Universal Remote Control rant

[lpbk2713]

I just got done setting one up and it took over a half hour. Why is it that the manufacturers of universal remotes can have dozens or hundreds of codes in their user handbook for all kinds of components but the equipment manufacturers can't do the same. Seems like a home electronics manufacturer could have a listing in their manual of what codes apply to what universal remotes for their particular piece of equipment. I have a few remotes around the house that I simply gave up on because I couldn't find a code that would work. When I think about all the remotes I have around the house, including the ones that came with the device like a TV or VCR, I must have around twenty or twenty-five. This is why I like to consolidate them with a universal.

[Pacifist Patriot]

1. Ha! That's not a URC rant.

Get back to me when a child loses one less than an hour after you've programmed the SOB.

[fknobbit]

3. Don't be hard on children

I depend heavily on my Grand children to program mine. losing it then is a given.

[Pacifist Patriot]

5. Mine are at the stage where they can

play Game Cube, Playstation and computer games but can't help with a universal remote. I give it 4 months.

[7th_Sephiroth]

2. what you need is

THE UNIVERSAL REMONSTER

[arabella]

4. I just remembered!

I had one of those!!! Haven't seen it in ages. I think I threw it out...

[ET Awful]

6. If you don't mind spending the money, I HIGHLY recommend

The Harmony Remote by Logitech (they make several models).

Unlnike most other universal remotes, you do all the programming on your PC then upload it to the remote via a USB cable.

I hhad given up on universal remotes until I got this thing. It took me all of 20 minutes to set up all my stereo and home theater equipment on it.

I hit a single button for "watch DVD" and it turns on the DVD player, the TV, the receiver, etc., turns the TV to the right channel and hits play.

Same for CD, Cable, VCR, etc.

Plus, unlike my other "universal" remotes, ALL the buttons work, such as the menu and info buttons for the cable box, the fast forward and chhapter skip for the DVD, all of the source selections for my receiver, etc.

It cost $140 or so, but it's worth it :).

They also have kick ass tech support. When you set up your remote profile, it's stored in the company's database. If you have a problem, you call them, and they can look at your configuration and see what's wrong.

Trust me on this, they rock :)

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?PAGE=products/features/harmony&PATH=products/features/harmony&REF=CRID=2078&CRID=2078&countryid=19&languageid=1

and, for the best price on them, go to http://www.newegg.com