Remote control mayhem!
Posted by: dan scott on 16 January 2007
Hi everyone,
Well my current remote control count is nearing 10 and it's time to do something about it.
My commonly used remote control sources are-
AV2
Nait5i
CD5
Pioneer Plasma
Arcam DV79 DVD Player
Xbox (Used as a media player for video files)
Pioneer DVD Recorder
So I could get a Flash remote and that's definetly a strong candidate, I do like the remote supplied with the AV2 but others in the house don't get on with it too well. The attraction of the flash it that it shows you which component will be controlled ie. PRE/CD etc whereas with the normal remote you don't know which one your looking at.
Another option seems to be the Meridian sytem remote plus (MSR ) looks like a keyboard but is backlit, learns commands and is customisable. I've seen one member here say he/she was ordering one but there's not much else about it in non-meridian systems.
I'm not too keen on the logitech harmony series as i don't like the idea of an activity based system, i just want to select TV/AV2/DV79 etc and control it myself.
Posted on: 16 January 2007 by dan scott
scrub the Meridian idea, on close reading of the manual you can't change the CD/DVD/PRE inputs to anything else but Meridian and some of the other buttons can't be learnt either oh well just as well I checked!
So the Flash, for someone with my setup do you think it a good idea? For just a 2 channel setup I can see it being a bit over the top (Unless you get it 'free' with a 500 series system if course!)but with the AV2 it might make more sense. Also as my Arcam DVD player shares the same remote codes as the DVD5 (Or appears to as my AV2 remote operates my Arcam for at least the common functions)
any suggestions greatly appreciated!
thanks
Dan
Posted on: 16 January 2007 by David Dever
Universal Remote is the way to go, if you're looking one step beyond the supplied IR RC5 remotes–MX-900 models and above connect to your PC via USB for programming and layout; RF base stations are also available, if you feel like adding IR blasters to the front logos of the equipment (good idea with plasma refresh rates) while using a transmission method (RF) more impervious to optical interference.
Posted on: 16 January 2007 by dan scott
hi David, any recommendations on specific models at all?
Posted on: 16 January 2007 by David Dever
The MX-3000 is quite stunning in the flesh, although nearly the price of the NAIT5i itself (including base station).
Posted on: 16 January 2007 by dan scott
Thanks David but over budget i'm afraid, I couldn't justify that on a remote when it could turn my CD5 into a CD5X (After auditioning of course
)
Posted on: 17 January 2007 by Roy Donaldson
I've got the Home Theatre Master MX-700, got one shipped over from the US a couple of years back.
Best remote I've ever bought. It's got real buttons, unlike the Prontos and the programming using the PC is very easy to make a simple setup, but you can get very powerful setup on it if you want to go there.
Mine controls everything now. TV, AV2, DVD5, Tivo, Sky box all in one remote.
Roy.
Posted on: 17 January 2007 by neil w
dan
logitech harmony 885
works a treat
neil
Posted on: 17 January 2007 by Stuart M
The
Logitech Harmony 1000 will be out soon that look really interesting and same price in the UK as the 885
Posted on: 18 January 2007 by neil w
stuart
thats twice the price and a bit more
neil
Posted on: 18 January 2007 by dan scott
I'd really like to try a harmony but people either seem to love or hate them...
If I could find a retailer that would do a money back guarentee then i might be tempted to have a go but i'm a bit wary of the 'activities' i'd have to sit down with one and see if I could fine tune it to do what I want...
quote:
Originally posted by neil w:
dan
logitech harmony 885
works a treat
neil
Posted on: 18 January 2007 by neil w
dan
what do you want it to do
neil
Posted on: 18 January 2007 by dan scott
to control the sources at the top of the thread, I'd probably not be too fussed about the detailed control of the naim kit as I may well end up with a flash for that (maybe)
Posted on: 18 January 2007 by neil w
dan
ive got 2 flashes and dont use them
the 885 can control the naim kit individually
and heres the +
at one button press
x box 360 boots up
infocus projector boots up
screen drops
naim 552 goes to av input
meridian g68 goes to x box input
velux windows close if they are open
velux blinds close on windows
and assimo comes and hands me the 360 controller and a cold one
you do however have to spend some time programming the 885 either thru their web site or manually learning it from your other remotes
for just over a £100 its a bargain
neil
Posted on: 18 January 2007 by dan scott
you should liquidate your flashes Neil, you could nearly have a 'free' hi-line on your hands there!
As for your chain of events there wow is all I can say, sounds fantastic!
Asimo - wouldn't be a home without one lol!!!
I'm off to check out that Logitech website again, also the Harmony 1000 does look good, lot of extra money though for no more functionality over the 885.
Thanks!
Dan
Posted on: 18 January 2007 by timster
Dan,
If you get (logitech harmony) one, make sure you can return it for a full refund. I found the harmony 'activity' experience a real pain because my equipment is in different parts of the room and sometimes the activity sequences would get mixed up (one piece not getting shut off etc.) If all you gear is for example, along the same wall and in close proximity to one another, then this may not be an issue. In addition, I found the custom functions for various devices awkward to use on the remote. I ended up returning it for a full refund and went back to using the bog standard remotes.
