Universal Remotes

[Coolhand]

I've got that spending bug again.
I've got a Marantz universal that came with my receiver, but it's not that great.
I know a lot of people on these forums like the Pronto. Has anyone got any feedback on the Cambridge Audio M1+ ?
I've seen it in Richers and it's seems quite good for the money.
Any other universals worth considering?

I'm open to suggestions.;)

[Bamse]

Don’t bother with the M1+, I had it and although it is good, it does have limits, for instance you can’t change the name or layout of the buttons, so if the remote doesn’t have the button you want, you end up using another one for it, and then trying to remember which one it is. Saying that, it is very light and user friendly, something you can’t always say about the Pronto. I would say if you like fiddling with things and want to control a lot of devices with maximum efficiency, go for the Pronto, but if you want ease of use and don’t mind if you can’t copy all of the original remotes buttons, go for the M1+.

Hope this helps:)

[Just]

It's also going to come down to budget - the M1 is cheap the Pronto isn't. If you can get a Pronto second hand (should be around the 100 mark for a 1meg) then this is the remote to get. At 140 new it may be too much for what is still a remote.

The 1 megs are fine too, you really don't need a 2 meg IMHO, but Richer had these for 150 too.

If you really want to see what a Pronto can do, download the Pronto Edit software and download an example Pronto file (.CCF) from www.remotecentral.com and then run it through the emulator that comes with ProntoEdit.

[kcxdev]

Have to agree with Just and Bamse, I got a M1 in the summer (off the forum classifieds), it is a decent remote, nice size, and easy to use (even though you can't 'feel' your way around cos theres no hard buttons) but I managed to guess my way round after a while. You can't rename buttons but it shouldn't be too much of a problem, I managed to learn all the most used/common buttons without any confusing labelling. Only thing was that it ran out of memory before I could learn everything I wanted (5 devices). I don't think mine was the + model though (the Crisp Solutions UCommand 515 (see remotecentral.com) relabelled/original one seems to have more flexible labelling options - this might be the + model but not too sure. Lektropacks are selling the 'upgraded' angel, not sure if this is the 515 one).

I sold this last month and bought a 1 meg Pronto from the classifieds :D it is a bit more fiddly but this probably depends on how you program your devices and layout. As Just said, have a look at remotecentral, its an excellent resource for this stuff and have a decent forum (UK and US posters).

[Paul.B]

I'd say that if you can get a Pronto (new or S/H) it is far, far better than the Cambridge. I bought an M1 off the classifieds and really couldn't get to grips with it at all, plus it ran out of memory before i'd programmed anywhere near all my remotes into it :( .

I then bought a pronto and i can honestly say it is the first time i have ever completely ridded all my old remotes out of the way.

I agree that the 2meg ones are a little bit overkill. ( i have 9 devices, all my X-10 stuff, countless macros, custom graphics, tunes etc, and still have 77% free memory in the 2 meg model.)

The best thing is...........even the wife can use it!!! :eek: , so even though it was expensive she doesn't mind too much.

Just to echo the others here Remotecentral (http://remotecentral.com) is a great resource for info and advice.

[Spikey]

I've got a Sony RM-VL900 and find it next to perfect. Read the reviews on RemoteCentral and you'll get the idea.

Best things are:

REAL buttons for those with sensitive fingers and like to watch the tv rather than the remote.

Every button learnable if codes don't do what you want.

Most important - Looks like a proper quality remote unlike most of the universals out there.

Only £60!

[Urban Tiger]

Couldnt agree with Paul B more. The Pronto is an awesome bit of kit. The old remotes are in a cupboard somewhere and the wife uses it as well, and she struggles with a calculator ;)

The best bit are the macros. One button turns on my TV, turns the amp on and sets it to DVD input, and finally turns on the DVD and spits out the tray ready for a disc.

Love it :)

[retroandy]

Originally posted by Spikey
I've got a Sony RM-VL900 and find it next to perfect. Read the reviews on RemoteCentral and you'll get the idea.
REAL buttons for those with sensitive fingers and like to watch the tv rather than the remote.

Every button learnable if codes don't do what you want.

Most important - Looks like a proper quality remote unlike most of the universals out there.

Only £60!

Does anyone have any info on places to buy some of the remotes mentioned online? Looking for something to replace the stack of remotes piling up since getting upgrading audio/tv (Sky, JVC Widescreen, Sony 475 amp, LG Dvd) around the 30-50 quid mark.

Cheers,
Retroandy

[kcxdev]

Originally posted by retroandy


Does anyone have any info on places to buy some of the remotes mentioned online? Looking for something to replace the stack of remotes piling up since getting upgrading audio/tv (Sky, JVC Widescreen, Sony 475 amp, LG Dvd) around the 30-50 quid mark.

Cheers,
Retroandy

www.lektropacks.co.uk
www.letsautomate.com
www.keene.co.uk
www.richersounds.co.uk

and also the general classfieds :)

[retroandy]

Originally posted by kcxdev


www.lektropacks.co.uk
www.letsautomate.com
www.keene.co.uk
www.richersounds.co.uk

and also the general classfieds :)

You're a gent, thanks for those... so much for my forthcoming new years resolution to use my creditcard wisely, broken in record time. :nuts:

Retroandy

[ic]

Originally posted by Spikey
I've got a Sony RM-VL900 and find it next to perfect...Every button learnable if codes don't do what you want.

I've had a look at the review (http://www.remotecentral.com/vl900/index4.htm) you mentioned, and it seems to suggest you can, but I'll double check...

I'd like to be able to set the volume to operate the TV, the channel up/down and numbers to the digibox, and play/pause/stop buttons to the dvd player - all without having to switch between the TV/VCR/DVD etc. At the same time, I'd like to be able to set the remote to allow me to switch to the amp and then control the volume on the amp, whilst the numbers and play buttons control the cd player.

If you understand what I'm after - can this be done? Also any ideas where I can get one, the places lifted above don't stock this particular remote.

I recently got another remote with my surround system, bringing the total to seven - so I think it's time for an all-in-one.

Cheers

Ian

[Spikey]

IC you should be able to do everything you want as thaqt is what I do with mine. It has code set up on it but that is just wasting it's power. I set mine initially like that and then swapped everything around.

I got mine from my local Sony Centre, never found anywhere else that did them. All the Sony Centres I've been in do them and if not in stock I'm sure they'd order.

You really can't go wrong with this remote it's does all the useful bits of remotes 3 or 4 times the cost but is simple as the one that came with your tv. I use mine for everything - Sky, TV, amp, dvd, vcr, lights, tv in bedroom etc etc.

[ic]

Ta spikey, I'll pop into one tomorrow :)

Ian

[Justin]

Originally posted by ic
Ta spikey, I'll pop into one tomorrow :)

Ian

Not sure if its any intrest, but theres the Marantz RC5000i (with dock) and cheaper 1200 remotes on offer on the bargain forum (£220 & 60).

Cheers