Tag Archive: ir


Monster MCC AVL300-S Home Theater and Lighting Controller with Omnilink – Genius

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August 16, 2012

Monster MCC AVL300-S Home Theater and Lighting Controller with Omnilink review by Steve Taylor

My Overall Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars
3.2 out of 5


Monster MCC AVL300-S Home Theater and Lighting Controller with Omnilink
Monster MCC AVL300-S Home Theater and Lighting Controller with Omnilink

This remote can be programmed for literally anything. It sends out both RF and IR signals, so it will work with any audio visual component that you have, whatever the make, model or product it controls. Most universal remotes cannot control absolutely anything, but this one can due to the clever technology that it uses. As well as controlling your audio visual equipment, this remote can control your lighting.

It takes a while to get your head around and setting it up is confusing, BUT when you do have it set up then it is a piece of cake to operate and incredibly clever. Rather than simply being a universal remote it is a command network. You may have a remote control upstairs in your bedroom that is linked to the device downstairs, you might have another family member who was downstairs watching the telly and they forgot to turn it off – well your remote control upstairs knows that the downstairs TV is still on and you can hit ‘system off’ and turn the TV off without going downstairs. The remote works through walls, cabinets, floors and ceilings. You don’t have to aim the remote control to operate it and the operating range is up to 130 feet.

The remote takes a lithium-ion battery, which can be charged on the table top charging station and you can still use it whilst it’s being charged, so you’ll never be without the remote or hunting for new batteries, when the power drains.

The layout of the buttons on this remote control are intuitive, the buttons are easy to read and feel firm to press. The remote has an ergonomic design and because of its illuminated backlit buttons it is easy to use in the dark.

What’s in the Box
Monster Home Theater Controller AVL300
Long lasting lithium ion battery
Tabletop charging system
Monster Central Omnilink
Control link extender set

If you want to buy one of these universal remotes they are currently on sale at Amazon through this link.

Here is what current buyers think of the Monster MCC AVL300-S Home Theater and Lighting Controller with Omnilink:

Appy,
This is the best remote that I have ever owned. I have tried many universal remotes/learning remotes, and this one blows them all away. It truly can perform any function the original remote can, plus it allows me to hide my components cause it goes through walls. It simplifies complicated functions. With the press of a single button it turns on DVD player, turns TV to right output, and turns AV Receiver to right output. Shipped on time and in great shape. I would buy from here again. Read Original Review

EdFrank,
The AVL300-S is a great remote. Was very easy to program my old remotes to the 300-S.
Replaced five remotes with plenty of storage for more.Would recomend highly. Read Original Review

Steve Taylor Steve Taylor

Steve is a professional technology reviewer and writer. He has been reviewing console accessories since 2004 and has reviewed over 100 products.
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Logitech Harmony 900 Rechargeable Remote – Easy Browsing Pleasure

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April 23, 2012

Logitech Harmony 900 Rechargeable Remote with Color Touch Screen review by Steve Taylor

My Overall Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars
3.7 out of 5


Logitech Harmony 900 Rechargeable Remote with Color Touch Screen
Logitech Harmony 900 Rechargeable Remote with Color Touch Screen

The Harmony 900 can replace all infrared remotes controls in your house. With this remote you will be able to control all of your entertainment audio visual devices. Whether you want to listen to music, watch a movie on surround sound or watch the television you’ll be able to do so with the use of just one remote control, at the click of a button. This remote has a touch screen that is easy to use, even for those without much technological understanding. It takes out the complexity of everything! Once it’s set up you don’t need to remember the correct settings, everything will be automatically turned on and set for you.

To set up the remote you need a computer with an internet connection. Attach the remote to your computer with the included USB cable. Install the system software that’s supplied and follow the set up guide. The set up guide is easy to follow, although allow at least an hour because it does take time to register each device to the remote and configure it. When you want to update the software it’s a breeze, all you do is load the software, run the update, connect the remote control to your computer and click to update it.

The remote control is a well designed ergonomic shape, with sculpted buttons that feel nice to press and it’s full colour touch screen is of a good resolution. What makes this remote control stand out from Logitech’s other remotes is its infrared ability. You don’t need to point the remote to use it, which means it functions with audio visual equipment that is enclosed in a cabinet or even in the room next door.

What’s Included:
Remote’s control
Charging base
Rechargeable battery
IR master blaster
2 Mini Blasters
2 Power Adapters
5-ft. USB cable
System software on a DVD

If you want to buy one of these universal remotes they are currently on sale at Amazon through this link.

Here is what current buyers think of the Logitech Harmony 900 Rechargeable Remote with Color Touch Screen:

Maria Eugenia Berger,
It is a great product because it takes away the hassle of having 4 or more controls and it is easy to use because it tells ypu what to do next. It is light and reliable and the instructions are very clear. Read Original Review

Henry Griffin,
The Logitech Harmony 900 is great and far better then the Nuvo remote it replaced. The remote has great distance, as I use it at least 100 ft from my A/V, and I do not have to point the remote at my A/V for it to work. I also like the light up screen. I like the fact that all you have to do is shake the remote and it lights up the face of the remote. I just hope it last for years. Read Original Review

Steve Taylor Steve Taylor

Steve is a professional technology reviewer and writer. He has been reviewing console accessories since 2004 and has reviewed over 100 products.
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Marantz RC2001 Universal Programmable Remote – Saved my Sanity

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February 10, 2012

Marantz RC2001 Universal Programmable/learning Remote review by Steve Taylor

My Overall Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars
3.5 out of 5


Marantz RC2001 Universal Programmable/learning Remote
Marantz RC2001 Universal Programmable/learning Remote

This Marantz RC2001 Universal Programmable/learning Remote does what it says on the tin. All the functions work just as expected. You can connect the remote control to your computer by the USB input, using the supplied cable. You need to follow the software the comes with this controller to set up all your audio visual equipment. The software is pretty simple to comprehend. Even if you have very little IT and computer skills you’ll be able to get yourself all set up without too much hassle. I managed to programme all of my audio visual equipment in around an hour.

