HI I am new to this following is my question regarding remote control

In my media room I have a cat5 wire running from wall
where my tv or prjector screen will go to the end of the room into the closet when I purchased the house
the wiring was already done for clean look. any way
what I am trying to find out is the cheapest solution
for remote where I can control my equipment in closet
and possibly have the light dimmed using lutron switch( I am planning on using spacer switch)
any other comments or what is the best solution to what I am trying to accomplish?

Thanks
Nimesh

I also work in software industry where I have over eight years of experience in telecommunication area
so I do not think any kind of programming will bother me please advice on above question.

Universal MX-600 or MX-800.
Easy remote, and IR/RF Capable.

jim

I saw one the other day that had an RF pack that would give feedback/power sensing that would allow you to do macros on devices that havent got a discreet IR code. I cant remember what one tho, it is fairly new.

Using the cat-5 cable, you could pass infrared back to the closet, so you could do anything you want to. With a RF system, you wouldn't even need the control up front at all. You would just convert back to IR in the closet with the equipment. I think there is a Universal Remote model with an RF repeater for less than $75.00. It all depends on what you want to spend vs. how customized you want the remote.

For the money, I would probably use a Harmony remote and an inexpensive (Speakercraft) IR repeating system. An additional option would be to mount a Lutron Spacer system wall mounted master control (they sell one that is specifically for remote mounting, it comes with a repeater bug that can be mounted in the remote switch box) in the front of your room to control the switch in the back. You would have enough pairs in the cat-5 to do the IR repeating system and the Spacer controller.

all good advice so far. I will just add that talking about remotes there is also the Pronto. It is a touch screen remote, and that means that you can actualy put pictures for the lighting if you want.

On the other hand you are asking two questions


and


The cheapest is to go with an RF "one for all" remote ask in the One for all forum or the general forum. For best solution look at the other posts in this thread

If you want cheap and sort of descent control You could get the Pronto TSU3000 online for about 250 and if you want you can get the RF Reciever online for an extra 50 bucks. This is about the best inexpensive solution I would recomend. I really dont like the opperation of the Harmony remotes or the Pronto NEO remotes. The best solution is the either the MX800 with the RF which is the best RF I have found, or the ProntoPro or Marantz RC9200. The RF that works with the Pronto and Marantz are not the most reliable but if you get it set up right it works pretty descent on IR.

I agree about the RF not being reliable on the Marantz 5200 or 9200. Ive been installing for 10 years. I have NEVER had a problem with the Pronto line. When Marantz took up their line "with Pronto software" it seemed cool but after working with the Marantz RF systems, I learned that they were not reliable at all. Pretty much the conditions have to be just right (i.e. Metal studs in the walls would interfere, the RF base has to be at least 6 feet away from ANY electronics, and preferrably located to the front of you seating position) The reason for the position is that even though RF transmission is omni-directional, for some reason I find it hard to achieve reliabe communication when the base is located off to the side or behind the seating position. When we pre-wire systems where I work, we always wire an optional IR backup just in case!