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All in one Remote opinions please!!
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Posted by: Livo

I was in the market for a single remote that can control all of my A/V devices and of course my tivo. Any one have any ideas as to which remote will work with tivo as well as the other devices (DVD, Receiver, VHS, TV). Thnaks.

Posted by: paulfife

I've got a Sony remote with learning functionality (you can teach it codes from other remotes) and I'm happy with it. I've got the RM-VL900. Sony makes a few other models with learning as well.

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INT...AAADxxR%2e61eP_

The only complaint I have is that people who visit have no idea how to use it since I have buttons programmed to do things other than they are labelled to do.

I do love that I can program a macro to turn on/off the cable box/TV/receiver all at once.

Posted by: gfb107

There are lots and lots of choices here. Personally I like the JP1 remotes, they are cheap and highly configurable using your computer, even to the point of adding support yourself which the remote doesnt't support as it. They are learning remotes, and support macros. I have mine setup up to automatically select the correct inputs when I press the device key for the video source I want to watch.

See http://www.hifi-remote.com/jp1/

The latest ones are the Radio Shack 15-2116 ($30) and the One For All URC8811 ($25), both of which can control 8 devices. There is also the Radio Shack 15-2104 ($19) for 6 devices.

You'll need to

Posted by: Tau Lepton

If you want the lowdown on remotes of all kinds check out
http://www.remotecentral.com/ It has reviews and tips for many different type of "all in one" remotes.

Tau

Posted by: bsd

I love the MX-500. Check it out on remotecentral.com.

-Brett

Posted by: brett63

I'd cast a vote for the RS-2116. Just purchased one to replace my OFA Cinema 7. It has TiVo functionality built-in (even has a last channel button, which my TiVo remote lacks!) Didn't work with my JVC receiver, though. I'll have to manually program that in, I guess.

Great value for $30, and the indigo backlight is so cool!

Alas, I am too busy with my TiVo hacks to play around with my JP1 cable...

Posted by: Bigdog999

I'll throw out a little bit more expensive remote, the Philips Pronto. I have the older TSU-2000 ($400) and it's a real pisser. If you have the time and motivation to play you can custom design your graphic interface, it also has full learning capabilities as well as macroas 7 timer functions.

Posted by: korn316

PLEASE DO NOT GET THE JP1's!!!!!

I have been up and down these boards about a good learning remote and after buying a jp1, I really felt screwed. I bought the RCU810 learning remote only to give it to another member of my family. The remote had NO memory. It couldn't handle saving all my tivo buttons, and after I put those buttons in, I couldn't learn any other remotes. I kept getting mem full. messages on the remote.

I've been up and down the message boards, no matter what type of tivo or set-up you have, I think you'll find the sony vl900 to be the best remote on the market. It has 8 functions, I had it learn 5 different remotes and it has memory for all of them. BUY THE VL900. I PROMISE YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT.

Posted by: tivolovit

Absolutely no equal, The MX-500 is THE universal remote to have. IMHO.

Posted by: Worf

That's why you get the proper recommended one - the RS15-1994 smart av 6-in-1. The main thing is that you do *NOT* want to learn the TiVo's keys. If you do, you'd rapidly run out of memory. If you do it properly, you can get the function codes from the stored commands, and then create a function set. These function sets are *tiny* (my remote can learn at most 20-odd commands via 'learning', but it can hold 6 custom designed remotes (I learned all my remotes to customize the key layout), with plenty of room to learn at least 10-odd commands.

However, I will say it took *forever* to do this... But it was worth it!

quote:
Originally posted by korn316
PLEASE DO NOT GET THE JP1's!!!!!

I have been up and down these boards about a good learning remote and after buying a jp1, I really felt screwed. I bought the RCU810 learning remote only to give it to another member of my family. The remote had NO memory. It couldn't handle saving all my tivo buttons, and after I put those buttons in, I couldn't learn any other remotes. I kept getting mem full. messages on the remote.

