[ljsss]

I just got my Dish 722 installed last Friday. I have an "Integra" A/V receiver (Integra is made by Onkyo). I have tried all of the Onkyo codes in the Dish remote but I still cannot get it to control my volume on my A/V receiver. I thought that I would just deal with it; but after a week of having to always find the other remote to change the volume, I am going to be forced to buy a universal remote that will control all of my stuff on one remote.

What is the best 3rd party universal remote for operating the VIP 722? I have heard of the Logitech Harmony remotes, but I don't know much about them. Is there a better brand than that? Thanks very much for any advice!!

 

[Todd Nicholson]

I love my Harmony 550. Lots of features, can be programmed to operate just about anything, backlit keys and screen and a relatively good price. I'm using it with my 722, DVD, receiver, and disc changer.

 

[leemathre]

I agree, Harmony is a good choice. I am using a Harmony One with four Dish 622's. Works great.

 

[EXTACAMO]

Harmony :joy: I have an old 659 that works perfectly with my 622.

 

[rickc]

Another vote for the Harmony series. We really like ours.

 

[tcatdbs]

I have the Harmony 880. Have the 722, Onkyo 606, OPPO 980, and 50PX600U, all work flawlessly. Allows a sequence of button pushes to be programmed into one button, very handy. All your programming is stored online in case something ever gets screwed up.

 

[ljsss]

It looks like Amazon has a pretty good deal on the 880. Is that better, or should I go with the 670 (that Logitech says is made "specifically" for TIVOs and DVRs)?

Also, I am assuming that these expensive remotes will hold macros (one button to turn on TV, Dish, & A/V Receiver), correct?

Thanks again for the replys!

 

[ljsss]

TCATDBS,

I was typing my reply while you posted your answer. Looks like you have answered my question about the macros. Thanks!

 

[Lostinspace]

Just picked up a Harmony 620, which is basically a 670 but in black, for $50 at Costco after the coupon in this months coupon book. A single button (watch TV) turns on the 722, an Onkyo 504 and a Panasonic plasma. It took a bit longer than the "30 minutes" Logitech claimed for setup, but it works well for the price.

 

[faiello]

I'm using the Harmony 880 works great

 

[ljsss]

Is the 880 better than the 670? I know the number is higher; but Logitech says that the 670 is specifically for DVRs.

 

[Lostinspace]

You can compare the two with this link from Logitech:

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/r...en&page=&view=comparison&compProducts=372,377

A bit different key layout, the 880 has rechargeable batteries, with a color display, and $100 more.

 

[nick58]

I recently purchased the Harmony One. Works great. Controls my ViP722, Pioneer A/V receiver, upconverting DVD player and Pioneer plasma flawlessly.
Biggest problem was getting the wife to keep the remote pointed at the equipment long enough for everything to change.

 

[girdnerg]

Is the 880 better than the 670? I know the number is higher; but Logitech says that the 670 is specifically for DVRs.

All of the harmony remotes work in the same fashion. They are activity based remotes that you program on your computer.

The main differences are the hard button layout and lcd screen, so pick the one that you can live with.
-color or monochrome lcd screen
-touch screen or hard buttons beside the screen
-hard button size and layout
-regular or rechargable battery
-ir or ir/rf

I ended up with the Harmony One.

A really budget remote is the radio shack 15-100. It has an LCD display, setup wizard, custom device labels, the ability to use advanced codes and program complex macros on nearly any button. I think it runs from $15 - $30. I've never owned one, but a lot of folks on avsforum like it.

 

[lzielen]

I have a Harmony 670 and love it! Controls dvr, tv, receiver, dvd player, audio switch, xbox 360. Web based programming is very easy and flexible. Allows reassignment of codes to hard keys or soft (ie lcd) keys. One button turns on devices needed for an activity - such as watch tv (DVR, TV, Receiver) or watch DVD (DVD, TV, Receiver) - and sets each device to appropriate input. It is smart enough to switch between activities - ie it knows that the tv is already on. It also tracks which devices are on and turns off appropriate devices when you press the off key. Harmony programmers did an excellent job.

The programming described above applies to all the Harmony remotes.

 

[Richard King]

Harmony 880 here. Great remote.

 

[Rob Glasser]

Like just about everyone else, you can't go wrong with Harmony remotes. I have an 880 for my upstairs receivers and a 670 for my downstairs receivers. Great products.

 

[jkane]

I have had dozens of remotes over the years. There are a couple really good ones out there. The Harmony is by far the best! I love the web based programming feature it has (they use a USB connection to the remote). The concept of "Watch TV" or "Watch DVD" of "Watch Dish" is so simple, almost anyone can use it. You have to have some savvy to program it, but the web interface is really helpful with that.

The only draw back I have found is the logic becomes too much for it if I want to also be able to turn single devices off. What this means ... is if you have a "old style" remote where each device is controlled by a single button at the top, you can simply push the button followed by the power to turn on and off. However, the great thing about the Harmony, is that it keeps track of what is on and off and powers them on and off for you as you change devices.

This is great for most situations. However, if I want to pause a DVD and then watch a TV show for a while, I can either tell the Harmony to always leave the DVD on, or always turn it off when I leave it. If I leave it on, then I can press play and continue where I left off. If I have it turn it off, then I have to find where I was in the show next time. If I tell Harmony to always leave it on, the the DVD player is ALWAYS on. And if I want to turn it off for since I won't use it for a while, I have to press more buttons to control that single device and power it off.

A Big deal? Not really. The trade off is much more logical and easier use most of the time.

There is a work around too. You can program any button using the web interface. So just add a power toggle for the devices like the DVD player to each function and then you have a single button way to do this. I don't bother, but I know it confuses some other people.

 

[swissy]

Since everyone is on the Harmony kick, I'll offer an alternative. I really like my URC-200 (now called the URC-RF20). The MX-350 is a great remote. I would choose this over the new RF-20.

I know everyone likes Harmony, but at least check out the URC line of remotes before you make a decision.

www.remotecentral.com is a great place for reviews and specs.

 

[jkane]

The MX series would be my second choice. Had one for so long, it was sent in for repairs twice! Kids kept dropping it. The advantage the Harmony has, and why I changed to them after the last drop/break, is the USB programming and web based storage of settings. Made restoring the many customizations much easier. Not sure if MX has one with something better than the JP1 connection now, but at that time it didn't. I really liked my MX-500 though! It had the 3 specific power buttons at the bottom to solve the issue I described above.