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Remote Control Transition, which direction should I go?
This thread has 10 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Thursday July 27, 2006 at 13:43
conley_jb
Long Time Member
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June 2005
22
OK, Here’s another… “What’s the best option for me” sort of question. I have used a number of the remotes highlighted on this site and in this forum including all the early Prontos (1000, 2000) up to the 6000, the Phillips 9800i, a Marantz RC9200 and several of the Harmony remotes. I use to be a custom installer and enjoyed taking the time to design custom interfaces for my clients and myself, however after I got married last year and my wife and I moved into our new house and I put together our home theater my remote situation has been, well rather stagnant. I originally bought a Philips 9800i when they first came out to use, but to be honest found it lacking and at the time missed the ability to create my own custom buttons, etc. I may now regret parting with it since, if I remember it was fairly simplistic in its setup. I then bought a Marantz RC9200 from one of my distributors who had a clearance and spent a few weeks starting to design our own custom interface. Well a year later, I never finished that interface, I have left the industry to do consulting in other fields and the RC9200, about 85% done has just been sitting collecting dust. My wife can use the system to watch DirecTV using the OEM remotes but that’s about it. I would love to get her to a point were she is comfortable watching a DVD, or better yet being able to watch recorded shows on the MCE we have. I am leaning towards a Harmony (880, or 890) at this point, but haven’t ruled out other models such as the little Sony (model number eludes me), or another Philips. Would like to stay under $500 though if possible.

My system is comprised of a Harman AVR-7300, Samsung DV-850 DVD player, a Polk Audio XM receiver, a pair of Directv HD receivers, a Media Center PC and a Mitsubishi Diamond 52-inch DLP. I also have a secondary amplifier connected to the multi room outputs of the Harman which gives us whole house audio. Honestly my number one is easy setup, which obvious would favor the Harmony, but with the Media Center PC and multiply DirecTV receivers, not to mention the multi-room capabilities I am wondering. I hate to abandon the Marantz after spending so much time thus far on our custom setup, but with a family and business to run, my time for such endeavors are limited.

The hardest thing for me to wrap my mind around having used the Harmony’s, is it’s ability to flip back and forth between the MCE and it’s dedicated DirecTV receiver and the other receiver, or use picture in picture, etc. I know Harmony make a specific MCE remote, but can you get away with using an 8xx series with one…. In the end, I am willing to have more than one remote if it makes things easier, I mainly want to be able to cut everything on with a single button.
There's no such things as a quality Hometheater for under $1000.
Post 2 made on Friday July 28, 2006 at 22:54
AVman66
Long Time Member
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January 2003
102
RTI
Post 3 made on Friday July 28, 2006 at 23:24
roddymcg
Loyal Member
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September 2003
6,796
Ditto
When good enough is not good enough.
Post 4 made on Friday July 28, 2006 at 23:50
Glackowitz
RC Moderator
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May 2002
3,792
Ah Yes...RTI the only way to go

did I mention RTI??

www.rticorp.com
There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.
OP | Post 5 made on Tuesday August 1, 2006 at 14:45
conley_jb
Long Time Member
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22
How expensive are these? Froogle has a couple for under $900, is this on par?

What makes them easier to program than the Prontos? or are they comprable... would love capability of such, but with easy of Harmony's if such exist.
There's no such things as a quality Hometheater for under $1000.
Post 6 made on Tuesday August 1, 2006 at 20:18
Glackowitz
RC Moderator
Joined:
Posts:
May 2002
3,792
RTI MSRP is:
U1 - 299.00
T1 - 299.00
T2+ - 599.00
T3 - 1199.00
T4 - 2499.00 Not yet available
RK3 - 999.00 inwall touchscreen
K4 - 2499.00 Inwall touchscreen

RP-1 - 399.00
RP-6 - 599.00 Requires RM-433 for RF use
RM-433 - 149.00


We use it as our main remote line, then step to crestron

*****LOOK HERE------>> THE SOFTWARE IS NOT AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON THE ABOVE LISTED REMOTES YOU MUST HAVE A DEALER PROGRAM IT FOR YOU***********

Last edited by Glackowitz on August 5, 2006 01:10.
There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.
Post 7 made on Friday August 4, 2006 at 17:54
Ernie Bornn-Gilman
Yes, That Ernie!
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December 2001
30,104
RTI T2+, but a dealer will have to program it for you. Everybody who mentions it should mention the fact that the software is only available to dealers.

Perhaps their earlier models, for which you can get the programs, will work -- I haven't investigated them.

I came to RTI after programming lots of Prontoids (Pronto and Marantz, NG and OG), then I programmed a 5200 for myself and my wife around the time our company switched to RTI. I couldn't stand it. OMIGOD it is so much easier to use a remote with actual buttons you can rest your finger on while watching the TV, rather than having to look at the touchscreen every time you do something!
A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything.
"The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw
Post 8 made on Friday August 4, 2006 at 22:46
roddymcg
Loyal Member
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6,796
On August 4, 2006 at 17:54, Ernie Bornn-Gilman said...
RTI T2+, but a dealer will have to program it
for you. Everybody who mentions it should mention
the fact that the software is only available to
dealers.

Perhaps their earlier models, for which you can
get the programs, will work -- I haven't investigated
them.

I came to RTI after programming lots of Prontoids
(Pronto and Marantz, NG and OG), then I programmed
a 5200 for myself and my wife around the time
our company switched to RTI. I couldn't stand
it. OMIGOD it is so much easier to use a remote
with actual buttons you can rest your finger on
while watching the TV, rather than having to look
at the touchscreen every time you do something!

The T2+ has become my favorite remote for myself. I lent out my TSU7000 for a client whose needed to be repaired and I don't miss the remote in the least.

Plus with Philips it should be another 6 months by the time we get their remote fixed and returned
When good enough is not good enough.
Post 9 made on Sunday August 20, 2006 at 10:06
pesci
Senior Member
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August 2006
1,210
I have a T2+, sitting on my bench, havent mastered the programming yet. Having trouble after creating screen layouts, not sure of how to do the macros.. Can any body help-thanx
Post 10 made on Sunday August 20, 2006 at 19:21
roddymcg
Loyal Member
Joined:
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September 2003
6,796
On August 20, 2006 at 10:06, pesci said...
I have a T2+, sitting on my bench, havent mastered the
programming yet. Having trouble after creating screen
layouts, not sure of how to do the macros.. Can any body
help-thanx

They have training video's on their website that explain everything pretty clearly. What exactly do you need help with??
When good enough is not good enough.
Post 11 made on Wednesday August 23, 2006 at 05:13
GregoriusM
RC Consultant
Joined:
Posts:
December 1999
9,807
RTI's are great.

If you want to program the remote yourself, but want it to go much more easily than your Marantz or Pronto, then check out Universal Remote Control's product line.

If you buy from an Authorized Dealer or Custom Installer, you'll get the full software program, and it won't take you forever to completely customize your remote. The software is very easy to learn.

I suggest the MX-850, 900, 950, or even the TX-1000 if you want more of a table top type remote. It seems you don't really need a graphics-based remote as much as one that is easy for your family to understand.

Check them out at the link above.

Greg
When ignorance is bliss, ‘tis folly to be wise.


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