AskAboutGadgets Archive

A good way to consolidate remotes

I have the following:

I am trying to escape the million remotes insanity by consolidating them into, hopefully, one. In particular, having to switch TV sources is maddening.

I don't mean to play PS3 or Wii games with this remote, but I'd like to be able to use the consoles' multimedia functions with this remote.

I've heard about Logitech Harmony, but I don't know anyone that has it, so I can't see how it works in practice. Plus they have a massive multitude of remotes from $99 to $399.

Any suggestions? Logitech or otherwise.

Answer 1032

I'm a big fan of my Harmony remote. I've got one of the low-end ones (the 620). It handles pretty much any IR device without much trouble-the programming software knows about most home theater equipment.

The downside is that 'IR' - if you want to control the PS3, it looks like you'll need an adapter they make as well as the remote. As for the Wii - you're just out of luck. The Wii user interface is almost completely setup to use point and click via the Wiimote. So any remote that tried to run a Wii would pretty much have to incorporate all of the functionality of a Wiimote.

The only media thing I use the Wii for right now is Netflix (I stream MP3 via a Squeezebox), so for me this isn't a big deal. I suspect there's very little that you can do with the Wii that you can't do with the PS3, so I bet you could live with a solution like this.

Answer 1036

I have a URC-R50 that I really like Universal Remote Control is the brand name. It is fairy easy to setup. You can either select a device from its database, or get it to learn commands from an existing remote. Its all hard buttons, but has a programmable LCD display for 6 of them. Its IR only, so won't work with the PS3 (without an adaptor), or the Wii. I use it to control my TVs, stereo, DVD player, Squeeze Box, and probably some other stuff I can't remember.

If you want to learn more that you ever wanted to about remote controls, take a look at Remote Central.

Answer 1055

If you have an iphone, ipod or ipad you could also try the Redeye Mini - it seems to have positive reviews from what I have read. Also mentioned on engadget if you search for it, sorry can't post more links yet!


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