media center .. with a Home Cinema Remote?

ROfu

ROfu

ROfu

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like the topic suggests..
Is there a Home cinema remote.. which can emulate the windows Media Center remote? - I've spotted the new Harmony remote which can control the Xbox360.. although its unavailable in the UK atm.

I have a Sony LCD panel, Yamaha Reciever, Xbox360, Buffalo LinkTheater, Sony DVD player and a Media center PC.

Any suggestions what the ideal remote to control as many of the above as possible. For the time being im not setting a price limit on this purchase.. as im getting fed up with 6 remotes sitting on my coffee table.

Cheers
ROfu
 
i dont think so, i would imagine they'd have troubles getting the MC-Start button to work?

could you not just get one remote for everything and then use the MediaCentre Remote for your MC ?
 
i guess so, i was just hopeing for an all in one super solution.
considered either the Harmony 880/890 or the Sony RMAV2500T. as they all look pretty good.
If anyone has tried these remotes and considers them a worthwhile purchase please reply ;)

Cheers
ROfu
 
I use a Home Theatre Master MX-700 remote, and all the buttons work and learn and I have a few discrete IR codes that are missing on the Microsoft remote (direct My Photos/Videos/Music codes) I needed to do the toggle bit disable registry tweak though.

I don't like the Harmonys, read up on the must have internet connection to configure/can't save config file locally thing.

MX-700 is really flexible, PC connectable, around £150 from the US (Blue Do) At one time the MX-700 had IR codes for 15 remotes...it can store upto 20 remotes. I also have the MX-200 sidekick which is a cute little thing for lesser systems.
 
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Cheers squiffy
Im looking up the aformentioned remote as we speak.
Sounds like the perfect solution

Cheers
ROfu
 
Harmony remote will emulate it fine. No need for the xbox one either, the harmony range are all the same from a functionality point of view, just colour screen and extra button to differentiate. Not got MCE myself but I have the full xbox360 remote which can be used as a media centre remote and has the start button and this can be emulated by simply selecting the control type in harmony set up.
 
MX-700 has a huge pre-programmed IR database, it has the Xbox 360 and MS remote included. Download the software here, you can play around with the software (don't need the remote)

http://www.universalremote.com/products/downloads.php

Don't get a touchscreen type, nice novelty but you have to look at the screen to use it, really annoying. Also can accidentally press button next to it. I've had a touchscreen in the past.

MX-700 is IR only, if you need RF as well need to look at another model.

MX-500 is about £50, so really cheap but built in database is quite limited, and not as flexible as the 700 and up. But if all your devices don't use toggle bit, learn ok, and only need buttons on the device (not discretes) It's a good remote. We have a couple of MX-500's as well.
 
cheers gents for the replys.. gonna buy a remote this week.. looking up both suggested. again cheers for the help and advice ;)

Cheers
ROfu
 
Cant find any of the MX range in the UK, on the site you mentioned i liked the look of the TX-1000. but cant find any mention of it in the uk via a google search.

The harmony range seems to be available most places in the UK and if they all run the xbox360 this would be good. Going to do a little more research, as if im to get one of the harmony remotes it needs to be media center compatible (including the start button etc)

otherwise ill be looking to ordering overseas for the MX or TX remotes

Cheers
ROfu
 
UK prices for the HTM's are a good 50% more, order from aboard and even after all charges they're still cheaper.

Dealt with "Blue Do" twice, no problems.

Read up on the Harmony's, cheaper, but if you don't have internet access you can't even configure it, can't save your profile to your HD, Harmony have lost customers profiles once.

TX-1000 is a touch screen. For your system MX-700 more than good enough (IR) I have two complex hi-fi and HT (seperates) systems and MX-700 still more than I would ever need.
 
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I recently picked up a Harmony 525 off an auction site for £20, it runs all my gear including xbox360, any stuff it didnt pick up straight away off the database you can simply learn by pointin gthe old remote at the new one, pressing the button, then mapping it to the new one. easy

I must admit though it still hasnt replaced all my remotes. I still find it easier to grab a specific remote and use it then grab the harmony, select the component, then faff with it to do what I want.

Does look nice though :p
 
Looked up the site you use Squiffy - dont seem to have the mx-700 ... have the 650 and 850+, like the look of the 900 nice design.

You said you have ordered from these guys before.. they have a good customer service? and send quickly?. (Appologies if mentioning other companies is an Issue on this forum.. but its not a competitor.. unless you guys start selling remotes ;) ).

Without throwing a spanner in the works.. whats the Philips TSU-3000 like?
Im very tempted by a big touch screen - nicer looking kit, and less fussy looking (even if you do have to go through more menus etc).

Cheers
ROfu
 
hmm looks like the MX-700 is old model, 850 is the replacement. Yup purchased from Blue Do, arrived within 1-2 weeks (would be quicker but usually get held up in customs)

I would not recommend a touch screen, they're a pain in the ass. Try to imagine looking at your monitor, but blindly pressing buttons on the touch screen, which you can't feel. So you have to constantly look down and up. With a hard buttoned remote most of the IR commands are on the hard buttons which can be pressed whilst watching the TV, with lesser used commands/special buttons on the renamable non-touch LCD screen.

Pronto is another touch screen.

To get a idea what a touch screen is like, get a piece of paper, draw 12 odd buttons onto it, numbered 1-12. Now whilst looking away, try to press specific buttons without pressing any others.

I've owned touchscreens and hard buttoned learning remotes, I would go for hard buttons remotes 100%. Touchscreens look tidier, but hard button remotes are easier to use, and since most buttons are "generic" which carry across multiple sources, end up much better design.
 
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To be honest I have tried both touchscreen and hard button type and I much prefer the touch-screen variety (with back light) but each to their own
 
I've got the Harmony 885 and it runs everything (360, PS2, Home Cinema, TV, DVD player, Surround sound).

I had an issue with it not working properly with my Panasonic Home cinema so I filed a tech support query, Logitech fixed it within 24 hours and updated the config for me to dl to the remote! Very impressed :)
 
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