Howdy...looking to purchase a universal remote control for my home set-up...will be controlling a TV, vcr, 2 dvd players, cd player, receiver, and laserdisc player...Basically, i just want to be able to easily control each component, and not lose any features from the components' original remote...really don't want to spend over two hundred Dollars...any suggestions?

The Radio Shack 15-2117 is what I have and I think it's great. They no longer have it online (only its non-rf sibling, the 15-2116 for $32) but they might have it at a store.

http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...5Fid=15%2D2116

The rf I'm talking about is a remote extender device that I plug into an outlet and aim at my components. Then I can use the remote from anywhere in the house or yard, and don't have to point it at the stack.

BTW, this remote does have JP1, which opens an entire vista of customization options.

You should look for one that says "MX-500" on front!

Seriously, the MX has extensive device macros, which give you 1-button switching for each device (audio, video, settings). It learns and has built-in codes, and lots of memory. There are also 10 lcd-labeled buttons for each mode (2 pages of them) in addition to a lot of hard buttons. (Hard buttons are great--I HATE touchscreens!) The MX also has good power/range. You can store every button function from every remote, group everything by function (DVD mode, tv mode, etc.) and really retire your original remotes.

And it's only around $100.........

I know you said $200 or less, but no discussion about universal remotes is complete without mentioning the RC9200 from Marantz:



Truly, the Godfather of all Universal Remotes.

And, it's in COLOR!

I think the Marantz is a TAD over his $200 limit but it is truely a sweet remote. On a more serious note, I am also in the market for a quality universal remote and from my research it looks like the MX-500 is the remote for me. Lots of options and a decent price.

BTW, the MX500 has a good WAF once set up properly. One button access for any desired activity to get everything (e.g. tv, receiver, cable/sat, vcr) turned on and in synch. If a device misses a signal, just re-press the button. Macros rule. As do labeled butttons for 'extra' functions.

Mine is set up so the remote mimics the original cable remote. (Even assigning the stop, rec, and play buttons to the original square, circle and triangle cable buttons!) For most modes, I use page 2 of the lcd buttons for audio mode changes (prologic, DD/DTS, theater modes, etc.) while pagte 1 has extra functions (like video-on-demand controls for cable).

As for the Marantz, it looks like a pretty toy, but lacks hard buttons. Who needs color when you have enough clearly labeled buttons? The MX500 is the John Deere of remotes, and I definitely want the versatile workhorse here. (For about 1/10th the price, or a thousand bucks cheaper!) $^)

Wow...you guys are great!...looks like i'll be getting the Home Theater Master MX-500...only $105 on Amazon.com...looks to be the best bang for my buck...

Few more questions though (no i do not know anything about universal remotes)...

Will this remote mimic the menu, return, audio, subtitle, zoom, and angle buttons on my dvd remotes?

Also, I'm planning on getting a laserdisc player in the near future, and curious if and how well this remote will mimic the functions of the (sorry, i don't know what this button is called) circular button used to FF and REW on the laserdisc remote.

Thanks again!

i currently am using the sony RM-VL1000 and quite happy with it, it too can be programmed to power on or power down all components with one button, it was a toss up between the mx-500 or the sony i found the sony for under $55 so i went with it, and glad i did.

it has a good feel and it's well balanced not to heavy.

http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?...000&svbname=30

If you can't find a button with a label that fits your scenario, you just name one whatever you want (5 character limit) on the LCD screen.

BTW - in you don't already know, each device that you create on the LCD screen has it's own "set" of LCD buttons after you select that device. You aren't limited to a grand total of 5 custom buttons. Example - when I select "DVD" from my LCD menu, it goes to the DVD menu, where I can create 2 pages of custom LCD buttons, or 20 total. From there I can select the hard buttons like Play, Stop etc that I have learned on the existing buttons, or I can use custom LCD buttons I have created/learned like Audio, Subtitle, Angle, etc.

I cannot say enough good things about the MX500!

That is one cool remote. I just looked up the price. WOW!

www.remotecentral.com

great source of information for remotes.

another vote for the MX-500. I have one, and I use it to control my HDTV, second analog TV, VCR, DVD changer, HD Tuner/Receiver, A/V Receiver, Boombox, Xbox, PS2, Gamecube, and even my IR-controlled fan. I haven't touched my original remotes in months.

It is truly a remarkable remote, fully customizeable and a real bargain at only $100.

Once again, thanks for all the help, guys! Purchased the XM-500 yesterday from Amazon.com. Had a $10 gift certificate and free shipping, came out to $95.74...great price!

I was a long time pronto user, then I switched to the mx-500. The pronto was a little bulky and a little bit of a pain to program. The mx just wasn't as versatile as I had expected. So I thought about trying the mx-800 but the price was a little steep.

Then a few weeks ago I decided to try the Harmony sst-659. I've got to admit, that is by far the easiest universal remote to set up out of anything I've ever used. It only took me 20 minutes to set up and run. It's small and easy to use. I've been very impressed and doubt I'll ever go back to the pronto or the mx.

Got my MX-500 in today...only 3 days after ordering...quick shipping!..

Anyway, the thing is extremely easy to set up and use...just got one question...Is there any way to get the remote to mimic the "open/close" button on a Panasonic DVD-CV51? Doesn't seem to want to do it.

Also, I've got a Philips 727 and heard that this remote has some trouble controlling it...anything in particular that I should know?


EDIT: Nevermind about the Panasonic problem...got it to work!