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?

Comments

Sony RM-AV 2100

[WinDoze]

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.

Re:Sony RM-AV 2100

[wizarddc]

I have this, and I love it. You can add/remove buttons, but not make your own buttons. The LCD is split into a grid, and each grid box has about 4 different labels. You can set a button by basically pointing your real remote at this remote, and hitting the button you want to program on the universal remote, and then hitting the button you want to use on your real remote. Besides the number pad and the arrow keys, every other button is programable, even the volume buttons, such as I can set the volume buttons for the sattelite box to use the tv volume. Also, each piece of equipment can have 2 "pages" of buttons. So say you dvd remote has more buttons than the lcd screen has, there is a "secondary" button on the top left corner that swap back and forther for that device. I have my TV, Sattelite, DVD, VCR and Stereo hooked up to use this, and I'd be lost without it.

Re:Sony RM-AV 2100

[DaSyonic]

I have one of these. I have had it for about 9 months. Here's my opinion/review of it.

First the positives.

• Lots of buttons, Each is individually programmable. Also support for alot of devices.
• Backlit feature works
• Learning function works flawlessly (It's the only other remote that can operate my kenwood - tried many learning remotes, this is the one that would work.)
• Better than expected battery life - Still yet to have to change the batteries, with 9 months of daily use.
• Customizable. From beeps, to backlit strength, to auto shutoff time; it's more than just a generic remote.

But it also has some problems.

• The buttons are small
• Cant navigate by feel, You MUST look at the remote. I've gotten good at knowing where to press, but its easy to mess up, and often annoying.
• Not enough macros. You can use 3, maximum
• It's big. It doesn't fit in your hand very nicely.
• Expensive. I got mine at Sams for a good deal though

This is complementary to my existing remote, I still use the TiVo remote for just casual TV, but the Sony 'Remote Commander' is also by my side, and I can use it exclusively, whenever I choose. It's a good remote, and a good choice if you can live with the drawbacks.

Re:Sony RM-AV 2100

[Katan]

I agree 100%. I love how this thing can either natively, or learn, just about any device that you could have in your entertainment center.

The only few complaints I have with it are:

The backlight is not sensitive to you using it. Its on a timer..so after a while it just turns off, whether you like it or not.

Just seems to be a bit too big and intimidating for the casual user.

Eats batteries like no other... gotta keep the enegizer bunny going.

Lack of more macros.

One thing that is really awesome about it is its 4 full power infared transmitters. I wouldn't doubt this thing will be linked to skin damage or something. After trying to use Omniremote on a Palm V, you can't underestimate having a powerful transmitter to hit your equipment at any angle.

OmniRemote/

[wayn3]

For those with a Palm Pilot, OmniRemote is an excellent universal remote application. It makes Palm IIs with the 2MB upgrade card useful again.

Re:OmniRemote/

[Milican]

And if you own a Handspring Visor you can get a springboard module for External IR. The External IR is much stronger than Internal IR, but hardly ever necessary. The only time I would recommend buying the module is for Visor Edge models. I have an Edge and it doesn't work reliably for much further than 5'. You can see Pacific Neotek's tests here.

So I'm kind if in the market for External IR, but I'll wait til the latest version of OmniRemote comes out first (in beta now.. and has been for an eternity).

JOhn

Palm

[BubbaFett]

I guess you could always use your Palm. It's about as programmable as it gets! Some Palm remote projects.

Ecch.

[TheSHAD0W]

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.

Re:Ecch.

[monkeydo]

My wife gave me a Sony lVL-900 6 months ago, and none of my other remotes have been out of the drawer since.

This remote is all buttons, but it is a totally programmable LEARNING remote. You don't have to worry about whether the button you want is preprogramed because you can "teach it" It also can do 11 macros, and even though it will control 8 devices, since you can put any function on any button you can put all the stuff you need one device and not have to switch back and forth. This thrills my wife because she only has to puch one button to turn everything on to watch cable, or a DVD.

Compared to $400 for a full GUI, I'll take the $50 buttons.

Lexicon

[cnkeller]

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.....

Pronto

[JLester]

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

Remote Central

[Keith Mickunas]

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.

Radio Shack 15-1994 with JP1: The Ultimate Remote

[Spire]

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!

Marantz

[Deltan]

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

Sony Rm-VL900

[cowboy junkie]

I've got a Sony RM-VL900, which goes for about $60 retail. While it has limited macro capability (11 macros with 16 steps), it can control up to eight devices and each button is trainable. Plus, it's all hard buttons - no touchscreen (which is a huge plus for me since I don't want to look at the remote when I'm using it).

Here's a review at Remote Central:

Re:JensenRemotes

[0xA]

Don't get a Jensen. I bought one about a year ago and returned it the same day, it was a complete peice of junk.

It looks cheap, feels cheap and only has marginal support for each device (runs some functions but not all). Of course it was cheap, $40 CDN I think.

Re:Pronto

[ryanwright]

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.