I moved this from the professional Forum, where I posted by mistake. Hope someone here will help as this seems more appropriate.

Hi. I am new here. I find the wealth of choices overwhelming. Don't want to spend more than I need to; willing to spend enough to get something decent.

MY NEEDS
I have

1) Onkyo amp TX SA 505, which is a Japan only model. I use its remotes to control these functions:
ON/OFF, Switch input between Apple TV, DVD, Fiber Optic TV tuner

I also use the same remote to control the DVD (#3)


2) Sharp Aquos LC 32GD6 TV I use its remote to control screen size. Otherwise use # 4 remote to control TV and #4. (I do not use the volume on the TV, I only switch between the inputs.)

3) Onkyo DVD player DV SP504
I use #1 remote to control play and stop, to select audio modes, and to se;ect some menu settings.

4) Japanese NTT Fiber Optic tuner
I use its remote to control #2 and all the channel surfing, similar to Cable TV.

5) Apple TV (original version)
I use its standard remote to control to control its functions

#3 MAY be an international model, #1 and 4 are Japanese models I think.

A remote that I like is only available in Japan-->
[Link: en.amadana.com]
I am awaiting word from the manufacturer if it has the ability t control these devices. I am guessing from the Japanese that it does not. It says it does not control home theaters (whatever that means) but only TV/VIDEO/DVD.

Meanwhile, I do not see Logitech's Harmony or URC 50 in Japan. I prefer a model that has English instructions since that is my native language. While model #s are different outside Japan, I wonder if a Harmony 700, URC 50 or others with a combination of presets and learning mode would work?

The biggest pain is to switch TV and audio inputs and so I like broad categories like WATCH TV that allow you to program the button pushes from multiple remotes for a single activity.

I also worry about any remote that is NOT rechargeable, since it would seem if I let the batteries run down, I would lose all my programming. I would prefer simple and intuitive in operation and wonder if anyone has any recommendations.

Models that we DO have in Japan are the following:
Sony RM-PLZ510-D and numerous others from this company, various Audio technicas, and some offerings from a company called Evergreen EG-LR300, also EG-LR100 and EG-LR500F. If it is better to go with a Japan specific product, that would be great. But hope for an English manual as my wife runs away from anything technical and I am not much better.

I do not wish to spend more than 150 dollars.

Thank you very much in advance.

Paul

PS

I wonder if it is possible to use a learning or universal remote to replace the Apple remote for the Apple TV AND if any of the learning remotes for teh IPAD are actually any good?

Thanks!

Just to make you aware, the Evergreen models can also be found under the Sunwave banner; i.e.

• Evergreen EG-LR100 = Sunwave SRC-1600


• Evergreen EG-LR300 = Sunwave SRC-3060


• Evergreen EG-LR500F = Sunwave SRC-7000

Manuals, in English, are available from the Sunwave site or here at RC.

Being unaware of a number of your components, I'm afraid I'm unable to give advice on compatibility. However, I would say that a learning remote is a prerequisite, and if you do end up looking further afield than Japan, I would suggest you add the Acoustic Research Xsight Touch ARRX18G (also available under the One-for-All and Nevo banners) to your list.

Thank you!!! Now that gives me some more options!!! I wll look at them when I have a moment off from work...probably Sunday. I see at least one that looks the same under both banners in the Evergreen series.....will check the manuals, and maybe will also be able to ask the manufacturer about my models.

Note they mention things such as learning frequencies...didn't know there were different ones....hmmm

thank you again!

Hi again djy,

I wrote to several of the manufacturers, for Sunwave and for the XSight. Harmony has only older models in Japan, but I tried to write and found no email address. Only a contact form for owners, and a use forum.

One thing I noticed in the above XSight (at least that model above) is non volatile memory. Am I correct in understanding that even if the batteries die the programs in them will not disappear? If so, then i guess I do not hve to limit myself to those that come with chargers.

Thanks and will post any useful info I receive. I take it that my Onkyo equipment is probably not that exotic and that the same is true for the first generation Apple TV. Also Sharp Aquos TV. All circa 2005-2007. A bit worried about the Internet TV remote (like cable), but then again it is itself a sort of learning remote as it came programed to work with my TV, problem is that it doesn't do anything else.

paul

Well, I spent the weekend with the reviews. Also got responses from One for All Touch people and URC 50 which are positive. None yet from Sunwave. As a Mac User, I was disappointed that the Touch etc are only Windows compatible. But not sure if that should be the deal breaker if the main equipment are Sharps and Onkyos. The Internet TV remote I don't mind not being able to find a replacement in a learning remote as it is already easy to use. But for me, the main annoyance is having to set the tv for DVD, apple tv, Internet tv. And setting the amp to the same. if I could have one macro that chooses
tv and amp for each of DVD, apple tv and Internet tv, that would solve the bulk of my needs.

Getting it to replace the apple remote would be a bonus. Can any of these remotes take a dumb device like the Apple remote, which only moves a cursor to choose various on screen options, and actually have the remote select photos or Internet radio or movies? That would be neat.

Getting it to replace the Internet TV tuner would also be nice, but as I said, not essential since the current one works well. The main headache is those respective TV and amp/ DVD/apple tv selections. So would any of the above be good for that, even if not Mac compatible, or should I get a Harmony, not mentioned above, but presumably now all Mac compatible? Or is computer compatibility not the biggest consideration? Thanks for the advice, and thanks for an amazing site which has so much info.

I'm afraid, as mentioned previously, I really cannot comment on compatibility and your preferred configuration. The only item I have any personal knowledge of is the Xsight (I have one), but if you're mac based it's obviously a non-starter (the closest I've ever come to anything Apple is my son's ipod nano).

thank you. so in your opinion pc capability is useful and that a Mac person should go with the harmonies rather a non pc type?

Personally, I would say yes.