Featured Remote Control Reviews
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Onkyo TX-SR805 AV Receiver Review
The Onkyo TX-SR805 represents the current pinnacle of value at its price point. It sounds good, decodes all the latest HD audio codecs, sports a large power supply, has an impressive feature set, THX Ultra2 certification, and Audyssey MultEQ at a price well below what the competition offers. This high level of value is not just limited to this particular model; Onkyo has spread value and features across their entire product line. Onkyo has resurged into the market as a serious player once again and clearly upped the ante with the TX-SR805. Highly recommended.
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EMP ECA-4 & ECA-44 Compact Satellite Speaker System Review
This is a must have solution for any application requiring a compact clutter free and inconspicuously mounted installation. For a limited time, EMP is extending more than 50% off their MSRP plus FREE shipping which makes this system even more attractive and a very uncommon value. So basically $729 gets you 5 high performance compact satellite speakers and their new high power compact e10S subwoofer. This is a “cubed speaker system” killer for well under $1k.
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Recently Reviewed Remote Controls
Universal Remote Control, Inc finally released the embargo on its new wireless, dual-use KP-900 Wireless Keypad which will be debuting at this Spring’s EHX (Electronic House Expo) in Orlando in March. We were given a super-secret private introduction to the product back in January at the 2008 CES and felt that this has the potential to be one of the hottest custom install products to hit the market in a long time. The KP-900 is a RF/IR wireless keypad remote that controls all audio and video equipment in a home. It can be mounted on a wall AND used as a handheld remote, making it ideal for retrofitting into homes with existing entertainment systems, as well as for new homes.
Universal Remote Control, Inc. released their MX-980 Remote Control today at CES in Las Vegas. A winner of this year’s CES Innovations Design and Engineering Awards, the MX-980 is a powerful wand-style custom control designed to advance the state of the art of Home Theater programming and integration.
Universal Remote Control, Inc. released the MX-810 Remote Control today at the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show here in Las Vegas. A winner of this year’s CES Innovations Design and Engineering Awards, the MX-810 provides Home Theater owners and professional installers with dedicated, custom control over single-room Home Theaters or AV entertainment systems. Each MX-810 remains dedicated to a single room’s equipment, complete with a user-changeable label identifying the room.
Universal Remote Control, Inc released the MRF-260 Complete Control RF Base Station today at CES in Las Vegas. The MRF-260 brings the advantage of Narrow Band radio frequency (RF) reception to home entertainment systems.
When I was asked if I would be interested in reviewing a universal remote, I said what I always say, “Sure, send it.” But honestly, I had mixed feelings. There is something empowering in having a pile of remotes that only you can decipher. It is somehow satisfying to have your wife call you on the cell and being able to fix the problem with a few words. There is a sense of serenity in knowing your in-laws won’t be able to control your system without you so you don’t have to worry about them hogging your home theater for an I Love Lucy marathon. On the other side, a universal remote is really the ultimate in cool. If you want to impress your friends and they’ve already seen your 65” plasma, a fully configured universal remote controlling everything via RF is the way to go. You’ll be able to change the channel from the garage. You’ll be able to press one button and have all the appropriate equipment turn on, all the rest turn off, the lights dim, and the popcorn maker start… well maybe not that last thing but the rest…
My current remote control is Universal Remote's Home Theater Master MX-700. This is an excellent remote control, but was somewhat less impressive once I moved all of my home theater source components to an equipment room behind the listening position. Suddenly, the coolest IR remote I had ever used lost its edge (as all of you who have ever aimed a remote backwards over your head will sympathize). The Universal Remote MX-950 (and MRF-300 RF receiver) was going to provide a new level of convenience by integrating the ability to use RF (radio frequency) in my home theater. Finally, no more funky aiming to control the system - just click and relax.
We continue to update our readers on the new remote control models from Logitech's Harmony line. Their newest consumer remote, the Harmony 880, departs from the norm and adds a 128x160 pixel full color LCD display and docking cradle to recharge the included Lithium-ion battery. The entire remote has been completely remodeled by Logitech's design team. This model is the culmination of the company's influence and experience being put to the test in an effort to improve upon the past Harmony designs and ergonomics. Though we'll touch upon changes and differences, for a detailed review of the Harmony Remote programming experience and website interface, we'll ask you to read our in-depth review of the Harmony 688. If you want to see what the Harmony 880 remote offers and how it compares to the 688 or 676 - please read on.
Very seldom do I catch myself uttering the word "genius" silently to myself as I'm reviewing a piece of equipment. I have to say, I had my doubts about the Remote Control Extender when it was first brought to my attention last month. How can an IR remote control be automatically converted into a wireless RF remote simply by installing a battery/transmitter device in the unit itself? It just didn't make sense until Bob Dolatowski, President of Next Generation Home Products, Inc explained his product to us in detail.
We reviewed the Logitech Harmony H688 remote back in July and gave it rave reviews for its excellent ergonomics, programming and programming user interface. As Logitech releases more remote control styles we promised to keep you updated so you can make informed decisions as to which to consider purchasing. For a detailed review of the Harmony Remote programming experience and website interface, we'll ask you to read our previous review. If you want to see what the Harmony 676 remote offers and how it compares to the H688 - please read on.
The Harmony H688 was going to provide a new experience in that the application programming interface is online and the remote is arranged by activity, rather than by device. This review details the Harmony online application system as well as some pitfalls to watch out for when using it to control multiple (and hopefully typical) devices in your home theater system.
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