Programmable remotes

A follow up to this post.

I got the URC R50 and the on board database is useless for high end gear. I was unable to build the Bryston remote I wanted, because even though Bryston was listed, none of the codes would activate the BDA-1. Same with Parasound JC-2. PS Audio was not even listed.

However, I was able to build remote "devices" for everything I had the original remotes for. Teaching the R50 from an exisiting remote was straight forward if not a bit time consuming. Using the remotes of the PWT and JC-2, I was able to build an "audio device" with combined controls from both, which was nifty. If there was no labeled hard button on the R50 for a command, you could assign one of 48 screen buttons to any command you wished. You can custom label these screen buttons, so there is no confusion later about the commands or what they do.

The volume controls were a bit quirky, as the R50 would only send incremental volume commands when pressed (even if held down), whereas the original JC-2 remote will run the volume min to max if held down. This was actually a blessing in disguise, because the JC-2 remote has the tendancy to overcorrect a volume change, whereas the incremental R50 makes much smaller changes and you don't have to worry about how long a "tap" is on the remote.

Now if I can find a Bryston dealer with a BDA-1 remote, I could clone the commands I need on the R50 by bringing it to his shop.

Overall I like this remote, even though I could not build the Bryston remote from scratch. Looks like I would need one of the Logitech remotes for the Bryston (or find a cooperative Bryston dealer).

After re-considering the Harmony (Logitech) remotes, I decided to go with a URC R50. It does not have the advantage of the online database, but I did confirm URC (which makes professional HT remotes) has quite a large database (that includes Bryston, Parasound, etc) locally in the remote. All programming is done on the remote itself which can be time consuming but I only have three devices so that is not too bad. It also tends to be "device" oriented as opposed to "activity" oriented, which I prefer.

I like it because it's cheap (at about $50) and URC products have a good reputation for reliability. I also wanted one with no touch screen for that reason. The Harmony units without a touch screen only have four screen labeled commands and this URC has 6. This is important for the Bryston because the "hard" buttons of most remotes do not have functions like the inputs needed for the BDA-1, so they have to be available as special buttons on the screen.

For the money, just building a remote to control the Bryston is worth it. Since I have the remotes for the PWT and Parasound, I should be able to add them as well even if they are not in the database.

FWIW Philips discontinued the Pronto line of remotes and I am not sure what if any they still make.

I have used Logitech Harmony removed for over ten years now and still have my first one working at a friends place.

I have used it with EMM Labs, Krell, Audio Research, Classe', Meridian, Anthem and numerous other products without a hitch, I highly recommend them!

Both the Bryston BDA-1 and BDP-1 are in the Logitech database so it might be a simple download to make the remote work for you.

I've been happy with a couple of the least expensive Logitech remotes but did have one issue when the commands downloaded for my Simaudio integrated were obviously for some completely different device. The I-5 shows up in the database but the downloaded commands were for some kind of AV receiver. I used the 'learn' function to fix it but it was mildly irritating since I had to convince myself I wasn't doing anything wrong.

If you want simple functionality or to experiment cheaply ecost.com has refurbished Logitech remotes for as little as $13. I've bought a couple of different models from them and they've worked great.

FWIW, two friends of mine had Logitech remotes and they both failed within a year. I've been using a Universal Home Theater Master remote for 15 years with no problems. Probably not as slick as the Logitechs, but certainly not hard to program and can handle just about anything.

Thanks for the info, folks.

I guess no one is using the Philips. Logtech is clearly the market leader and their online configuration utility is nice (when you can get to a server).

I am not crazy about the motion detect function on most of the Logitech models since I have heard it will do strange things if you ever drop it. It is also very slow turning on sequence of devices, and may be tricky of your devices are scattered in different locations (and you don't have the very pricey RF model).

The Philips has a learn mode for use with other remotes but this won't help me much with the Bryston, so it would be nice if I could get a listing of the pre-programmed supported products.

I use a Logitech. Had to use the learning feature for BAT, NAD, and Wyred 4 Sound components but that works well because I can remotely control obscure features like dimming displays, changing phase, etc. If I remember correctly the Arcam CD functions were in their database and didn't have to be learned one function at a time. Nice thing about the learning feature is you can combine functions for several components into one set. When I press the music button on top it controls my CD plus integrated amp. When I press the TV button it controls the TV, cable box, and the receiver for the TV sound through a pair of PSB monitors. It can be a little frustrating and takes patience but if you stick with it you can make it do exactly what you want.

I've owned 3 Logitech remotes and found they work fine and are reasonable to program.
Don't waste your money on an expensive one. I've been using ones in the $80 - $100 range and they do everything I need.
They last a long time and because they are only $80 it is no big deal when it wears out or gets damaged.
My first one lasted many years and then some of the buttons stopped working so I got another one the same and just dumped the same programming into it.
The 2nd one was destroyed by leaking DURACELL batteries.
Duracell paid for my 3rd Logitech remote and it is still going after several years using eneloop rechargables.

I use it to control my Yamaha amp and SACD player as well as the TV, PVR and DVD. It can even control the Air con.

I have used the Osiris product with good results over 5 years.

I use a Logitech w/Marantz, NAD, and Samsung TV/DVD. In 30 minutes, I had all codes downloaded off site, and it works perfectly...love it.