Universal Remote

[kpc01]

So I've read some forums and know the logitech is the go to remote. looking for real life experiences.

I have a
sharp LED TV
tivo
wdtv
blu ray player
denon reciever (tivo, br player, and wdtv are hooked to this)

I leave thetv on hdmi1 and use the receiver to toggle between players and control volume.

can a logitech change the receiver settings, turn everything on/off volume etc etc with a touch of a button? using 2-3 remotes now and its tough for everyone but me. looking for a better alternative.

[mstng86]

Yes. My logitech turned it all on and was great. I was running it through a receiver as well. Until my wife broke it.

[Chili]

Yes x2. We have a pretty simple setup like yours, and have the Harmony 650. I think it may no longer be made but you may be able to find them cheap online. I think Leah paid less than $50 for it, but cannot recall exactly.

Very easy to program. They have a website that you register on, input the make and model of your AV stuff, then follow a couple of easy steps to set up what needs to be on, and when.

[kpc01]

thanks, I'm going to research them a little more. this is definitely what I need to happen. It switches modes on the receiver if you push movies or whatever button it is on the remote right?

[Chili]

thanks, I'm going to research them a little more. this is definitely what I need to happen. It switches modes on the receiver if you push movies or whatever button it is on the remote right?

Yes.. For example, the 650 that I have, which is a pretty "base" model, has three main buttons on top. "Watch TV", "Watch a Movie" and "Listen to Music". If everything is off and I select "Watch TV" it turns on my TV (input of HDMI 1), my Onkyo receiver (On video 1) and my Dish Joey receiver. If I select "Watch a Movie" it turns on the TV to HDMI 2, the Onkyo receiver to Video 1, and the BluRay Player. If I select "Listen to Music" it just turns on my Onkyo receiver. You can program additional "modes" that will show on the soft buttons. You can also program a bunch of other functions, as needed, based on your set up.

The higher end Harmony remotes have more "soft" (or programmable) buttons that give more flexibility. Unless you have lights and other stuff hooked up, they are usually going to be overkill.

Any of them will allow a number of various "macros" which will perform any number of functions by only touching one button.

You can also choose what functions the normal buttons control. For example, there is a middle up and down button on my 650. I can program that to control volume, to move page by page on the "guide", etc.. Possibilities are virtually endless.

[Chili]

One main limitation my 650 has over higher level Harmony remotes is that it is only able to control IR (infrared) controlled functions. Some equipment uses RF (radio frequency) like Bose surround sound systems, or bluetooth like PS3/4 or Xbox, which is not compatible with the 650. For those you would need a higher end controller. There are Harmony controllers that do that, but you will need to spend more money for a better model.

But based on what you listed, that should not be a problem.

[whitetrash]

Yes. My logitech turned it all on and was great. I was running it through a receiver as well. Until my wife broke it.

Same here. Smh

[jluv]

I have a Harmony One and a 650. At my last house, I had the Harmony One set up to where I could control all of my A/V stuff and my living room, bedroom, and dining room lights. I could dim the lights, control them independently, turn them to a specific preset brightness, or of course just all on or all off with one button. It was kickass.

I don't think you can buy the One brand new anymore, and the remote they replaced it with doesn't get great reviews. But of you can find one, go for it. And if you don't need all the bells and whistles, the 650 is great for the money. You can get an adapter that will allow it to control RF or Bluetooth stuff, I believe.

[8mpg]

Harmony One

[mustang1200]

Crestron FTW.

[mstng86]

I had the harmony one. I don't know what happened to it exactly, but the screen doesn't display anymore.

[kpc01]

thanks, My little brother got one for Christmas last year (think a harmony one). he's not using it so I'll find out what it is and maybe try it out. I do have a ps3 in another room but for now will try a cheaper remote in the living room and if it works well buy a better one for upstairs. thanks for the info

found the 890 for a fair deal so may do that one...seems like its right in the middle. Also they have the 650 on ebay for ~40 which isn't all too bad

[kpc01]

So I confirmed my brother has a 890 that I can get from him but have also been looking at the 650. Does anyone know if the 890 will program through the desktop software like the 650? I've looked online but can't find it. Just want to make sure theres no advantage the 650 has over it since its newer?

[jluv]

I think they all do. I'm 99.9% sure.

[kpc01]

I think I'll have him dl the software and try. Also can these be programmed to turn the volume up more than one notch at a time? My Denon is nice but hate that it turns up 0.5 at a time and you have the hold the button down. just something that would be icing on the cake.