Hi everyone,

Newbie to the forums here. I'm considering/reviewing remotes but there are just too many, so I need some help. The concept of a universal remote is rather new to me because I'm used to having 4 or 5 somewhere around my house, but a friend recommended One for All. Can anyone tell me the pros and cons of using this brand? How would you compare it to RCA or the Harmony remote? Anyone familiar with the Kameleon lineup as well?

Many thanks!

OFA has a range of models. The features that differ from one model to another and/or from one brand to another matter in very different ways to different users. So you should first understand what features matter to you before comparing brands or models.

1) PC programmability. OFA remotes do not have munufacturer support for PC programmability. But many OFA models can be PC programmed by JP1 cable (which costs about $15) with free software and very good (user) support. I put that feature number 1, because I personally think it is the number 1 feature when selecting a remote.

If you compare a basic (traditional buttons, no RF, etc.) OFA remote to a similar RCA or minor brand remote, the OFA probably costs significantly more, for non obvious benefits, which might or might not be worth the price difference if you understood and cared about them.

But as soon as you add JP1, none of those other basic remotes are comperable and you would be comparing the cost of an OFA plus JP1 cable to the cost of a PC programmable remote. Then the OFA is an incredible bargain.

2) RF: Remote transmits IR and/or RF. The RF is received by a "base station" that retransmits the signal as IR. If you need to control IR devices in another room or in a cabinet without reasonable line of sight, you want this feature. Some OFA models have it (some other brand models do as well).

3) Button type:
3A) Traditional (ordinary buttons). For the experienced user, this is by far the best. There is easy access to more functions in a given area. There is good tactile feedback. When you watch TV, you want to look at your TV, not at your remote. BUT the button labels won't all match the functions. That can be very confusing at first (and for baby sitters etc.) Most OFA models are this type.
3B) Traditional buttons with LCD labels. This has some of the advantages of traditional combined with some of the advantages of LCD. BUT it takes up a lot of space and you probably don't have room for enough functions, nor a comfortable layout. I don't know of any OFA models like that but other brands do this.
3C) Touch LCD with a very limited set of built-in images. I think this is the worst of both. The labels probably still don't match the functions. It may be a little less intimidating to a new user than a big collection of poorly labeled traditional buttons, but it is ultimately harder to use. This describes the Kameleons.
3D) Full programmable image Touch LCD. This is clearly best for new users and for access to the obscure functions of complex systems (assuming a multi-page menu system to lead you to the page containing those obscure functions). But it still doesn't approach the ease of use of 3A for the experienced user using every day functions. It also costs a lot. I don't know of any OFA models like that but other brands do this.

4) Mode feedback. Assuming (3A) a lot of users get confused over modal nature of a universal remote. Most keys don't have fixed behavior, but change their behavior based on which mode key you pressed last (TV, CBL, DVD, etc.). OFA has designed some remotes with a real good solution to this problem: The mode buttons each contain an LED and as you press any other key the mode that is used lights up (press VOL+ and the TV button lights if the remote is sending a TV VOL command, or the RCVR button lights if the remote is sending a RCVR VOL command). Unfortunately, the generally available OFA models don't do that. Some other OFA models have a small LCD as an inferior way to provide that feedback, and to also provide programming feedback (programming feedback can be very helpful without PC programmability, but using a PC is much better). Still other OFA remotes have no mode feedback (which I find perfectly acceptable).

5) Shape and size. That's mainly a judge-for-yourself issue. But give it real thought. I always use a remote one handed, which makes shape and size even more important.

6) Cost. Usually that's a factor. Look up prices and decide how much the differences matter to you.

This message was edited by johnsfine on 05/10/05 16:14 ET.

Wow. That's a detailed and very comprehensive response. All I can add to that is "just buy one."

Seriously, If you are looking to replace the 4-5 separate remotes than any universal remote is going to be an improvement. Pick a dollar figure you are willing to chalk up as loss... buy a universal remote for that price... play with it for a while and it will become pretty apparent what features you want and/or need. Otherwise you're head may start spinning and you'll get bogged down in minutia.

Once you've tried the guinea-pig remote for a while you'll be able to do some more educated research to find the best remote for your needs and the guinea pig model you spent a few bucks on can be relocated to the bedroom or kid's room.

Good luck.

As for the pros/cons of OFA. Most of the newer models are upgradeable... even without the JP1 and PC programming. This means if you can't find the proper code to operate you're equipment they will add it in customer service or even over the phone.

Ok, thanks a lot for your help! I guess I'll try it out and see what happens...

Do you guys have any preferences as to which remotes you like the best?

I do. I have a TiVo and have found that the only remote that really fits my expectations for controlling it (button placement, available buttons, etc.) is the old style URC-6131. I use jp1 and the extender package, so maybe that's an unfair advantage, but I have no complaints from the wife, and the only thing I would change about the remote/functionality would be backlighting. If the buttons were backlit I'd buy about 5 of them to have for the future.
Just my two cents.

i use an ofa6131 with a toshiba sd-h400.its ativo/dvd combo. has anyone found adiscrete off for this unit? the discrete on is 033 . cant find the off code

EFC 033 is the LiveTv command on the SD-H400, which happens to awake the to toshiba from standby. No tivo's have discretes.

Any time a command is found that only turns a unit on or off (or in this case out of standby) the way to "create" a discrete is to use the command that always works and then toggle to the other state. So if 033 brings you out of standby and power (for example) puts it in standby, you use 033 for ON and 033, Power for OFF. This "creates" a discrete OFF that can be programmed into a macro.

thanks for the help,guys. will try this tonight. should the same procedure work on a motorola dvr/cable box?