Opinons about: UNIVERSAL REMOTES

[Ross Eyerie]

There usually seems to be a knowledgeable bunch of people on this board so maybe I'd look here for some advice.

Are universal remotes 100% compatible with everything? For instance: I have a brand new Samsung TV but my ExpressVu remote doesn't seem to wanna get programmed properly so I can adjust the volume and turn the TV on/off. It works fine for my Sony which is about a year old and an older RCA TV.

Anybody have any insight?

 

[shinjitsu]

Check out ...

http://www.universalremote.com/

 

[Ross Eyerie]

*bump*

 

[Necromancer]

One For All

I have had some luck with these products:

http://www.ofausa.com/remote.php?type=URC 8811

http://www.ofausa.com/remote.php?type=URC 8810

http://www.avs.ca//detail.php?b=9&c=39&p=108

They are reasonably priced and very versatile. Contrary to the manual, all the keys on these remotes are programmable and there are discrete codes available on the web. Check out:

http://www.hifi-remote.com/ofa/

Other remotes I can recommend are (Sony Learning only):

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INT...KU=RMVL700S&Dept=acc&CategoryName=acc_Remotes

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INT...SKU=RMVL900&Dept=acc&CategoryName=acc_Remotes

Which are more expensive but are completely programmable. There is no discrete code support. The regular non-learning line is disappointing.

Watch out for other remotes that claim "programability" or "learning". They usually tend to suggest the a few keys on the remote are programmable.

 

[icto]

I broke the remote for about at 10-year-old Denon receiver (by stepping on it) and didn't want to pay Denon for a replacement. I got a cheap RCA universal remote at Future Shop, and entered the codes for Denon. It didn't work, so the manual said that the next step is to try cycling through all codes until you find one that works. (Enter a special mode, and keeping hitting buttons until the unit turns off). It said you might have to do this up to 100 times. I had some time to kill, so I kept going until about 200 times when to my great surprise, sure enough it worked. I wish I could access advanced functions like renaming inputs, but I can live with just power/mute/volume.

 

[The Bandit]

That's the problem with Universal remotes, you can't acess all the features of the original. Them's the breaks(pun intended).

 

[Necromancer]

Again, you will find the most universal remotes are really not completely compatible (if at all) but the URC8810 and URC8811 have been hacked and each function can be entered in manually with the codes found at hifi-remotes. If you have the patience and time.

 

[pblues]

Do any of these remotes work on the Apex DVD / VCR combo. I have bought and returned 6 remotes. They work fine on the TV and the satellite, but I can't find one that will work properly with my Apex DVD / VCR.

 

[cynalan]

I think the Harmony is very good for simplicity. However, I far prefer the Pronto (but you need to either spend a lot of time to pgm or pay someone to do it for you). I would estimate I have maybe 20 hours into programming my pronto. It is pretty though and controls everything (including lights and heating!).

Best reference site I know is www.remotecentral.com.

I agree with Garrett. I also have a Pronto. Very versatile piece of equipment that can be customized to control just about everything in your home theatre by customized macro. Big learning curve and time investment to get things right though.

 

[Necromancer]

The URC did support (through hack codes) the original Apex DVD players. Check hifi-remotes and see if your model number is listed.

 

[icto]

According to a columnist in the latest Widescreen Review magazine, the current Prontos (3000's? - I don't have the article with me) are no longer good. He said he bought up all the older ones he could find on eBay.

 

[bkspoiler11]

universal remotes

K this is probably my most posts of the day. Maybe some one can help me out. Here is my situation. I have a total of 12 remotes. No joke no kidding. Here is my set up I got a sony TV, direct tv receiver(still waiting for that damn p4card), dishnetwork receiver, a samsung and zeith vcr's, a malata dvd player, a magasonic dvd player, a citizen dvd player, a panasonic and an Aiwa mini stereo systems, playstation 2 with a remote, and a audio/video switch as well that has a remote. You thinkg there one remote in the world that can control all these things? If not, oh well I had to ask.

 

[C Dick]

bkspoiler11: why do you have three DVD players? Do they all do something different somehow?

 

[bishop]

goto www.hbc.com, goto hbc rewards, and buy a RCA programmable universal remote with lcd for 15 bucks. I bought 3 of them. Heard they are great for the price.