[mythtv-users] Remote Suggestions

[Joseph Fry]

>
> Joseph Fry <joe at thefrys.com> wrote on Wed, Jan 06, 2016 at 04:23:33AM
> -0500:
> >  I will second [the Sony RM-VLZ620]... I feel it's one of the best
> remotes you can
> > get to use with mythtv.
> >
> > [snip]
> >
> > The battery life
> > is amazing... I don't think I have changed the batteries more than twice
> in
> > 4 years.
>
> Does it remember the programmed button assignments while the batteries are
> out,
> or do you have to re-program it when you replace batteries?
>

The remote configuration is stored in non-volatile memory, so the
configuration should never be lost.


> > [snip]
> >
> > 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.
>
> One of my remotes sits on my kitchen counter, and I wish I could reach
> over and
> press a button without picking it up. If you put this one on a flat
> surface like
> that, is it stable enough that you can press buttons near the edges
> without it
> tipping over? A lot of remotes are too rounded on the back for that.
>

It does rock when pressing the buttons along the outside edge, but only to
about 30 degrees, it quickly rights itself and doesn't slide around (at
least on my coffee table).  I have had remotes with severely rounded backs
that would rock to 45+ degrees and slide out from under your hand when
operated this way... so I know what your talking about.  There are
certainly better remotes if this is going to be it's default method of
use.  If it would only be used this way occasionally, then i'd say its fine.


>
> > 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.
>
> Thanks for the review. I think I'd prefer the layout of my current remotes
> (MediaGate HA-IR01SV MCE) to the Sony, but the Sony's ability to control
> other
> devices is a big plus. Also a big plus if it's stable on a flat surface.


The issue that I know I would have with that remote is how few buttons are
around the directional pad area.  These are the buttons I use most... back,
menu, info, guide, options, favorites, page+ page-, additionally the volume
+/- and channel +/- are not a stretch to reach from the "home" position...
I programmed my receiver's volume controls to the channel +/- buttons in
DVR mode (we don't use them for mythtv) so being able to quickly adjust the
volume of both the TV, and receiver if it is on, is important to me.  I
just think I would feel too constrained by your remote's layout.

I know that my local best-buy carries the RM-VZ310 (
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-7-function-preset-remote-black/7688852.p),
which appears to be identical in shape and layout... but it lacks some of
the features (no learning?).  You might find a store that would let you
pull one from the package and give it a feel test.  I would say that the
only downside to the recommended VLZ620 is that it doesn't appear to be
made any more... so your gonna have to order it online.

I am seriously considering ordering a couple more since I see nothing on
the market now that I like (no one wants to sell a $20 programmable
learning remote when they can gouge you for $100+ by adding a touchscreen
and backlighting) and I fear that these may become hard to find.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.mythtv.org/pipermail/mythtv-users/attachments/20160106/57b96835/attachment.html>