I've posted this in the Sony remotes forum but have rephrased it for here since it's more highly trafficked.

I'm setting up a large HT room. All the electronics that need controlling will be housed in a rack in a seperate room away from the cinema. The racked gear is:

8 power amps that need switching on/off. (IR only)
1 surround processor (can be IR or RS232)
1 music server (IR only)
1 bluray player (IR only)
1 audio/video switcher (can be IR or RS232)
1 video scaler (can IR or RS 232)

In room:
Projector on/off (can be IR or RS232)
Lighting/dimming (not sorted yet)

I've got a new Sony RM-AV3100 that's been sitting in its box for several years now. If it's suitable I'll use it but I need to read up on its capabilities a little more.

I also have a Crestron Pro2 with screen and gateway that I picked up for very little.
However, I think - or at least I've been advised, that for my situation using a Crestron Pro2 would be like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Also, there are some very heavy on-costs with the Crestron since it would need programming.

So, my Sony RM-AV3100 or my Crestron Pro2 or.......??

What are your thoughts here? ThanKs

Sell the Crestron and Sony, buy a URC or RTI and have it professionally programmed.

Thanks Joe.

Do you have any recommendations on the URC or RTI models? Given that this is a single room we're talking about - and I have no intention of expanding it, are some models better suited than others?

I agree with Joe, the Sony won't perform well and once you go down the Crestron road it will probably become unmanageable and expensive for you.

Find a direct URC dealer and purchase a programmed remote through him. Make sure you select a dealer who will help you down the road. The way we do it is by providing optional lifetime contracts for programming changes, but every dealer is different. Just make sure you have some forward flexibility if you need to make changes and understand the pricing structure. As Joe indicated, RTI is a great way to go, but may be a higher price point than URC.

I would go for at least an MX-880 with MRF-260 base unit on the think small end. You could price out the MX-980 and MRF-350 (or 260 if that is fine) as a nice step up, and you can go crazy with an MX-5000 for the ultimate experience URC delivers. All three options will allow you to control your theater comfortabley and with a high degree of enjoyment and reliability.

Regards,
Vincent
Total Control Remotes

Vincent & Joe,

Thank you for the responses....and I'll heed the advice.

Cheers
Andrew

You should sell your creston and buy Sony RM-AV3100. It would be the best for you. You should give it a try once.

Is this a joke? Did you even read the OP's entire post? Why would he buy something he already has?