universal remote

[grahamboyd]

I gues this post could go on several forums.

In my cinema room I have 6 remotes and 2 in my living room (sky box and TV).. I am simply looking for a remote that I can programme to work all or nearly all devices. I would also like to be able to carry the remote from one room to another and use easily. Also prefer one which runs on normal batteries not any charging cradle or similar. Does Logitech Harmony Ultimate Remote Control foot the bill or another suitable device?

Many Thanks

 

[Benedict_Arnold]

Afaik the high end Harmony's all use charging cradles AND base stations in each room. Whether one base station will cover two or more rooms in close proximity I don't know. It might be a case of try it and see.
I've switched to using Amazon Fire tablets (50 Dollars here, 50 quid in the UK) in place of universal remotes. They seem to work just fine with any networked device. They don't work with not-networked devices, as they don't have infra-red emitters though.
You can downloads aps for most brands and you get bigger buttons, a better display, IMHO a device that's easier to use, less likely to get lost down the back of the couch, AND you can order pizza on them whilst watching Match of the Day or whatever. Show me a Harmony that can do that....

 

[bigboss]

I have Roomie remote on my iPad, but never use it. It doesn't give the same button experience of a remote. My Harmony controls the lights as well as heating. I really don't need to order a pizza from my remote!

 

[Benedict_Arnold]

I have Roomie remote on my iPad, but never use it. It doesn't give the same button experience of a remote. My Harmony controls the lights as well as heating. I really don't need to order a pizza from my remote!

I'm using the Fire tablets to control light switches as I roll them out through the house as well. I'm using Z-wave switches from GE and a Samsung Smartthings hub. So far, so good. I've got them in the media room so I can turn off the lights while seated and not trip over the cat, and in the living room as well. Eventually I hope to convert all the main lights in and around the house, the three thermostats controlling the air conditioning and the burglar alarm. That way I'll be able to control and monitor just about everything anywhere on the planet that I have an internet connection, even using my Droid phone. And turning the lights on and off while I'm down the pub just to annoy people at home is great fun.

As for movie-time snacks, prodding the wife with a stick only got me a black eye.....