Best Universal Remote to use with the UMC-1?

[outlawrock]

I know this could be a bit controversial (remotes are like opinions, everyone has one...), but looking for recommendations on a universal to use with the UMC-1 (hoping the new firmware is stable enough for me to replace my DMC-1). The remote with the DMC-1 was very good but mine is falling apart (battery door) and a bit dated - no color. But looking for a new remote has found many, many flawed options. Tried the Harmony 900 and not happy with it (very slow, not very programmable). The MX-450 seems to be pro-only (no support, manual, etc). MX-900 seems to have a short keyboard lifespan?

Thinking about the Universal Remote Control URC-R50 but reviews indicate it's keys aren't that good? Anyone have this and can it be programmed with the discreet codes for the UMC-1?

So, looking for a universal remote with good program-ability and ease of use, plus I want RF so I can keep my stereo cabinet door closed. Advice appreciated!

[bootman]

All MX series remotes are "pro only".
That said, the 450 is built like a tank and is easy to program since all is done on the remote.
Updates are via a PC and usb.

You will get a lot of Harmony responses here since that is the popular universal on this board.
The one with RF is the 900.
reviews.cnet.com/remote-controls/logitech-harmony-900/4505-7900_7-33743663.html

It's a nice remote also with web only programming.
All of the UMC's discrete codes are in the Harmony database now so that will be useful in your case.

URC doesn't have any Emotiva products in their databases.

[rocky500]

I have purchased the URC-R50 recently. Had a MX500 before. Like URC-R50 better so far.
My UMC-1 will be delivered in a week and I can let you know how it goes.

[Chris]

My goto remote has been the Harmony 550. It's not the most advanced of the Harmony line but it pretty much does everything and uses the very good harmony software and database. The advantage to the 550 is it's pretty inexpensive. New it sells in the $79 to $99 range but you can often pick up a dented box or refurb for around $50. For $50, I think this one is hard to beat, IMHO.

-CB

[outlawrock]

Thanks all. The URC-R50 looks like my next attempt, so far. But what RF base works well with it? Doesn't look like it comes with one...

[jimsfield]

The one draw back to the URC-R50 is that you can't add discrete codes without learning them, so if you don't have a remote with the discrete codes in it you're out of luck.

[visiter555]

I have used (and still have):

URC
Harmony
Pronto
RTI
Nevo

Depending on who you are each has plusses & minuses...

If you care about WAF and she is not so technical I have found either the Harmony or a properly configged URC works best (Harmony's are forgiving with their crazy "Help" key).

For the techies that have real love of product the RTI's are sweet, but they cost more than a few Harmonys and URCs combined.

A remote is a personal thing and you need to find a friend or relative and test them out...some people like the new flatter remotes made by Harmony, some love the peanut ones. Some like the hammerhead units made by URC. Some want PC based software and some hate using the internet to config. Some love the old MX-500s that you manually key in macros...

Again GO AND TRY each one till you find what you think you like (and you WILL change your mind after you buy it!).

It is a "hobby", so go and play.

[hooked]

DEFINITE +1 ON 450 PRETTY EASY TO PROGRAM ONCE YOU START MESSING WITH IT

[outlawrock]

Thanks for all the advice folks. So I shouldn't be afraid of the MX-450 in spite of the reviews on Amazon? The info is available about how to program it?

If I go MX-450, it can be programmed with the discrete codes for the UMC-1?
Also, can the MX-450 be set up like the Harmony feature, so that you can program a button to be "watch dvd" and it will turn on the appropriate devices and select the right settings on the UMC-1?

Thanks again.

[outlawrock]

Hi Visiter555, I've already bought 2 new ones to try and didn't like, so that's why I turned to the board. Thanks again for the advice.

Apr 24, 2010 16:27:08 GMT -5 visiter555 said:

I have used (and still have):

URC
Harmony
Pronto
RTI
Nevo

Depending on who you are each has plusses & minuses...

If you care about WAF and she is not so technical I have found either the Harmony or a properly configged URC works best (Harmony's are forgiving with their crazy "Help" key).

For the techies that have real love of product the RTI's are sweet, but they cost more than a few Harmonys and URCs combined.

A remote is a personal thing and you need to find a friend or relative and test them out...some people like the new flatter remotes made by Harmony, some love the peanut ones. Some like the hammerhead units made by URC. Some want PC based software and some hate using the internet to config. Some love the old MX-500s that you manually key in macros...

Again GO AND TRY each one till you find what you think you like (and you WILL change your mind after you buy it!).

