A all-in-one remote

[jlhugh]

I was wondering if any of y'all use one of these remotes. I have been doing a little reseach and have found one at a decent price and it looks like it will do everything I need it to do. My main thing is it needs to control my 501's PVR functions.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000ALPBJ/103-9272107-5571055?v=glance


That is the one I am looking at. Anyone using that one. It is pretty new, I think that it just came out this month.

 

[squicken]

I have heard nothing but good things about the Harmony SST-659. There is a newer model out called the 688 I believe. Both of these products are more than $100, though. Check out web page www.harmonyremote.com

Good luck

 

[AJF]

I have the 659 and it's great. The 688 is set-up more for a PVR and I will probably get one when I get my 921.

jlugh,
The remote you are looking at is a good remote, but if you are using the RF capabilities of your present 301 remote, you will have a problem because this is an IR only remote. There are no universal remotes with can control E* receivers directly using RF. But, there is a way to still do so using a Powermid type repeater.

You can find out much more at:
http://www.remotecentral.com/

 

[DWS44]

If you get a Kameleon, make sure you buy lots of batteries! I was looking at the Kameleon remote too, until I started reading user reviews of them. Apparently they eat batteries like crazy! Reat the reviews...even those that liked the remote, complain about the battery life...

http://reviews.cnet.com/One_For_All_Kameleon_8_URC_9960/4852-7900_7-30470538.html?tag=box

 

[long_time_DNC]

I use a Phillips Pronto Pro and it's the best universal remote investment I've ever made.

 

[GaryPen]

I was wondering if any of y'all use one of these remotes. I have been doing a little reseach and have found one at a decent price and it looks like it will do everything I need it to do. My main thing is it needs to control my 501's PVR functions.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000ALPBJ/103-9272107-5571055?v=glance


That is the one I am looking at. Anyone using that one. It is pretty new, I think that it just came out this month.

I use a Radio Shack 2116, which I believe costs around $30. I use it to control my Dish 510 and 811, Sony TV, Sony receiver, Sanyo projector, and Samsung DVD/VCR combo. Maybe not as fancy as the Prontos, Harmony's, etc. But, way cheaper.

I, too, have heard the Kameleon eats batteries.

 

[ken]

DNC, I am setting up a home theater for a customer that has a 921 on order. I was going to order the new color Pronto, will it do descrete on-off with the programming included or will I have to download ? Also does anyone know what X-10 receiver will work with the Pronto to control lighting ?

 

[jlhugh]

Yep, i started reading the reviews after I posted and most of them complained about the batteries. One guy even took it a part and took out the motion sensor to save battery life.

I'll check into that radio shack model.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[chipset]

do you know if it works with the UHF modes of the dish receivers? This is something I have been looking for, but the UHF remote is the killer..

 

[AJF]

There are no universal/programmable remotes that will directly control Dishnetwork receivers using UHF (RF). None.

 

[ken]

will the 921 work with both IR and RF at same time without changing the set-up ?

 

[long_time_DNC]

DNC, I am setting up a home theater for a customer that has a 921 on order. I was going to order the new color Pronto, will it do descrete on-off with the programming included or will I have to download ? Also does anyone know what X-10 receiver will work with the Pronto to control lighting ?

Yep, it does descrete on-off, or you can download it into it if you've designed specific screens for specific functions. The Pronto Pro is very flexible in almost every respect.

You don't need X-10 to control lighting with the Pronto either. There are several models of IR lighting faders that work well and you can program their functions easily into the Pronto.

http://www.smarthome.com/2035.html

 

[Mark_AR]

will the 921 work with both IR and RF at same time without changing the set-up ?

Interesting question. I am wondering the same thing. I thought 921's and 811's were RF only remotes and used IR for controlling your VCR via IR Blast(or whatever it is called)

 

[aperry]

Nope, at least the 811 can be controlled via IR remote. And it uses the same codes as previous receivers.

I have a URC-6131 (with the JP1 connector added by the guy that runs hifi-remote.com). He also modified mine so that if needed, I could hit a button sequence to change addresses for the PVR and/or SAT buttons.

I highly recommend the URC-6131, but you need to get the one with the JP1 modification as out of the box, the remote has a couple of Dish buttons that don't seem to work right, and it only supports address 1.

 

[SimpleSimon]

The 921 WILL respond to IR remote codes. I use my old 501 remote running through a repeater from another room.

 

[long_time_DNC]

Interesting question. I am wondering the same thing. I thought 921's and 811's were RF only remotes and used IR for controlling your VCR via IR Blast(or whatever it is called)

Never had a problem operating my 811 with my Pronto. In fact, it uses the same IR codes my 5000 did...I didn't have to reprogram anything. That was nice.

 

[ItamaeChef]

I use an RCA 810 Universal Learning Remote with JP1 added. Built the fully working JP1 device myself and added the 6-pin connected soldered to the remotes main board.

Great thing about it is that you can learn/program anything controlled via IR into the remote. You can disable buttons so that an accidental click harms nothing. You can setup macros, etc.

I currently control my PVR 721, Panasonic E50S DVD Recorder, Sony PS2, RCA Home Theater, Hitachi HDTV, and an Air Conditioner all with this remote. I have a single macro setup so that it will power on/off certain units with a single click.

There are plenty of JP1 remotes out there. Find one that you think will suit you and have some fun. These things are great!

 

[GatorNut]

I use a Home Theater Master MX-700 and it is great. Go to the Home Theater Master website or remotecentral.com and download the tutorial and the MX Editor. I control my 811 with it as well as all other equipment and lights. There is nothing that I have that it can't control. Macros are simple to program. All programming is done through the PC. The IR emitters are strong and the battery life is good. I highly recommend it. Check ebay.

 

[NightRyder]

I second the Home Theater Master remote recommendation. I have a MX-500 and love it. I bought a Harmony 659 for my wife and was less than impressed with it.


NightRyder

 

[snathanb]

There are plenty of JP1 remotes out there. Find one that you think will suit you and have some fun. These things are great!

I agree... if you are a programmer or really technically inclined... it is hard to beat the flexibility and fun of a JP1 remote.

Especially if you start installing extenders and custom protocols.

My $20 8810w will outdo most of the high end remotes, functionality wise.