Can anyone suggest a good remote control

[den372]

HI I have built a pc pvr system. The system consist of a flat screen (ir), pioneer receiver (ir), cable DSTB (ir), HDMI channel selector (ir), and blue-ray stb disk player(ir), and PC (pvr). All the comononets minus the plasma are stored in a cabinet with doors shut.
I was hoping to obtain a newer rf/ir remote that has good ir learning capability and contatins ir blaster capability at the rf receiver module. I could control the plasma with a ir emiiter inside the hand held remote. I could then control all the ir based components with ir blaster wires inside the cabinit via the rf receiver. Additionally I would need suport configuration software that would allow me to designate ir blasts based uopn programmable events and channel changing capability for the DSTB. I use PVRX2. Can anyone recommend a range/any of remotes that would work for this application. Your thoughts appreciated.

[ViperDragon]

I just bought a Harmony 659 from Sam's Club last weekend and I have been able to program it to run my media center equipment (HDTV, stereo, DVD/VCR, GBPVR, and soon my X10 lighting system-waiting for an IR converter module) and it couldn't have been easier to program. Just plug it into your PC and use their software to put in the model numbers of your equipment and it will download control settings to it. I paid around $70 for it. I still have more customization left on it but I am pleased so far. You can check out to see if your equipment will work by going here:

http://myremotesetup.com/EasyZapper/New/...ocSpice%2F

Lets you take the control for a sort-of test drive.

ViperDragon

[nia]

I'm using a Logitech Harmony 885 in a similarly complex setup (got light control on top).

The harmony approach of being "Activity based" is absolutely brilliant.

I press "Watch PVR", and the TV is turned on, the input is selected for Scart1, the MediaMVP is turned on, the AVR is turned on and input is selected for TV in. All of this respecting what state the system was in before, so if I was watching TV, it simply changes the input on the AVR, and turns on the MediaMVP.

In this settin, the volume buttons obviously are set for the AVR, the play/stop/up/down etc. for GBPVR/MediaMVP, an aspect ratio button for the TV and so on. All with no switching between devices - it just works as an integrated multimedia setup.

Another good thing: Setup i really simple, as it's done on your PC on the Harmony web site, and probably without any IR-learning, as most devices are in the database (its HUGE). Select your devices, setup your activities, and what buttons does what, and you will never look back.

There are also RF versions in the harmony range (e.g. 895) if your cabinet does not allow for IR signals to enter.

I've been a very satisfied user (as have my family) for years.

Try it!

[Loomy]

I wish there was a Harmony Two that was smaller and simpler and cheaper :[

[den372]

Thanks for the reply, Nia does the harmony remote perform channel changing when directed by PVRX2 for a specified recording? Or do you have to change the channel?