I am looking for some advice on choosing and programming a universal remote for the following components.

NEC 42 MP2 Plasma Display
Marantz SR8000 Receiver
Marantz 5-Disc DVD Changer
Pioneer Digital cable set-top
JVC S-VHS

I was looking at the Marantz RC5000 or the 5200. What are the advantages or disadvantages? Should I consider any other remotes? I am currently using the RC2000, which is way too complicated. I just want a very simple remote with programmable buttons that will make operating it very very simple.

Is it worth having someone come in and program a remote or should I take it on myself? What should I look for and how much do I need to spend? Thanks for any input!

If you are using the 2000 and things are too complicated what will changing to basicaly the same remote do for you?

The RC 2000 and the RC 5000 are very different remotes. The RC 2000 has about 40 buttons, whereas the RC 5000 has 7 buttons and a touch screen with programable buttons and pages. It is very different...

The RC5000 is an old model, and is no longer made. There are probably some still around, but I doubt any that are new.

The newer RC5200 is the successor to the RC5000.


JJP

Well at the risk of being shot - if you're looking for something that does a great job, relatively simple to setup and understand, I don't think the Pronto is for you. Setup takes a loooong time for a newbie. I'd recommend an Mx-500, sets up in a couple of hours - ya still gotta read the manual and do some planning - and does a great job on up to 10 devices. You got some nice gear, a 500 will work and you can even add the next logical step and get a Tivo.

Jim L

Actually, couldn't agree with ya more . . . "Bubba"!

It either takes time/perseverence/and the ability to accept utter humiliation
. . . or lots of $$$$$$ to throw at somebody else to get it the way you want it.

Thanks for the good advice. I agree with you the MX-500 would be much easier, but I like the idea of being able to create my own buttons and not have a remote with so many different buttons. For example, for simplicity sake it would be nice to have a home page that says, "Watch TV", "Watch DVD", "Watch VCR", "Record VCR", etc. And then each device would have a page of commands. Is it really that hard to program a Pronto for these fairly straightforward commands? I was able to assemble the entire system, hopefully I can do this. Any thoughts?

Thanks Mike - I think. Can never be sure with you - it's part of your charm.

By the way, I just noticed, it's a SENIOR model of the Wee Mote. When did they come out with that??? Personally, I'd find it embarassing, wonder if it'll sell.

Jim L

Never worked in a Nursing Home, did ya?

Trust me, it'll be a godsend for every Assisted Living Maintenance Man out there . . . I know,
I was one once.

Of, course, now I'm a "Building Engineer" in an extremely exclusive condominium in Houston
. . . the kinda folk who can afford every and any next generation of any Remote & HT System you could possibly imagine . . . and DO. And I personally think every one of them should be trusted with nothing more complex than that Weemote Sr.!!!!!

Peter,

Of course you can. It's just a matter of being willing to spend the time. The problems are: the software documentation sucks; the software itself is somewhat counter-intuitive (Mike loves that word); and complicated systems require a lot of work to control. The advantage is simple - you can get it to work EXACTLY like you want. Best of all, when you have problems/questions, this place is better than ANY tech support you can find.

Mike,

I guess you're right again, about the nursing homes. But the only thing I REALLY fear (or resent) about becoming old is losing the mental edge and being treated like a child. If I was the one in the nursing home - for those one or two days a year that I was lucid - handing me a "Wee Remote SR." (with it's big bright multi-colored buttons and stupid smiley face logo) would cause some blood to be spilled. ;-)

Jim L

Jim, at least your not as bad as this guy......

I took my digital box back, because it sucks. Takes at least 2 to 3 seconds to change channels......

We waited in line for this old guy complain about this one channel repeating it's programs. The lady behind the conter told him that they just provide the service for all the channels that they show. So she directed him to call the channel. "I am getting the same bull. The same run around. I call here they tell me the same thing. So what am I supposed to do. It's not my fault that the channel repeats it's programs. So I am asking you why, and what can I do about it" "Sir, like I said you have to call the channel, we just BRING you the channel. We have NO control over what they show. No cable company has control over what is shown on a channel." Then he leaves.

Rob

I'll tell ya this much . . . after working in a Nursing Home for almost 10 years.............I will never allow myself to be "placed" in one I didn't choose myself @ 5X5, unless I am no longer "oriented 1X1".

A Social Worker routinely, "innocuously", in conversation with Residents tests them for Orientation 3X3 - (person/place/time).

I'll take a bullet any day, instead. At least for Medicare Assisted Homes . . . too much Government Red Tape plus too many Corporate Bottom Line ($.0000000) decisions, leave too many workers there only for the paycheck. Ain't no way to run an airline, believe me.

If you work in one of these Homes, you hafta be there because you CARE, 'cause you're not gonna get monetarily "rich" in this day & age.

However, they can be extremely rewarding places to work. It's been 5 years and a thousand miles since I was "Maintenance" at one in New Mexico, and I still check the online obits and send cards & flowers to those that became members of my 'Family'.

Peter. From your original post

I think most people thought that you were looking for a remote that will be simple to setup. To create a good configuration for a 5200, 5000 or any other Pronto type remote takes some time and effort, and is a bit overwhelming at first (but worth it). But if you want something that can be customized then these are the remotes to go with.

If you do want a remote that is simple to setup, then I would also add the Harmony. It is easy to setup, more powerful then an MX-500, you can setup activities (such as watch TV) and it has a TV listing (so instead of saying of picking the channel you want to watch you pick the show and it knows the channel). Since you were looking at the Marantz 5200 I would assume you are willing to pay the price of a 5200 so if you do decide to go with an HTM remote I would recommend the 700 over the 500, it is more powerful, is PC programmable and comes with an MX-200.

If you are willing to wait a few months (early next year) Philips is coming out with their new Pronto TSU-3000, in my opinion (by the specs) it does sound better then the Marantz 5200 and will probably be less expensive (read the review in the lower part of [Link: remotecentral.com])

Jim: Don't know why you don't like the Weemote Sr. after reading about it I was thinking of getting one for the bedroom (or kitchen) it has 10 channel presets and the CH+/- works correctly. And I am in my early 30s so I am no where near a senior citizen, I take the senior to mean "big brother" to the weemote

Just one of my personal bugaboos. I'm sure it's a fine product. Regardless of what "SR" is supposed to mean, it does retain the appearance of the childrens' versions. Recent studies have shown that the single biggest fear of people over 50 is contracting Alzheimers. In other words, returning to a child-like state. I too, have this fear. Any product that would seem to be marketed toward this condition (and it is according to the web site) is going to be perceived with a certain amount of fear and apprehension. Needing one of these things could be seen as a confirmation of your worst fears. We all got our little hangups :-).

Jim L