Community Forums

Capt Joe · 11-30-2008, 07:16 PM

I got some real good information and help in my Home Theater set-up and hope to get a bit more from the very knowledgable folks here.

I have been looking for a Universal Remote control to help out with all the clutter and confusion of having 3 remote controls to operate the Vizio TV, Comcast cable box and the Sony Home Theater. There sure is a wide variation of product available ranging from about $10 up to well over $200.

What I'm wondering is just how much difference there actually is in the different price point remotes? I see some pretty good reports on some of the Logitech models...Harmony 510, 610, etc available for under $100....However there appears to be a lot of them in the $20 to $30 or so price range. Do you really miss out on a lot of features if you don't spend $100 or so?

Would appreciate any info and suggestions anyone may be able to share. I'm sure there are others who wish to reduce the remote clutter so lets try to simplify the decision making process.

Thanks,

Capt Joe · 11-30-2008, 07:16 PM

I got some real good information and help in my Home Theater set-up and hope to get a bit more from the very knowledgable folks here.

I have been looking for a Universal Remote control to help out with all the clutter and confusion of having 3 remote controls to operate the Vizio TV, Comcast cable box and the Sony Home Theater. There sure is a wide variation of product available ranging from about $10 up to well over $200.

What I'm wondering is just how much difference there actually is in the different price point remotes? I see some pretty good reports on some of the Logitech models...Harmony 510, 610, etc available for under $100....However there appears to be a lot of them in the $20 to $30 or so price range. Do you really miss out on a lot of features if you don't spend $100 or so?

Would appreciate any info and suggestions anyone may be able to share. I'm sure there are others who wish to reduce the remote clutter so lets try to simplify the decision making process.

Thanks,

Bill Adams · 12-01-2008, 04:24 AM

I like the Harmony at any price level. The more expensive versions are often just based upon appearance and not performance so the one I have cost $79 on sale at Target.
It is totally customizable so you can make most any button do most anything. The LCD display buttons are totally customizable and the on-line setup and programming guide is very easy. With the touch of one button it will turn on your surround sound, turn on the TV, set it to the preferred channel and turn of the DVR if it's off. Want it to do more or less with one touch? Just program it that way and it's done. We now have one remote that controls any of the hardware individually or as a group depending upon what we are doing.

offshore · 12-02-2008, 08:18 AM

I also have the Harmony I purchased from Sams for $79.00 It works very good but I found that if I don't have my glasses on when operating it I usually press the wrong button and screw it up.

Ottawa · 12-02-2008, 09:34 AM

I also have the Harmony 520 the entry level and it works super and controls my Cable Bos, TV, Receiver, and DVD Recorder. The reason that I would go with this is that it can be set up with nearly any device, and the fact that it is web based means that anything you buy in the future will work with it as well. I agree that the cheaper ones have a smaller screen and is the only reason why I would consider a more expensive model.

Capt Joe · 12-02-2008, 05:22 PM

Thanks for the imput on the remotes. I have been doing some reading and it looks like the Logitech Harmony line is one of the better choices out there.
On eBay, you can get factory refurbished 520's for $35.99 (Buy It Now) and free shipping as well as quite a few other models at similar savings. Haven't looked into the seller but he has a 99.6% positive feedback with 50,000+ Feedbacks.
Headed out of town for a few days and will probably go on and order one when we get back. Will certainly make live easier.
Thanks Again,