Frustration over multiple remotes!

[Zstream]

So, I recently purchased this TV http://www.samsung.com/us/video/tvs/PN43D450A2DXZA the tv is very nice and looks very good with Uverse HD.

The uverse remote had the ability to sync with the TV and operate except for one crucial point. It can't switch the input. You press the up or down arrow and the tv says it's not recognized.

Does anyone know if there is a good universal remote that is fast, user friendly and doesn't requite much knowledge to use?

 

[Slick5150]

i think almost everyone will recomend something in the Logitech Harmony line of remotes. They range in price anyhwere from like $40-$200 depending on features. They're great though. Easy to setup, work well.. etc.

 

[blackangst1]

Dude, do it right and buy a Harmony.

 

[queequeg99]

I'll concur with the Harmony recommendation with one big warning: take notes when you start looking at reviews. An insane person is in charge of marketing and product revisions at Logitech. It seems like there are about 30 different models, some of which are differentiated only by button placement (which can be a huge issue depending on the devices you will be controlling).

Many models have been discontinued but are available as refurbs. I normally don't go for refurbed CE products but Logitech has seriously handicapped the capabilities of their newer lower end models (specifically, in the number of devices you can control). They are obviously trying to make bundles of money off the people who have enough money to need to control 6+ devices. If you need to control less than 5 devices, you should easily be able to find a pretty cheap new Harmony. If more than 5 devices are present, prices can go up significantly (for new). But look around. You can find deals.

Another thing to consider is durability. For example, I have a Harmony One. The pressure sensitive LCD screen is essential to the operation of the remote. It is also very fragile (as I learned when a dog pushed it off an 18 inch high coffee table onto thick plush carpet and it cracked). Now I go for models where the LCD is helpful, but not essential.

 

[Binky]

There's a great deal on the Harmony 650 right now. It might not last long.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Logitech...=1218181914598

 

[BTA]

Ive dropped my harmony one a few times and its fine. Yours must have landed just perfectly to break.

Great remote btw

 

[bearxor]

The Harmony line is all right, it's just not flexible enough.

For example, when I press 'Watch TV', the remote turns on my projector, turns on my avr, sets the avr input and then waits what seems like FOREVER to change the projector to HDMI 1. It's a good amount of time before the projector can accept commands like changing the input (say, about 30s). So the remote just sits there inoperable while it thinks it has to wait for the PJ to change the input.

The thing is, the input of the PJ never changes. Ever. It doesn't need to change the input. But I can't tell it that. I can't say 'hey, do every thing else, but don't do that one thing'. If the AVR comes on and the volume is too loud, I can't change the volume until the remote sets the input.

But the alternatives that do allow that level of control aren't really that cheap.

I'd recommend a 650. It's what I went to from a One. I returned the One because of the touchscreen. It's pretty sensitive. Not only can you just not grab the remote however you want, but if you set it upside down on your pants or something brushes across it like the tail of your cat laying in your lap, the channel will change or the your activity will change or you'll activate some weird feature. Just not worth it. The 700 has a rechargeable battery but doesn't have the cradle the One has. It requires a hookup via USB to charge the battery and just seemed really inconvenient.

 

[Gintaras]

Does anyone know if there is a good universal remote that is fast, user friendly and doesn't requite much knowledge to use?

HUMAN INTELLIGENCE IS A LETHAL MUTATION....

If Anand Tech was 20 years ago, most questions would be:

"What to do, to stop VCR blinking @ 12:00"

Why do monkeys need a remote control?
Or...why people born and educated in remote areas of civilization do need remote controls?
How can they operate PCs while asking such questions?

I bet, it can be asked by a legal US citizen...ONLY!!!

No anyone else from this Planet would have such question(with disrespect to himself) and money to buy such kinda of electronics...

 

[thedarkwolf]

I think they peaked with the 670. You can pick those up as refurbs for a decent price. The do 15 devices, have a better button layout imo than the newer ones, and no stupid touchscreen. Plan to get one for my parents for x-mas.

 

[BornStar]

The Harmony line is all right, it's just not flexible enough.

For example, when I press 'Watch TV', the remote turns on my projector, turns on my avr, sets the avr input and then waits what seems like FOREVER to change the projector to HDMI 1. It's a good amount of time before the projector can accept commands like changing the input (say, about 30s). So the remote just sits there inoperable while it thinks it has to wait for the PJ to change the input.

The thing is, the input of the PJ never changes. Ever. It doesn't need to change the input. But I can't tell it that. I can't say 'hey, do every thing else, but don't do that one thing'. If the AVR comes on and the volume is too loud, I can't change the volume until the remote sets the input.

But the alternatives that do allow that level of control aren't really that cheap.

I'd recommend a 650. It's what I went to from a One. I returned the One because of the touchscreen. It's pretty sensitive. Not only can you just not grab the remote however you want, but if you set it upside down on your pants or something brushes across it like the tail of your cat laying in your lap, the channel will change or the your activity will change or you'll activate some weird feature. Just not worth it. The 700 has a rechargeable battery but doesn't have the cradle the One has. It requires a hookup via USB to charge the battery and just seemed really inconvenient.

Try changing the delay on your remote. Just set it low for after power on and it won't wait those 30 seconds.

 

[Railgun]

I`ve used several Harmony remotes up to and including the One. They`ve all been equally flexible IMHO as they`re all set up the same way via their software on a PC. The single biggest issue I have is the speed between commands. It claims it`s something around 250ms, which should be fast, but it it`s not. That`s only the time in which it sends the commands, not how fast it is from stop to the start of the next command.

As far as the sensitivity...it`s not THAT bad. I don`t put mine face down though so I`ve never had an issue.

Otherwise, the ability to program the buttons and add your own on the touchscreen is nice. Yeah, there are better, faster remotes, but you`re going to pay for them.

Looks as though Radio Shack has it for $130 at the moment.

 

[QueBert]

From my personal experience, Harmony's are nice, but sort of a PITA to configure initially. And the fact you have to plug them into a computer just to make a tiny change or add a device is kind of dumb imho. But once you set them up, smooth sailing.

 

[Edge1]

There's a great deal on the Harmony 650 right now. It might not last long.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Logitech...=1218181914598

I jumped on that. Had a $20 BB Reward Zone certificate also, which brought it down to basically $20. The wife should be happier provided this thing works.

 

[Zstream]

There's a great deal on the Harmony 650 right now. It might not last long.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Logitech...=1218181914598

Thanks, just purchased it

 

[MagickMan]

There's a great deal on the Harmony 650 right now. It might not last long.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Logitech...=1218181914598

Killer deal, bought two to give as Xmas gifts. :thumbsup: