Remote Control - All those remotes in one??

[Bill]

I have a setup that includes an E* dish reciever, Onkyo receiver, Sony TV and DVD, and a Pioneer CD player. I would like to operate this equipment with a single remote control.
A local store recommended a Sony RM AV3000 but would like to know which remote control you recommend.

:computer:

Thank you,

Bill. :glasses:

[Mark Lamutt]

I'm partial to the philips pronto remotes, but they're pricey.

[Bobby94928]

I'm using the Sony AV3000 and it works fine on all of my equipment. The biggest drawback I can see is the touch screen. It doesn't seem to be sensitive enough, but then my fingertips have trouble with most touchscreens anyway. I got my AV3000 on the Net for $115 delivered to my door. I'm sure your local store wants $200.

[Richard King]

I use a Harmony Remote SST-768. It can be seen here: http://harmonyremote.com/ It's also a bit pricy, but works very well and has a self fixing solution if a macro gets out of order.

[SD493]

I use a Harmony Remote SST-768. It can be seen here: http://harmonyremote.com/ It's also a bit pricy, but works very well and has a self fixing solution if a macro gets out of order.

If you have to have a touchscreen and the Prontos are a little too pricey then the Sony would be a good choice. However, I think the best (for the price) remote out there is the Home Theater Master MX-500. It is a hard button remote but has a configurable LCD screen so you can label the buttons for what they are actuallly used for for each device. You can see reviews for this remote as well as the Sony and many others at www.remotecentral.com.

[music_beans]

Can the AUX function on the E* remote to control the reciever/CD Player?

[mattmill]

I have an older Radio Shack 15-1994 and it is awesome. If you have a little geek in you go to the yahoo group "jp1" and they have computer interfaces that you hook up to the remote and program for just about anything. Difficult concepts sometimes but very friendly and helpful group.

matt

[chris_h]

Another vote for the MX500 from Home Theater Master. I have two of these. This remote Rocks! Computer programability is available with a device called IR Clone (from www.irclone.com). This remote got 4.84 out of 5 the last time I checked, with over 100 reviews on remotecentral.com I reviewed it there. One of the best things is hitting one button to turn off everything in my whole system, even the ligths (with X10 via and IR543 gizmo). Similar buttons to fire off a macro to watch PVR, watch DVD, etc.

[Allen Noland]

Only thing about these remotes I haven't figured out is how to use a remote code other than 1 (with dish network). I have several neighbors that have Dish network therefore I use frequency 9 and 13 for my receivers. Anyone know a fix?

[SParker]

I also recommend the MX500

[dmodemd]

The newer RS-2116 replaces the 1994 and is available at all stores now. Out of the box it can recognize a huge # of devices but is JP1 compatible. For those that dont know , this allows you to use a cable to connect it to your PC and upload newer devices and custom codes, some that didnt even come on the original remote! That feature is not for the casual user. Go to the JP1 group on Yahoo and read the FAQs to learn how to do it. For $29 for the remote (or less) and about $15 for the cable, $0 for the software, you can make it do what the several hundred dollar remotes can do.

[chris_h]

Only thing about these remotes I haven't figured out is how to use a remote code other than 1 (with dish network). I have several neighbors that have Dish network therefore I use frequency 9 and 13 for my receivers. Anyone know a fix?

For IR-only remotes, you do not have to worry about having your remote control your neighbor's gear, since the IR will not penetrate your walls. Most of the pre-programmed codes stored in the remotes memory are for the default address (which is not workable for you) so you need a "learning" remote, such as the MX500. When you learn your codes to the MX500, make sure your receiver and your dish remote are both set to address 9 (for example) and the MX500 will send out the right codes. Everyone who has not done it thinks that the learning thing is a time sink, but it really only takes about two minutes to copy a whole remote control.

[Allen Noland]

..... When you learn your codes to the MX500, make sure your receiver and your dish remote are both set to address 9 (for example) and the MX500 will send out the right codes. Everyone who has not done it thinks that the learning thing is a time sink, but it really only takes about two minutes to copy a whole remote control.


Thanks for the reply, but it will be difficult to teach a learning remote the proper codes since all my remotes are UHF. To bad one of the remote compaines hasn't already programmed the different remoted code settings.

[RichW]

I use my IPAQ PDA as a remote. It handles all the IR devices I have tried so far. It was fun going to my daughter/son-in-law's house and changing the channels on their Sony TV with my PDA as a practical joke. He had just bought the wide-screen set and showed it off earlier. He was starting to freak out when he thought the TV was malfunctioning so I had to come clean. We then tried all the devices in his home theater and could work every one of them. We didn't spend the time having the Ipaq learn the more complicated features, like zoom on his DVD player. The IR range on the Ipaq 3900 series is pretty good (12-15 feet). The dedicated remotes work at a farther range and seem to "bounce" the signal a bit better but the Ipaq really works at normal seating range. The software in the PDA was developed by Nevo.

[chris_h]

Thanks for the reply, but it will be difficult to teach a learning remote the proper codes since all my remotes are UHF. To bad one of the remote compaines hasn't already programmed the different remoted code settings.


I am going to assume you mean "all my remotes are UHF-only and do not emit IR." Several of my friends made that assumption regarding their PVR 721s, and it can use IR. The 301 can also use IR. What receivers do you have? You may be able to check remotecentral.com to see if they can be controlled via IR.

The only device I have that is UHF-only is my BUD receiver, which is mostly unused.

[enforcer]

I am considering buying the Sony RMAV3000 online. One question though before i do. Will this remote work with my dish network 301 receiver???? Please, if anyone knows if this remote will control the 301 reciever it would much appreciated!!! Thanks

[Ken Seeber]

Here's another vote for the MX-500. It's very customizable and has a great deal of memory. It's the best money I've spent on my home theater is a long time.

I have a Sony TV, hi-fi VCR and DVD player and Onkyo receiver, as well as a Dish PVR-721.

[SD493]

I am considering buying the Sony RMAV3000 online. One question though before i do. Will this remote work with my dish network 301 receiver???? Please, if anyone knows if this remote will control the 301 reciever it would much appreciated!!! Thanks

I had the 2100 (predecessor to the 3000) and it worked fine with two different Dish receivers. However, after reading so many good reviews of it, I bought the MX-500. There was no comparison between it and the Sony. It is very configurable. I have been able to label all buttons for each of my devices (8) with the actual funtion they have for that device-no more trying to remember what the buttons actually do. The 3000 is supposed to be improved over the 2100 but I would give the MX-500 a look.
The prices are comparable. If you just have to have a touch screen the Sony would be a good choice (unless you want to add 2 or 3 hundred bucks-or more-and get a Pronto).

[Bill]

I appreciate the input. :icon_band It looks like the MX 500 is definitely a remote to look into. If I would have ordered the Sony I don't think I would have been disappointed, but I definitely see that there may be a better option.

Thank you

Bill. :glasses: