Universal Remote Question for A/V Geeks

[IndyWS6]

What's the go-to "universal" remote these days? Something that controls everything (A/V receiver, cable box/DVR, DVD, game system, etc.), preferably with a touch screen.

I have a couple of the Logitech Harmony remotes. While reprogramming the one at the G/F's house, I noticed that Logitech has exited the remote business. That's unfortunate - they had a great product at a decent price. I don't need to replace anything yet, but at some point, I'm sure I'll need to look for the latest and greatest. Just curious what people are using...

[Marc G]

I'm still using my Logitech Harmony remote..... and yeah... it sucks that they now longer make them... following this thread because I'm like you and know I'll need to update my harmony one of these days too lol

[Dave]

You don't control your A/V system with your phone?

[Devin]

I have a like-new Logi Harmony 665 here at my office that I bought for one of my bosses but it was too complex for her so she gave it back to me lol

Seems like a pretty cool product, but like Dave said I'd prolly just use my phone if I needed something like that

[IndyWS6]

You don't control your A/V system with your phone?

No... My Denon app will control the A/V receiver. The Sony app will control the Blu-Ray player, etc. The apps are specific to a device or brand and lack a lot of the functions available on the dedicated remotes.

The Logitech will control almost any brand of component you can name, it supports IR and RF and it will switch inputs and power on/off each needed device for an activity (e.g. "Watch DVD" powers on the A/V receiver, DVD player and TV and selects the correct input on each). It's programmable from the Interwebz - tell it what models and brands and what you want to do and it programs all of the codes and sequences. I don't know of any app that will do that. Plus, I just like a dedicated remote for that stuff. I don't want to pass my phone to someone to channel-hop or change the volume. Who knows what I was just looking at

[IndyWS6]

I have a like-new Logi Harmony 665 here at my office that I bought for one of my bosses but it was too complex for her so she gave it back to me lol

Seems like a pretty cool product, but like Dave said I'd prolly just use my phone if I needed something like that

The hardest part is knowing the model number of the devices you want to control. Even then, you can guess and get it right most of the time. Other than that, plug it into Ye Olde Computer, follow the prompts and let the magic happen

[Dave]

Oh, my tv remote controls volume on my Denon receiver and my phone does everything else. I didn’t know people still used blu ray/physical media players anymore

[IndyWS6]

Oh, my tv remote controls volume on my Denon receiver and my phone does everything else. I didn’t know people still used blu ray/physical media players anymore

Not frequently, but if I want to watch something in 4K UHD with the best audio surround settings, streaming doesn't really cut it...

So... No one has a favorite "universal" remote suggestion?

[linthat22]

Oh, my tv remote controls volume on my Denon receiver and my phone does everything else. I didn’t know people still used blu ray/physical media players anymore

Not frequently, but if I want to watch something in 4K UHD with the best audio surround settings, streaming doesn't really cut it...

So... No one has a favorite "universal" remote suggestion?

I've been using my Harmony Remote Elite and it will allow you to use your cellphone since they provide a hub, but outside of that...... there's not a lot of new contenders out there that have proven themselves.

[IndyWS6]

Oh, my tv remote controls volume on my Denon receiver and my phone does everything else. I didn’t know people still used blu ray/physical media players anymore

Not frequently, but if I want to watch something in 4K UHD with the best audio surround settings, streaming doesn't really cut it...

So... No one has a favorite "universal" remote suggestion?

I've been using my Harmony Remote Elite and it will allow you to use your cellphone since they provide a hub, but outside of that...... there's not a lot of new contenders out there that have proven themselves.

I have an Elite (non-hub), a 950 and another lesser-featured model (forget the number). They all work, so there's no immediate replacement needs, which is a good thing considering there are no obvious choices. I guess I'll keep looking...

[Dave]

Oh, my tv remote controls volume on my Denon receiver and my phone does everything else. I didn’t know people still used blu ray/physical media players anymore

Not frequently, but if I want to watch something in 4K UHD with the best audio surround settings, streaming doesn't really cut it...

So... No one has a favorite "universal" remote suggestion?

I routinely watch 4k UHD on my Dolby atmos setup and don’t have any issues

[IndyWS6]

Oh, my tv remote controls volume on my Denon receiver and my phone does everything else. I didn’t know people still used blu ray/physical media players anymore

Not frequently, but if I want to watch something in 4K UHD with the best audio surround settings, streaming doesn't really cut it...

So... No one has a favorite "universal" remote suggestion?

I routinely watch 4k UHD on my Dolby atmos setup and don’t have any issues

Could be my imagination, but the quality doesn't seem to be as good when streaming (compression maybe?) vs. using media. I seldom watch a DVD, but I prefer that approach when I want the best quality.

What does your Atmos setup look like? I'm running a Denon X6300H with Klipsch speakers in 9.2. It will do 11.2, but the room doesn't lend itself to the additional speakers.

[Devin]

Oh, my tv remote controls volume on my Denon receiver and my phone does everything else. I didn’t know people still used blu ray/physical media players anymore

Not frequently, but if I want to watch something in 4K UHD with the best audio surround settings, streaming doesn't really cut it...

So... No one has a favorite "universal" remote suggestion?

I routinely watch 4k UHD on my Dolby atmos setup and don’t have any issues

Could be my imagination, but the quality doesn't seem to be as good when streaming (compression maybe?) vs. using media. I seldom watch a DVD, but I prefer that approach when I want the best quality.

What does your Atmos setup look like? I'm running a Denon X6300H with Klipsch speakers in 9.2. It will do 11.2, but the room doesn't lend itself to the additional speakers.

Make sure you remove the "auto" quality setting on your streaming service (assuming you haven't already) - this will make it randomly drop resolution if you have any network hiccups

[IndyWS6]

Oh, my tv remote controls volume on my Denon receiver and my phone does everything else. I didn’t know people still used blu ray/physical media players anymore

Not frequently, but if I want to watch something in 4K UHD with the best audio surround settings, streaming doesn't really cut it...

So... No one has a favorite "universal" remote suggestion?

I routinely watch 4k UHD on my Dolby atmos setup and don’t have any issues

Could be my imagination, but the quality doesn't seem to be as good when streaming (compression maybe?) vs. using media. I seldom watch a DVD, but I prefer that approach when I want the best quality.

What does your Atmos setup look like? I'm running a Denon X6300H with Klipsch speakers in 9.2. It will do 11.2, but the room doesn't lend itself to the additional speakers.

Make sure you remove the "auto" quality setting on your streaming service (assuming you haven't already) - this will make it randomly drop resolution if you have any network hiccups

Thanks - I think I have everything tweaked appropriately, but there's shit-ton of settings and it's easy to miss something...

[Dave]

Oh, my tv remote controls volume on my Denon receiver and my phone does everything else. I didn’t know people still used blu ray/physical media players anymore

Not frequently, but if I want to watch something in 4K UHD with the best audio surround settings, streaming doesn't really cut it...

So... No one has a favorite "universal" remote suggestion?

I routinely watch 4k UHD on my Dolby atmos setup and don’t have any issues

Could be my imagination, but the quality doesn't seem to be as good when streaming (compression maybe?) vs. using media. I seldom watch a DVD, but I prefer that approach when I want the best quality.

What does your Atmos setup look like? I'm running a Denon X6300H with Klipsch speakers in 9.2. It will do 11.2, but the room doesn't lend itself to the additional speakers.

I'm only running 7.2 and can't recall the Denon atmos receiver I have

Running Polk Audio speakers that are setup for 9.2 but I need to upgrade my receiver. Running 2 towers, center channel, 2 rear in-wall, and 4 ceiling mounted atmos speakers but they're running parallel off the 2 atmos outs on the receiver.


I'll be honest, my setup is solid but not super high end so I could just be missing out on the best of the best. Not enough to make me want to wire up a blu ray player though

Good luck on your remote search!

[linthat22]

Oh, my tv remote controls volume on my Denon receiver and my phone does everything else. I didn’t know people still used blu ray/physical media players anymore

Not frequently, but if I want to watch something in 4K UHD with the best audio surround settings, streaming doesn't really cut it...

So... No one has a favorite "universal" remote suggestion?

I routinely watch 4k UHD on my Dolby atmos setup and don’t have any issues

Could be my imagination, but the quality doesn't seem to be as good when streaming (compression maybe?) vs. using media. I seldom watch a DVD, but I prefer that approach when I want the best quality.

What does your Atmos setup look like? I'm running a Denon X6300H with Klipsch speakers in 9.2. It will do 11.2, but the room doesn't lend itself to the additional speakers.

