What's the universal remote control of choice these days?
April 26, 2018 10:35 AM Subscribe
My 8 (?) year old Harmony/Logitech universal remote control is rapidly dying. I'd like to replace it with a remote that doesn't suck. What are my options?
I liked almost everything about my Harmony remote but reviews on newer ones are very mixed. I bought it back when Harmony were the only game in town in terms of easy-to-set-up remotes. I imagine that is no longer the case these days.
I have a mix of oldish components. Samsung TV, a soundbar, an ancient TiVo, Apple TV. I need something that will control all of them the way my Logitech remote does. If there is some universal remote standard built into new A/V gear, I promise you my old components don't have it.
It needs to be easy to set up. It's been a long time since I set up my Logitech but it was just a matter of going to a web page and picking my components. I don't want to go messing with finding codes and whatnot.
I want buttons. No tablets, no apps. I don't mind a small screen that brings up context-sensitive buttons, but I want to be able to press actual buttons. Also, the buttons should be back lit so I can see them in the dark.
It should work with functions, not components. I want to press "Watch Apple TV" and have it turn on everything it needs to watch Apple TV. I don't want to have to turn the TV on, then the receiver, then the Apple TV, etc.
The fewer the buttons it has to do everything, the better.
Rechargeable is best.
Basically I want the Harmony remote that I already have, but based on reviews I'm worried they've turned into something terrible. Perhaps that's not the case?
Yes, I'll try taking it apart and cleaning under the membrane, but based on the way it's working I don't think that'll do the trick.
I liked almost everything about my Harmony remote but reviews on newer ones are very mixed. I bought it back when Harmony were the only game in town in terms of easy-to-set-up remotes. I imagine that is no longer the case these days.
I have a mix of oldish components. Samsung TV, a soundbar, an ancient TiVo, Apple TV. I need something that will control all of them the way my Logitech remote does. If there is some universal remote standard built into new A/V gear, I promise you my old components don't have it.
It needs to be easy to set up. It's been a long time since I set up my Logitech but it was just a matter of going to a web page and picking my components. I don't want to go messing with finding codes and whatnot.
I want buttons. No tablets, no apps. I don't mind a small screen that brings up context-sensitive buttons, but I want to be able to press actual buttons. Also, the buttons should be back lit so I can see them in the dark.
It should work with functions, not components. I want to press "Watch Apple TV" and have it turn on everything it needs to watch Apple TV. I don't want to have to turn the TV on, then the receiver, then the Apple TV, etc.
The fewer the buttons it has to do everything, the better.
Rechargeable is best.
Basically I want the Harmony remote that I already have, but based on reviews I'm worried they've turned into something terrible. Perhaps that's not the case?
Yes, I'll try taking it apart and cleaning under the membrane, but based on the way it's working I don't think that'll do the trick.
The Harmony Companion almost fits the bill, however it's not backlit. Most of the intelligence is baked into the hub that sits in the AV console and translates RF signals from the remote into IR, Wifi, or Bluetooth. You have to use an app or a computer to run the initial setup but they're not needed for day to day activities.
posted by llin at 11:02 AM on April 26, 2018
posted by llin at 11:02 AM on April 26, 2018
I mean the Harmonys are still the most recommended remotes, but I'm thinking of trying this one just because of the backlighting and because it's only $26. I have the Harmony companion and also a 650 and I hate not having backlighting.
posted by Huck500 at 11:12 AM on April 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Huck500 at 11:12 AM on April 26, 2018 [1 favorite]
Best answer: The Wirecutter recommends the Harmony 650, which I have, and does everything you seem to want from it. It also seems to be probably what you already have.
posted by General Malaise at 11:23 AM on April 26, 2018
posted by General Malaise at 11:23 AM on April 26, 2018
I am pretty sure the new Harmonys are what you want. I have however been really intriqued by Caavo, that uses machine vision to accurately control devices.
posted by mmascolino at 11:29 AM on April 26, 2018
posted by mmascolino at 11:29 AM on April 26, 2018
It's been a long time since I set up my Logitech but it was just a matter of going to a web page and picking my components.
This is still the case; I found it pretty much dead-simple when setting up ours.
(We have the Wirecutter "budget pick" Harmony 350, but it doesn't have the "activities" stuff which you want, except for a "watch TV" button that turns on TV + cable box. And yeah, the buttons wear out after about 5 years of use; we're on our second one.)
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 12:01 PM on April 26, 2018
This is still the case; I found it pretty much dead-simple when setting up ours.
(We have the Wirecutter "budget pick" Harmony 350, but it doesn't have the "activities" stuff which you want, except for a "watch TV" button that turns on TV + cable box. And yeah, the buttons wear out after about 5 years of use; we're on our second one.)
posted by We had a deal, Kyle at 12:01 PM on April 26, 2018
I have the Neeo (I was a Kickstarter backer), and I love it. It's available for purchase by everyone now, and while it's a little pricey it supports everything, is in active development, and has a great wizard for setup.
I use it to manage and switch between the following setups:
A/V + Blueray + TV
A/V + FireTV + TV
A/V + Cable + TV
Though it can do so much more....
posted by jpeacock at 12:25 PM on April 26, 2018
I use it to manage and switch between the following setups:
A/V + Blueray + TV
A/V + FireTV + TV
A/V + Cable + TV
Though it can do so much more....
posted by jpeacock at 12:25 PM on April 26, 2018
Best answer: Harmony 650 still works fine. I bought one to replace a similar model only a couple of months ago. (It's the same "type," not like the hubs or whatever.)
posted by praemunire at 1:19 PM on April 26, 2018
posted by praemunire at 1:19 PM on April 26, 2018
Harmony Hub & Alexa. Voice control instead of buttons.
posted by conrad53 at 8:21 PM on April 26, 2018
posted by conrad53 at 8:21 PM on April 26, 2018
Response by poster: I ordered the Harmony 650. I think it will suit my needs.
Honestly the last thing I want to do is use my voice to control my TV.
That Caavo looks interesting, and coincidentally (?) they tweeted at me recommending their product, though it looks like overkill for what I want.
Thanks, everyone!
posted by bondcliff at 11:39 AM on April 27, 2018
Honestly the last thing I want to do is use my voice to control my TV.
That Caavo looks interesting, and coincidentally (?) they tweeted at me recommending their product, though it looks like overkill for what I want.
Thanks, everyone!
posted by bondcliff at 11:39 AM on April 27, 2018
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posted by bondcliff at 10:46 AM on April 26, 2018