This is a cool site! Thanks in advance for all y'alls help.

What is a good universal remote to control a home theater with HDTV (Toshiba 65H80), 2 satellites, SVHS VCR, DVD, and Sony ES reciever? The two satellite (Dish and DTV) issue has stumped the Sony touch screen remote and the Toshiba too. I'd like to keep the expense down to a dull roar, if possible...

Thanks

Frank -

Do you like LCD or hard buttons? How expensive is a dull roar, exactly? What are some other features you'd like to see in your ideal remote?

Either kind of buttons is fine. I'm interested in value for the money spent rather than cheapness, and all I really need is a way to switch between my components with one remote. All of them seem to have enough functions, so it's just that I don't have one that can handle two different satellites.

Frank -

In pure "bang for your buck", I don't think you can go wrong with the Pronto. I bought mine used with a charger for $200, and when you plug it into your computer, you can really do anything with it. It can recreate any button your original remote has, and you can put as many screens as you'll need for each component. You can get a brand new one these days for less than $250, but for a lot of people that's way above a dull roar. It just depends on what you need to get done with the remote. Not many remotes offer the re-labeling of buttons, which is important if you have 2 satellites you're controlling.

zeneth sentral 2

The Pronto is fine (if you like LCD) - but still a little expensive.

If you want to save a little, you can get a Marantz RC1200, where you can control 11 devices. You can name them all yourself, and you can label 10 buttons for each device. It's not as advanced as the Pronto - but it's cheaper, and with real buttons (for those who prefer that).

Another option is to go the JP1 route. (Details: [Link: hifi-remote.com] )

This would means buying the 15-1994 (for $30) plus about $10 worth of parts for the "simple" interface, all from Radio Shack. ([Link: hifi-remote.com] )

Then you can totally program one remote to control absolutely everything.

Rob.

Hi,
I have just received a Marantz 5000i remote control and I am stuck. Can anyone help. I don't know how to get out the screen calibration. Press top left then press bottom right. Okay I did but it says Calibration Failed. I don't know how I even got in there but I want out. How do I????

Thanks,

Michael

Michael:
you cannot use your finger to calibrate the screen. You have to use something more precise. But you should be asking questions like this in the Pronto / RC5000 / RAV2000 forum, you will probably get faster and better responses