Univesal Remote

[dmw16]

I am trying to figure out which universal remote to buy. There are a lot of them out there and I am a little lost.

I will have
1. Sony 42" LCD Projection
2. Pace Comcast Cable box
3. Xbox 360
4. PS3
5. Yamaha HRT-6160

I like the looks of the Logitech remotes, but what makes one better than the next? Or is there another brand I should consider? Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Quasmo]

Go with Logitech, get the 880, you'll end up paying maybe $20-$30 more for it, but you get a nice LCD screen with a recharge station, and the ability to use it for years to come when you get more than 5 devices.

 

[krotchy]

The logitech harmony remotes are all really nice. The difference between the remotes is mainly in the layout and features. They all have the same functionality in the end though.

Personally, I dislike the 880 as the buttons on it are annoying to me, though the recharge station is nice, but reportedly problematic. Logitech recently released an heir to the 880 in the Harmony One, which I have my eye set on just waiting for a good deal to be found so it can replace the Harmony 676 I have in my living room right now (and that can go in my bedroom).

My suggestion is goto circuit city or best buy and try them in your hand, see which one you like and try to find a good deal on the one you like.

 

[mshan]

This checkout code may or may no longer work for $50 off the Harmony 880 at Amazon: GXWCVCLQ

(price with coupon was about $99)

 

[Slick5150]

I have an 880, and while I love almost everything about it, the recharge station is a bit flaky. You have to have it set in it just right or it won't actually recharge the remote. So a lot of times I'll put it there assuming its recharging, only to find out the next day that my battery is still about dead.

All in all though, it really is an outstanding remote.

 

[3chordcharlie]

I have to admit, I like the old 5xx remotes better than the 6xx, and maybe even more than the 8xx.

Looking forward to trying the harmony one though, it seems very well laid out.

 

[erwos]

I've heard a lot of great stuff about the Harmony One, but it is admittedly pricey.

 

[vi edit]

Remember that the PS3 is a bluetooth device and has no integrated IR receiver. A typical universal device won't work with it. There are some hacks out there that use a USB IR dongle and some learning commands from the PS2 DVD remote available though.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: vi edit
Remember that the PS3 is a bluetooth device and has no integrated IR receiver. A typical universal device won't work with it. There are some hacks out there that use a USB IR dongle and some learning commands from the PS2 DVD remote available though.

IIRC, the Harmony remotes should work out of the box with the existing PS3 IR adapters...

 

[dmw16]

I assume that the PS3 can be turned on via it's controller (like the 360).

 

[Elstupido]

Just bought a Harmony 720 from Costco for $100. This remote is amazing, I'm still playing with it but so far it does just about anything. Had to call the support line and was very impressed, no waiting, and got a rep immediately who could speak english, no Indian CS. He set up my remote over the phone, just had to update it via the supplied usb cable.

Highly recommended