I need a universal remote that can handle

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
17,081
136
my:

Roku XS
Haier TV
Panasonic Blu-ray
HD FIOS box
Onkyo receiver (dont laugh, it had all the inputs I needed and was cheap)

Keep in mind the receiver is also my switch so it needs to be able to swap video inputs but always have the volume control.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...al%2Caps%2C198

I'd be willing to get a decent logitech but I dont wanna spend 200 bucks.
 

postmortemIA

Diamond Member
Jul 11, 2006
7,721
40
91
Harmony 650 should do it. The software is finely tunable and has lots of options, as well as custom commands. check supported devices first.
 

blackangst1

Lifer
Feb 23, 2005
22,902
2,359
126
Yup. Harmony. Even if your devices arent supported out of the box you can open a ticket with them and theyll program it for you ;)
 

gorcorps

aka Brandon
Jul 18, 2004
30,741
456
126
Harmony remotes will work well. Keep in mind that the roku remotes are wifi based so you don't have to point it at the box, but using an IR remote you'll have to have line-of-sight and keep the remote pointed at the box. It'll still make everything else easier, you just might go back to using the Roku remote.
 

s44

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 2006
9,427
16
81
Or get a Harmony Smart Control, which provides wifi based control via both smartphone/tablet app *and* a physical "simple remote" for the basics like volume.
 

destrekor

Lifer
Nov 18, 2005
28,799
359
126
Harmony remotes will work well. Keep in mind that the roku remotes are wifi based so you don't have to point it at the box, but using an IR remote you'll have to have line-of-sight and keep the remote pointed at the box. It'll still make everything else easier, you just might go back to using the Roku remote.

If you're already controlling everything else, and you don't play games on the Roku (games will be infinitely better on the Roku remote I reckon), I think adapting to the IR control isn't bad at all.

The only issue I've noticed at least, inputting user names and passwords is excruciating with IR remote. The Roku remote handles this much better, there is zero delay unlike with IR, yet... I hate remote-based input for my asinine-level passwords (Lastpass saves the day, except when dealing with the TV :p).

However, it's super easy now: use the smartphone app when dealing with app registrations/logins, go back to the Harmony for all other activity.


Question: is the Roku remote actually WiFi/.11, or is it RF? I long-ago assumed it was RF.


As it stands, I too highly recommend the Harmony 650. I picked that for my parents and set it up for them. It does carry a limitation of only so many devices (five or six, I think), while the more premium models can handle many more devices. I still swear by my own Harmony One.

Eventually, I'll pick up the new Harmony hub-based approach. I love the idea of the cheap keyboard they turned into a Harmony-compatible keyboard remote. I'd use that for my HTPC interaction, and logging into Roku or PS3 or other hardware with apps. I currently use the same keyboard, the one dedicated to PC, and it's functional enough for the HTPC but obviously is limited to said HTPC. Having a universal-remote keyboard on hand, as well as a dedicated universal remote (and smartphone app for when desired) sounds like the best setup, though obviously not the cheapest.