Harmony *Which One*

[QueOnda]

I have a 890 and because it was problem matic, I'm getting a discount on a new one.

I think I might have narrowed it down to either the 1100 or the 900. 900 is a single handed control but the 1100 looks cooler.

• Anyone have real practicle use of one or both?
• Any idea if Harmony is going to release another remote real soon?
• Any websites which go into pro, cons or indepth review? (I went to remote central but looks dated, it used to be a great source but now not for sure)

Or should I just leave Harmony and get an other brand remote?

I like the RF feature where I don't have to point directly at my devicesk. I which there was a key board function, like the new tivo remote coming out.

[stanger89]

I'd get a URC (actually I did, twice). They seem to be much better constructed. The buttons on my MX-880, and to a slightly lesser degree on my R50 feel solid and sort of "beefy" compared to the cheap feeling buttions of all the Harmonies I tried.

Unfortunately an RF URC setup is probably going to cost you quite a bit more than a Harmony.

[Folkboat]

http://www.remotecentral.com/reviews.htm

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by QueOnda

I have a 890 and because it was problem matic, I'm getting a discount on a new one.

I think I might have narrowed it down to either the 1100 or the 900. 900 is a single handed control but the 1100 looks cooler.

• Anyone have real practicle use of one or both?
• Any idea if Harmony is going to release another remote real soon?
• Any websites which go into pro, cons or indepth review? (I went to remote central but looks dated, it used to be a great source but now not for sure)

Or should I just leave Harmony and get an other brand remote?

I like the RF feature where I don't have to point directly at my devicesk. I which there was a key board function, like the new tivo remote coming out.

I have the 1000 and have it doing RF. The 1000 (or 1100) looks cooler granted. But you need to look where you are touching. Sometimes fingers look like they are pressing the correct button but you get a different button press. Sometimes you don't get the press. And sometimes mine would just freeze (few and far between) but removing and replacing the battery was the only fix. I'm actually waiting for the 900 to go even lower in price than the last deal I saw and move the 1000 to the bedroom TV with RF so I can hide the surround sound receiver in the bedstand.

Gerry

[QueOnda]

URC looks like more bang for the buck and more customizable.

Does anyone know if this Vizio remote is available without buying a tv???

[autoboy]

The 1000 isn't any good. I've moved to a Harmony One and a 650 and couldn't be happier. Their new button design is awesome, and all buttons fall easily to your fingers without needing to look at it. The 1000 is a mess because you have to be very careful about where you push. Touchscreen remotes are not good remotes because of that inherent flaw.

Get the 900

[QueOnda]

Looking into the URC, the only thing I don't like is they dont have the letters under the numbers.

How are the URC programming program? easy to use? customizable?

[stanger89]

The pros, easy I guess all depends. They're not wizard based so you've got to be able to put together a plan in your head, lay out what steps need to happen, etc for an action to occur.

For me, being able to just put in exactly what I want to happen is far, far easier than trying to figure out how to "trick" a wizard into do what I want.

If you've got any programming background, I think the programming will be trivial. That doesn't mean you have to write code for a URC, the programming is all graphical, but you have to set up your own variables (eg "TV On") and be able to plan the macro steps and conditionals.

Personally, I thought the 880 was very easy to program. And yeah, URCs are very powerful.

[Naylia]

Do the URCs remember state of equipment?

[cncb]

I just went from an URC 200 to a Harmony 650 and am very pleased. Keep in mind for URC you have to go way up in price to get one that you can connect to a PC (over $300). So, without PC programming getting discreet codes and just moving button functions around is a pain. I liked the complete control that URC gives you but you are also stuck with the set of codes supplied when the remote comes out (unless you are willing to pay up for the PC-connect-ability).

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by Naylia

Do the URCs remember state of equipment?

If you program it to, yes.

If you're really crazy, and want to integrate an MSC-400, you can get voltage/signal/current sensors that can actually detect when equipment is active, rather than just assuming based on what commands are sent. Or of course RS232.

I should probably reiterate/clarify that most of my answers come from my experience with my MX-880 and thus apply to the Complete Control (the professional) line. The Consumer line is more limited.

[Fuzzy]

I've been using an HTM MX-500 (predecessor to the URC MX and XT Text-based models) for MANY years... so long, in fact, that I don't know if I'd be able to reprogram it if I needed to... The button layout is by far the best I've ever used.. I never have to look at it. It's big, but it never gets lost in the couch cussions....

[vexhold]

Que - I also have an 890 Advanced. I am having issues with it charging and a delay in it turning on when you pick it up (sometimes up to a full minute) Are these the same issues you are having?

[graywolf]

Originally Posted by QueOnda

Does anyone know if this Vizio remote is available without buying a tv???

Not sure what model that was for but Google VIZIO REMOTE CONTROL REPLACEMENT came up with a lot of hits. You could narrow it down by putting in the model number.

[QueOnda]

Originally Posted by graywolf

Not sure what model that was for but Google VIZIO REMOTE CONTROL REPLACEMENT came up with a lot of hits. You could narrow it down by putting in the model number.

Found this link: http://forum.team-mediaportal.com/re...-remote-80546/

Going to look into it more. Seeing if I can find a model number. Maybe I'll just call Vizio sometime this week. Just courious if I get a usb dongle (don't think it comes with one), then I maybe it might work with the HD200.

[QueOnda]

Originally Posted by vexhold

Que - I also have an 890 Advanced. I am having issues with it charging and a delay in it turning on when you pick it up (sometimes up to a full minute) Are these the same issues you are having?

The problems I had were:
+one press = moves twice sometimes
+button pop off
+One of the main issues with the remote is the charging due. I have to put something on top of the remote to weight it down to charge. This was a design change on the cradle (if I remember what I read a month ago) or manufactor spec. A big OOPS.
+Speed in the remote to the RF , when you press a button small delay

I had a delay when I pick up the remote, ones in a long while, usually when picking up from the charging station.

[QueOnda]

This remote is wierd: http://www.genos.tv/

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by QueOnda

This remote is wierd: http://www.genos.tv/

weird is NOT the same thing as good.. that thing looks like a nightmare...

[QueOnda]

Where is the best place to buy a URC remote? How do I make sure I get the software to program the remote?

[stanger89]

I got mine from a local shop. They gave me the programming software. Basically just make sure the place is authorized and that they'll give you the software and you're good to go.