One remote to control them all.

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GreyBush

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At the moment I have 4 remotes, I use probably 2 buttons on each remote so I want to get either a Harmony 650 or a Gear4 Unity Remote

Now I was set on getting the 650 but then I discovered this unity remote which allows me to control everything with my iPhone, which IMO is so bad ass.

Logistically it will work in my house as my SO also has an iPhone, has any one used the Unity Remote?
 
The only problem I see with the unity remote is you have to use your phone to turn down the volume on the TV when somebody calls you which can't be done since you are on the phone.
 
Get a harmony 600. Cheaper than the 650 with all the same functionality.
 
Use your DSTV remote if you have DSTV and save 800 bucks ;)
 
efitol said:
Use your DSTV remote if you have DSTV and save 800 bucks ;)
Click to expand...

Hardly the same level of functionality ...

I press one button on my harmony remote and it turns on the TV, AVR and DSTV. Sets the AVR to the right input for the PVR. Sets the TV to the right input for the AVR.

I press one more button and it switches off the PVR, changes the TV input to the right one for the PS3, and changes the AVR input to the PS3 as well.

One button and it turns on the DVD player, switches the TV and AVR to appropriate inputs..


Press one button again and it turns off whatever devices are turned on....
 
Added to that... when I am watching a DVD the remote knows that pause and play on the remote are meant for the DVD player, so it sends the appropriate signal. When watching DSTV those same buttons send the signal to the PVR. No switching or anything. The remote is stateful.
 
Crowley said:
The only problem I see with the unity remote is you have to use your phone to turn down the volume on the TV when somebody calls you which can't be done since you are on the phone.
Click to expand...
True, I do get terrible reception in my lounge though... hardly get any incoming calls :p but a valid point.
Sinbad said:
Get a harmony 600. Cheaper than the 650 with all the same functionality.
Click to expand...
If I go the Harmony route I will do that.
efitol said:
Use your DSTV remote if you have DSTV and save 800 bucks ;)
Click to expand...
I have DSTV but not PVR so i only have the basic remote, not sure if that will do the same.
Sinbad said:
Added to that... when I am watching a DVD the remote knows that pause and play on the remote are meant for the DVD player, so it sends the appropriate signal. When watching DSTV those same buttons send the signal to the PVR. No switching or anything. The remote is stateful.
Click to expand...
One of the main reasons I want a Harmony/unity... because of the intelligence you can give it.

One question though, in these programmes can you set volume levels for each function, my TV works off a 3.5mm jack(fail I know) into our soundbar and and the bluray player/external hard drive works off an optical cable which makes it about 7 levels louder.

Still kinda liking the unity remote though, I mean you get the functionality of the Harmony R11 for a fraction of the price.
 
Sinbad said:
Hardly the same level of functionality ...

I press one button on my harmony remote and it turns on the TV, AVR and DSTV. Sets the AVR to the right input for the PVR. Sets the TV to the right input for the AVR.

I press one more button and it switches off the PVR, changes the TV input to the right one for the PS3, and changes the AVR input to the PS3 as well.

One button and it turns on the DVD player, switches the TV and AVR to appropriate inputs..


Press one button again and it turns off whatever devices are turned on....
Click to expand...
My PVR remote does the same with the help of macros. OK so maybe 2 buttons (shift + number).

Shift + Power = turn on TV and AVR.
Shift + 1 = turn on DSTV and switch AVR to DSTV input.
Shift + 2 = turn off DSTV, turn on Xbox and switch AVR to Xbox input.
etc.

Volume relay is on so the volume on the remote always controls the volume on the AVR.

Sinbad said:
Added to that... when I am watching a DVD the remote knows that pause and play on the remote are meant for the DVD player, so it sends the appropriate signal. When watching DSTV those same buttons send the signal to the PVR. No switching or anything. The remote is stateful.
Click to expand...
Dunno if this is possible with the PVR remote.
 
Got the Harmony 650 on Friday, once it is set up it is a pleasure. For the price I would recommend it.
 
Grimspoon said:
Got the Harmony 650 on Friday, once it is set up it is a pleasure. For the price I would recommend it.
Click to expand...

Just ordered the Harmony 600 for R359 from kalahari, I only have 4 devices to control so it suited my needs perfectly.

Was keen for the unity remote, the thing that made me change my mind is the positioning of the receiver, I have no where to put it where it will have line of sight to all my components.
 
doobyscoo said:
Just ordered the Harmony 600 for R359 from kalahari, I only have 4 devices to control so it suited my needs perfectly.

Was keen for the unity remote, the thing that made me change my mind is the positioning of the receiver, I have no where to put it where it will have line of sight to all my components.
Click to expand...


Cool enjoy it! :)
 
R1400??? WTF you see that?

and no Sinbad, I asked "price aside" cause I want to sell mine and would sell it for like R800.

considering I bought it for like R3500 I would have wanted to sell it for like R1500.
 
Off-The-Chart said:
R1400??? WTF you see that?

and no Sinbad, I asked "price aside" cause I want to sell mine and would sell it for like R800.

considering I bought it for like R3500 I would have wanted to sell it for like R1500.
Click to expand...

The price point was what decided me on the model. If all the prices had been equal I would have gone for the top of the range. So, price aside, there was no reason for me not to go with it. But price wasn't aside ;) Hence, you answered your own question from my point of view :D
 
Off-The-Chart said:
R1400??? WTF you see that?

and no Sinbad, I asked "price aside" cause I want to sell mine and would sell it for like R800.

considering I bought it for like R3500 I would have wanted to sell it for like R1500.
Click to expand...

Sorry my mistake, was confused with the Harmony one.

The 1100 is even more insanely expensive lol.

Does it make tea?
 
Ok got the Harmony 600, set it up in 10 minutes and it works like a charm. I like how, even if you make a mistake in your initial setup, it fault finds itself and fixes the problem... smart.
 
Off-The-Chart said:
why won't you guys go for the Harmony 1100?

price aside
Click to expand...

Ergonomically the 900 and "One" is just much better IMO. There is nothing the 1100 can do that those can't, but with the 1100 you sometimes need to use both hands and look at what you're doing, etc. The 1100 looks very impressive lying on a coffee table, but apart from that I'll take the 900 over it any day.
 
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