DVR Replacement Remote with multi-function?

[jborchel]

I have used multi-function remotes before but the Direct TV function is usually lacking in matching the exact function of D's own remote. I don't like the slide switch on D's remote that you use to access its multi-function facility.

Has anyone come across a better multifunction remote designed primarily for replacement of D's remote?

Jack

[davring]

Any of these will do the job just fine:


http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/remotes/&cl=us,en

[RACJ2]

If you want to use RF with your DVR, you are very limited on choices, here is a [link (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=164066&highlight=xsight)] to a thread on the Xsight remote. If you only use IR, then you have several to choose from. I personally have several I use, Harmony 659, URC 9910 and a Radio Shack 15-134. All have there pluses and minuses. Here is an old thread on some other remotes that others use [Link (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=121766&highlight=remote)].

[Mike Bertelson]

I like the URC remotes. I use the MX-810. I have need for some macros that the Harmony's can't handle.

BTW, you're likely to get a different opinion with each post. :D

Mike

[mdavej]

HERE (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=2260530#post2260530)are some of my favorite cheap D* friendly remotes. The URC WR7 (http://www.universalremote.com/product_detail.php?model=169) is also popular. And you may want to check out the new harmony 600 and 650 (http://blog.logitech.com/2010/03/02/new-harmony-600-and-harmony-650-remotes-debut/).

[tech24218]

it's already been said but my vote is for the logitech brand

[amorse2183]

I like the URC remotes. I use the MX-810. I have need for some macros that the Harmony's can't handle.

BTW, you're likely to get a different opinion with each post. :D

Mike

what macros can't the harmony handle? I had a urc many years ago that worked quite well until i dropped into a large vat of everclear punch. ahh, such memories.

[Mike Bertelson]

what macros can't the harmony handle? I had a urc many years ago that worked quite well until i dropped into a large vat of everclear punch. ahh, such memories.Anything longer then 5 steps. I have a couple that are over 10 steps.

Mike

[amorse2183]

Anything longer then 5 steps. I have a couple that are over 10 steps.

Mike

can you give me an example. I'm certain I have macros longer than 5 steps

[mdavej]

can you give me an example. I'm certain I have macros longer than 5 stepsHe's talking about "sequences". Harmony has 2 kinds of macros - activities and sequences. Activities can have as many steps as you like (you already knew that). But sequences can only be 5 steps. Sequences are like mini-macros within an activity. So if you wanted to string 6 skips together, for example, and put that sequence on one button, you can't do it.

I'm a harmony user too, and I think the 5 step limit stinks. But there are some clunky ways to get around it using raw learns. What really stinks is that harmony's top-of -the-line models (900 and 1100) can't do sequences at all.

I've found that people who've been using universal remotes for years get spoiled by macros and are shocked when they pick up a harmony and can't make a simple 6 step macro. But if harmony is the first universal remote you've ever used, you don't know what you're missing, so it doesn't bother you. If harmony would give me 15 step sequences, I could put all my other remotes away.

[Mike Bertelson]

can you give me an example. I'm certain I have macros longer than 5 steps
I have macros for forcing a download, viewing To-Do list, viewing History, and doing a Menu Restart to name a few. All of which are more then 5 steps and are not part of an activity.

I can create a macro, or sequence in the Harmony world, of up to 255 steps. I really can’t imagine one that long. I think the longest I currently use is about 12 steps.

For example, to do a menu restart...

Menu->Parental, Fav's & Setup->System Setup->Reset->Restart Receiver

Menu
Channel Down
Select
Down
Down
Select
Channel Down
Up
Select
Select
Dash
Further, I can insert any length delay between any or all of those steps.

Mike

[amorse2183]

He's talking about "sequences". Harmony has 2 kinds of macros - activities and sequences. Activities can have as many steps as you like (you already knew that). But sequences can only be 5 steps. Sequences are like mini-macros within an activity. So if you wanted to string 6 skips together, for example, and put that sequence on one button, you can't do it.

I'm a harmony user too, and I think the 5 step limit stinks. But there are some clunky ways to get around it using raw learns. What really stinks is that harmony's top-of -the-line models (900 and 1100) can't do sequences at all.

