Universal Remotes - worth it?

Skeeter

Skeeter

Skeeter

Caporegime
Joined
8 Mar 2007
Posts
37,146
Location
Surrey
Are they worth it?

I have a media PC with a Microsoft Media Centre remote, Sky+ and then the normal TV remote which also controls my PS3. Its a pain swapping between them so I'm thinking of a universal remote.

Are they any good? Do they fully replace all the functionality of normal remotes? As far as I'm concerned the moment I have to pick up one of the standard remotes to do something the universal remote can't do then its failed, and considering their price I would be rather annoyed.
 
What devices do you have? Are there any features that it can't do that frustrate you?

I actually have more devices than I though. A Sony TV, Xbox 360, Squeezebox Radio, Sky+, Windows PC running XBMC and a PS3 which doesn't support IR so will need to be controlled through HDMI pass through from the TV.
 
Is it even worth looking at non Logitech devices? It seems they lead the market by quite a bit.

It looks like I'd go for either a Touch or a One, although the One still seems to be quite expensive.
 
I genuinely don't know what the channel number is for any of the channels I regularly watch on Sky. I never type it in, I always browse the guide for them.

Sky uses the colour buttons a lot so they would be a must.

The One still seems to be holding a high price considering its pretty old. You can get a Touch for £110.

I'm just really concerned about dropping a wedge of cash on one and being frustrated by it. The main thing I can't seem to find an answer on is controlling my PS3 through HDMI from the TV? Everything PS3 related just says you need the adapter.
 
CEC is how I control the PS3.

The faff that annoys me is for things like changing from watching something on the Media PC to using Sky+. You have to use the Media remote to turn off the PC, the TV remote to change input, and then the Sky remote to control Sky.

Everything does bits of cross control. The Sky remote controls the TV volume, the Media PC remote controls the TV power and volume. The problem is nothing does everything, and I don't think CEC would cover it all either. It works well for the PS3, but will it control the media PC including turning it on and off? I'm pretty certain it won't work with the Sky+ box either. Definately won't control my Squeezebox.

So while CEC might do some of what I'm after, if it only does half the job then I may as well stick with what I have now.

The Harmony Smart looks interesting, but my major issue with that is that my phone is often nowhere near me when I watch TV. I have the Squeezebox app on it and its a pain as I often end up walking past the Squeezebox to go find my phone :rolleyes:.

A remote would sit on the coffee table and be there all the time, job done.

But £110 for a remote just seems painful :(
 
If the Sky+ box supported CEC I would just use that.

I don't fancy using a phone as a controller. Although the simple remote with the Smart looks quite good. The Ultimate is £lol expensive usually, so at normal pricing its a toss up between the Smart and the Touch. So it's good to get some reviews from people.

If the remote doesn't need line of sight to the devices with the Smart, does the base unit? I.e. putting it on top of the Sky box would cause a problem?
 
So does the Touch remote also do RF? Or is the one you get with the Ultimate different to the stand alone Touch?
 
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