[mythtv-users] Remote Suggestions

[Joseph Fry]

>
>
> > I recently built a mythfrontend system using mythbuntu.  I'm looking to
> purchase a remote that will allow me to control the TV (volume, power,
> inputs), and mythtv.  Can anyone suggest a cost-effective remote that can
> work with 3rd party receivers?
> >
> > Also, I currently own an Ortek VRC-1100, and I have the Intel 7260HMW
> which comes with Bluetooth.  Can either of those be used as a receiver, or
> do I need to purchase a separate receiver?  If no, any suggestions for a
> receiver?
> >
> > -Robert
>
> I like my Sony RM-VLZ620. Picked up a couple from Amazon for $12 over
> Christmas. I see they're back up to $20. Strength is great, due to 3 leds.
> Works with my Ortek VRC-1100 as well as the re-branded Adesso ARC-1100. The
> remote is a few years old, so I was pleasantly surprised that I could use a
> pre-programmed code for the Samsung Smart TV we got this Christmas.
>
>
 I will second this remote... I feel it's one of the best remotes you can
get to use with mythtv.

The best part is the number of buttons available (48), which is why I
bought it in the first place.  Having separate page up/down buttons, short
and long (chapter) skip in both directions, etc... it suits an HTPC
perfectly.  It has passthrough volume controls (I use it to control the
volume on my TV), and controls all my devices fine (I don't have anything
newer than 3 years though).  Once you assign your device code, you can
learn any button over the top of the pre-programmed codes... and great for
things like assigning the TV input button to the DVR mode to allow
switching inputs without switching to TV mode.  It also supports assigning
macros to the 4 system control buttons across the bottom.  The battery life
is amazing... I don't think I have changed the batteries more than twice in
4 years.

My only real complaint was that I had to try about 100 code sets before I
settled on one that had codes assigned to most of the buttons; None of the
code sets appeared to use all of the buttons. The buttons without codes
were learned from an old RC6 remote I had laying around.  I had to run
through the irrecord process twice, creating two separate remote files (the
learned buttons didn't match the signaling parameters of the pre-programmed
ones), but that was simple enough.  Oh, and it would be nice if it were
backlit.

I am sure there are easier remotes to implement... but if your willing to
put some work into it, the RM-VLZ620 is probably one of the better remotes
out there if your looking for a remote with lots of physical buttons and an
excellent layout.  It fits the hand so much better than most remotes I have
used, feels solid, has no sharp edges or corners, and its weight is
distributed exactly right.   When you grab it your hand naturally falls
into the optimal position for using the most commonly used buttons, largely
due to the valley in the back of the remote and the weight distribution,
which makes it easy to build muscle memory (your gonna have to memorize it
since it's not backlit).

Just to clarify one thing Helen said, the remote only has 2 transmit LED's,
the other one is a receiver for learning.  But the remote does transmit
well and seems to have good horizontal beam width (approaching 180 degrees)
and the vertical is probably close to 180 as well... unless something is
physically blocking the receiver I have never had the signal not reach the
receiver, even with the remote aimed in the opposite direction so that the
signal must bounce off the wall behind me.

If your not up for spending a small fortune on a remote, want a button for
everything, and prefer physical buttons over touchscreens, you simply won't
find a better remote for MythTV.  The only remote that I have seen is that
might come close is the Harmony 350... it has 49 buttons... but the layout
is crap if you ask me.
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