
>
>

Take a look at the MX700 by Universal Remote. Look for the review on
remotecentral.com. I love it.

"Lunaray" <yarNOT@easystreet.com> wrote in message
news:10vh7778gilps11@corp.supernews.com...
> Okay, I give up, this is getting ridiculous! I need a Universal Remote,
one
> that REALLY works! But there's so many choices, I need some opinions!
>
> I have mostly Sony equipment and a Dish Network Satellite receiver, and I
> want something that is simple to use in a dark room (meaning bright
> phosphorescent backlit buttons/display), but will handle most of all of
the
> usual functions of each of my components. I don't expect it to be as
> thorough as each of my dedicated remotes, but just the average operations.
>
> Anyone have any suggestions?
>
> Thanks all!
>
> Ray
> www.rayspace.com/gallery.html
> -------------------------------------------
> "I'd rather wake up in the middle of nowhere,
> than in any city on earth" - Steve McQueen
>
>

It's all relative. I don't look at the price of a DVD player and compare
that to my remote control. Anyway, why in the world would you compare your
remote control price with a DVD player?

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that I have a pretty good decent HT
system. Approx total price of all my equipment and speakers is about $6000.
That may be a lot for some and that may be a drop in the bucket. But for
what it's worth, I will compare my remote control price with that amount,
since the remote has to control all my devices and components. I have a
friend that has an activity remote and it drives him crazy. I hope this
doesn't happen to you. If your good at making macros', then you've just
turned your remote into an activity one.

I wish ya luck...but don't ever judge a price against some thing else you
bought. There's really no logic in that or any sense.

"Lunaray" <yarNOT@easystreet.com> wrote in message
news:10vjj20q3evesab@corp.supernews.com...
> Thank you all for your replies to my post, it came down to the Logitech
> Harmony 659 and the Universal Remote MX series, but the Logitech won
because
> of the price. I just couldn't justify spending more for a remote than I
> spent for my new DVD player! :-)
>
>

Phillips pronto is my first pick.
If you have a grand universal remotes has a thing that looks like one of
those martian ships in war of the worlds
Go to remote central and look around. Universal remotes are no longer
"frills", they are an absolute must with todays complicated systems. With
one you will have a intergrated smoothly operating system, without one you
will have a stack of headach inducing trouble that will be difficult if not
impossible to operated in any kind of ergonomic manner.
Saving money on your remote is penny wise and pound foolish. A well set up
universal will increase your fun factor a thousandfold, and a bonus is that
they are usually easier for the "spousal unit" to operate.
Heres a tip. Put similar functions in the same place, for instance the
display button for tv, dvd, vcr, etc all need to be in the same place
"Lunaray" <yarNOT@easystreet.com> wrote in message
news:10vh7778gilps11@corp.supernews.com...
> Okay, I give up, this is getting ridiculous! I need a Universal Remote,
one
> that REALLY works! But there's so many choices, I need some opinions!
>
> I have mostly Sony equipment and a Dish Network Satellite receiver, and I
> want something that is simple to use in a dark room (meaning bright
> phosphorescent backlit buttons/display), but will handle most of all of
the
> usual functions of each of my components. I don't expect it to be as
> thorough as each of my dedicated remotes, but just the average operations.
>
> Anyone have any suggestions?
>
> Thanks all!
>
> Ray
> www.rayspace.com/gallery.html
> -------------------------------------------
> "I'd rather wake up in the middle of nowhere,
> than in any city on earth" - Steve McQueen
>
>

[Andrew J Caines]

In the classic work of erotic fiction,
<10vjj20q3evesab@corp.supernews.com>, Lunaray wrote:
> I just couldn't justify spending more for a remote than I spent for my
> new DVD player! :-)

I would suggest that the relevant price comparison is _at least_ the
additional cost of a receiver with component and S-video input switching,
plus all the additional cables. You may also want to evaluate the time you
spent pressing extra buttons, not to mention looking for remotes.

If that turns out to be less than an MX-500[1], then I'd be surprised.

The Harmony 659[2] looks nice, though having the "glow" button in a cluster
in the middle of the unit seems a bit silly. I find the nice big button on
the side of the MX-500 really useful.

With the MSRP for the H659 at $199 and the MX-500 at $149, I wonder if you
weren't shopping in the right places.


[1] http://www.remotecentral.com/mx500/ - 4.80/5.00, 5.00/5.00
http://www.epinions.com/pr-Universal_Remote_Control_MX-500_Remote_Control_1 - $84.98+
[2] http://www.remotecentral.com/sst659/ - 3.82/5.00, 4.33/5.00
http://www.epinions.com/pr-Harmony_SST-659_Remote_Control - $94.00+

-Andrew-
--
__________________________________________________ _____________________
| -Andrew J. Caines- Unix Systems Engineer A.J.Caines@halplant.com |
| "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary |
| safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" - Benjamin Franklin, 1759 |

[RKRM]

"Andrew J Caines" <A.J.Caines@halplant.com> wrote in message
news:slrncvjegd.igh.A.J.Caines@hal10000.halplant.c om...
> In the classic work of erotic fiction,
> <X7-dnQ-3MZxpk2TcRVn-uA@comcast.com>, <xman@thedripper.com> wrote:
>> Take a look at the MX700 by Universal Remote. Look for the review on
>> remotecentral.com. I love it.
>
> Seconded, though the MX-700/800[1] is very expensive and for the majority
> of users doesn't offer much more than much cheaper but substantially
> similar MX-500. I love my Home Theater Master MX-500[2] and wouldn't swap
> it for any of the more expensive remotes.

