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Topic:
New buyer, couple questions please
This thread has 17 replies. Displaying posts 16 through 18.
Post 16 made on Friday August 8, 2008 at 10:05
smokinghot
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2006
3,688
On August 8, 2008 at 08:59, akirby said...
RF has one benefit only - you don't have to aim the remote.
But it only works with ONE remote.

I think I see where you're going, but not to confuse the discussion you could have a dozen like remotes using the same IR extender.

If I used a RF remote
then every time I wanted or needed to use the OEM remote
I'd have to go into the closet where I can't see the TV.
If it fails you have to replace it with another RF remote
and in the meantime you can't use the OEM remotes.

Well in keeping this to the abilities of Harmonys and the need of your OEM remotes. I'd have to agree. Although the same can be said if the IR repeater stopped working.

With an IR repeater I can use any Harmony, Pronto, URC
or any universal IR remote that I want including the OEM
remotes AT ANY TIME. The receiver is mounted just above
the TV. My wife and kids have no problem operating it
and if a command is missed a simple press of the HELP
button fixes it.

Great point.

I'm not saying one is better than the other, just pointing
out the pros and cons of each one. Let the user decide
for themselves which is more important.

Good call, and I can't agree more. Although what I will say is using examples like: "what if this breaks or that happens" shoudn't really be included in a pro cons list. I could come up with endless what ifs that would make a repeater system seem less attractive.
....Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
Post 17 made on Friday August 8, 2008 at 11:03
akirby
Super Member
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Posts:
March 2004
4,640
I would consider the IR repeater itself to be equivalent to the RF extender that receives the RF signal and converts it to IR. Let's compare the 890 pro RF with a Harmony ONE IR and a repeater.

Failure of the IR repeater - can't send remote commands. However, the IR harmony remote will still work when pointed at the equipment - i.e. you can still use the harmony to control your activities.

Failure of the RF extender - can't send remote commands AND you'll have to revert back to the OEM remotes or reprogram the RF devices to use IR.

Failure of the 890 Pro remote - must be replaced with a 890 pro or compatible RF harmony. In the meantime the OEM remotes won't work remotely.

Failure of the Harmony ONE - can be replaced with any IR remote (any brand) and in the meantime the OEM remotes can be used remotely.

To ME - the benefits of IR outweigh the benefits of RF especially concerning replacement or upgrades to the remote itself over time. But that's just me. YMMV.
Post 18 made on Friday August 8, 2008 at 12:50
smokinghot
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
August 2006
3,688
On August 8, 2008 at 11:03, akirby said...
I would consider the IR repeater itself to be equivalent
to the RF extender that receives the RF signal and converts
it to IR. Let's compare the 890 pro RF with a Harmony
ONE IR and a repeater.

All things being equal...sure for sake of discussion.

Failure of the IR repeater - can't send remote commands.
However, the IR harmony remote will still work when pointed
at the equipment - i.e. you can still use the harmony
to control your activities.

However, like you mentioned in pervious post. You'd still have to be at the equipment and not able to see you tv.

Failure of the RF extender - can't send remote commands
AND you'll have to revert back to the OEM remotes or reprogram
the RF devices to use IR.

No not necessarily. I don't know of a RF only universal remote. Every UR that I've heard of that does RF will do IR. Not that this may be the case, but a UR programming savy individual normally does thier configuration in IR first for sake of testing codes and "sequences". Then would proceed to a RF set-up. That being the case, they would only have to download their original config to the UR and be right where you would with an IR only remote and a busted repeater.

I see this one as a wash.

Failure of the 890 Pro remote - must be replaced with
a 890 pro or compatible RF harmony. In the meantime the
OEM remotes won't work remotely.

Failure of the Harmony ONE - can be replaced with any
IR remote (any brand) and in the meantime the OEM remotes
can be used remotely.

True enough..

To ME - the benefits of IR outweigh the benefits of RF
especially concerning replacement or upgrades to the remote
itself over time. But that's just me. YMMV.

In the simplest (sp?) of set-ups I'll give you that. But it doesn't take much, (especially with a central rack) to want to leap to IR routing. Which you can't do with a repeater. I never mentioned it before, mainly because I'm unsure if such a animal is capable of it within Harmony's line up, and the OP was certain of a Harmony purchase. There are many examples I could provide to give RF the advantage, but I didn't want to stray from what the Harmony genre could offer.
....Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
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