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In Search of the Best Programmable Universal Remote?
option8 asks: "Now that i have more components in my living room than I have room on the coffee table for their remotes, I'm looking into getting a programmable universal remote. I've looked at some of the spiffy touchscreen jobs, like the Philips Pronto and even some of the new color remotes, but it seems to me that spending more for my remote than I did on my DVD player is overdoing it somewhat. Also, all I've found are ones with windows support for building screens. Are there any out there that I can use with Linux?" There was a previous Ask Slashdot on this subject back in '99, anything new to report since then?
Here's a review of my choice. It's not fully programmable in that you can't add or remove buttons, but there are tons of available functions built in. The back-lit LCD is nice. And for $90, I can live with having to use a few mislabelled buttons.
For those with a Palm Pilot, OmniRemote is an excellent universal remote application. It makes Palm IIs with the 2MB upgrade card useful again.
I guess you could always use your Palm. It's about as programmable as it gets! Some Palm remote projects.
My Sony receiver came with a sophisticated remote control complete with LCD display.
I hate it.
I want a remote that has buttons. A lot of buttons. A whole lot of buttons. Something that doesn't make me go through 15 menus to get to the operating mode I want.
For those of you who are perhaps, more discriminating buyers, I offer the Lexicon 700t. I used to sell medium to high-end audio/video while in college and we couldn't keep enough of these (and their predecessors) in stock. Be prepared to pay though, they weren't cheap as I recall. Custom buttons with bitmaps...how cool.....
there are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
I thought the Pronto was expensive too, until I bought one after installing a full home theatre system. With the complete customization and programming ability, you can make your system do anything YOU want. I have programs set so that you press one button to switch receiver inputs, switch TV inputs, change audio settings, etc. when changing to a different source. Press "Watch a DVD" for example and the TV switches to the DVD input, the receiver switches to the DVD input, the receiver switches to Dolby Digital mode, the DVD player comes on (if it is off) and starts the movie. You could also have it dim the lights and do other things if you'd like. Awesome, and you do it all with one (virtual) button. Much easier for my wife and family to operate. Ecost.Com is the cheapest I have found for buying them.
Jason
"FORMAT C:" - Kills bugs dead!
I found jensenremotes.com.
Their top offer:
- Operates Ten devices TV, VCR, CBL, CD, SAT, Audio, DVD, Web TV and 2 Auxiliary devices (Auxiliary device = a 2nd device from the list)
- Equiped with Radio Frequency (RF) which enables the user to control devices in other rooms thru walls and floors RF range up to 100 feet
-Home Theater ready remote controls ProLogic Surround Sound Systems
- a few more things....
I couldn't find info about pricing...
Pedro Côrte-Real.
Remote Central has reviews, forums, and for those that can use them all sorts of custom files. Its the best source for any information relating to remotes.
I've done a nifty program... IRMCTL which receives any infrared command through the IRMAN receiver (though it should be easy to do more receivers) and executes a shell script or a built in function.
It's not a programmable remote, but you can say what that button you just pressed will do on your linux machine.
Help is appreciated, for I had some ideas which haven't still showed up because I need help!
Hugs, Cyke
Get yourself a Radio Shack 15-1994 6-in-1 Smart A/V Remote, hack it with a JP1 Interface, and for under $50, you've bought yourself an infinitely customizable IR remote (with X10 capability!), and with all nice tactile hard buttons to boot!
begin 644
Same company that makes the OmniRemote software, makes hardware IR extenders. See other posts. My Visor Deluxe will work fine from about 10' on everything, but my TV.
gilder
Old Skool Marantz makes some impressive programmable remotes, I use one myself and control everything from the Receiver to the Digital Cable Terminal. In particular the RC5000i. Here are some of the Features...
- Illuminated LCD touch-screen display with ''virtual'' buttons that re-name themselves according to the component selected
- Large memory capacity to accommodate hundreds of control screens and programming of A/V systems of any size
- Preprogrammed IR code library and exclusive MDL (Marantz Digital Learning) quickly clones your existing remote controls
- Windows® PC programming software enables easy programming customization including adding photos and artwork to display screens
- Rechargeable battery and companion docking station keeps RC5000i charged at all times
Convenient Macro keys store commands that can be sent automatically in sequence
- One-touch access to all controls of any component, via unique Marantz tab-style navigation
- Built-in screen layouts for dozens of component types
- Animated help files demonstrate how to program from your existing remote controls
Programmable Instant Surf buttons jump from one channel to any other channel at the touch of a single button
- Home panel can be personalized with a custom greeting
I was doing a project to interface my laptop IRDA port to control my tv, and other devices that use Infra red communication.
