Universal Remote Controls

baloo · Post by **baloo** » 21st Feb, '08, 10:08

There were a couple of threads on SF that are now floating in that great big bit bucket in the sky so I thought I'd rehash the topic.

I'm looking to get a a universal remote control for the multitude of gadgets attached to the Amp. I think I'm going to go down the Logitech Harmony path unless anyone sees a reason not too.

In Singapore Logitech sell the 1000, 525 or the 885. I've been looking at the 885 but now they've released the Harmony One in the US, Europe and Australia so it'll be here soon. It looks like a nice unit and reviews are good. There are plenty of other models available in the US & Europe as well but all spec'd below the One.

Does anyone have any of these models ? The 525 looks alright and it's cheaper. The One looks the goods but I reckon it'll cost close to $500 here in Singapore when Harvey Norman finally get it. Buying the One from HK or Aus would make it a bit cheaper but warranty might be in question.

Does anyone have one and if you had to buy one now, which one would you get ?

Morrolan · Post by **Morrolan** » 21st Feb, '08, 10:25

i had one a while back and it verily ATE batteries, but that was probably because of all the pretty lights and the programming failed for some of my equipment (high quality HiFi stereo set). i'm so not ready to spend a few hundred bucks on such a thing again.

baloo · Post by **baloo** » 21st Feb, '08, 10:30

Did you have a Harmony ? Their current method of updating codes is via an online database which seems very very extensive. You connect the remote to your PC via USB. Also, the 8xx and One series have a charging cradle you sit the remote on when not in use.

Morrolan · Post by **Morrolan** » 21st Feb, '08, 10:35

no, it was a Kameleon...

avoid it like the plague, i'd say.

baloo · Post by **baloo** » 21st Feb, '08, 10:37

I'd avoid that just for the colour and design. Touch screen for all functions would really suck.

Jedi · Post by **Jedi** » 21st Feb, '08, 12:00

I have the harmony 885 and it's a dream. It's now controlling my entire home theatre, including media centre and even the air con!

I did spend a while configuring it all and getting it working just right. But now that it's done, it's made my life so much easier. All the other remotes are in a draw now.

Highly recommended!

Harmony One looks like a cosmetic upgrade to 885 only. Don't see any difference in functionality.

Fat Bob · Post by **Fat Bob** » 21st Feb, '08, 13:27

Agree with both Jedi (Logitech 885 is great) and Morro (Kameleon All-in-one is crap)

The Logitech All-in-one needs some tweaking and setting up of things, but when it's done it works very well. Controls my DVD, Home theatre, Starhub and TV. Only thing it doesn't control is my XBox360, which is not via infrared (Logitech do have one that does control the XBox360 though) In the end, if you want to watch TV, you press one button, and everything turns on and most the times to the right channel/input. If you then want to watch a DVD, same again, one button gets you there. My problem is thast my TV has a dedicated button for HDMI and RGB input, but not for Composite, S-Video or Component input.....GRRRR!

The Kameleon brand is crap: eats batteries, limited memory and very difficult to upgrade without putting in all of the features from your remote....which fills said limited memory. Then it breaks after a year. Logitech one, on the other hand, is still going strong!

baloo · Post by **baloo** » 21st Feb, '08, 13:38

Fat Bob wrote: My problem is thast my TV has a dedicated button for HDMI and RGB input, but not for Composite, S-Video or Component input.....GRRRR!

Reading some of the forums people have got around this by assigning a macro where the key sequences to change the settings are added to the Activity.

What I don't like about the One is that it doesn't have the 4 Coloured buttons (RGYB) which are used on a few devices, like my Starhub PVR. Though you can have some LCD based colour buttons if required.

slinky · Post by **slinky** » 21st Feb, '08, 13:57

Mr. S just mentioned the need for something like this the other day. Currently it takes 3 remotes to watch a DVD in this house

So, this Harmony thing sounds great, but will I really be able to make it replace the 6000 other remotes lying around? (OK, it's really more like 4 or 5, but still....)

baloo · Post by **baloo** » 21st Feb, '08, 14:09

slinky wrote:Mr. S just mentioned the need for something like this the other day. Currently it takes 3 remotes to watch a DVD in this house So, this Harmony thing sounds great, but will I really be able to make it replace the 6000 other remotes lying around? (OK, it's really more like 4 or 5, but still....)

Yeah, it will. We have about 4 or 5 remotes at the moment, one which is a learning remote but that can't do everything I need it to do. From what I have read of the harmony, 90% of all functions are 1 button press away.

Fat Bob · Post by **Fat Bob** » 21st Feb, '08, 14:11

I tried to set it up on the system but in the end just put "next Input" button on my programmable area. Makes life easier.

One bad thing about it: because I don't have a music player (I use my Airport Express) it doesn't like me to add a "Listen to Music" macro easily. And because it doesn't control my XBox or my PC, then it doesn't have a "Play games" or "Look at Internet Porn on the big screen" macros either.

Will work it out as and when I decide to buy my new PC and therefore moving the current one into a media centre thingy.

slinky · Post by **slinky** » 21st Feb, '08, 20:50

Just looked at the link to the Harmony 885 but it doesn't list the price - anyone know approx what it costs? Thanks.

BFG · Post by **BFG** » 22nd Feb, '08, 08:18

I merely trained the BFG-lettes to scuttle across and change the channe/CD/DVD when needed. No batteries needed. Although you do have to pay school fees, which you don't with a universal remote...

Fat Bob · Post by **Fat Bob** » 22nd Feb, '08, 12:02

slinky wrote:Just looked at the link to the Harmony 885 but it doesn't list the price - anyone know approx what it costs? Thanks.

Think mine was $400 from Parisilk. Not cheap but worth it.

And would only send a -lette to school for less than a week. And would mean during the day, the lette wouldn't be able to change the channels due to being a school. I think I'm on a winner.

baloo · Post by **baloo** » 22nd Feb, '08, 15:41

slinky wrote:Just looked at the link to the Harmony 885 but it doesn't list the price - anyone know approx what it costs? Thanks.

I just checked in Harvey Norman for you slinks.
885 - $499
525 - $199

slinky · Post by **slinky** » 22nd Feb, '08, 15:46

Thanks. Wow, they are a bit more expensive than I thought - especially that 885 that's getting all the raves from you guys (of course, I really know nothing about them

)

baloo · Post by **baloo** » 22nd Feb, '08, 15:55

From what I have read, the 525 is pretty good too. It's just that the 885 is a sexier, curvier unit wearing a LBD.

Jedi · Post by **Jedi** » 22nd Feb, '08, 15:56

Harvey's are usually the most expensive place in singapore to buy gadgets.

There's a shop in Funan that sells them... I thought the 885 was around $360-390. I've seen it online for that much (http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-12b ... -1z2p.html), so $499 is a little nuts.

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