GREAT tip. I picked one up from Newegg.com it is awesome. Simply awesome. I
just went from 5 remotes to one. $88.00 at newegg great deal great remote.
This thing DOES IT ALL. Harmony activities? This one does it too and does it
better. Thanks again for the heads up.


>
> There are many more pretty remotes which can hook up to your 'puter or
> washing machine and use to balance your chequebook or play solitaire, but
> unlike them, this one feels comfortable in the hand, has buttons you can
> navigate by touch (and if you can't find one, it can light up in the
> dark).
> All this and it still has more programmable macros than a spreadsheet, can
> learn from almost any other remote, has a fully programmable display, etc.
> etc.
>
>
> [1] http://www.remotecentral.com/mx700/
> [2] http://www.remotecentral.com/mx500/
> [Mine: http://halplant.com:88/images/photos/MX-500.jpg]
>
> -Andrew-
> --
> __________________________________________________ _____________________
> | -Andrew J. Caines- Unix Systems Engineer A.J.Caines@halplant.com |
> | "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary |
> | safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" - Benjamin Franklin, 1759 |

[Brad Cobb]

I also just picked up the MX-500 from Newegg.com. I paid $84.95 delivered.
I received it yesterday, unpacked it, put the batteries in and within an
hour had all 7 of my devices up and running. I am using it to contol the
TV, Receiver, DVD, VCR, Cable Box, Antenna Rotator and Bass Shaker Receiver.
It was extremely easy and handles all commands.


"RKRM" <rkrm@NOSPAMcomcast.net> wrote in message
news:IvWdnfy4sIp9Vp_fRVn-tA@comcast.com...
>
> "Andrew J Caines" <A.J.Caines@halplant.com> wrote in message
> news:slrncvjegd.igh.A.J.Caines@hal10000.halplant.c om...
> > In the classic work of erotic fiction,
> > <X7-dnQ-3MZxpk2TcRVn-uA@comcast.com>, <xman@thedripper.com> wrote:
> >> Take a look at the MX700 by Universal Remote. Look for the review on
> >> remotecentral.com. I love it.
> >
> > Seconded, though the MX-700/800[1] is very expensive and for the
majority
> > of users doesn't offer much more than much cheaper but substantially
> > similar MX-500. I love my Home Theater Master MX-500[2] and wouldn't
swap
> > it for any of the more expensive remotes.
>
> GREAT tip. I picked one up from Newegg.com it is awesome. Simply awesome.
I
> just went from 5 remotes to one. $88.00 at newegg great deal great remote.
> This thing DOES IT ALL. Harmony activities? This one does it too and does
it
> better. Thanks again for the heads up.
>
>
> >
> > There are many more pretty remotes which can hook up to your 'puter or
> > washing machine and use to balance your chequebook or play solitaire,
but
> > unlike them, this one feels comfortable in the hand, has buttons you can
> > navigate by touch (and if you can't find one, it can light up in the
> > dark).
> > All this and it still has more programmable macros than a spreadsheet,
can
> > learn from almost any other remote, has a fully programmable display,
etc.
> > etc.
> >
> >
> > [1] http://www.remotecentral.com/mx700/
> > [2] http://www.remotecentral.com/mx500/
> > [Mine: http://halplant.com:88/images/photos/MX-500.jpg]
> >
> > -Andrew-
> > --
> > __________________________________________________ _____________________
> > | -Andrew J. Caines- Unix Systems Engineer A.J.Caines@halplant.com
|
> > | "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
|
> > | safety deserve neither liberty nor safety" - Benjamin Franklin, 1759
|
>
>

[Youngin...]

The glow light is in a cluster but when the remote is in your hand it is
right in the middle at thumb level. It is also the only button that is
not smooth which makes it super easy to find even in pitch black.

young...

Andrew J Caines wrote:
> In the classic work of erotic fiction,
> <10vjj20q3evesab@corp.supernews.com>, Lunaray wrote:
>
>>I just couldn't justify spending more for a remote than I spent for my
>>new DVD player! :-)
>
>
> I would suggest that the relevant price comparison is _at least_ the
> additional cost of a receiver with component and S-video input switching,
> plus all the additional cables. You may also want to evaluate the time you
> spent pressing extra buttons, not to mention looking for remotes.
>
> If that turns out to be less than an MX-500[1], then I'd be surprised.
>
> The Harmony 659[2] looks nice, though having the "glow" button in a cluster
> in the middle of the unit seems a bit silly. I find the nice big button on
> the side of the MX-500 really useful.
>
> With the MSRP for the H659 at $199 and the MX-500 at $149, I wonder if you
> weren't shopping in the right places.
>
>
> [1] http://www.remotecentral.com/mx500/ - 4.80/5.00, 5.00/5.00
> http://www.epinions.com/pr-Universal_Remote_Control_MX-500_Remote_Control_1 - $84.98+
> [2] http://www.remotecentral.com/sst659/ - 3.82/5.00, 4.33/5.00
> http://www.epinions.com/pr-Harmony_SST-659_Remote_Control - $94.00+
>
> -Andrew-