It is a "hobby", so go and play.

[NorthStar]

Apr 24, 2010 10:54:05 GMT -5 Chris said:

My goto remote has been the Harmony 550. It's not the most advanced of the Harmony line but it pretty much does everything and uses the very good harmony software and database. The advantage to the 550 is it's pretty inexpensive. New it sells in the $79 to $99 range but you can often pick up a dented box or refurb for around $50. For $50, I think this one is hard to beat, IMHO.

-CB

I fully agree with you CB, I got two of those and I paid only $50 for each. It beats any other Universal remotes that I had in the past, up to $300 (even with RF).

* But for the OP, then the new Harmony 900 with RF is the One.

[outlawrock]

Hmm, sounds tempting (and cheap). Does it have discrete codes for the UMC-1?

Apr 25, 2010 15:22:15 GMT -5 NorthStar said:

Apr 24, 2010 10:54:05 GMT -5 Chris said:

My goto remote has been the Harmony 550. It's not the most advanced of the Harmony line but it pretty much does everything and uses the very good harmony software and database. The advantage to the 550 is it's pretty inexpensive. New it sells in the $79 to $99 range but you can often pick up a dented box or refurb for around $50. For $50, I think this one is hard to beat, IMHO.

-CB

I fully agree with you CB, I got two of those and I paid only $50 for each. It beats any other Universal remotes that I had in the past, up to $300 (even with RF).

* But for the OP, then the new Harmony 900 with RF is the One.

[bootman]

Harmony has discrete codes on their databases, so all of their remotes will have access to them.

There are no discrete codes for the UMC for any URC remote available.

[outlawrock]

Well, since I already didn't like a Harmony (too many buttons to get to tivo's menu for example, and slow), I guess I'll try the MX-450 (in spite of its lack of direct codes). Clearly there is no perfect solution.

[Nemesis.ie]

With the Harmony remotes, you can put whatever "virtual" buttons you like on the display for any activity page, so you can have ONE button on the side of the display to go to any Tivo (or anything else) menu option/function etc.

[aboroth00]

Apr 25, 2010 19:09:48 GMT -5 outlawrock said:

Well, since I already didn't like a Harmony (too many buttons to get to tivo's menu for example, and slow), I guess I'll try the MX-450 (in spite of its lack of direct codes). Clearly there is no perfect solution.

One of the more annoying things about the harmony or perhaps any remote (i only experience with the harmony so cannot comment on other remotes) is that you really have to tune in the remote with the delay settings. If the remote is "slow" i suspect you didn't really fine tune the delay settings as the defaults are quite slow but it makes sure the UMC receives all commands. After i dialed these in, which took an hour or so, the harmony wasn't as slow and performed quite well with the UMC.

I'm sure other forum members can offer delay settings which would probably shorten the time needed to program it.

Hope this helps.

[outlawrock]

Interesting about the Harmony. I bought the 600, configured it with the wizard, and then tried it out, and didn't like it. Didn't even see how to make custom changes, assign functions, tune timings, etc. Any clues?! Thanks.

[aboroth00]

Apr 26, 2010 12:16:09 GMT -5 outlawrock said:

Interesting about the Harmony. I bought the 600, configured it with the wizard, and then tried it out, and didn't like it. Didn't even see how to make custom changes, assign functions, tune timings, etc. Any clues?! Thanks.

The delay settings which would make the harmony "faster" or quicker to respond with any of your equipment is under the device settings or trouble shooting.

Setting the interkey delay lower would make the harmony send the commands quicker to the UMC. I have mine set at 0ms.

Also under the troubleshooting section, there is an option to choose, the UMC isn't responding to the commands. This might not be what the UMC is actually doing, but it's the only way to access how many times the remote sends a command with a range of 0-7. I selected 0, which means the remote only sends it once (to my understanding, correct me if i'm wrong).

You can also select how quickly the Harmony reacts after the device is turned on, to start inputing commands.

You really just have to play with it. After i put those settings in, the remote was very responsive. I have to agree, the harmony program isn't very userfriendly to fine-tuning just because they try to make it understandable to everyone with MORE menus.

Best of luck

[NorthStar]

^ True, you can pretty much do whatever you want it to do with the delays.
Another easy option is to call Logitech and they can change the delays for you, and the order in which components are turn ON first. The customer service is bare none one of the very best.

[outlawrock]

Thanks for the clues. Btw I meant the 900, not the 600.
I'll unpack it from the return box I put it in and play with it a bit more. How do I, say, assign the "tivo" main "tivo" button to one of the colored keys?