Reccomendation on Budget Universal Remote

[Jay]

Finally made the leap into High Def world.

Need a remote that can control:

Motorola HighDef cable box.
LG LCD TV
Phillips DVD Player

I also have an older setup running through the RCA jacks:
DirecTV reciever (non-hd)
Tivo2 Box (non-hd)

I tried doing a google search, but there's litteraly too much information.

TIA

 

[Muadib]

Sears had a closeout on the Harmony Xbox 360 remote. It was going for $36 I think, just before Xmas. Call your local store, you might get lucky.

 

[dandragonrage]

I'd go for Sony. They've got a nice $20-25 universal 8-device learning. I don't know the model number offhand but it's current. 2 of my uncles have it and I like it.

I had a Harmony 880. I will never touch or recommend a Harmony remote again. If I changed anything with another remote or manually, when I picked up the Harmony (LITERALLY, just picked it up, not even pressing any buttons), it'd change everything back. NO. BAD REMOTE.

 

[Schadenfroh]

If possible, extend your budget a bit and pickup a Logitech harmony from the 6xx line, they are less than $100 and they are worth it. I use a Logitech 676 (purchased after I was not satisfied with the layout of the 520) and I can say it is the finest remote that I have ever owned.

 

[MotionMan]

Originally posted by: dandragonrage
I'd go for Sony. They've got a nice $20-25 universal 8-device learning. I don't know the model number offhand but it's current. 2 of my uncles have it and I like it.

I had a Harmony 880. I will never touch or recommend a Harmony remote again. If I changed anything with another remote or manually, when I picked up the Harmony (LITERALLY, just picked it up, not even pressing any buttons), it'd change everything back. NO. BAD REMOTE.

Sounds like you got one bad remote - it should not do anything if you do not press any buttons - did you have it looked at for a short?

I have gone exclusively with Harmony remotes for more than 5 years (maybe as much as 10 years, but don't quote me on that). I love them and what they are able to do. I have three in use now, two new in boxes waiting for action (I have little kids) and two that function (but my kids damaged the screens) sitting around that I can cannibalize for parts.

Admittedly, every once in a while, I get a dud Harmony, but that is no reason to write off the whole line of remotes.

OP, if you can afford it, go for a Harmony and spend the few extra minutes on the website programing it and you probably will not be disappointed.

MotionMan

 

[erwos]

I'd definitely try to get a Harmony, too. When you've got five sources, you'll want some display in your remote.

 

[Jay]

Originally posted by: Muadib
Sears had a closeout on the Harmony Xbox 360 remote. It was going for $36 I think, just before Xmas. Call your local store, you might get lucky.

No go at the local Sears. I did pick up a Harmony H520 for $59.99 ( a little over the budget, but the reviews on Sears website made it tempting). Haven't opened it yet in case anyone has any comments on the H520.

 

[Pheran]

Originally posted by: Jay
Finally made the leap into High Def world.

Need a remote that can control:

Motorola HighDef cable box.
LG LCD TV
Phillips DVD Player

I also have an older setup running through the RCA jacks:
DirecTV reciever (non-hd)
Tivo2 Box (non-hd)

I tried doing a google search, but there's litteraly too much information.

TIA

Depending on how much time you want to spending "geeking out" with your remote, you should consider a JP1-compatible remote that you can program with your PC. Most are quite inexpensive and very flexible - I use the One For All URC-8910.

 

[Auric]

I've been happy with Sony RM-VL remotes. JP-1 capability is intriguing but the layout on that URC-8910 strikes me as unergonomic.

Check out remotecentral.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: dandragonrage
I'd go for Sony. They've got a nice $20-25 universal 8-device learning. I don't know the model number offhand but it's current. 2 of my uncles have it and I like it.

I had a Harmony 880. I will never touch or recommend a Harmony remote again. If I changed anything with another remote or manually, when I picked up the Harmony (LITERALLY, just picked it up, not even pressing any buttons), it'd change everything back. NO. BAD REMOTE.

I have an 880, and it's great. Clearly you had a defect. Why didn't you contact Logitech? With their great customer support, they would have taken care of you.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: Jay

Originally posted by: Muadib
Sears had a closeout on the Harmony Xbox 360 remote. It was going for $36 I think, just before Xmas. Call your local store, you might get lucky.

No go at the local Sears. I did pick up a Harmony H520 for $59.99 ( a little over the budget, but the reviews on Sears website made it tempting). Haven't opened it yet in case anyone has any comments on the H520.

I think you mean the HM520. I'm with Schadenfroh, as I didn't care for that model either. That's a good price on it though, so try it you might like it.