Spec me... Universal remote control.

413x · 5 Oct 2012 at 13:26

This is a bit more complicated than it seems

Control will be used for
TV settings only, turning tv on/off
Av receiver, again settings and volume
Turning on pc (if possible, i don't think it is)
Illuminated is a must

I use a Htpc for tv/games/films etc so remote won'tbe used for channel cchanging
It qwill mostly be used for turning stuff on, and changing volume (as with bitstream I don'tthink the pc can control the volume , only the av receiver)

Illuminated probably rules out a lot of options

GeX · 5 Oct 2012 at 13:31

bottom spec Logitech Harmony

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p1RATE · 5 Oct 2012 at 13:35

Is there an android app for this? I use vlc remote but that is only for the TV stream

TONY · 5 Oct 2012 at 13:39

al4x said:
This is a bit more complicated than it seems

Control will be used for
TV settings only, turning tv on/off
Av receiver, again settings and volume
Turning on pc (if possible, i don't think it is)
Illuminated is a must

I use a Htpc for tv/games/films etc so remote won'tbe used for channel cchanging
It qwill mostly be used for turning stuff on, and changing volume (as with bitstream I don'tthink the pc can control the volume , only the av receiver)

Illuminated probably rules out a lot of options

The only problem I can see is with the setting of your volume, you would have to set your receiver to turn on at your desired volume level as the remote cannot do that.

413x · 5 Oct 2012 at 13:50

TONY said:
The only problem I can see is with the setting of your volume, you would have to set your receiver to turn on at your desired volume level as the remote cannot do that.

That's the most important bit

lucid · 5 Oct 2012 at 14:42

As long as the PC is in standby (sleep mode) then there's no reason why it can't be switched On/Off with the remote. Windows Media Centre remote appears as a USB keyboard, so as long as the bios supports wake on keyboard then that would work via the remote too.

There's also no problem with controlling the volume using a learning remote. Remember though that the TV has volume too. It may be that if the amp has ARC that it automatically mutes the TV when the amp is switched on.

413x · 5 Oct 2012 at 15:19

lucid said:
As long as the PC is in standby (sleep mode) then there's no reason why it can't be switched On/Off with the remote. Windows Media Centre remote appears as a USB keyboard, so as long as the bios supports wake on keyboard then that would work via the remote too.

There's also no problem with controlling the volume using a learning remote. Remember though that the TV has volume too. It may be that if the amp has ARC that it automatically mutes the TV when the amp is switched on.

thats what i thought, just teach the command via IR.

Im not sure what you are getting at with the tv volume. The tv is literally only used as a display for the htpc.

EDIT i have also just thought i should add my yet to aarrive led strips to the remote by IR learn

lucid · 5 Oct 2012 at 16:49

al4x said:
Im not sure what you are getting at with the tv volume. The tv is literally only used as a display for the htpc.

What I'm "getting at" is that every system is unique because no two systems have exactly the same combinations of equipment or requirements from the client. Despite this though the same basic problems face most (but not all) setups.

I have been selling and programming higher-end learning remotes for over 10 years. In general my remotes go in to more complex systems. But from the client's point of view the result must be incredibly simple to operate. I have to avoid a sea of buttons, or obscure icons, or convoluted button combinations or navigating through a myriad of sub pages to access specific functions. That's partly why Harmony remotes remain a DIY-only solution.

In my line of work it's very likely that the client will want to use the TV with its own speakers for ad hoc viewing. The surround system is used for more serious viewing. Making sure that the remote is controlling the correct device for volume, and that there aren't two lots of sound when the surround system is being used is an oft forgotten by DIY'ers. In some respects it has got simpler with ARC and CEC, but that can also raise other issues. That's why I flagged it up.

413x · 5 Oct 2012 at 17:19

Sorry I didn't mean to come across rude, I'm very interested in your views, i gathered you work in the industry. (I do in fact find it very interesting)

My setup is as follows
TV is always used with Htpc, never on its own.
Av receiver is fed signal (both music, windows sounds, music audio) 100% of the time as I don't have a dedicated stereo amp
Because sound is bitstreamed av controls volume exclusively irrespective of windows settings
Av detects channels in What's being played.
Would like the remote to control the led strips I'm putting in

So only things I ever touch on tv are picture mode (thx or game) and standby
On av I control volume and turn on dolby pro if i fancy 5.1 from 2 channel tv
Pc has its own remote (Logitech mx air free air mouse) that obviously can't be substituted

The fact I'd like an illuminated option probably pushes me into the higher end models (I'd rather pay more for something nice than have a bit of tat sitting on the side table)