What remote?

[KingKrell]

I want a programmable remote that does extra functions and not just basic ones or I'll miss them. Most of my audio kit is button on only, but I really only need it for TV/2 DVD players/Freeview/VCR which is enough for my wife and kids.

Bascially, I want these extra buttons over the common ones most screen-less ones seem to only have:

TV - aspect ratio, AV select, teletext and menu buttons (to get to settings)
DVD - other Panasonic DVD functions: e.g. position memory, subtitle, display mode, dvd menu, angle, quick repeat
DVD 2 - display and menu
Freeview - teletext, Guide and Info buttons
VCR - video plus, menu buttons

(I may have forgotten a few too)

I've seen the buttons on most remotes and can't see all these buttons, so it looks like I need a way of programming these other functions in. I want to really be able to name them properly tool. e.g. When I select DVD I want to see a Position Memory button somewhere.

The Harmony 525 looks nice, but I can't see these buttons on there. Can I put them on the LCD display?

[mjcairney]

Originally Posted by KingKrell

I want a programmable remote that does extra functions and not just basic ones or I'll miss them. Most of my audio kit is button on only, but I really only need it for TV/2 DVD players/Freeview/VCR which is enough for my wife and kids.

Bascially, I want these extra buttons over the common ones most screen-less ones seem to only have:

TV - aspect ratio, AV select, teletext and menu buttons (to get to settings)
DVD - other Panasonic DVD functions: e.g. position memory, subtitle, display mode, dvd menu, angle, quick repeat
DVD 2 - display and menu
Freeview - teletext, Guide and Info buttons
VCR - video plus, menu buttons

(I may have forgotten a few too)

I've seen the buttons on most remotes and can't see all these buttons, so it looks like I need a way of programming these other functions in. I want to really be able to name them properly tool. e.g. When I select DVD I want to see a Position Memory button somewhere.

The Harmony 525 looks nice, but I can't see these buttons on there. Can I put them on the LCD display?

Yes, you can put them on the LCD display.

There is a good review of the 525 here

By the way, I use a 655 myself and am absolutely delighted with it - the only Universal RC I've ever rated. Even my wife loves it, and that, believe me, is quite something.

Cheers,

Martin.

[KingKrell]

Cheers - best review I've seen with good pics.

'You can also reassign the buttons to some of your most frequently used functions so you don’t have to continually scroll though all the options on the LCD screen to get to the one you want.'

Is this every extra button or does the database often miss a few?

I get the feeling most of these remotes are very similar in the 5 and 6 range. I prefer the look of the 525 and would prefer no docking station, so this seems ideal. But I have found some 628s cheap.

Good.

[Dillz]

I bought a 525 from Amazon a few weeks ago, and think it's fantastic for the money. If any functions are missing after you program the remote, then you can learn the codes from original remote. You can also rename the buttons that appear in the LCD, handy as there is only enough room for a certain number of characters. e.g. I have loads of buttons on the LCD called "Directio.." which are really direction up, direction down etc but truncated.

You can also delete buttons too, my amp came with 26 pages of them on the LCD!

[mjcairney]

You can go to the Harmony site and do a "Test Drive" - that'll give you a fair idea about the power and functionality of their RC's.

Cheers,

Martin.

[KingKrell]

Cheers for all the info.

What remote do you think is the best built?

The 525 looks nice. The other 6** models look like they might be tougher, but look a little boring. Or do they? Need to pop to the shop I think and pick all these up.

[KingKrell]

The Amazon reviews of the 525 are putting me off...

Quotes:

'I really want channel 31, so I start pressing "3" (first number in "31"). I end up on "333" and it took 4 full circles for it before I regain control enough to try again, which repeats the process. '

'The biggest criticism I have is the feel of it. It feels cheap. The volume and channel buttons (the most commonly used) are small, not conveniently placed, and do not have a nice feel to them. Functions are accessed by scrolling through the menu of the screen. Not all functions are copied across. The ability to attach commands to specified shortcut keys would be nice. '

'you have to be pointing the remote directly at the equipment and the amplifier volume always adjusts by too much when you press the buttons.'

[Elmo]

Originally Posted by KingKrell

The Amazon reviews of the 525 are putting me off...

Quotes:

'I really want channel 31, so I start pressing "3" (first number in "31"). I end up on "333" and it took 4 full circles for it before I regain control enough to try again, which repeats the process. '

'The biggest criticism I have is the feel of it. It feels cheap. The volume and channel buttons (the most commonly used) are small, not conveniently placed, and do not have a nice feel to them. Functions are accessed by scrolling through the menu of the screen. Not all functions are copied across. The ability to attach commands to specified shortcut keys would be nice. '

'you have to be pointing the remote directly at the equipment and the amplifier volume always adjusts by too much when you press the buttons.'

Having used the 525 for quite a while now I can say that I have had none of the problems that are listed above. I dont get repeated key presses and it is not too fussy about the direction I am pointing it in.

The volume and channel up/down buttons are a little small and not as solid as on the 655, but they fall easily to hand for me. The 525's are on display on a lot of shops, I would suggest you go take a look at one before buying

[Dillz]

I've not had any problems either like that with mine. OK it's not built like a tank, and I wouldn't like to drop it on my laminate floor, but at just over £40 inc delivery it's great value for money.

[duncanh]

If the buttons repeat too quickly, there is a setting to slow it down. This solves the problem

[KingKrell]

Originally Posted by duncanh

If the buttons repeat too quickly, there is a setting to slow it down. This solves the problem

Yeah, some guy said something about repeat delays somewhere. I have ordered one. It felt okay so me, but i did not try it on a device.

[hornydragon]

you can set the "inter key delay" the amazon reviews are in my opinion written in hast. Harmony have a freephone tech support number you can ring and they can adjust the settings while your on the phone and then you can test them out while the CS rep stays on the line to make sure it all works

[KingKrell]

I've just gone through the test drive and hit some issues...

I wanted to select the 525, but it wan't there. Selected 555 as the nearest one.

I managed to add a second dvd player (I have a cheap one for the kids too)

I was forced to select a TV screen mode for each activity, but I have an auto scart box so don't need this. There is no way to skip this.

I set up wizards based on tv volume, as the mrs and kids uses the tv only, but in the evenings, we both use the hi-fi instead. I made all the wizards based on the tv volume, but I want to ideally add both amp and tv volume to the layout as the amp is not always on.

I want to add a Play DVD 2 activity, but I'm stuck on the update remote screen! All I have is a Next button. I'm stuck on the update remote screen whatever I do.

So far, the web setup seems far too basic. I need more control. When I log back in, it throws me straight to the update screen. There seems to be no way for me to get back to changing things.

[Messiah]

Originally Posted by KingKrell

So far, the web setup seems far too basic. I need more control. When I log back in, it throws me straight to the update screen. There seems to be no way for me to get back to changing things.

I found that but as soon as I got the remote and updated it (loaded the test drive setup) you are then able to go into all sorts of extra config screens for both activities and devices.

It is no where near as intuitive or customisable as, say, Prontoedit software but you should find you can make all the setup changes and configs you need. I think you do need the remote though to get past that Step 5 (?)

[KingKrell]

I'll try that, cheers. The web page layout does not suggest/allow going back at the end, and it's a pain the coloured step boxes are not buttons that you can click on to return to those areas.

I set it up for 555, so let's hope it uploads to the 525 when it arrives. Hopefully I can then delete that AV select business and assign some more vol buttons and another 2 activities.

Step 5 forced an update or a buy remote option. If you go to buy remote, it is the main Logitech site. New users login throws you back to the same login again which takes you back to the update step - no way out.