HD200 Achilles Heel

[freedml]

My family and I are really liking the HD200. We had wMVPs and went through the frustration of the wireless not working. Then I wired the house and it was better, but still had playback problems because of the big transcoding load on the server. So, the HD200 has solved those problems.

BUT, the remote that comes with the HD200 is terrible. The keys that I use most often (fast forward, delete) are undifferentiated and at the bottom of the remote. I can't hold the remote in one hand and operate these buttons comfortably. So, to solve this, I am going to keep using Hauppauge remotes, which have a great design -- large, well-laid-out keys with the numbers (which I rarely use) at the bottom and the 'good stuff' in the middle and on top. Ok, so they don't have all 3 FF and REW keys. I can live with that!

[Brent]

It's the same remote that came with the HD100.

Not the greatest but it works. I use a URC500 with one box and a Harmony 800 with the other and they work just fine as replacements.

[CollinR]

Use the MVP remote.

[RedCoat999]

I will be using my Logitech Harmony. Guess I will find out real soon how easy or difficult it will be to add the HD200 as a device for that.

[jmv]

When very good universal remotes go for about $100...not sure HD200 should come with a good remote...I'd rather they get rid of the remote entirely, ensure robust universal remote support, and focus on media playback perfection...

I don't think the 3 H100/H200 remotes I have sitting in a box with the other 25 or so pointless manufacturer supplied remotes w/o batteries I have can really be fairly called an Achilles heel...

[OneThomas]

I would agree that the included remote sucks! I've been using the Hauppauge 45-button remote with the HD100's I have, since day 1. (Even ordered some extra's from Hauppauge - 10 bucks each.) Seems it would be a good idea for SAGE to include a better designed remote with the Extenders - can't cost that much, and not all of us have the need to go down the path of Universal Remotes... But I would definitely choose Sage's Development attention to the actual Extender over the Remote if it made that much of an issue...

[voidpt]

Make the remote better... AND make it optional. That way the cost of the extender stays the same. I couldn't live without a my Universal Remote MX-900. Best investment I've ever made. The SageTV one goes straight to storage.

But it's easy sitting here judging. SageTV needs to run a business. It would complicate stuff. Better remote for all. Higher price for whole package. Complaints and damn SageTV. Keep it like it is. Complaints about bad remote.

Happy I'm just a customer And a happy one at that, once I get my HD200

[ojosch]

How does one make the Hauppauge 45-button remote work on the HD200?

[QueOnda]

Just try it. I think it may work by default.

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by ojosch

How does one make the Hauppauge 45-button remote work on the HD200?

Point it and push the buttons.

Gerry

[freedml]

Any remote can work with Sage, it's just a matter of how much setup you'll have to do. My Hauppauge remotes work directly with the HD200. The only thing a universal remote would add for me would be TVPower and TVVolume. Universal Remotes which look more user friendly than the HD200's can be had on eBay for $5 (including shipping!).

[crarbo1]

Can the remotes used with MCE 2005 work with the new extender? I would like to use that one if possible.

Thanks,
Chuck

[CollinR]

Possible but complicated, you are better off using an MVP remote or generic universal.

If the MCE remote was RF like the Firefly it would be easier, since it's IR you would need to relay the IR back to the server or other PC on your network.

[crarbo1]

What remote works the most like that remote but is easy to set up with the extender? I don't want to spend alot of money on one.

Thanks,
Chuck

Originally Posted by CollinR

Possible but complicated, you are better off using an MVP remote or generic universal.

If the MCE remote was RF like the Firefly it would be easier, since it's IR you would need to relay the IR back to the server or other PC on your network.

[jm9843]

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37418

[evilpenguin]

I still think the good ol' MCE remote is the best I've ever used and am mystified that the HD-X00 still can't use them. In fact, I think i'll submit a fresh bug just to make myself feel better.

[wayner]

Actually I like the TiVo "peanut" remote as the best ergonomics.

But if you use multiple sources with your TVs then you should immediately get one of the Harmony remotes. I have about 5 of them now, various models and one with every TV, and don't know how I lived without them.

[freedml]

Is there any way to get back to the HD200 menu once you've connected to a SageTV server (other than turning the HD200 off and on)?

[crarbo1]

If I understand the post above, the issue with the MCE Remote is that it is not RF. So, my question is, which remote can give me most if not all the features the MCE remote give me that is RF and doesn't cost alot? I don't feel like paying almost half of what a HD200 costs on a remote. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Chuck

[MeInMaui]

One-for-all used to have an RF remote for around $35. I think it was the 9910. I don't think they make them anymore, but you might still find one somewhere. The next cheapest thing I know if is this for $82.

Aloha,
Mike