[Bob2]

My trusty Medius TX1000 is starting to give me some problems. It was dropped awhile back and started acting up.. I really like this remote and has worked for years with ALL of my gear. So it is time to look for something to replace it.


I would like to replace this with something similar. Wish they were still available.. The Logitech 1100 would work but those have been discontinued..
Anyone have some suggestions for a touch screen remote that isn't the usual one handed remote..

[poseidonsvoice]

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=119935.0



Best,
Anand.

[Bob2]

Anand,
thanks very much for the link.
Have looked at Irule before but when I asked some questions of their customer service I received no reply. This happened 3 times so I checked them off the list.
I'll give it another look since you seem to be having a good experience with it.
Thanks again and Happy New Year!
Bob2

[Scott F.]

Bob2

for years I used my Universal MX-900 remote. It worked fine but the program interface was pretty clunky and didn't have all the codes  I needed for my gear. I used it anyway mostly because I sunk SO much money into the purchase.

In the past month my Integra 9.8 pre-pro died so it was time to upgrade. I ended up with the Marantz AV-7701. I couldn't bring myself to fighting with the Universal Remote computer interface, I decided to upgrade my remote also. This is what I ended up with...


http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/harmony-smart-control?crid=60


It's the Harmony Smart Control. I picked it up from Best Buy for $100. I have to say, it's the best $100 I've spent in a while. It comes with a very simple remote that interfaces with the Harmony Hub which sits in your rack. You also have the option of downloading an app for your smartphone or tablet (iOS or Android). You take and plug the Hub into the USB port on a computer, log onto the Logitech website and start downloading all of the gear you have in your rack.

If you want to use your tablet (or Pad), just start the program and interface with all of your gear across your wifi network. You'll find almost every button and function in the app plus you can setup your favorite channels for your local cable provider complete with the station logo.

I'm not doing it complete justice with only a few sentences but it really is a feature rich remote that is super easy to program. Plus, it's WAY cheaper than the Universal remotes.

Give it a try. If you don't like it, take it back to Best Buy...no harm, no foul

[ctviggen]

I wouldn't do that, since it requires a smartphone.  If I had an extra smartphone I could make into a permanent remote, I'd consider it. 

I'm currently still using a Universal Remote Control remote.  It does have a clunky interface, but I use it with RF to control everything and easily switch between activities. 

[youravhandyman]

Bob2,
I've been a URC dealer for some time and have quite a few remotes sitting around.  the MX-900 has the exact same functionality as the 1000 with the wand form factor.  Could work something out with you if you like how your remote operates.

Matt

[Bob2]

Well I have a Harmony Ultimate on the way. The features it offers should do all I need except for controlling music playback from my pc. Does anyone here know if it will make nice with my pc through my Logitech diNovo Edge Keyboard which uses Bluetooth via dongle? Would be freakin awesome if that would work!! Any suggestions on what I could do to make this control the pc if it won't work with my keyboard?
Thanks everyone for their input! You folks are awesome!!!
Bob2
p.s youravhandyman, thanks so much for your offer. Unfortunately I could not find anywhere to download the software to program the MX-900.
Real shame these remotes are no longer supported. I have been very pleased with the TX 1000.

p.s.s.Scott F. Thanks for your input! Did a lot of reading about the Harmony remotes, mostly AVS forum, and decided to get what should be the best they offer. Glad yours is working out for you, expecting the same results for my setup. Thanks so much for your post!

[youravhandyman]

Bob2,

If it doesn't work out you could send me the MX-1000 and I can extract the program.  The software to do so is not even technically supported by URC anymore but is still available from them.  Good luck!

Matt

[mcgsxr]

I have a 900 for my basement HT, and a 650 for the main floor.

None of the Harmony remotes can control a PC to the best of my knowledge.

I think you'll need a tablet and an app to pull that off.

I use an Android tv box, and although I could train my 900 to control it, it is way simpler to just grab an ios device and use the remote app.

So, I do have to have 2 devices lying around to do ALL that my HT can do, but compare that to the list of remotes the 900 does control via RF into the media closet, and I can live with it.

[Bob2]

youravhandyman,
Thanks for your offer. The program on the remote was copied the last time I had it connected to the pc. Not sure it will do any good from here on....

Scott F,
Appreciate what you posted, that was one that made me decide to order the Harmony.

mcgsxr,
Guess controling the pc was too much to expect. Been controling the pc via Ipad through VNC but some serious lag issues. Takes the fun out of it. Will download the app as soon as I get things working.
Thank for your post!

So I have had it plugged in and charging. That went quickly. The software downloaded from myharmony fast.
Programming seems straight forward although I never used"activities" before. All of the hardware info was added and all of my gear remote codes was available. Including my Lutron dimmers.

Setup activities for gaming with PS3, watching a movie and listening to music.
Tried it out for watching a movie..... Projector fires up, Oppo fires up, reciever fires up, lights go off and my matrix switch shuts off.
Not sure I like the activities option... My setup is really pretty basic but after several reconfigs and re-syncing each time it still isn't giving me what I want.

Tried just using the gear one at a time but when I try turning on only one piece of equipment the lights go out and matrix switch turns off...

I'm sure it is something I am doing wrong and I will keep trying. I believe that the hub really might be throwing the ir around my room causing the weirdness!
All of my gear is out in the open so I'm going to try moving the hub around and using only the ir from the remote. Hopefully this will end well.

The remote is pretty cool though...

[mcgsxr]

Is there an hdmi cable between your receiver and the matrix switch ( I don't know what that is).

I ask, as sometimes some gear attached to another piece with an hdmi will act on both when only 1 is triggered.   Case in point in my own HT - if I just shut off my TV, my receiver will also shut off.

So, if I am watching a movie, and want to switch to listening to music (both are activities in my 900), I am better off using the macro vs just shutting off the TV manually, and trying to press various buttons via the devices.

I had heard mixed things about the hub based Logitech, so went with the 900 for my HT. 

[Bob2]

mcgsxr,
matrix switch allows me to send hdmi signal to all 4 of my displays. As you mentioned when some equipment is shut down others may also follow suit when signal is gone.

Thanks for your help in this matter...but I now have the remote correctly setup and everything working as it should. Was an error on my part (usually is!).
Nice to be able to control ALL of my gear with one remote and not have to point the remote all over the room.
Looking forward to getting a lot of use from this remote as I did from the previous. This was much easier to configure and get running compared to the Medius although I really liked that unit.

Thanks everyone for helping out!

[mcgsxr]

Excellent.  I love my 900, with the RF allowing the use of a media closet, the nest of wires is buried away from sight, and it all works as it should as long as I use it the way I set it up!