I have a urc-300 and I am pleased with it, except for its limited macro functionality. I need to use discrete codes for on/off and my source button.

I need a remote that I can program macros with discrete codes and hopefully with a PC. My goal is to have it wife and kid friendly. Also I would like to stay under $100 if that is possible.

Thanks for any recommendation you can make.
Dave

Others may chime in but I am not aware of any remote that is PC programmable AND less than 100 dollars, maybe some harmony's but you'd be worse off than you are now. Save up some cash and get one in the 400 to 500 dollar range for starters.

damn....

OK if I were to spend that kind of money which one would you recommend.

Thanks
Dave

Maybe a URC MX-850 or 900 or the new 880 or an RTI M2, they all fit that price range not including programming or RF kits (if you need one).

My vote is the MX-880. Harmony is not macro programming and is almost "mindless" if you pardon my expression. It is answering questions. You will have to apply a more guided approach to programming an MX-880 and need to have a good understanding of how the system works (vs. what Logitech thinks).

That being said, there are far greater remotes to "program", but the 880 may be mor realistic to your budget intent.

Why not just add an old PC to your home theater? Or even your new PC if you are like me and you have to have the latest state of the art. Then spend $50 or so and get an IR transceiver: The macro capabilities will blow up anything you could ever do with a hand held remote alone, and your existing remote(s) become more powerful than you could have ever hoped for.

If you use a PC that you already own, you will be well below the $100 limit you mention. You will be able to do much more than you could with any $400 - $800 hand held remote on market right now, and you can add all this power to the urc-300 remote you currently own.

Like what? Let's assume he's a typical consumer (please correct me if I'm wrong dmathieu). A typical consumer these days has a display, cable/sat box, dvd, maybe an iPod plugged in via analogue and an AVR. What functionality are you providing that can't be accomplished via full command sets from a URC or RTI remote?

Thats a ridiculous question. If you are really at a loss there, then I suggest you spend some time researching the answers yourself. Perhaps you will actually learn something new. You could start by searching on the term "HTPC".

Please, enlighten me. Spare a few moments of your time and show me. Not everyone wants or has an HTPC or wants to sit on the couch with a mouse or want to use their remote to roll through a Windows GUI. Your selling a concept here and it seems the software/hardware as well, tell me exactly how you're going to make this average type of system perform better. You aren't creating new commands or features for the devices, just adding a platform on top (or is it behind) of them.

I did not mention software at all, and the only hardware referenced is neither made nor distributed by me. IOW, I am not trying to sell YOU anything, and again I suggest that if you want information on how an HTPC can expand your home theater capabilities, research it yourself; I am not a pro bono teacher.

I directed my answer to the OP, just an effort to save him/her from spending hundreds of dollars for fancy remotes when they aleady have something much more powerful that they use to make internet posts with. If the original poster had more questions about the particular solution I mentioned, then I would likely answer them the best I could.

As far as using a hand held remote to control a home theater, that isnt even something I generally recommend. I use a Logitech wireless laser mouse to control every component on my home theater system, and I have not picked up a remote in ages. If there were actually a time when I did not find the mouse convienent for some reason, I would likely just use voice commands.

I've been through this one before.

I do applaud your efforts in creating the control software that, although you're not plugging, you're certainly eluding to GMPCM. The fact remains, there major draw backs to what you're suggesting when comparing to even the simplest URs.

[Link: remotecentral.com]

The OP wants a basic remote not a GUI for his HTPC, (that's assuming his PC is connected to the HT). You'll never convince me that non-tech savy individuals would find your system easy to use. At least compared to a single button press on a true UR. Maybe include some testimonials citing the WAF your product offers.

Tweet: you have a PM.

The OP would not even require an advanced system like AIVMS to obtain the capabilities I refer to here using his "existing remote". There is a lot of software out there that supports the USB-UIRT transceiver that would work just fine for his circumstance. In addition, AIVMS requires that a home theater display such as an HDTV be physically hooked up to the HTPC or PC, which is also not something that I implied for his particular situation. IOW, you folks need to stop trying to read between lines and patting each other on the back for your oh so amazing intellect when you are mistaken all along.

I am not sure if you geniuses can comprehend this or not, but the business that you keep accusing me of promoting here is focused on HD Radio receiver integration with a PC. The AIVMS software available there is nothing but a specialized multimedia version of the full AIVMS system. Its purpose is simply to integrate with the receiver and provide more extensive external control capability. It happens to have all of the HTPC functionality intact, which does make it a perfect candidate for many circumstances. When I come across these particular circumstances I will be sure to let you know, but until then, I think this bs you are throwing around is getting a bit old. I have every right to assist posters with their concerns as you or anyone else on this forum without being patronized by a bunch of sick ego trips.

only one with ego my friend is you

Yes, I am a man, and I have a healthy ego. To me, your responses seem to be quite typical of a juvenile with moderate to severe mental illness. I prefer to avoid those types if at all possible, so I request that you do not post in any threads that I am currently posting on in the future.