I've found that people who've been using universal remotes for years get spoiled by macros and are shocked when they pick up a harmony and can't make a simple 6 step macro. But if harmony is the first universal remote you've ever used, you don't know what you're missing, so it doesn't bother you. If harmony would give me 15 step sequences, I could put all my other remotes away.

ahhhhh....you are correct sir. I was under the impression that a macro and sequence were one and the same.

thanks for the info. you really do learn something new every day :)

[Mike Bertelson]

ahhhhh....you are correct sir. I was under the impression that a macro and sequence were one and the same.

thanks for the info. you really do learn something new every day :) They are one and the same. A Harmony sequence is limited to five steps and the other programmable remotes are not but they're all still macros. IMH, that’s why Harmony calls it a “Sequence”. It’s limited so it’s supposed to be something different to draw attention away from the limitation. Marketing weenies. :nono: :grin:

The Harmony’s and my MX-810 both have Activities. Those are macros that start everything up, sets the inputs, etc. AFAIK, there’s no limit to the number of steps an Activity can have.

Within the Activity (and even outside of it with remotes other then Harmony’s) you can create a macro to perform a series of button presses. Harmony just calls them sequences but they’re still macros. Five steps or a hundred steps, it's still a macro.

Although, I sometimes wonder if you could put a 5 step sequence on one button and then use that button as a step in another sequence effectively making it a 9 step sequence. If so then maybe you could make some seriously long macros by “nesting” sequences. I’ll have to try that out on my Harmony 550.

Mike

[mdavej]

...I sometimes wonder if you could put a 5 step sequence on one button and then use that button as a step in another sequence effectively making it a 9 step sequence. If so then maybe you could make some seriously long macros by “nesting” sequences.Unfortunately you can't. That's one of the reasons I keep my JP1 remotes around so I can nest indefinitely. Then I can teach those long macros to my harmony in raw mode and get long sequences in effect. But it's very tricky getting that to work. I usually can't eliminate repeats, so my macros end up running twice no matter what. But other times I get lucky. I haven't found the magic bullet yet.

[Mike Bertelson]

Unfortunately you can't. That's one of the reasons I keep my JP1 remotes around so I can nest indefinitely. Then I can teach those long macros to my harmony in raw mode and get long sequences in effect. But it's very tricky getting that to work. I usually can't eliminate repeats, so my macros end up running twice no matter what. But other times I get lucky. I haven't found the magic bullet yet.Then I'm curious. Why use the Harmony if a different manufacturer's remote (e.g. URC) does the exact same Activity based operation, is as easy to program, and has unlimited macros?

Mike

[mdavej]

Then I'm curious. Why use the Harmony if a different manufacturer's remote (e.g. URC) does the exact same Activity based operation, is as easy to program, and has unlimited macros?

MikeMy reasons are very simple: $$$ and WAF. JP1 is cheap. Most of my JP1 remotes were less than $10. So I get a huge bang for the buck. But the rub is they have no display for soft button descriptions like harmony. So for WAF, I use harmony so they can see what the buttons actually do. Sure I can cram every activity and function imaginable onto my JP1 remote, but you have to remember what buttons all those functions are on. So to solve that, I got some cheap refurb harmony's for $30 a pop, and problem solved. It requires some awkward work-arounds for sure. But I'm not about to pay over $40 for a remote control. I've gotten expensive remotes in the past, but am always disappointed and end up returning/selling them. An R50 is close, but I'm still stuck using JP1 to teach it discretes. So, if you come across a URC that gives me the same results as a cheap JP1/Harmony combo in the $40 range, please let me know.

[Mike Bertelson]

My reasons are very simple: $$$ and WAF. JP1 is cheap. Most of my JP1 remotes were less than $10. So I get a huge bang for the buck. But the rub is they have no display for soft button descriptions like harmony. So for WAF, I use harmony so they can see what the buttons actually do. Sure I can cram every activity and function imaginable onto my JP1 remote, but you have to remember what buttons all those functions are on. So to solve that, I got some cheap refurb harmony's for $30 a pop, and problem solved. It requires some awkward work-arounds for sure. But I'm not about to pay over $40 for a remote control. I've gotten expensive remotes in the past, but am always disappointed and end up returning/selling them. An R50 is close, but I'm still stuck using JP1 to teach it discretes. So, if you come across a URC that gives me the same results as a cheap JP1/Harmony combo in the $40 range, please let me know.I don't know which Harmony you have but I paid about $200 for my MX-810.

Mike

[mdavej]

I don't know which Harmony you have but I paid about $200 for my MX-810.

MikeI paid $30 for my harmony 360's (very similar to the 550). I don't see myself ever spending anywhere near $200 on a remote. I'm too cheap.