Hi there,

I've been reading about the RC9800i for some time now, and that it is not so good. But the tasking modus where you just set task as wach tv, wach dvd play on console etc should realy help me, but especially my girlfriend to set op our media devices correctly every time she wants to watch something.

I've got a few questions:

1. does the RC9800i come with an IR extenter so my Onkyo receiver can stay locked away, and still be controlled?
2. is the RC9800i able to control an HTPC with MCE?
3. is the RC9800i able to set the volume levels defferently on my Onkyo receiver for different tasks?

I will give an example to explain what I realy want.

When I'm watching television on mij HTPC with MCE my Samsung LE32R71 is on the VGA source an my Onkyo receiver is on DVD and on volume 37. When I want to play on my Xbox 360, teh television has to switch to compenent in the Onkyo hast to switch from DVD to video1 and from volume 37 to volume 25.

Is the RC9800i able to do that? Or shoould I buy a logitech harmony 895?

I have only had mine a few days, but hopefully I can try to help.

1. Does not come stock with an IR extender, but you can buy 3rd party on the net
2. You can control MCE, but limited. Please see link below (question #15)
3. I dont think you can get the volume control you want (can even Harmony do this?)

[Link: homecontrol.philips.com]

as far as volume control goes, no it will not set it to a certain level automatically, but when you press the volume hard button it will control the correct one(the reciever instead of the tv).