I've been up and down the message boards, no matter what type of tivo or set-up you have, I think you'll find the sony vl900 to be the best remote on the market. It has 8 functions, I had it learn 5 different remotes and it has memory for all of them. BUY THE VL900. I PROMISE YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT.

Posted by: cnshough

I'll give another vote for the VL900

Posted by: ClutchBrake

How much do you want to spend?

The MX-500 is probably the most popular "high-end" remote on the board. You can get them at Costco for $99 and $6 shipping.
After much debate I decided to go with the Sony RM-VL900. It can be had for $40-$60. I will be getting it for Christmas.
I went with the VL900 for two main reasons. The first is because it is $40-$60 cheaper and I didn't want anyone spending $100-$115 on me for Christmas. The second is because of the reviews I read about the RM-VL900.
I did not read reviews from this forum. I read them elsewhere but was struck by how many people commented that this was the remote to have for TiVo users. The capability of controlling up to 8 components and the ability to easily learn other remotes just put this one over the top for me.

Posted by: patrickpiteo

quote:
Originally posted by bsd
I love the MX-500. Check it out on remotecentral.com.

-Brett

Simply The Best !:up:

Posted by: gfb107

quote:
Originally posted by korn316
PLEASE DO NOT GET THE JP1's!!!!!

I have been up and down these boards about a good learning remote and after buying a jp1, I really felt screwed. I bought the RCU810 learning remote only to give it to another member of my family. The remote had NO MEMORY

I have 1 RS 15-1994 and 4 One For Cinema 7+ (URC 7800) remotes, as well 1 of the RCA RCU810. I can't stand the RCA, but the 15-1994 is nice, and I really like the URC7800. The only difference between the 15-1994 and the URC7800 is the physical shape and key layout, the remotes functions idenitcally. The best part is the price, the last time I bought 2 URC7800 for a total of $35 shipped, and they already had the JP1 connectors soldered in place.

As noted above, the way to add device support to a JP1 remote is not through learning, but by creating/finding a device upgrade code and installing it into your remote using your PC. The learning function is useful for figuring out how to create a device upgrade, but is not adequate for actually programming complete support for a new device. It should be noted however that my RCU810 already had support for non-Sony TiVos. I think it was only missing 3 or 4 buttons I wanted.

Posted by: bigcb37

I vote for the VL-900.

I like having the hard buttons, macros, learning etc.

The configuration I have on it is perfect for tivo...has every botton accounted for.

Posted by: ronfl

MX 500 gets my vote too. Loved it even before I got TiVo.

Posted by: RayinMaui

The VL900 is great. Now if I could only figure out how to have it select the input on my Mits HDTV, it would be perfect!

Posted by: mmcdermott150

the mx-500 from universal remote control kicks ass!

Posted by: Cubfan

I just got the Radio Shack 15-2116 mentioned here this afternoon. What a wonderful remote with built in Tivo support. I've had the Sony VL900, but have been dissatisfied that it doesn't have enough buttons and no backlight for total darkness of my basement... it's also kinda heavy and oddly balanced/shaped.

After playing with this Radio Shack remote, I found that it even had the codes for my old Apex DVD (had to program them in one-by-one on the Sony, as well as the Tivo commands). Setup took about 20 minutes total, and the LCD is great for those of us who forget how to program things... always had to get out the book for the Sony.

Anyway, I still had the packaging and receipt for the Sony VL900 and Best Buy took it back this evening. I paid approximately half for the Radio Shack remote, and I'm loving it. This has to be the killer bargain in the remote category.

Thanks for the recommendation, guys!

Posted by: descentr

quote:
Originally posted by Cubfan
This has to be the killer bargain in the remote category.

You can say that again. Sorry Korn had such a bad experience, but the JP1 remotes, especially the RS remotes, are unbeatable on a cost per feature basis.

I've never had a memory problem on my 1994, and I'm buying a 2116 for a friend for Christmas. These remotes have allowed me to trim my 5 remotes down to one. My wife can finally use our home theater without any assistance from me.

