Anyone know of a decent universal remote??

[Electric Amish]

I'm in the market for a universal remote to control all my A/V devices on my home theater. Anyone here have any suggestions for remotes that are good or one's that I should stay away from??


Systems to control-

Mistubishi 50" TV
Mistubishi DVD
Mistubishi VCR
Onkyo receiver
RCA DSS receiver

Thanks,

amish

 

[DesignDawg]

Jensen makes a pretty nice universal for pretty cheap. You didn't mention price, but I don't believe in spending a ton of money on a remote. The jensen comes in two colors..silver or black, and can control a vcr, dvd, dss, cable, receiver, cd player, and tv. --And it's intelligent, in that, if you're in dss mode, the volume control still controlls the TVvolume, unless you want it to control the receiver, etc... It's very programmable, very powerful. --And it only cots $20.00. It's the best deal I've ever seen in a uni.


[EDIT: The one I have is the SC-570.
--But the two higher ones may have a coupe of different features. --Note the little blue round control at the bottom middle. It is a little rocker that lets you control surround balance and also doubles as the directional pad for the DSS

Ricky
DesignDawg

 

[Electric Amish]

Where can I get/see these??

Price is a little of a concern.. Cheaper is always better, as long as the quality is still there.

I figured $80 or so should get me something nice, but if I can find what I want at less price, that's always good.

amish


Oops, you beat me to the question.

 

[DesignDawg]

As far as where you can buy one.... I bought mine at Target. --But I have seen them in Wal-Mart and maybe K-Mart also. I have had mine for a good while. At least a year, I think. --And I am very happy with it.

Ricky
DesignDawg

 

[Ornery]

• This site is designed to be the ultimate online source for information on mid- to high-end home theater remote controls with reviews, complete specifications, operating tips and user-to-user message boards on the latest and greatest products on the market.

 

[Electric Amish]

Thanks Ornery.

I came across that site in my searching, but I found it hard to navigate when I didn't have any idea about what I was looking for...

Thanks.

amish

 

[konichiwa]

Philips' Pronto. It's an LCD-based touch screen remote that can control any IR device. Mmm...but...alas, it's $400.

Still a VERY cool little piece of equipment:

Pronto @ Philips.com
Pronto @ HiFiBuys/Outpost

 

[boomerang]

I've got a Pronto and I love it. It interfaces with your computer for programming and customizing. Great fun, and it combines two interests in one. This thing has replaced 7 remotes for me.

You can find them for $279.00 on the web no problem. Let me know if you need any guidance.

 

[Ornery]

I used to want one remote to control everything, but in the long run I still end up having a couple sitting around. I bought a $12 Sony that can control a couple devices. It's small and fits my hand well. If it gets dropped and broken I don't even care because of the price.

Two of those Mitsubishi remotes you have should be able to handle everything you've got. If not, contact the place you bought the equipment from and see if they can hook you up. Actually, if you had gone for a Mitsubishi Reciever, your troubles would be over. I wonder how much they go for, though?

 

[DesignDawg]

Ornery,

I guess you're referring to the "learning" universal that comes with Mitsubishi stuff? I got a Mitsubishi Pro Logic receiver a few years ago with one of those. It's actually the main one I use. I use it for everything but DSS, which I use my Jensen for. --only because I'm too lazy to teach the mitsubishi any new tricks. I wonder why there aren't more "learning" remotes out?

Ricky
DesignDawg

 

[bcterps]

I'd suggest the Marantz RC 2000 MKII, its a great universal learning remote, its lighted, can do macros, can control absolutely every function for all of your equipment. I use it to control my ReplayTV, TV, DVD player, and receiver and it works great. You can pick one up on eGay for about $100 I think. Mine came with my Marantz receiver.

--Ben

 

[Electric Amish]

Yeah, Ornery, the Mitsubishi remote that came with the TV is what I'm using right now. It controls everything but the receiver. It doesn't control the DVD really well. Only the basic on/off, play/stop/ff stuff. Unfortunately it's about 3 years old and has been dropped, stepped on, sat on, spilled on, etc. It's not performing up to par anymore. I need to replace it. I figured I'd try and find something that could controll it all while I was at it.

thanks

amish

 

[IamDavid]

You should watch Fresh Gear on Tech TV this week. They have a clip on a Sony remote that can be programmed to control any I.R device. Gonna go get one today, if I can find one..

 

[beat mania]

I have some questions about the pronto, if anyone can answer that.

Can it be programmed to control 2 devices at once?
If I want to do play on 1 vcr, and rec on another vcr, I can do that simultaneously on 2 remotes. How fast can the pronto do that? Or do a macro, like a 1 button push that does rec on 1 vcr, switch to 2nd vcr, and do play? (hey, at $300, it better have something better than just a touch screen)
How does programming work? Does it need the remote that it is replacing to be able to program for it? I'm wondering since there are a few devices that I don't have the remote for anymore.

 

[Namuna]

Here's another vote for the Marantz MKII.

I had the MKI and upgraded when the II came out.

here are the specs...
Marantz MKII Remote

Illuminated, Learning remote, Macros. This bad boy, is BADASS!

 

[skywhr]

I like the one4all they have it @ bestbuy I think its $99.99

 

[boomerang]

beat mania, the Pronto will do what you want VCR wise. You can set up a macro just as you described. I find it's best to set a .1 second delay between commands in the macro, so it should be nearly instantaneous.

You can program it without the remote being available, maybe. There are lot's of people who have contributed remote codes at sites like remote central and others. Chances are the codes for your device will be available, especially if it's not real old and somewhat high end type equipment.

There is a new version of the Pronto that will be out I believe, early next year that will have codes built in for many devices. There is also a color Pronto due to come out. I would imagine it will be difficult to find a decent price on the new models for quite some time though.

You should spend some time at the remote central site. There is tons of information there and forums too. You would be amazed at the customizations that can be done if you are talented in that regard. There are entire "themes" that can be downloaded at the site also.

 

[beat mania]

boomerang: thanks for the info.
I've read about a Pronto TSU2500 (or something like that) some time back, that's why I've been hesitant in buying the TSU1000 that's around right now. (I don't know what the difference is, but I figure that I'd better wait and find out first).