:)
The problem is, is that not all IR Ports for computers support the consumer spectrum for IR communication. But the majority does...
So if you're brave, make your own remote, that's programmable with your computer.
All you'll need now, is line of sight between your computer and the mountain of BLACK boxed devices that sit humbly infront of your family room wall.
some useful links include...
lirc and the windows port of it is at winlirc
There are various clients/gui interfaces that you can use, from those links.
if you want to reach me about this:
lloydleung(at)hotmail.(you know where)
NOTE: I'm still working on this...
Money cannot buy happiness, but can buy something soo darn close, that you can't really tell the difference
The best I have found short of the cool $200 jobbers is the X-10 8 in 1 Super illuminated Remote Control. I paid only $25. It is a Learning Remote and designed for DVD/DSS systems.
Mine controls...
Sony TV (Built in Code)
Sony VCR(Built in Code)
STD Pioneer Cable Box (Built in Code)
Sony CD Changer (Programmed Codes)
Sony DVD Changer (Programmed Codes)
Sony Reciever (Programmed Codes)
Digital Cable Box (Programmed Codes)
X-10 appliances/Lights in House. (Build in Codes - Dimming the home theater lights from the same remote is darn cool! The illumination comes in handy after the lights go out...)
Not only is the the least expensive Learning Remote around, but it has the navigation controls for Digital Cable/DSS/DVD.
http://www.x10.com/products/x10_ur24a.htm
Good Luck!
Here's a review at Remote Central:
http://www.sel.sony.com/SEL/consumer/ss5/home/acce ssories/universalremote/rm-vl900.shtml
$60. No touchscreen- not even a little LCD like the RM-V60, but *every* key is programmable for each of 8 components (unlike some universals like one RCA that have very limited key override storage). 3 macro keys.
It has real buttons and you can set the volume keys to control the receiver regardless of component selection.
I control my Tivo with it and while I have to remember that TV/Video is thumbs-down, I don't have to look at it to find the button.
Simple & cheap. If you think you need something more complicated, like another poster said you probably need to get out more. I use a complicated computer all day. When I want to watch some TiVo or DVD, I'd prefer simplicity.
I wish I could have all of my components share a simple communications channel (hmmm, or complex, like Bluetooth :-) so I could actually control what the devices are doing, instead of just blasting out pre-determined IR codes and hoping for the best.
Well, you can buy a JDS Infrared Xpander. It will work in standalone mode (without the home automation controller) and has a common bus that allows you to hook up various sensors to your devices. Then you can program it with simple if/then/else logic, so if it detects that the TV is already on, it won't issue another power command to it. Integrate it with a Timecommander Plus or Stargate for full home automation pleasure.
I have the Timecommander Plus & IR Xpander and absolutely love it. I can initiate macros from any device - IR, RF remotes, wall mounted touchscreens or keypads - and the JDS equipment takes care of everything, including lighting & appliance control throughout the house.
For considerably less money, the Houselinc will accomplish many of the same tasks. However, these devices are not hand-held controllers, although you can use your computer as one. You'll still need an IR remote to control the bulk of what you want to do. Most people couple them with a Pronto, or Crestron or Phast touchscreen ($$$$$). These systems will simply take care of your macros, sensing the current status of your devices and responding appropriately. If you block out the IR ports on your equipment and channel all IR input through a complete JDS setup, you can use flags & variables to keep track of the status of each device in great detail - for instance, whether your receiver is set to CD, DVD, VCR, etc, or what channel your TV is on.
-Ryan, with the unoriginal sig
The All-for-one cinema 7 is the greatest remote since time began. It's got a simple interface (none of that LCD game-boy crap), it's fully programmable, it has pre-programmed and learning modes, has a nice size and weight. It's a hacker favorite- Here's the FAQ. I mean c'mon, you can't get a better remote at any price, let alone $20.