http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/ Engadget HD Comments for Ask Engadget HD: What's the best universal remote out there? http://www.engadgethd.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadgethd.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/Jan 23rd 2008 12:11PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/Jan 23rd 2008 12:17PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/Jan 23rd 2008 12:19PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/Jan 23rd 2008 12:29PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/Jan 23rd 2008 1:40PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/Jan 23rd 2008 1:58PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/Jan 23rd 2008 4:11PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/
They hates each other.]]>Jan 23rd 2008 5:47PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/This is the greatest remote I've ever had. It's thin, sleek, and beautiful. I much prefer the look of it to any of the other "one-hand" Harmonys, which have ugly form factors and a very cheap plastic look. (Haven't held the new $250 Harmony One). I purchased it from Best Buy for about $95 about two months ago, and it literally has changed everything! It's incredible. It connects via USB to Logitech software on your PC which can immediately download IR codes for every possible component you could ever own. Just like the rest of the line, it features "activity-based" operation, allowing simple one-touch control for watching cable, watching OTA, watching BD/HD-DVD, listening to Music, etc. This is great for family members, however, you can also geek out and individually set each button per activity with custom commands, macros, etc.

The only "con" is that the remote does not have a color touchscreen like the higher end models.
It's a regular non-touch monochrome screen with tactile "side" buttons. however it's NOT black/white; the backlighting is like a cool "neon" blue which I don't mind at all.

If you want to spend under $100, the Harmony 550 is hard to beat. If you want to spend $250, I would definitely look at the brand new Harmony One, which has the stylish look of the 550, with a new color touch screen. soooooooo perrrrrtyyyyy.


]]>Jan 23rd 2008 5:54PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/- If you want to do some crazy macro programming, you might have issues with the software. The software for this one is focused on normal on/off/choose input scenarios. I've used this in a home theater and multiple different living room configurations without ever running into the problem.
- It takes a split second for the button press to be translated into an IR command. 99% of the time it's fine, but I do keep my Tivo remote handy in case I'm going to be doing a lot of button mashing.

It's well worth the money. I'd buy another in a heartbeat.]]>Jan 23rd 2008 7:40PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/
I have the 880, and I noticed that there was this delay when pressing buttons... wasn't as responsive as my dishnet remote. But some poking around in the logitech software and I found a setting to adjust it. So i just lessened the delay and it got much better.]]>Jan 24th 2008 2:20AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/
Only way my wife could keep up with my A/V setup (not to be sexist, just being honest).]]>Jan 24th 2008 1:04PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/
LOVE IT!]]>Jan 28th 2008 6:36PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/Jan 23rd 2008 12:14PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/
Two caveats: I wish it were rubberized so it wouldn't squirt out of my hand when I try to use the bottom buttons and when you want to update the programmable buttons you have to update the RF receiver (it's plugged into a power supply with four cables running from it and tucked away behind all of the equipment listed above) along with the remote by connecting them to a computer running their software package that is connected to the internet.]]>Jan 23rd 2008 2:33PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/Jan 23rd 2008 12:16PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/Jan 23rd 2008 12:15PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/Jan 23rd 2008 8:09PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/Jan 23rd 2008 12:40PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.universalremote.com/product_detail.php?model=35) because of the added battery, extra functionality and the fact that it automatically illuminates itself when picked up (a small detail but I really appreciate it). It's on the pricier side of things but they've got a track record of lasting far longer than the Logitech fair and are much more customizable.]]>Jan 23rd 2008 1:26PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/Jan 23rd 2008 1:27PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/Jan 23rd 2008 12:16PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/
Incredibly programmable, durable (recommended for children, used often in bars) RF capable. and with a great button layout (button = no look, unlike touchscreen).

There is also a great community on remotecentral with lots of great files and advice on this one.]]>Jan 23rd 2008 12:54PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/Plus we all know the buttons on the 880 suck. The only features it is missing are RF, BT, and rechargeable batteries. But I don't have a use for RF. Stupid PS3 had to be all fancy and use BT. *shakes fist*]]>Jan 23rd 2008 12:18PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/Jan 23rd 2008 12:18PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/
Can't really go wrong w/ these Harmony remotes!]]>Jan 23rd 2008 12:22PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/Jan 23rd 2008 12:19PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/All my A/V gear Lights and HVAC]]>Jan 23rd 2008 7:55PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/remotes/universal_remotes/devices/3898&cl=us,en]]>Jan 23rd 2008 12:23PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/24/control-your-playstation-3-with-ir/)
also, you don't need the PS2 remote, the codes are already up on remotecentral.com.
]]>Jan 23rd 2008 2:01PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/
http://www.schmartz.com/product.sc;jsessionid=4195349A361A550EF6A51223679869F3.qscweb24?categoryId=1&productId=2

i have no idea why sony didn't include a simple ir reciever with the ps3. they did this with ps2 slim. oh well, whatever.]]>Jan 23rd 2008 5:18PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/
I've used the same remote for the last 8 years, even though every piece of equipment (except maybe the VCR) has been replaced since then, and not one piece of equipment I have was controllable by the remote when I got it. Matter of fact, you can't get the remote anymore, but there are successors.

