Consolidating 3 remotes? Universal?

Grimspoon

Grimspoon

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So I am seriously tired of having to use 3 remotes just to turn on the TV and change a channel.

The wife is about ready to toss the whole lot out the door as she can't stand it either.

So I have a 50" Samsung, a Sony DH520 receiver and a HD PVR.

In order to watch TV I have to switch the TV on with the TV remote, switch the receiver on using that remote and then obviously the 3rd remote is for the DSTV.

Is it possible to consolidate all of these functions into 1 universal remote? I have only heard of universal remotes and never used one. But I have heard some negative things, can't remember exactly what though.

I don't mind buying one as long as I can at least turn on the TV and receiver with 1 remote. If I have to use to DSTV remote that is not the end of the world.
 
Harmonys use a different way of doing things - a much simpler way.

With the older universals, you could program each current remote and then select that remote. So press PVR and the buttons change to PVR buttons ... Press TV and the whole remote changes again. So you'd need to select your device between each.

The Harmony uses 'activities' .... Press 'Watch TV' and it switches on the TV, changes to correct input etc. it then leaves your remote a hybrid of the remotes - so volume buttons are the Sony and channel buttons are the PVR

If nothing makes sense, just get a Harmony anyway and take our word ;)
 
Dolby said:
Harmonys use a different way of doing things - a much simpler way.

With the older universals, you could program each current remote and then select that remote. So press PVR and the buttons change to PVR buttons ... Press TV and the whole remote changes again. So you'd need to select your device between each.

The Harmony uses 'activities' .... Press 'Watch TV' and it switches on the TV, changes to correct input etc. it then leaves your remote a hybrid of the remotes - so volume buttons are the Sony and channel buttons are the PVR

If nothing makes sense, just get a Harmony anyway and take our word ;)
Click to expand...


Sounds like exactly what I am looking for, thanks. I know there are a few models if I am not mistaken, which would you recommend?
 
The HDPVR remote is a universal, for example I do this all on my HDPVR remote:
Shift + power = puts TV on & puts on AMP on (i.e one button push puts both on/off)
Shift + 1, 2, 3 & 4 switch between my 4 HDMI devices
My amp volume is relayed to the remote, so my normal volume control on "1" or "2" on the PVR remote changes the AMP volume
I then use the other modes on the remote for other functions on devices, for example D is for the AMP, A for the TV & C for the XBox

Read the manual that came with the remote to see how to program this
 
I don't know the models much more :/ I have a One and love it - but everyone here is talking about the 900 whch is better than the One and costs more overseas, but there's a website on here selling it at under R1,000 iirc.

Not sure if it was an error or what, but I'd get that if I was in the market.

Plus it's got a database on 100,000s of devices - so you will ever worry about any remote on any device not working in future should you get a new tv or other device
 
Smurfatefrog said:
The HDPVR remote is a universal, for example I do this all on my HDPVR remote:
Shift + power = puts TV on & puts on AMP on (i.e one button push puts both on/off)
Shift + 1, 2, 3 & 4 switch between my 4 HDMI devices
My amp volume is relayed to the remote, so my normal volume control on "1" or "2" on the PVR remote changes the AMP volume
I then use the other modes on the remote for other functions on devices, for example D is for the AMP, A for the TV & C for the XBox

Read the manual that came with the remote to see how to program this
Click to expand...


Seriously? The DSTV remote can do all of that? :wtf:

And here I am sitting using 3 remotes all this time. Well I will try it, will be blown away if it can do all of that.

Dolby said:
I don't know the models much more :/ I have a One and love it - but everyone here is talking about the 900 whch is better than the One and costs more overseas, but there's a website on here selling it at under R1,000 iirc.

Not sure if it was an error or what, but I'd get that if I was in the market.

Plus it's got a database on 100,000s of devices - so you will ever worry about any remote on any device not working in future should you get a new tv or other device
Click to expand...

Cool, thanks Dolby. Will check it out. Sounds exactly what I am looking for.
 
Smurfatefrog said:
The HDPVR remote is a universal, for example I do this all on my HDPVR remote:
Shift + power = puts TV on & puts on AMP on (i.e one button push puts both on/off)
Shift + 1, 2, 3 & 4 switch between my 4 HDMI devices
My amp volume is relayed to the remote, so my normal volume control on "1" or "2" on the PVR remote changes the AMP volume
I then use the other modes on the remote for other functions on devices, for example D is for the AMP, A for the TV & C for the XBox

Read the manual that came with the remote to see how to program this
Click to expand...
I was also perplexed as to why he's looking for a universal while he's got the PVR remote :D
 
I've got a Harmony One and love it, got my TV, PVR, surround sound and blu-ray all programmed in. Also what I like is the ability to programme my favourite DSTV channels, I downloaded the various channel logo's off the DSTV website so they reflect on my touch screen so I don't have to scroll through a channel list :)
 
Save yourself some cash and try out the PVR remote first. I was also considering splashing out for a universal but decided to try the HD PVR remote and haven't looked back since. Currently using the remote to control Samsung TV, Mede8er, DVD player and DSTV. It's worked like a charm for over 1.5 yrs. I do recall that when I initially set it up, finding instructions was a bit of a mission. This link appears to cover all the different methods. I just used the IR programming.
 
slave said:
Save yourself some cash and try out the PVR remote first. I was also considering splashing out for a universal but decided to try the HD PVR remote and haven't looked back since. Currently using the remote to control Samsung TV, Mede8er, DVD player and DSTV. It's worked like a charm for over 1.5 yrs. I do recall that when I initially set it up, finding instructions was a bit of a mission. This link appears to cover all the different methods. I just used the IR programming.
Click to expand...

Thank you dude, I will definitely try that out first!!
 
I have a harmony 600. Cheap and cheerful, controls up to 5 devices. Works like a charm. Using it for an LG6510 TV, Denon 2310 AVR, DSTV HD4P, LG DVD player.
The PVR remote I hated. That stupid fiddly pause/back/forward button rocker thing did my head in.
 
Sinbad said:
I have a harmony 600. Cheap and cheerful, controls up to 5 devices. Works like a charm. Using it for an LG6510 TV, Denon 2310 AVR, DSTV HD4P, LG DVD player.
The PVR remote I hated. That stupid fiddly pause/back/forward button rocker thing did my head in.
Click to expand...


I can't stand that dam thing. But for switching the TV on / off, changing HDMI sources, volume etc you could avoid having to using that surely?
 
Grimspoon said:
I can't stand that dam thing. But for switching the TV on / off, changing HDMI sources, volume etc you could avoid having to using that surely?
Click to expand...

Sure - but if you're using the PVR remote as your universal, you will have to use that button when you want to pause/ffwd etc. The harmony is much easier to use for the same functions.
 
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