I'm only running 7.2 and can't recall the Denon atmos receiver I have

Running Polk Audio speakers that are setup for 9.2 but I need to upgrade my receiver. Running 2 towers, center channel, 2 rear in-wall, and 4 ceiling mounted atmos speakers but they're running parallel off the 2 atmos outs on the receiver.


I'll be honest, my setup is solid but not super high end so I could just be missing out on the best of the best. Not enough to make me want to wire up a blu ray player though

Good luck on your remote search!

Right there with you! I have a Marantz 7015 and using a Jamo speaker setup in 9.1. I can't bring myself to throw in a 4k UHD player.

Though it would make for using a universal remote easier, I would think.

Also, to Indy, have you utilized all your CAC settings?

[IndyWS6]

Oh, my tv remote controls volume on my Denon receiver and my phone does everything else. I didn’t know people still used blu ray/physical media players anymore

Not frequently, but if I want to watch something in 4K UHD with the best audio surround settings, streaming doesn't really cut it...

So... No one has a favorite "universal" remote suggestion?

I routinely watch 4k UHD on my Dolby atmos setup and don’t have any issues

Could be my imagination, but the quality doesn't seem to be as good when streaming (compression maybe?) vs. using media. I seldom watch a DVD, but I prefer that approach when I want the best quality.

What does your Atmos setup look like? I'm running a Denon X6300H with Klipsch speakers in 9.2. It will do 11.2, but the room doesn't lend itself to the additional speakers.

I'm only running 7.2 and can't recall the Denon atmos receiver I have

Running Polk Audio speakers that are setup for 9.2 but I need to upgrade my receiver. Running 2 towers, center channel, 2 rear in-wall, and 4 ceiling mounted atmos speakers but they're running parallel off the 2 atmos outs on the receiver.


I'll be honest, my setup is solid but not super high end so I could just be missing out on the best of the best. Not enough to make me want to wire up a blu ray player though

Good luck on your remote search!

Right there with you! I have a Marantz 7015 and using a Jamo speaker setup in 9.1. I can't bring myself to throw in a 4k UHD player.

Though it would make for using a universal remote easier, I would think.

Also, to Indy, have you utilized all your CAC settings?

Not sure what you mean by "CAC settings", but I'm pretty confident that everything is configured as it should be. The quality difference could just be my perception - or bias; streaming has never been my first choice.

P.S. A quality 4K UHD Blu-Ray player can be had for ~$300, so it wasn't a tough decision to add one to the equipment stand...

I did a little more digging and still didn't find any obvious successors to the Logitech Harmony stuff. I tried one of the A/V forums, but after the 10th half-screen, pop-up ad I bailed

[linthat22]

Oh, my tv remote controls volume on my Denon receiver and my phone does everything else. I didn’t know people still used blu ray/physical media players anymore

Not frequently, but if I want to watch something in 4K UHD with the best audio surround settings, streaming doesn't really cut it...

So... No one has a favorite "universal" remote suggestion?

I routinely watch 4k UHD on my Dolby atmos setup and don’t have any issues

Could be my imagination, but the quality doesn't seem to be as good when streaming (compression maybe?) vs. using media. I seldom watch a DVD, but I prefer that approach when I want the best quality.

What does your Atmos setup look like? I'm running a Denon X6300H with Klipsch speakers in 9.2. It will do 11.2, but the room doesn't lend itself to the additional speakers.

I'm only running 7.2 and can't recall the Denon atmos receiver I have

Running Polk Audio speakers that are setup for 9.2 but I need to upgrade my receiver. Running 2 towers, center channel, 2 rear in-wall, and 4 ceiling mounted atmos speakers but they're running parallel off the 2 atmos outs on the receiver.


I'll be honest, my setup is solid but not super high end so I could just be missing out on the best of the best. Not enough to make me want to wire up a blu ray player though

Good luck on your remote search!

Right there with you! I have a Marantz 7015 and using a Jamo speaker setup in 9.1. I can't bring myself to throw in a 4k UHD player.

Though it would make for using a universal remote easier, I would think.

Also, to Indy, have you utilized all your CAC settings?

Not sure what you mean by "CAC settings", but I'm pretty confident that everything is configured as it should be. The quality difference could just be my perception - or bias; streaming has never been my first choice.