I hope Korn's message won't turn people away from these remotes as they are VERY powerful and cheap. Just check out remotecentral.com and the jp1 yahoo group to find plenty of folks very happey with theirs. There's even a jp1 for beginners doc ther to help get you started.

descentr

Posted by: GoodSpike

quote:
Originally posted by korn316
PLEASE DO NOT GET THE JP1's!!!!!

I have been up and down these boards about a good learning remote and after buying a jp1, I really felt screwed. I bought the RCU810 learning remote only to give it to another member of my family. The remote had NO memory. It couldn't handle saving all my tivo buttons, and after I put those buttons in, I couldn't learn any other remotes. I kept getting mem full. messages on the remote.

I have the Radio Shack 2104 JP1 remote, and have had no such problems. It's actually my favorite remote. If only it handled X10 radio frequency commands, it would be perfect!

Posted by: Cubfan

quote:
Originally posted by descentr
You can say that again. Sorry Korn had such a bad experience, but the JP1 remotes, especially the RS remotes, are unbeatable on a cost per feature basis.

No matter what you buy, there's always somebody around to declare it's "crap." Don't know which remote Korn was using, but it wasn't this one from Radio Shack. In fact, the remote he declares to be the be-all and end-all is the one I returned after purchasing this one for half the price.

Anyway it does hold all the Tivo commands... well, it doesn't need to memorize them, because they come built in. It doesn't have to memorize my DVD commands (like I had to tediously do on the VL900), because they come built in on the Radio Shack remote.

My Toshiba big screen is all there including all PIP commands, which I had to program in on the VL900. My Yamaha receiver works perfectly, too, but on the VL900, I had to program in several of the output modes that the built-in commands didn't cover. And, as I said, the Tivo commands cover every button built-in and my Apex DVD is there, too, yet both of those had to have every button programmed into the VL900.

I'll have to let the rest of you vouch for this new remote's memory capability. It knows all my stuff, so I doubt I'll be inputting more than just a few commands... that is, when I find one that the built-in codes don't cover, and I've only found one so far... the open command on the DVD. I'm betting this new remote will handle one button in its memory, don't you think? :)

Posted by: DerekT1975

If you don't mind hacking into your remote, the JP1s are an unbelievably good deal. The how-tos and programs to help you configure the remote are excellent, and it doesn't take too long to start programming your remote from a PC.
I have the OneForAll Cinema7+.

Derek.

Posted by: descentr

quote:
Originally posted by DerekT1975
If you don't mind hacking into your remote, the JP1s are an unbelievably good deal.

That's true, but they are a good deal even without hacking. The jp1 remotes have more features than their manuals tell. Advanced codes and Key moves alone make these $20-$30 remotes funtion like those cost 2-3 times as much. No hacking required, just some light reading.

descentr

Posted by: JSY

I have a question for the owners of the RS 15-2116. I didn't notice this remote the last time I went to RS, but that was a while back. Anyway, can someone tell me if the remote allows you to control a cable box (Scientific Atlanta 2100) and Echostar (Dish Network dp301) simultaneously (in addition to TiVo, of course). I don't seem to notice many remotes that allow you to control both a cable box and satellite at the same time and the button for both is usually combined. This remote sounds awfully inexpensive for what it seems to do!

Posted by: Cubfan

quote:
Originally posted by JSY
Anyway, can someone tell me if the remote allows you to control a cable box (Scientific Atlanta 2100) and Echostar (Dish Network dp301) simultaneously (in addition to TiVo, of course).

Don't see why not. I have mine controlling an Echostar Dish box, but don't have it controlling a cable box. My "Cable" button is unassigned, since I don't have cable.

Posted by: descentr

quote:
Originally posted by JSY
I have a question for the owners of the RS 15-2116. I didn't notice this remote the last time I went to RS, but that was a while back.

