Best Remote Question??

[mightyt]

Building my new server I am contemplating several Remote Control options ...

1 - I havebeen using the ATI Remote Wonder and have used Nielm's plug in for Sage configuration. I love the way it works, but the USB RF gets weird and doesn't work when you point to the Sage box straight on. Sometimes you point to the ceiling, side wall, etc. and it works?? Go figure.

2 - I still have my old Hauppauge Remote Control, but it was more limited in customization options (limited buttons) though it does have Sage support.

3 - I have an iMON Remote Control that I got with my Silverstone LC10M Case. The nice thing is I don't need to add a separate receiver since it is built in to the case. I am not sure if I can get this to work with Sage though or customize it.

4 - I bought a Snapstream Firefly Remote a while ago, but hung on to it anticipating building my new server. Not sure how well it works or if it can be configured to support Sage.

I covet the Harmony 880 ... but ... well ... you know ... $$ ...

So ... given these options, any suggestions?

Thanks ... T.

[mightyt]

WOW! No one has an opinion? This is a first for me on the Sage Forum ...

[paulbeers]

My current box has the remote wonder like you are using and I too have noticed some "issues" such as poor response, etc.

My "next" box, that will handle HDTV (that is currently waiting for a sage 3.0 version that has a few issues to be fixed before I go "live" with the wife), is using a dvico fusion remote (errr whatever they call it). It seems to work great and has a lot more buttons than my original remote wonder. The software that comes with the remote allows you to set any button (or just about any button) to do any keystroke/combination key stroke.

I am not saying this is the BEST remote, but for 20 bucks? with ir receiver it isn't bad at all. This remote comes free if you buy the dvico fusion 5 gold (I bought the lite version and it came free due to a special sale).

[waynedunham]

Find a remote with JP1 capabilities and a keypad layout/size/weight you like. Then program it the way YOU want it to work for ALL of your components.

One of the main reasons I say this is because when you buy any of the others you may be stuck with buttons being in the "wrong" place, or missing altogether. With a JP1 remote you can put any button anywhere you want it on the remote for any component.
I went through a whole boxful of budget to mid-range (<$75) remotes and ended up hating them all. Either they didn't have the functions I wanted, felt crappy in my hand, wouldn't program one of my components, or whatever.
With the JP1 capable remote I was able to get all the functions I wanted for ALL the components I wanted. Having a few oddball brands and/or models makes it tough to find a remote that will work out of the box.

I really liked the looks of the Harmony remotes, but as soon as I put one in my hand I knew that it wouldn't work for me. All the buttons were too similar and close together making it nearly impossible for accurate remote work laying on the couch in a properly darkened room for video watching.
I like to find a remote with "areas" that are distinct and easy to find in the dark without looking at them. One big reason I need this is I've got to wear glasses to see far (i.e. the TV) and when I've got the glasses on trying to read something up close is like looking through wax paper.

Right now I'm using a Radio Shack 15-2117 which is discontinued. Wish I'd bought a bunch of them when they were closing them out!
It has distinct areas for the cursor keys, component keys, number keypad etc. making it easy to feel your way around it in the dark.

I've got it working my TV, ReplayTV, VCR, Pre-Amp, and DVD Player. It's time to look for a new one that has a jog/shuttle and/or trackball so I can also incorporate my MR 5000's remote functions into the mix. Then I can move the RS 2117 into the bedroom.

[Opus4]

Yeah, the JP1 remotes are quite flexible and don't cost a lot, so they are good ones to consider. For more money, other PC-programmable remotes include the Pronto series and some from Home Theater Master (or is that Universal Remote now?). I like my MX-700. But, the best thing about any of these is that you can program them from your PC, so you don't need to worry about messing up a bunch of button presses or losing the config later, since it is all saved on your computer.

- Andy

[mightyt]

Thanks everyone for the outstanding advice ... I appreciate the depth of you thoughts and it does make me consider what I want to do. To date I have been using multiple remotes. One for the TV, one for Sage and another for the Receiver, another for the DVD, yes another for the VHS, etc. Mostly we use the TV remote and the Sage / Receiver remotes, but it would be nice to have as close to a single remote as possible that the rest of the fam would find easy to use.

Until now, I have only been thinking about the best Sage remote, not one that does Sage and everything else ... Hmmm ... So, JP1, huh? Are any of the 4 remotes I mentioned above JP1 capable?

See now you got me thinking! That's why I posted ... I know you would ...

Thanks!!!, T.

[blade]

I like the MCE remote myself. Since it's designed for use with a PVR the keys have useful labels such as recordings, liveTV, etc...

[Jesse]

Hi,

I'm with Opus, the Hometheater Master MX-700 is the bomb. Right now they are pretty cheap at http://www.surfremotecontrol.com/store/mx-700.html . Still a fair amount for a remote, but the flexibility makes them a great value.