Good luck
-timster
Posted on: 18 January 2007 by David Dever
quote:
I found the harmony 'activity' experience a real pain because my equipment is in different parts of the room and sometimes the activity sequences would get mixed up (one piece not getting shut off etc.) If all you gear is for example, along the same wall and in close proximity to one another, then this may not be an issue.
In theory, an RF remote transmits to a base station, from which each piece of equipment is connected–as the RF transmission pattern is largely reflective, equipment placement (say, AV stuff under the display, two-channel stuff off to the side) becomes less of a concern when using the remote.
RF also allows for bi-directional transmission / reception...in the NaimNet brochure, for example, a wi-fi tablet running a Flash-enabled browser can be used to control the system, display track/title information from a music server, etc.
Posted on: 19 January 2007 by dan scott
I may try the Harmony and if I buy it online then I'm covered by distance selling law that should give me 14 days. I think i'll either love it or hate it, don't worry i'll make sure I site down for a few evenings and fine tune all the settings first as I realise that merely relying on any auto-setups will not give me an accurate representation of what is going on. Wait and see I guess!
Posted on: 19 January 2007 by garyi
I cannot recommend the harmony really. I own one and it does what I want, sort of.
The activities thing is a pain, it will not allow you to order what starts up when, so for instance the TV will turn on, then the amp then the freeview box. In the meant time the TV has not detected a signal because the freeview was not on so turns back off.
It frequently gets confused on the activities, turning things off instead of on, and very frequently turns everything on properly then turns off one thing for no reason.
The setting up is confusing and very very long winded. In all it took me around 6 hours to get the thing working sort of right and frankly I can't be arsed now.
Posted on: 19 January 2007 by dan scott
quote:
Originally posted by garyi:
I cannot recommend the harmony really. I own one and it does what I want, sort of.
The activities thing is a pain, it will not allow you to order what starts up when, so for instance the TV will turn on, then the amp then the freeview box. In the meant time the TV has not detected a signal because the freeview was not on so turns back off.
It frequently gets confused on the activities, turning things off instead of on, and very frequently turns everything on properly then turns off one thing for no reason.
The setting up is confusing and very very long winded. In all it took me around 6 hours to get the thing working sort of right and frankly I can't be arsed now.
I suppose the acid test for any "universal" remote is do you end up reaching for the original remotes, if you do then it's probably a faliure. It's a shame the Harmony series won't let you turn activities off and just use it as a universal remote, especially with the new touch screen one where they've got the screen real-estate to do what they need.
Posted on: 22 January 2007 by arf005
Dan,
I don't suppose this will help much - seeing as you don't own any Rotel equipment....but I did have the same dilemma as you a few years back!
I ended up spending a couple of hundred quid on a Pronto Universal remote (can't remember the model, sorry) I used it for a bit but didn't get on with it.....didn't find it very user friendly. I sold it to a mate, and I'm not even sure if he uses it....
My problem was solved when I bought my old Rotel RSX-972 receiver (now with my brother) but our latest RSX-1067 also came with Rotel's RR-1050 Universal Learning Remote (
seen here) Can't compliment it enough, use it to control our TV, Video (rarely), Receiver, and DVD player. Plus there's scope to control another six items!! Good functionality and easy to programme.....what more can you ask for.....
The Rotel sound pretty good too.....here they are.....
Cheers,
Ali
Posted on: 22 January 2007 by nap-ster
Are the speakers 601's?
Posted on: 22 January 2007 by garyi
From a mac perspective most of the prontos and marantzs use a damn serial interface!
Posted on: 23 January 2007 by arf005
nap-ster
they are indeed, 601 S2's to be exact joined by a CC6 S2 at the rear, with B&W CM4's and CMC up front (the full list is on my profile) here's what the other end looks like.......
The amp/dvd were bought from the Ritchie's in Montrose - is that where you bought your Naim/B&W's...??
You couldn't ask for a better dealer, and we (I more so I think) look forward to giving them an order for our Naim sometime this year, at long last!!
Cheers,
Ali
Posted on: 23 January 2007 by dan scott
I've ordered a Harmony 885 and I think i'm going to give it a go and see how I get on for a week or so.
I hear more good than bad about them (Not that that's any indication of how good they are but at least it's something)
I'll report my progress although I fear there may be some screaming and hair pulling involved to get it working properly from what some have said (Sucker for punishment hear I guess...)
Posted on: 23 January 2007 by nap-ster
Firstly, apologies if I hi-jacked the thread for a bit!!
I did indeed visit Mr Ritchie and part with my lucre. I guess I have been using him for 15 years or so now, from my first Nait. As you said, you couldn't ask for a better dealer.
The reason I asked about your B&W's is the S3's now seem to be now produced in non-cherry wood. I guess the S2 was the last series to do so. I am looking for something to match the fronts appearance wise for the rears. I can't really justify the expense of going up to the 7 or 8 series for the rear's, although the 302's I am currently using aren't really too shabby.
