Remotemania, what is it and what can we do about it?
From the Merriam-Webster online dictionary come the following definitions.
Remote: acting, acted on, or controlled indirectly or from a distance <remote computer operation>; also : relating to the acquisition of information about a distant object (as by radar or photography) without coming into physical contact with it <remote sensing>
mania: excitement manifested by mental and physical hyperactivity, disorganization of behavior, and elevation of mood; specifically : the manic phase of bipolar disorder
Combine the two and we come up with the Jim Clark online dictionary definition:
Remotemania: The feeling of disorganization, despair, and frustration brought on by the tray of remote controls required to manage your electronic media devices.
The cause:
the tray of remote controls required to manage your electronic media devices.
The effect:
The feeling of disorganization, despair, and frustration
The cure:
The universal remote. But not just any universal remote. It has to be the *right* universal remote. Which leads us to the next question, what makes the *right* universal remote?
The *right* universal remote:
The *right* universal remote must have the following features:
- ergonomic
- easy to change and/or add new components
- anticipates problems
- flexible controls
- inexpensive
Perhaps there are more bullets to add here. Some of the above could be considered mutually exclusive. In addition, everyone’s idea of “must” is different, so you tell me if I am going down the wrong path.
The history:
Actually, it might be more appropriate to say “My journey”.
In the past, I have purchased remotes to replace broken OEM remotes. Eventually, I bought remotes to replace these OEM remotes simply so that the original remote would *not* get broken. For these applications, “universal” represented a term to indicate it could be programmed to control any device. Key word is “any”, as in one. In addition, in the early days of universal remotes, you were quite often stuck with the current shipping manufacturers products. A new TV might not be supported by that old remote.
Which may have been fine when all one had was a TV to control. In my current media setup, I have a:
- LCD TV
- A/V receiver
- Cable DVR
- Blu-ray player
Sorry, no extender. No HTPC. If anyone has read any of my previous stuff, this is my wife’s domain. “You don’t mess with the Zohan” would be an appropriate catch-phrase here.
At one point, I was able to use the remote that came with the DVR to control some things. As I purchased newer stuff, it’s ability to control devices went by the wayside. So, I needed a remote that could be updated as I updated other components. One that could control all my devices.
And so, the search began.
The players (manufacturers):
- Universal Remote Control
- Logitech
- Interlink Electronics
- Philips
- Anyware
- DIRECTV
- RCA
- Acoustic Research
- Adesso
- Elexa Consumer Products, Inc.
- Genius
- Gyration
- JOBSITE
- Monster Cable
- Rosewill
- TiVo
From the above list, some can quickly become disqualified as they are designed for “specific” functions, such as pointing devices. Some can be disqualified as being specific to a single device.
What I wanted was a remote that could control multiple devices. All at the same time. One that could switch from being a cable-connected TV to a Blu-ray connected TV.
From my list of “wants”, the cost of for one of these devices range went from inexpensive to *real* expensive.
Yea! says the manufacturer of said devices. More features means more cost to build which means more profit. If one can get the consumer to buy the “good” ones.
My choice:
I do not wish to dwell on my search for the perfect remote.
Why?
The search was not very long in terms of the search. It was long mostly due to timing.
Why?
First, Logitech quickly became to manufacturer of choice. It just took time to find a reasonable price for one.
Why?
Logitech has some pretty good
- marketing strategies
- products
- acquisition strategies
Logitech Harmony remotes are expensive. They also happen to do just about anything you might want to have your media setup do. I just needed to wait until they were on sale. Eventually, a Harmony 550 went on sale at Best Buy at about 1/2 it’s normal price. Instant buy!
It was OK. The remote could have been a bit more ergonomic, but I could control all my media devices. And it cost me less than a $100. If I bought a new component, I could easily integrate the new device.
Why?
The method to setup the remote was PC based. As new products were released to the public, the ability to integrate said device was incorporated into the software.
Then my wife spilled water on the 550. It actually still works. Mostly… It has found it’s way into one kid’s room who needed a remote for his TV.
It was also nice that Best Buy also had another sale going on at that time. This time it was for a Harmony 670.
Once again, I was able to pick it up for about half it’s normal cost. Better ergonomics, better screen, better control functions. All for under that $100 price point.
Today:
Like the subtopic states, that is where I am at today. Of course, I would love to have of the high-end models like the Harmony One. Maybe the current pick-‘o-the-litter, the Harmony 1100 Advanced Universal Remote.
For $399.99 list? Not… Unlike some people, I am not made of money. More importantly, my wife can appreciate what that $100 remote can do for her. A $400 remote? Yea, right…
Besides, I can get a Windows Home Server for that much money!
The end:
So what is the point of this article? My question is: does there have to be a point? OF COURSE THERE DOES!
The point is a question. Perhaps 2. Or more..
- What do you use for a remote. Universal or other.
- Why did you buy your choice?
- Would you buy it again?
And more importantly
- Would you like WGS to expand our coverage of remotes? And not just Logitech!
- Perhaps do a few “Hands On”?
Let us know!
