Connect Multimedia
| Take the confusion out of using your home entertainment system |
 The new Logitech Harmony One $399 RRP. with touch screen and backlit buttons. Briiliant! |
||||||||||||
The pros and cons of Universal Remotes. Universal remote controls are priced from as little as $20 or $30, unfortunately you get what you pay for and most people would get very little satisfaction out from using one these remotes due to the limited way in which these cheaper remotes work. These cheaper units work by typing in a series of complex numbers from the instruction manual based on the manufacturer of each of your devices. If you have a Sony DVD player, then you would look up the code for Sony under the DVD category and enter one of the several numbers listed there. 12033 for example. You repeat this process for as many devices as you want to control. Unfortunately this is a lengthy process and not all manufacturers are supported (or work properly). Quite often after an hour of typing codes you reach the last device and it's not compatible, meaning it won't work with that device. Very frustrating believe me. Logitech make a series of Universal Remote Controls which we have had a lot of success with. These remotes start at around $200 and for the top of the range Harmony 1000i universal remote, you are looking at around $550. These more expensive remotes are worth the extra cash as they have touch screens, which are very easy to read and are very user friendly. One of the major benefits of the Logitech range is that it can be updated via the internet. This means that when new devices are released by various manufacturers, the codes are updated online. Currently, hundreds of thousands of compatible devices are listed in the Logitech online database. As new devices are released, so too are the new codes. If you change TVs or add Austar set-top-box, then we don't even have to come out to your house to re-programme it. You can plug it into your computer and we can update it from anywhere in the world. One down side with these remotes is that with some home entertainment systems, these remotes can take hours to programme. This can be very complex and beyond most home users. CONNECT MULTIMEDIA often supply and programme remotes for existing or new home theatre setups. For a Harmony One remote, pictured here on the right, we charge 3 hours for programming which is not included in the purchase price. This time frame allows us to re-wire your setup and programme the remote to get the most out of your system. The cost of programming should be considered when purchasing these types of remote controls as it does add a considerable amount to the total price of the unit, however, if the whole reason you want one of these remotes is to make your life easier, then you may be dissapointed with a less expensive remote, and I guess that defeats the purpose of buying a universal remote control in the first place. A well designed system is the key. The most important thing is to plug your system together in a way that gives you the best quality sound and video from your system, but in a way that is easy for one of these remote to control it. With a well designed home entertainment system and a well programmed universal remote control, controlling your home entertainment system couldn't be easier. |
|||||||||||||
| For more information about purchasing or programming universal remotes contact us here. RETURN TO: HOME | SERVICES | TESTIMONIALS | ABOUT US | CONTACT US |