P.S. A quality 4K UHD Blu-Ray player can be had for ~$300, so it wasn't a tough decision to add one to the equipment stand...

I did a little more digging and still didn't find any obvious successors to the Logitech Harmony stuff. I tried one of the A/V forums, but after the 10th half-screen, pop-up ad I bailed

I miss typed, I meant the HDMI CEC settings, where you can use one remote to turn things off and on. But then I realized, you're wanting to control things with one remote, rather than a simplistic on/off. Sorry about that.

[GuitarBilly]

I use the remote the came with xfinity cable box. It's actually really decent. I had no issues integrating it to my TV and soundboard. Even the smart functions of the TV work pretty well with that remote.

[Landshark]

never tried one, but Sofabaton seems to be the brand that people are replacing Logitech Harmony's with.

i usually only use the Harmony when watching a movie to turn on the receiver for 8.2.1 surround sound. most of the time, its just watching TV with the TV speakers and we use the FIOS remote.

[IndyWS6]

never tried one, but Sofabaton seems to be the brand that people are replacing Logitech Harmony's with.

i usually only use the Harmony when watching a movie to turn on the receiver for 8.2.1 surround sound. most of the time, its just watching TV with the TV speakers and we use the FIOS remote.

Everything I have routes through the A/V receiver and it's the only audio source, so it's convenient to have the Harmony switch the correct devices, input, outputs, etc. for a given function.

I've seen the Sofabaton pop-up in searches. Maybe it's not fair since I haven't seen one in-person or used one, but it looks like a cheap imitation. Claims to have all of the same functions, but the screen looks lame by comparison. I hope the Harmony remotes keep working for a while

[Devin]

I've seen the Sofabaton pop-up in searches. Maybe it's not fair since I haven't seen one in-person or used one, but it looks like a cheap imitation. Claims to have all of the same functions, but the screen looks lame by comparison. I hope the Harmony remotes keep working for a while

FWIW I checked and there are still some Harmonys available on Newegg.com - the price of them has shot WAY the fuck up though from what I saw.

[Landshark]

Everything I have routes through the A/V receiver and it's the only audio source, so it's convenient to have the Harmony switch the correct devices, input, outputs, etc. for a given function.

i have a lot of devices! TV, FIOS box, receiver, PS3, PS4, Xbox Series X, BT receiver, and still have a VCR hooked up

I've seen the Sofabaton pop-up in searches. Maybe it's not fair since I haven't seen one in-person or used one, but it looks like a cheap imitation. Claims to have all of the same functions, but the screen looks lame by comparison. I hope the Harmony remotes keep working for a while

yeah, the Sofabaton screen is pretty bad.

i don't like touch screens (in cars or remotes) ... i prefer the Harmony 650 with its display that has hard buttons next to each screen function vs the Harmony One or 880 with touchscreen.


my main gripe with Harmony is that they never put a large "DVR" button on their remotes ... that's a function i use a lot. its easy enough to program one in, but still dumb it doesn't have its own physical button.

[IndyWS6]

Everything I have routes through the A/V receiver and it's the only audio source, so it's convenient to have the Harmony switch the correct devices, input, outputs, etc. for a given function.

i have a lot of devices! TV, FIOS box, receiver, PS3, PS4, Xbox Series X, BT receiver, and still have a VCR hooked up

I've seen the Sofabaton pop-up in searches. Maybe it's not fair since I haven't seen one in-person or used one, but it looks like a cheap imitation. Claims to have all of the same functions, but the screen looks lame by comparison. I hope the Harmony remotes keep working for a while

yeah, the Sofabaton screen is pretty bad.

i don't like touch screens (in cars or remotes) ... i prefer the Harmony 650 with its display that has hard buttons next to each screen function vs the Harmony One or 880 with touchscreen.


my main gripe with Harmony is that they never put a large "DVR" button on their remotes ... that's a function i use a lot. its easy enough to program one in, but still dumb it doesn't have its own physical button.

Touch screens: In general, I agree, although the Harmony screen on the higher-end models is large enough (and works well enough) to be useful. The screen on the Sofabaton looks like it has the resolution of one of those pocket Nintendo devices from the 80's .

I hope to God I didn't tempt fate by starting this thread. The Harmony at the GF's house started having problems charging yesterday. I think I just need to clean the contacts in the base. Fingers crossed...