(Also posted in Universal Remotes forum)

I'm looking for a remote that will control the following devices:

- Samsung HL-P5063W DLP HDTV
- Dish Network 811 receiver (RF, I believe. Hoping to upgrade to a Dish Network 922 in latter half of 2005)
- Toshiba SD-3960 DVD player
- Sony STR-DE875 6.1 receiver
- Denon DCM-340 CD player
- Hitachi F382 VCR

My budget is about $150.

I've heard good things about the Harmony/Logitech remotes and the Home Theater Master remotes. I'm also looking into PDA-based applications like Total Remote.

I'm totally new to universal remotes, so I have no idea whether any or all of these potential remote choices will work with the above equipment, especially the RF Dish Network 811 receiver.

From what I've read, one thing I like about the H/L models is the ability for a family member to simply press "Watch TV", "Watch DVD", "Listen to CD", etc. buttons and have the remote handle all of the details. Can other remotes be setup to do this, too?

I appreciate any assistance and comments!

This message was edited by cwaters on 12/24/04 21:48 ET.

Hello! Yes, a Home Theater Master remote would be perfect for you. If you can find an MX-700 in that price range, I would absolutely suggest going with that. The MX-650 is also very good, but I personally enjoy the flexibility that a PC-programmable remote offers. There are many advantages to a PC-programmable remote over a non-PC-programmable remote - most significantly: the constantly updated IR database and the ability to see everything laid out on the computer screen (such as macros).



Happy Holidays,
Damon DG

Thanks! I haven't seen an MX-700 for less than $200 anywhere; have you? Especially from an "authorized" reseller.

Is the MX-700 the "lowest" HTM remote that is PC-programmable?

So the MX-650 and MX-700 can be configured to work with the Dish 822? I just learned that the 822 can apparently be set to IR mode.

What are the primary differences between Harmony remotes and HTM remotes?

Your best bet to figure out the differences, especially the ones that matter to you, are to read the reviews of both on this site.

The MX-700 is the entry PC-programmable remote by Home Theater Master. One major thing to consider when comparing the Harmony and the MX-700 is something that may not be found in any review: the IR strength. The IR output on the MX-700 (and most HTM remotes) is so strong that you can get significantly more distance and angles out of the MX-700 than a Harmony remote. I tested this and found that the Harmony was most effective under 15' away, while the HTM remote worked all the way to the back of the room (over 25' away). I personally find this to be an important feature, since the higher output of the MX-700 can offer more flexability in where you need to point the remote than Harmony.

Additionally, if you want something easy to use, the MX-700 has a cleaner button layout and a much larger LCD screen, while Harmony tries to put more buttons in a smaller space. HTM's support and service is also extremely responsive to customers. I can't speak for Harmony, as I have no experience with their support or service.

The best opinion will be your own, particularly after seeing how they look and determining which you would feel most comfortable using.


Happy Holidays,
Damon DG

Thanks! 15' would be plenty in my case.

Perhaps I should have asked: What will I be able to do with an MX-700 that I'll be unable to do with a Harmony (say) H680? And what will I be able to do with an H680 that I'll be unable to do with an MX-700?

I'll check out both reviews again, but I'm leaning towards a ~$150 Harmony H680; it seems as though it will do what I need, plus it's more than half the price of the ~$350 MX-700 (unless eBay is thrown into the equation; I've seen the MX-700 for as low as $150 there).

I'd love to be able to try out both models, but I don't know of any resellers who are that accomodating. :^(

This message was edited by cwaters on 12/26/04 18:32 ET.

With the MX-700, macros on any button, not just the Activity buttons. Slightly better build quality and larger text.

With the Harmony, no need for discrete on/off commands. The Smart State technology "remembers" what's already turned on, so when you choose another activity or hit the "Off" button, it only tunrs on or off what it needs to.

Mike
www.SurfRemoteControl.com

The Harmony's "Smart State technology" sounds almost essential, IMO. How is this scenario handled with a HTM remote?

Most components have discrete on/off commands available, but they're seldom on the remote that comes with the components. The MX-700 has access to those commands through its IR database or through its ability to import Philips Pronto files from the "Files" section of this website.

Thanks, Mike. So in your experience, are most component on/off status issues easily resolved? Or is this an annoyance that users have grown accustomed to?

It's usually not an issue. The most important components are ones that are used in multiple activities (like the TV) and they usually have discretes available.

Mike

Thanks, again. I have a Samsung HL-P5063W. How can I determine if this TV has descrete on/off commands?

"My budget is about $150."

This is the key point that I am addressing here. Your best bet if you want to meet your budget concerns would be to use one of the newer URC remotes like the OSIRIS, MX-350 ($149) or even the new Unifier, MX-100 ($99). I personally would go with the Unifier. Any button can become a macro button and the unit comes with a CD-Rom explaining some of the functions and it is an extremely versatile remote for the money. The OSIRUS has 2 "page" buttons on the left side of the remote that take up just too much room and make you constantly page to the next set of commands that can normally be handled on the same device button with the Unifier.

Your Dish Network receiver is also IR compatible, so you shouldn't have any problem using just about any learning remote control to manage this.

This message was edited by ddiamondd on 12/27/04 11:43 ET.

There are discrete on/off commands in the MXEditor database for your Sammy. There are some issues with the discrete input commands, even with Harmonys. There is at least one file in the MX-700 files section for your TV with discrete codes for on, off, and all inputs except HDMI and video 2. Check the thread on the Samsungs in the "Discrete Hunter" forum for more info.

Thanks, Mike. I saw the file in the MX-700 files section. Am I correct in assuming that these are files that have been created by end-users and uploaded for sharing purposes? Is it possible that the creator of the file had no need for the HDMI and Video 2 inputs...and that that's the reason they are missing from the file? I'm just wondering how easy/difficult it would be for me to "fill in the blanks"...or if it's easier to create my own file.

Do the HTM remotes have the ability to learn from most existing remotes? Or is that not of much value in the universal remote era?