Hello, I'd like some suggestions please (before I buy the wrong remote).

I am looking for a remote that can be set up to access the set up of a plasma along with switching sources.

For example, I want to push a button set up for "football" and have the remote:
dial up the brightness on my plasma (in addition to making sure all of the proper devices such as surround sound and stb are on)

then I want to be able to hit "normal tv" and have the remote change my plasma to standard brightness setting and a diferent power save mode (and shut off the appropriate devices)

then I want to hit "prime time" and have the remote....

I think you get the point. I can envision 5 or 6 different settings on my TV that would change depending on viewing circumstances. Some of those can be tied into the input device, but others can not.

And I will need either an IR repeater (recommendations please) or RF capable remote as all devices besides the TV are behind closed doors.

I think any PC programmable one with macros should do the trick.

As for going to the menu functions, I highly doubt there'd be any discretes for brightness, contrast, etc. So you'd probably need a macro "menu, down, down, right, right"--you get the picture.

However, I'm not sure what you mean by "some of these can be tied into the input device, but others can not."

Perhaps something like URC's MX-850 will work. Full learning, huge database of codes, fully customizable, macros, RF...

"some of these can be tied into the input device, but others can not."

I guess I didn't put it too well. What I meant is that when my display has DVD input, it will automatically change to the settings I have it set up for. But I can only set it up for one (well, 2 in case of HD or SD material) setup for my set top box. So I need a macro to do that.

Thank you for the recommendation. I will check out the MX-850.

Hmmm... in looking a little deeper I'm not sure it will work.

For example, hitting "daytime TV" could enter the tv menu & then go down, down, right, right, enter (to turn up brightness 2 levels for example).

But then if someone turned off the system and then the next day hit "daytime TV" a second time, the bightness would now be up two steps from the previous daytime viewing setting.

In other words, there is no "starting point" that it would return to.

Good catch!

You'll need variable programming--where the remote can remember what state the device is in. The MX-850 does not offer this. The MX-950 does. I think that the MX-950 should successfully work. A bit more expensive, but it handles all of the problems.

Thanks, I will check into it further. I have to admit that I'd prefer to DImYself, but it appears that URC is making it difficult for the DIYers by blocking access to software. Do you know if the Harmony 890 has variable programming?

It does, but it's not nearly as customizable. Will it work? Maybe.

Don't let the stupid 80-page thread interfere with a decision on URC. They aren't really making it difficult. If you buy from an authorized dealer, all you have to do is go to universalremote.com, enter your serial number, and download the software, although it's the non-updatable version. True, an ebay seller might take away the serial number and then you're in trouble. But if you buy authorized, you will get the software. Three good authorized dealers are www.surfremote.com, www.proremotes.com, and www.bluedo.com. Furthermore, many authorized dealers will provide you with the updatable software. If you buy from Surf Remote, you will automatically get the software without even asking for it.

Don't let the opinion of a few persuade you from a great product.

The Harmony may work, but in my opinion, is far inferior to a URC. URC's seem to last longer, and are much, much more flexible and customizable.

The Harmony 890 should work fine for what you want. You can use it's activity start and end sequences to keep the plasma in a known state, and adjust your brightness for each activity. Also Smart State will automatically keep track of power and input selections, only turning devices on or off as required. It will be a bit of work to set up all the activities, but much easier than an MX950. You can get plenty of help in the Harmony forums here.

In my opinion Harmonys are far superior to URC products for all but the most extreme mega dollar multi-room systems. Add to that URCs anti-DIY policy and I would avoid them at all costs.

In my opinion, on the other hand, as well as the opinion of most others, URC products are far superior to Harmony. They were created with professionals in mind, yet are easy enough for most to program. They are much less reliable and last not nearly as long.

It's not an anti-DIY policy, it's a anti-unauthorized dealer policy. I promise that he'll have no problems getting the software to program it, if he buys authorized, such as from surfremote. But this is not the place for such a policy discussion, so I'm leaving it at that.

I'm not saying that the Harmony's a bad remote, it's just much less capable then the MX-950 in my opinion. URC generally makes a higher quality remote.

In this case I doubt what you want to do will even be possible with an MX950. It's use of "variables" is much more limiting and cumbersome than the activities on a Harmony.

I don't, but I'll look into it closer for you.