Buying this remote as saved my mind! It’s saved me time faffing around turning on my television, surround sound speakers, dvd player and satellite box. My television set up was a little complicated, there was a lot of different settings I had to change just to watch a movie and now I only need the one remote, so that’s very nice. It’s also saved my sanity because I used to always lose the one remote control that I wanted at that particular time. If I wanted to watch a movie, you could gurantee that I wouldnt be able to find the DVD player remote. Now with just the one remote control it’s much easier to keep track of its whereabouts!

The remote control is easy to use, it takes a little getting used to, but boy when you do it really is great. The buttons are well layed out, the remote is well designed in general, the LCD screen is large and easy to read and it the remote looks good too. I’m pleased with my purchase, which I bought as a bit of gamble. A very nice remote.

Key Features
PC programmable remote
Large LCD screen with hard keys
IR transmission
Backlighting for LCD and hard keys
512kB non-volatile memory
Advanced timer function
Windows Vista compatible new editor: “Wizz-It 3″
Multi brand IR database in the editor
Discrete power on and off keys
R03/AAA battery operation
3-year limited warranty

If you want to buy one of these universal remotes they are currently on sale at Amazon through this link.

Steve Taylor Steve Taylor

Steve is a professional technology reviewer and writer. He has been reviewing console accessories since 2004 and has reviewed over 100 products.
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IR Extender System – Let’s me hide the clutter and still watch TV!

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September 25, 2011

Logitech Harmony IR Extender System (Black) review by Steve Taylor

My Overall Review: 4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5


Logitech Harmony IR Extender System (Black)
Logitech Harmony IR Extender System (Black)

This infrared extender system is amazing!

I have recently decorated my living room – I’ve gone for the minimalistic style, with stylish cupboards to house my entertainment systems – DVD player, TV Box and Stereo and all of the cables that come with these devices. My 42” plasma is mounted on the wall. But the remote control wouldn’t work through the housing unit, so I had to keep the doors open in order to actually use the various entertainment systems… not exactly ideal!

But with the Logitech Harmony IR Extender System I’ve found the perfect solution. I can now close the doors and the remote controls work! So now I have no compromise – I can watch the TV, play DVDs and listen to music whilst sitting in a stylish, uncluttered room!

With the Extender System in place, I can use the remote as I normally would – it boosts the signal so everything works perfectly even though the media systems are out of view. The infrared receivers are very small, so I don’t even notice they are on show.

Setting this up was a piece of cake – and I’m a bit of a technophobe. It probably took me about ten minutes. I didn’t need to do any programming – I simply put the infra red receiver next to my TV, put the infra red blaster and mini blasters next to my stereo, DVD player etc. inside of the cabinet and then shut the cabinet doors – it took a little experimenting of exactly where to position the blaster and mini blasters, but that’s all there was too it!

Key Features:

  • Extends the signal of your remote – so you can control components hidden in cabinets

  • Universal design – works with virtually any infrared remote

  • Simple and quick to set up – no programming required!

  • Sleek, low-profile design – blends in with your home entertainment system

  • Good sensitivity – works consistently

If you want to buy one of these universal remotes they are currently on sale at Amazon through this link.

Here is what current buyers think of the Logitech Harmony IR Extender System (Black):

K Wilson,
I recently upgraded my TV to 52″ flat screen LCD/LED and had a custom cabinet made to hide all my stuff. The cabinet came out great with all my components, players, Xbox, Medic Center PC, cable box underneath and behind solid doors. Problem is when you shut the doors the remotes (aside for the TV) don’t work. I tired another brand that was designed to repeat from one room to another but it did not do a good job inside a divided cabinet as it only repeated from the main unit. My problem is the cabinet is divided down the middles with cable access between the sides in the back. Being a big fan of the Harmony remotes I went ahead and ordered their extender. It was a bit more expensive than others but went ahead based on it being Logitech.
Once I received it and opened up it I was surprised at how small and sleek each piece is. Since it came with one blaster and two mini blasters it game me a lot of options. I have one mini blaster on one side of the cabinet plugged into the main blaster and second mini blaster on the other side. The blaster and mini blasters do a great job of radiating the signal throughout the cabinet. The main blaster unit sits on top of my BD player (inside the cabinet) on one side for all connection. I positioned the mini blasters one on each side to cover the remaining components.
The (visible) receiver unit is also smaller than expected and sits at the base of my (black) Sony TV without being seen at all.
There where no setups to go through and the biggest challenge was how to run the cables, which by the way are plenty long enough for any application I can imagine.
Way to go Logitech ! You built a winner !
I highly recommend this unit (BTW: I NEVER write reviews)
Read Original Review

Terry,
Having been in the customer support business of my 84 year old mothers computer, phone and TV system for several years, when she started complaining about having to keep the cabinet doors open to watch her big screen, I jumped on this for a birthday present.
Without even reading the instructions, I simply plugged it in and in 5 minutes, she was using her all-in-one Logitech remote and just seeing her TV – nothing more! Simple, worked as advertised, showing it off to all her friends and best of all – she thinks I’m a genius!
Read Original Review

Steve Taylor Steve Taylor

Steve is a professional technology reviewer and writer. He has been reviewing console accessories since 2004 and has reviewed over 100 products.

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