I use the Radio Shack 15-1994, the best cheap remote ever built. You can still find them on ebay from time to time. The buttons are backlit, widely separated and of decent size, and arranged well enough that my fingers know them in the dark.

But best of all, it's a JP1 remote. Which means that with the addition of a $10 programming adapter, some freeware, and an extensive and constantly updating library of open-source remote config files, I can tailor the remote to do whatever I want. I can even make it do things that the designers never intended, such as pause, since I can download freeware rewrites of the internal firmware and load that in with the remote data.

In 8 years, I have never had a problem adding a new device, although it might take me a few hours to get it as I want. But it is EXACTLY the way I want when I'm done.

And all my wife has to remember, is four macro buttons to turn on 4 activities, and one macro button to turn everything off.

Currently the most common JP1 remote is the butt-ugly Atlas (UEI) remote used by many cable companies, especially Time-Warner. Look in the battery compartment for a 6-pin plug.

See http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/ for the gory details, and some history of the One-for-All line at http://www.hifi-remote.com]]>Jan 23rd 2008 12:23PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/
Seriously, it's cool that you can customize this old remote to do precisely what you want, but wouldn't your average person be able to achieve roughly the same with a $25 universal remote, or if they're more in depth, a $200 Harmony? A few hours of tweaking doesn't really sound all that appealing to me.

Keep up the good work, though, honestly. I have a lot of respect for homebrew stuff like this.]]>Jan 24th 2008 4:28AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/
As for Harmony, I had one early on before Logitech bought them. It was very very hard to customize, was aimed at the non-technical person, and had the habit of turning things half-on and half-off. And if you did it again, the other half would go on and the first half off. Sure, there was a fix-it sequence but it wasn't much of an improvement over a $20 universal remote since the activity macros were pretty much unusable.

Now, maybe they've learned and are using discrete on and off, but they are still hard to customize.

I have 2 PVRs, a few different flavors of DVD, an AV sustem and a TV and every button is where I want it. One button on, one button off.

]]>Jan 27th 2008 1:51AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/Jan 23rd 2008 12:34PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/Jan 23rd 2008 12:34PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/Jan 23rd 2008 3:50PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/Jan 23rd 2008 5:36PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/Jan 23rd 2008 12:35PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/Jan 23rd 2008 12:39PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/
When I started looking for a replacement, I couldn't find anything that fit the bill quite right. I picked up a Harmony remote, but I hated it.

I ended up picking up another MX-500 from Amazon. For less than $70, it can't be beat. And it only took 30 seconds to copy all of my devices and macros from the old remote to the new one ("Cloning").]]>Jan 23rd 2008 12:50PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/
I've never had to deal with a "Honey, how do I fire up guitar hero?" phone call. I never get nagged for upgrading, because the end user experience is the same regardless. I have lots of friends where their wives refuse to let them upgrade to new gear because they have to relearn a bunch of stuff.

The only drawback is after the breakup, I'm stuck setting up a harmony remote at their place for their gear.]]>Jan 23rd 2008 12:45PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/
I suggest the 880 for price and functionality. Got it for 75 brand new a year ago (fatwallet nonsense).]]>Jan 23rd 2008 6:14PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/
I do recommend the Harmony 880...Once you figure out the programming software, it becomes a breeze to update, change, or add settings. You can usually find it new for around $150-$200 on sale.]]>Jan 23rd 2008 12:58PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/
Samsung LCD-TV
Samsung HT-P38 DVD-HT
iLO DVDR04 DVD-R
Scientific Atlanta SA8300HD

I'd like a Harmony but can't afford one yet....]]>Jan 23rd 2008 12:57PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7978165&type=product&id=1153999180379 Not the prettiest thing in the world but it's solid as a rock.]]>Jan 23rd 2008 1:29PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7978165&type=product&id=1153999180379 Not the prettiest thing in the world but it's solid as a rock.]]>Jan 23rd 2008 1:30PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7689156&st=rm-vl600&type=product&id=1138083504542]]>Jan 24th 2008 12:18AMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/
For example, in my media room, the HDMI on my receiver will disconnect with the first command that the receiver receives, which will cause a failure in the HDCP handshake with my projector if my HD DVD player or BluRay player is trying to upconvert a regular DVD. The solution is to send a command (any command-- I usually send a volume up) to the receiver while the player is still booting. With a Pronto, I could send a command as part of the macro string. The Harmony won't let me do this, so I have to manually send a command to the receiver.

In reality, it's just a minor annoyance, and I'm not complaining as Logitech gave me the remote free. But as to the question of which is the better remote, it's the Pronto.]]>Jan 23rd 2008 12:59PMhttp://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/23/ask-engadget-hd-whats-the-best-universal-remote-out-there/Jan 23rd 2008 1:12PM