Remotecentral has a good pic of the remote here . You can see that cable and sat are separated so you should be able to do what you want.

hth,
descentr

Posted by: mykall

[QUOTE]Originally posted by brett63
[B]I'd cast a vote for the RS-2116. Just purchased one to replace my OFA Cinema 7. It has TiVo functionality built-in (even has a last channel button, which my TiVo remote lacks!) Didn't work with my JVC receiver, though. I'll have to manually program that in, I guess.

======

When you say that it has Tivo functionality built in do you mean
all buttons including the "Tivo" button and the arrow keys?

Thanks,

Mike

Posted by: Cubfan

quote:
Originally posted by mykall
[QUOTE]Originally posted by brett63
[B]When you say that it has Tivo functionality built in do you mean
all buttons including the "Tivo" button and the arrow keys?

Yep, it does... even the 30-second-skip/skip to tickmark, last channel, back up 3 seconds (or whatever that circular back arrow button is). The only one I haven't found yet is the slow motion button, but I seldom use that. If I don't find it, I'll just program it on the stop button that isn't used.

Posted by: dbates

I really love my Sony Remote Commander RM-AV3000, you can get it for about $100 on the web but they retail for $199 at Best Buy.

It commands every single button on my Tivo plus every single button on my TV, DVD player, VCR, Receiver. Programming was really easy.

Two of my friends got one after using mine at my house.

Posted by: guydewdney

simple....pronto....

cue flame....

guy

Posted by: curiousgeorge

Home Theatre Master MX-500 is THE remote in the approximately $100 range. I personally think from a useability and ergonomic standpoint it has no peer, including the much more expensive MX-700 and the bulky Sony RM-AV3000. You CAN'T go wrong with the MX-500. The ONLY two gripes I have with it are:

"Light" button is too high on the side of the remote. Inconvenient.

Macro keys should be below the LCD (above PAGE/MAIN/FAV). Current placement is somewhat inconvenient.

And that's it. Everything else about the remote is so well-thought-out it's scary.

Posted by: Terriertamer

quote:
Originally posted by tivolovit
Absolutely no equal, The MX-500 is THE universal remote to have. IMHO.

I'm a new Tivo ( Series 2, 80 hour) user and I have a MX-500.

Please help me find a code for it to control my Tivo. My MX-500 book doesn't have a code for Tivo. I checked the AUX section of the book and it list many manufacturers but not Tivo.

Does the MX-500 control all of Tivo's functions, including FF and REW of the live buffer? How could it handle the 3 speeds of the Fast Forward/REwind?

Will I need to make it learn many functions?

Posted by: curiousgeorge

Use the Philips code in the AUX section for TiVo codes (090) on an MX-500. Even though the new Series 2 units I got are AT&T, they still work with the Philips AUX code I used in the MX-500. Of course I customized it a bit. Mute became the TiVo button, and Prev Channel became Live TV. I put Clear, Thumbs Up/Down on the buttons next to the LCD at the top, and punched through the Volume +/- to the amplifier's volume for the AV system.

Posted by: Tivogre

You can't go wrong with the Pronto Neo.

TONS of memory for device learning.

Fully customizable touchscreen PLUS hard buttons for all common functions (cursor, select, volume, channel, guide, mute). INCREDIBLY flexible, and well supported on several user forums for pre-made device configs.

Posted by: paladin732

how much better is the response on the tivo to these remotes then the standard with remotes?

cause im thinking of getting the mx-500 for my DVD, VCR, DIRECTIVO, TV

but since i really only use the tivo remote that shipped with my hdvr2 since it controls the power on the tv and i rarely use the dvd player or vcr the multiple remotes isnt as much an issue for me as the annoyingly slow response if im scrollling fast in the tivoguide or something else

its MUCH slower then my standalone remote or any other remotes for that matter

Posted by: Terriertamer

I love the MX-500. I've had 16 Universal remotes over 10 years and this one is, by far, the BEST. I have three home theater A/V receivers and I use the Sony RM-VL900 for the other two.

