I've been doing a big tidy this weekend and can not find my remote. I am happy to buy a new one, but don't want to order one and wait weeks, or even days. I can not turn on my TV.
Can anyone offer advice on buying a and choosing a universal remote? I have the TV, the dvd player, the wii and foxtel. I'd like to keep it under $30 I am not the type of person who needs the best gadget. I just want something that will turn on my TV. It does not have to turn on the other items.
Thanks for taking the effort to look those up for me.
I've used the aldi one, was pretty happy with it but that's just my opinion
The harmony 300 probably has a bit more than you need but its $31 at JB who are doing 20% off Logitech remotes. I have this one and it works really well for the basics, plus things like foxtel etc.
Get a Harmony. Just do it. Best universal on the market for the price.
I second the Harmony.
We have a harmony too, but unsure of the brand. Was a Christmas present and thought it worths about $100.
Question is it doenst seem to work with PS, but works with most other (DVD, amplifier, HiFi, TV…). Any thoughts please?
Playstations dont have IR ports which the remotes use, hence the remote doesnt work. You can buy a logitech adaptor for it, but they are pricey.There are a few third party alternatives, but they arent as 'user friendly'. Following link should help.
http://www.cnet.com.au/logitech-harmony-adapter-for-playstat…
We've had a Harmony 880 for a few years now, no probs (not sure what the price of them now is. :) )
Thanx for your reply Elvino, esp the link. Does seem a bit pricey as all I want is to watch iView without having to use the Console…..
Our Harmony Model is 785. There are some little issues with this:
- the plastic cover has become "sticky" as we havent been using it for a while
- When the TV activity is selected, our Sony TV should go to input HDMI3 so as to connect to set-top box, however the TV stays on its previous input. When I select Devices on the Harmony and go to TV it is possible to select the HDMI3 input. It would seem that the Harmony is not remembering the programming.
Funnily enough I used to have a 785 and encountered similar issues - especially the buttons getting 'sticky' or jamming. With your other issue I found that my old TV required a a two-step config to switch to HDMI. That is, the button needs to be configured to firstly choose the TV input select, then secondly the HDMI channel. I found that if you try to select HDMI too quickly, the TV simply cant respond fast enough to the command and it gets lost. My resolution was to put a 2-3 second pause/delay into the setup of that button, thus creating space between the two commands. Note that this was a while ago, so I dont know if the current harmony software allows you to put a pause in still. Regardless, its worth a try!
Haha, that's funny.
Another issue is, while watching TV and wanting to turn the volume of the amplifier up or down, I cannot simply press the volume button. I need to select the "amplier" device first, then press the +/- button…..
Ah well, we have just got it out from the cupboard again, will give it a crack.
You should be able to fix that with programming too.
When you do the set up it asks you all the questions about which device controls sound, you set it to the amp and don't have to change anything.
If you set it up right, which is quite straight forward, you shouldn't have any issues.
I have the Harmony 650 and it's amazing! The only remote I think I'll ever need.
A bit out of the price range at $49, but as mentioned above you could probably find something like the 600 or 300 for around your price range, which I would go for if I were you.
I wouldn't bother getting anything other than a Harmony though, they just work…
Look, the Logitech Harmony is the best value for money out there bar none. No, they don't work on Playstation, but blame Sony for that, that has nothing to do with the Harmony. No infrared remote will work with the PS without an adapter of some sort.
As for certain things not working. Everything works with programming. In 90% of cases you'll get things working 100% using the wizard as long as you answer all the questions correctly. The person who posted above about having to press the amplifier button, then the volume, you should never need to do that with the Harmony if it's correctly programmed. If you do everything correctly, you will only ever have to use the Activities to change what you want to do.
Another important thing is keep the damn thing pointed until the wireless icon goes off on the screen. Another complaint I get is that the Harmony doesn't complete the commands sent. Yes it does. It remembers the status of every device (on, off, responsible for sound or not, current input etc.). It sends the correct commands. Just keep it pointed. If for some reason a command does not reach a device (your spouse walks in front of the remote just as you're doing something), use the help function to turn things the way they should be. Don't be tempted to grab the original remote, as you will then confuse where the Harmony thinks everything is and where YOU have manually changed things.
As for the Sony (and some older Samsungs that I know of), yes, it is a pain how some of those work with the input command then having to scroll to the correct one to select. This is also a pain to program, and often the wizard doesn't do it properly and you have to manually program the step in. The interface for this is diabolical in my opinion, but, having said that, I've always managed to get things to work 100% properly with a bit of patience.
Basically, with relatively new equipment (with single button input selection), and the wizard, you will generally be OK, but even if not you CAN get it to work if you program manually if you need to.
Every IR device should work.
Sony peripheral communication is done completely via Bluetooth. This is why the Harmony remotes don't work without an adapter.
http://www.computeralliance.com.au/logitech-harmony-200-univ…
Harmony 200 for $10
Requires internet
Dont download drivers or software go directly to myharmony.com to get it working.(and install lots of crap like silverlight) I wasted so much time, stupid ligitech and their useless ways. You can give em fake email and details, you wont need to confirm.
I seriusly dislike any company that say turn off fire wall and antivirus to install some random software… WHY! Very little pain after setting up.
I came across this thread because I am also looking into Universal remotes. You may have already bought something by now but this Harmony 600 for $20 seems like a good deal.
http://www.officeworks.com.au/retail/products/Technology/Hom…
Sold out everywhere in WA.
I use the Harmony One, which I brought a while back from logitechshop.com.au for $89 when they had them on special.
Bloody easy to setup and even easier to use, even the wife knows how to use it now, sometimes she tells me how to do something!
But ofcourse that remote has been discontinued now by the harmony touch.
http://www.officeworks.com.au/retail/products/Technology/Hom…
http://www.officeworks.com.au/retail/products/Technology/Hom…