Good and cheap remote (1 Viewer)

[joz]

Hi all,

Because my Logitech remote is crapping out all the time (which is seriously annoying as you might expect )
I posted a support thread.

However I do think this is just a crappy driver issue so no one will come up with a solution for this.
So I already started looking a bit for a new remote. I like the Logitech Harmonies but they are so expensive (I think too expensive).

Do you guys have a good alternative for me? The MS MCE remote I already use for a pc in the same room so this one won't go because of interferring.

 

[userjan]

Hey Joz....

The cheapest Logitech Harmony (525) go for around 40 euro, it's not cheap, but damn those things are worth the money....
Logitech Harmony 525 prijzen - afstandsbediening KIESKEURIG

I've bought a 885 when they where just released. payed crazy money for it back then, but i have to say i think it's worth it.

 

[joz]

Hey userjan,

I believe I will have to buy a serperate USB IR dongle right? SO I can receive stuff on the PC?
Or is one included with the harmony remotes?

 

[userjan]

Hey userjan,

I believe I will have to buy a serperate USB IR dongle right? SO I can receive stuff on the PC?
Or is one included with the harmony remotes?

Your right on that one Joz, i have a MCE IR reciever that i use with it.

The harmony can really replace all your other remotes, you can create activities that with one click control various electronic devices.
(so clicking activity Mediaportal, puts your tv on the right channel, sets your amplifier on the right channel and launches Mediaportal)

You can configure the remote by connecting it to the logitech website, where you can select from a database of electronic devices, in the rare case the device is not there you can always manual learn (send over) the command into the remote.

 

[joz]

I just ordered a Harmony One

I already have the Philips MCE receiver for another PC in the same room so I bought a trust IR dongle to go with it.
Thanks for the replies jan.

 

[userjan]

I just ordered a Harmony One

I already have the Philips MCE receiver for another PC in the same room so I bought a trust IR dongle to go with it.
Thanks for the replies jan.

Good choice, you gonna like it, otherwise i'm gonna buy me a hat and eat it

 

[hirscho]

Hi all

I have bought a harmony 555 one week ago and it could be the perfect universal remote. I little bit tricky to configure, but you will like it, since you also like to use MP ;-)). But there is one thing you should be aware of and there is no solution yet. The Harmony remotes are extremly slow, when it comes to control MP. Especially scrolling in lists is a pain, as it reacts extremly slow for the first press.

Please find details here:

Harmony One Slow Repeat with interkey, interdevice delay, and repeat = 0 - Harmony Remote - General - Logitech Forums

I will give mine back.

hirscho

 

[joz]

It wasn't cheap but I do like it!

And btw hirscho, I updated to the latest firmware which is quicker with MP... Like suggested in the forum you posted.
Set the response time to 100ms which works better. It's not quite as snappy as the original remote... But I'm still configuring, half an hour.. pff no way. Getting my 2 receivers to get seperate signals took me like 2 or 3 hours! But I got it now and it works beautifuly The trust even works on XP (which it shouldn't but I found a nice guide here on MP) but actually sends the EXACT same stuff as the philips does. Getting them seperated takes some fiddling in registry
TV is responding quite nice, same as stereo. All in all I'm quite happy with this one.
Like I said I'm still configuring. Haven't really played with other settings yet of the new firmware sensitivity settings. Maybe I can get it a little better still.

 

[Kossu]

Hi all

I have bought a harmony 555 one week ago and it could be the perfect universal remote. I little bit tricky to configure, but you will like it, since you also like to use MP ;-)). But there is one thing you should be aware of and there is no solution yet. The Harmony remotes are extremly slow, when it comes to control MP. Especially scrolling in lists is a pain, as it reacts extremly slow for the first press.

Please find details here:

Harmony One Slow Repeat with interkey, interdevice delay, and repeat = 0 - Harmony Remote - General - Logitech Forums

I will give mine back.

hirscho

That is strange, I got the 555 as well with absolutely no problems. I did however notice there is quite a significant difference if you use the built in remote thing for mediaportal rather than IR server suite, the internal one is way snappier.

 

[pcjunk]

i use the serialport remote use an old tvcard remote with winlirc only 5 euro ! and it works great and easy to bold

hacknmod.com/hack/how-to-build-a-serial-port-infrared-receiver