The response time for TIVO is no better or worse from the MX-500 than it is with the TIVO remote. The MX-500 does work from greater distances and operates whether I'm pointing at the TIVO or not.

Using one remote provides for consistent user interface, and m u c h less feedback from my wife.

Terriertamer

Posted by: rydell

I bought an RCU810 off ebay for less than $20 (shipped) and it controls everything I want it to, with the exception of my apex DVD players. The code for my DSR-6000 Philips DirecTivo was kinda buried (it's under "VCR" section and I missed it at first) but now it controls

Pioneer Elite VSX-21 a/v receiver
JVC & Sony VCRs
DSR-6000 DirecTivo
Sony SAT-W60 UTV
Proscan 32" TV

My only complaint is that if it had more memory, I could get it to control my Apex DVD players as well. So, keeping in mind that I really *like* the RCU810's layout, backlighting, etc. what similar remote has more memory? I do not like touchscreen remotes at all btw :)

Posted by: mcgheerw

quote:
Originally posted by rydell
My only complaint is that if it had more memory, I could get it to control my Apex DVD players as well. So, keeping in mind that I really *like* the RCU810's layout, backlighting, etc. what similar remote has more memory? I do not like touchscreen remotes at all btw :)

rydell,

If you really like the remote and are handy with a soldering iron (or know someone who is), you might want to upgrade your RCU810 by adding a JP1 header:

http://www.hifi-remote.com/jp1/RCU810/index.shtml

This will allow you to build and download new device codes (Apex) to your remote. Device codes use a different memory space than the learned codes, so you'd be able to continue using your remote. Check out the following link for more info:

http://www.hifi-remote.com/jp1/

Bob

Posted by: platbr

I have a Philips Pronto that I absolutely love. It works with ALL of my hardware, and I have never had to learn a single IR command -- they are all available at Remotecentral.com. Further, elaborate and nicely styled pages [for the Pronto] are available for every device imaginable. With a little bit of programming, the Pronto works fabulously with any system.

The only drawback to my Pronto (TSU-1000) is the lack of hard buttons. However, this is a minor complaint (which has been fixed in the newer - $500 (ouch!) - model) compared with the infinite functionality available with the Pronto.

Overall, though, you can't beat the ease of programming for the Pronto, and the awesome functionality of the Pronto's Macro ability.

Posted by: dcampbe1

quote:
Originally posted by tivolovit
Absolutely no equal, The MX-500 is THE universal remote to have. IMHO.

Just got an MX-500 for Christmas. After an hour trying to figure it out, I still don't know how to get it to function as a TiVo without having to program each and every button.

Does anyone know how to program the TiVo remote function into the MX-500 with a simple one step process?

Posted by: bsnelson

quote:
Originally posted by ClutchBrake
The MX-500 is probably the most popular "high-end" remote on the board.

High end? :)

Try AMX or Crestron. Now THOSE are high end!

Having said that, I have a MX-500 and love it.

Brad

Posted by: jlib

quote:
Originally posted by dcampbe1
Does anyone know how to program the TiVo remote function into the MX-500 with a simple one step process?

Unless you know someone with one already programmed to your liking which you can do a clone on you will have to do each button individually. It is not as bad as it sounds once you get the rhythm of the programming technique down (which is very quick and intuitive).

The only bottleneck is that you have to use the text keys for some of the buttons (Th Up, Th Dn, Menu, the ones on the top part of the Peanut, etc.) so you will have to edit the text fields. I would say it took a total of a half hour to do all programming including later edits to improve usability as I found out which buttons get used the most. For example, I originally had the pause button as the joy stick center but that is where select really belongs.

Look at it this way, having to do a complete programming job will make the editing procedure so easy that you will then be able customize your other pre-programmed remote modes more painlessly.

Posted by: dcampbe1

Thanks! You're right. I don't know anyone I can clone from so I used the 090 code, chaned a little text and cloned the Guide, TV/VCR, and joy stick functions. Like you say it was pretty painless.

