Universal Remote suggetsions?

[Zato]

Hey all-

I'm looking for a better remote to increase the WAF.

We are currently using the Hauppauge one that came with the PVR150. But it takes 3 remotes to do anything and my wife gets frustrated trying to set everything correctly.

Also, would prefer a RF remote or one with IR that works around corners .

Any suggestions? I was looking at the Logitech 550 and 880, but can't really tell if they perform well enough for a HTPC setup.

Thanks!

[kenmcm]

Harmony's are great and the price is much better than a few years ago. Programing is a little bit of work on the net and then you are set. Good Luck!

[nightwalker]

agreed, the harmony's do wonders for the waf

[madcat]

Yep. same here (h880), WAKAF (a new one - Wife And Kids Acceptance Factor) is great, same in my friend's home.
Programming is not always intuitive, but that's also because I want it to have all the different buttons in many combinations, control timings and response, etc. For the wife/kids, it was programmed in one evening.

[zaphod7501]

I went the JP-1 route. It's a DIY method with very inexpensive remotes and a friendly supporting forum. I use remote extenders for distribution throughout the house. http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/index.php

I'm currently using a $15 remote with 18 devices set up (including a MediaMVP, Infocus PJ, MyHD ATSC card, Creative CIMR100 serial remote, besides the typical TVs, Receivers, DVDs, and VCRs).

[nia]

One more for the Harmony. After 3-4 different steps with other learning remotes, I have settled for the 885, and never looked back...

The whole concept of being activity based is absolute genius, not least when you consider this is done with one press of the "Watch Video"-button:

• Turn TV on
  
• switch to Scart 2 input
  
• Turn AV Reciever on
  
• Switch to VCR input
  
• Turn MVP on
  

And all the buttons do the right stuff too. Volume is mapped to the AV reciever, Play/Pause etc. to GBPVR and a few buttons for the TV to handle Aspect ratio etc.

Contrary to some posters above, I found it much easier to set up than the other learning remotes.

First of all, all my equipment was already in the Harmony online database - i.e. no teaching the new remote the old remotes codes

Second, sitting at the PC and deciding which buttons does what in which scenario is much more user friendly than any other learning remote I have seen.

Just my 2 c

[mmatheny]

zaphod7501 -what 'cheap' remote did you use to program via the JP-1 plug? Also, did you make your cable or buy it from somewere? And how did you get 18 devices set up - on the same remote???

[zaphod7501]

zaphod7501 -what 'cheap' remote did you use to program via the JP-1 plug?

My favorite is the URC6131 "PVR Remote" I have 6 or 7 and a couple of unmodified spares. I also have a URC8910, which is a learning remote that comes with the JP1 connector and eeprom from the factory. I can learn commands from other remotes and upload to the PC to build new upgrades with it. I had the semi-famous URC8810 which was also preset for JP1 (and cost $18)

Also, did you make your cable or buy it from somewere?

I built my parallel JP1 cable: but I'm also an electronic technician with over 30 years experience. The parallel cable is really easy to build however. I had the company (One-For-All - UEI) upgrade the first two 6131s before I started getting into JP1. Now I modify my own. Rob usually has some he's modified and will sell cables if you buy remotes from him. There are others who will sell cables and remotes seperately. See the Marketplace on the JP1 forum.

And how did you get 18 devices set up - on the same remote???

Something called a "Device Multiplexer". The six device 6131 actually has eight device capability but that's a quirk of that specific remote. Normally to select another device, you have to enter a new setup code; not exactly a convenient method. With the Multiplexer you can have multiple devices already loaded on a single device button. With a simple two button command I can switch to a different device. For example, after selecting "VCR", shift-1 gives me Sony Beta, Shift-2 is Sony 8mm, shift-3 is Sony VHS, shift-4 is Panasonic VCR. You're only limited by the amount of available memory.

Part of the learning curve is the terminology. "shift" "upgrade" "device" are terms with meanings that are specific to JP1. Since none of my equipment seems to have built-in codes I had to go with a self programmable remote. (InFocus, Hauppauge, MyHD, Creative, Cyberhome, A/V Switches, etc) There is another aspect called "Discrete commands". These are functions that the equipment is capable of but the OEM remote can't perform. Going to a specific video input without going through them one at a time. Turning a set "on" but not toggle "on" and "off" are some examples. These are handy in "Macros". A "Macro" is a command that can perform multiple signals. Turn the TV on, set it to video2, turn the stereo on, put it on DVD, turn the DVD on, open the tray, all with a single button press are possible.

[groover km]

Ditto to zaphod7501.

I have done the *exact* same thing with a OFA 8910. Made a JP1 cable with about $5 of bits from radio shack and an old HDD cable. I got a kick out of doing it, and the wife loves having one remote (the other million are in the drawer), and then it's as simple as press DVD, HT, etc., and everything just lights up as it should.

Oh, and once you spend about 3-4 hours (well, in my case) getting your head round the JP1 software, you'll wonder how you got along without it...

[-Oz-]

i'm gonna add a vote for logitech harmony remotes. I got a harmony 659 for $70 during the xmas season and set it all up. Works amazingly.