Recommendations for a Universal Remote

[tusko]

Dear all:
I would appreciate your thoughts, experiences and recommendations on universal remotes.
Any thing to avoid, to look for or specific brands which offer better performance than others would be appreciated.
Basically I'm looking for one gadget to run the TV, DVD, Cable box, Receiver and VCR, so that I can put the other remotes away.

Thanks!
Tusko

[Nightscrabbler]

The idea of a universal remote is great. However, I don't think we've ever managed to get a universal remote that works as advertised, dying on us prematurely or just not being programmable to all devices. There probably are some that work well, but I've been left to think they're more trouble than they're worth.

[Super_Megatron]

My RCA Universal remote works fine.

[Code of Honor]

Logitech make some of the highest rated universal remotes out there, http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/re...otes/&cl=ca,enthey are pricey though. Best thing to do would be to search reviews to see what features you need and/or like.

[tusko]

Yeah, I saw the logitech ones at futureshop.
There are a few at the $100-150 range and then they jump to over $400. I've looked at the features and battery life, set up and mapping all seem to be the key issues.

I'm more curious if anyone here has any experiences, and if they wish to share I'd value their input.

Thank you all for reading and posting.

[niteowl]

i think any logitech harmony is nice,
even the cheaper
older ones.

[jacobot]

My Rogers Cable remote is programed to operate the cable box PVR, TV, VCR & DVD player.

[jourdo]

Originally Posted by jacobot

My Rogers Cable remote is programed to operate the cable box PVR, TV, VCR & DVD player.

This works well for me as well (Shaw, not Rogers), and can run most of the basic functions of what I need it to. However, before I had this...

Originally Posted by Super_Megatron

My RCA Universal remote works fine.

This is what I went with. Cheap and had very few compatability issues with it.

[tusko]

Thank you Jouro and Jacobot, but I'm looking for a programmed remote that is one device and uses all the functions of the devices. Watch DVD -> turns on DVD, TV, Receiver sets the correct inputs and video settings with one button.

Its just there are some that are ridiculously expensive and I wonder if they have value, or I should just wait until they come down in price.

[devilsknight]

For me I use to Logitech Harmony 880 Universal Remote.

I was able to snag it on Dell.ca for $99 about a year ago. My dad owned one and it's by far the best remote i've ever used.

Battery tends to last 2-3 weeks and has it's own recharging bay and can fully charge in 4 or 5 hours. Batteries dying has never been an issue with that remote.

It's easy to program online via the harmony website, all you do is enter what devices you have, then create options for what needs to be on in what situation. It's very straight foward.

Keep an eye out on dell.ca for to go on sale...or try eBay. They hover around the $99 mark.

Trust me if you want a good remote your gonna be paying in the $99 to $150 range.