The real problem I have now is controlling two TiVo in the same location. With the SA2 remote I could control which TiVo to operate with it's "DVR" slide switch. I have not been able to devise a means of using the MX-500 on one TiVo OR the other. So far I've only been able to use it controlling only both units at the same time.

Until I can find a way around the stumbling block, it looks like despite all of the MX-500 capabilities that I'll still have to use the TiVo remote. )*^)#)(*@^!!@!$@

Posted by: bsnelson

dcampbe1, the good news is that you can control multiple TiVos with a MX-500; the bad news is that you have to program it seperately for each one!

My MX-500 controls all six of my TiVos (see sig), and yes, I had to go through the programming process six times, each with a different remote code, putting in the text labels, etc.

If you program the MX-500 with a TiVo remote set to RC 0, it will indeed control any TiVo that's listening. If you have multiples, you must make sure that you don't use RC 0 on ANY of them.

The good news: you only have to do it once, and it's well worth it IMHO.

Brad

Posted by: dcampbe1

Boy! That IS good news! I'm delighted! Well, strangely enough I have already programmed two separate devices, one called TIVO1 and one called TIVO2. They are up til now identical in listing and functionality. I've been waiting for someone like you to tell me how to distinguish them from one another.

I don't follow you on how to program RC to a zero. I haven't seen anything that addresses the RC element. How can I resolve that shortcoming? Also, you mentioned "sig" as if that's a place I should look. Could you be more specific?

Thanks.

Posted by: bsnelson

dcampbe1 - Sorry, us old timers get kind of wound up sometimes! I believe the changing of the remote code is in the TiVo manual; it involves pressing and holding (I believe) the TiVo and pause buttons for three seconds until the LED on the remote goes out. Then, press a number from 1 to 9, and the remote is then programmed to that remote code (RC).

There's probably a better writeup somewhere else around here, but the short version: A TiCo set to RC 1-9 will listen only to a remote that is likewise set (e.g. TiVo set to RC 1 will only respond to a remote set to RC 1). However, RC 0 is "special" in two ways: (1) A TiVo set to RC 0 will listen to any remote, regardless of the code that the remote is set to, and (2) a remote set to RC 0 will control any TiVo, regardless of the code that the TiVo is set to.

The key to using different remote codes lies in the system information (SI) screen on the TiVo. When your TiVo is on that screen, the next button press it receives will set it's remote code. It will stay on that code until you go back to the SI screen and hit it with a different coded remote.

As for "sig", that's short for "signature", the place where you have your info about your TiVos, PC, router and ISP. Mine has my TiVo list...

Brad

Posted by: DevilDogs

I recently bought a Sony VL-700 (similar to the VL-900, no macros, fewer devices, less $$$). I love it! In fact, I now have a hard time going back to the original Tivo remote. I did have to have the VL-700 learn some of the Tivo keys, but it was fairly straightforward. I'd recommend it esp. if you have other Sony devices.

Posted by: Hector Diaz

Does anyone have the process or codes that I could use to program the RS-2116 remote for the Sony SVR-2000. I don't have the original remote! HELP!!!!

Posted by: Terriertamer

Hector,

Please try Remote Central at: http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bi...er/list.cgi?250

Posted by: Onibroc42

Chalk up another vote for the Sony RM-VL900! Not enough hard buttons to get EVERYTHING from the Tivo, but I can live with having to grab the original remote for Thumb keys. It knows how to talk to all my Sony equipment, and has punchthrough on all devices for the audio keys. For $50, it's as close to perfect as I need for now.

Posted by: mbrown333

Just got an MX-500 after frustrations with other "all-in-ones" and could not be happier. Programming was quite simple (moreso than I thought it would be) and fairly quick. I tend to use TiVo functions (as most remotes) with my index finger rather than thumb and, after a short adjustment period to the balance of the MX-500, find it works great in this way. And the fact that I can program any button (with 3 minor exceptions) to do whatever I want it to is amazing. Two thumbs (index fingers?) up here...