i want to buy a universal remote for my boyfriend for xmas but have no idea how they work or which one to go for, any info or advice anyone could give me would be a big help!

he has dvd, tv, xbox, projecter, sky, is there one that can control all of these things? i was looking at PHILIPS PRONTO RC9800i UNIVERSAL REMOTE , any good??

thanks

Yeah, it's a good remote. But what programming skills does he have? How good is he with computers? It's quite tricky to program for a beginner.

A URC remote such as the MX-850 is much easier for a first time programmer. It will control everything...well I'm not too sure as to what you mean about Xbox though. Is it a standard Xbox or the 360 and what do you want the rremote to do for the Xbox?

yeah he is really good on computers so he shouldnt have much trouble setting it up. he has xbox 360 which has a remote so i thought that the universal would be able to replace that one too? (sorry if thats dumb)

also if i buy from the us will it still work in uk with uk devices?

also looked at logitech harmony 1000, better or worse?

thanks

Yes, the 360's remote is IR, I believe, so it will work. It can replace it. However, it wouldn't have worked for the original Xbox.

The Harmony is also a good remote. I think the Pronto 9800i is probably a good bet, however they are both good.

Within a similar price range is URC's MX-900 or MX-950. The advantage to these, in my opinion, is lack of a touchscreen (they have a non-touchscreen LCD). That allows you to use the remote one-handedly.

However, touchscreens are great for many people. They allow you to program custom color graphics, etc. The possibilities are endless!

thanks for your help, on emore q tho, can the harmony control your lighting system too? i know the pronto can but the harmony will work out bit cheaper for me.

thanks again

What kind of lighting system is being used?

havent got it yet, but was looking at lutron?? just dimmers really.

can i buy from us too? will it still work over here in uk?

The problem with electronics being exchanged overseas is the difference in electric frequencies. North America uses 60 Hz, while Europe uses 50 Hz.

That being said, many electronics can function on both. I'm not sure if Lutron does.

right i see, well i can get both remotes over here anyway so ill go for that to be safe.

cant decide which to go for tho? the logitech harmony 1000 or the philips pronto RC98000i????

any help, opinions greatly appreciated

thanks

Lutron has dimmers specifically for European applications. At www.lutron.com you can select UK and find a local dealer by zip code.

also if i where to go for the logitech, will that control lutron yeah??

If the Lutron is IR controlled, then yes.

Another option is to look for dimmers that use "Z-Wave" RF. The Harmony 1000 will control these directly without needing line-of-sight.

Yeah, Lutron is IR. At least some of them are. So the Harmony will work.

Czzer had a good suggestion with RF. A bit pricer though.

Just make sure that you get the European models.