Take care,
Jesse

[Crashless]

A harmony remote is the only reason my wife allows me to have this hobby. I highly recommend you give them a look.

[pcuoco]

Originally Posted by Crashless

A harmony remote is the only reason my wife allows me to have this hobby. I highly recommend you give them a look.

I second that. WAF went waaay up after getting my 680.

[aperry]

Yeah, a properly configured Harmony remote results in a HUGE WAF!!!

[Kanati]

Didn't care for the whole "task based" harmony stuff... I want a button that does "X" and that's it. I might want a macro or two, but I want to have complete control over what it does.

Here's someone selling an MX700 on ebay. 75 dollar starting bid so you might get it for a good price.

http://cgi.ebay.com/B-K-SR10-1-Syste...QQcmdZViewItem



And what is WAF?

[aperry]

WAF = Wife Acceptance Factor

WAF is a term which measures the relative happiness of the wife with the system that we husbands have put together. There is no true scale other than the frequency of, "Why does it do that when I do this?" or "I don't like that" or "That's really neat!". Totally subjective, but totally measurable at the same time...

[pcuoco]

Originally Posted by aperry

WAF = Wife Acceptance Factor

WAF is a term which measures the relative happiness of the wife with the system that we husbands have put together. There is no true scale other than the frequency of, "Why does it do that when I do this?" or "I don't like that" or "That's really neat!". Totally subjective, but totally measurable at the same time...

Exactly. And the task based Harmony system makes it really simple to use. If you want TV you press 1 button labeled TV and the Harmony does the rest. Turns on the tv, sets it to the correct input, turns on your surround reciever and sets it to the correct input and even launches Sage. All from one button press.

Kanati, by switching to what the harmony's call the device mode on the remote, you can still achieve the precise kind of control you describe as well. The tasks just make it simpler to turn everything on and off.

[Kanati]

hrm... I didn't know there was a "device" mode. Damn. And I went and sold my 680 too. :/

[Kanati]

(oh, and I'm quite happy that I don't have a 'W' to worry about an 'AF' right now. )

[salsbst]

For me, the best is the combo of a USB-UIRT and a Phillips MCE Remote.

[aperry]

Originally Posted by pcuoco

And the task based Harmony system makes it really simple to use. If you want TV you press 1 button labeled TV and the Harmony does the rest. Turns on the tv, sets it to the correct input, turns on your surround reciever and sets it to the correct input and even launches Sage. All from one button press.

For me, I have the 676, so I just tell her to hit the blue button. Seems to ease things a bit...

[salsbst]

There is clearly a fundamental choice between choosing to go with automation via a programmable remote or via a (programmable) computer.

Some want their remote to be intelligent, others want the computer to be the sole source of intelligence (other than whichever humans are in the room).

I choose the computer, with USB-UIRT and Girder, as the solution.

Others choose the remote, and from what I understand, JP1 and Pronto lead the way there.

There are a whole bunch of tradeoffs associated.

I think it's safe to say that the hardcore HTPC way to go is to have a dumb remote and a smart computer. If some other device needs to be signaled, the computer can do that (via something like the USB-UIRT).

A more traditional A/V way is to use a smart remote. If you have a *lot* of non-PC components in your AV system, then perhaps it is easier to set up the automation with a smart remote than it is to do with Girder and an IR transceiver.

For my money, Girder, a USB-UIRT and a comfortable remote are a surefire solution that I know will work, and I get to choose the remote based on its feel and layout instead of its features. I have made this choice 3 times for the three a/v viewing nodes in our home, and I have not felt any pangs of regret.

I know this is not the choice that everyone would make. It's only my 3rd cent.

[mightyt]

The responses to this thread have really made me think of things I had not considered on the remote side of Sage ... I guess I would agree, in the end it may come down to preference and cost factors ... But, the comments made here are all very valid when making the choice to lay down your hard earned cash ...

So, I see these basic considerations to grapple with;

1 - Don't discount the WAF ...
2 - Is extended SageTV programming abilities all I am looking for?
3 - Am I looking for one remote (rather than many!) for "all" my A/V equipment or just Sage?
4 - Am I after Macro / Automation?
5 - Do I want a receiver and software that will take me from remote to remote over time?
6 - How important is signal quality to me?
7 - How important is remote comfort vs. feature packed?
8 - Am I willing to spend up to $20 or $200+? (You pay for your thrills)

This turned out more complex than I expected but valuable insight. Thanks for all of your personal experiences ...

Now all I need is a hybrid Harmony 880-MX700 that feels good in my hand with JP1 capability and optional USB-IRT and Girder support!!! .... OH, and that my wife likes

This is yet another thread (out of the hundred or so) I will print out.

Thanks again ... T.