okay, i've had it. i cannot stand having so many damn remotes floating around. any of you have experience with universal remotes, especially if it can access a mac/itunes?
I have had very good experiences with the Logitech Harmony remotes. They have a wide range of options and price points.
I have the XBox 360 version of this remote: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/remotes/universal_remotes/devices/376&cl=us,en The only difference is a few XBox 360 colored buttons on the Xbox version and the XBox 360 version is backlit with green instead of blue. It's a pretty good remote and can do everything. You just hook it up to your computer to set it up using a user-friendly program which is quite easy to use. You set up the devices you have by entering the model # and it pretty much is programmed from there. Then, you set up activities (e.g. Watch DVR, Watch DVD, Play Game, etc.). The only thing with the remote is some of the buttons aren't the most tactile-friendly to push. In other words, the button presses feel kind of stiff...especially on the channel and volume down/up. Also, some of the more detailed items you need to access have to be accessed on the display and there is scrolling involved. It's tolerable, however. It can do everything all your remotes can do quite easily. I like the remote for the price and I use one for my main system. It's not the best but it's pretty good...if you can deal with the stiff buttons like mentioned.
Ever since I got U-Verse, I was able to control all my devices with my u-Verse remote. When I bought a DVD-recorder, I wasn't able to control that, so now I only have 2 remotes to use. I remember people were giving bad reviews on the SONY block and good reviews on the logitech Harmony ones... those will run you $100+ .
Do they control everything? For example; picture mode, picture in picture, zoom, still frame, bass boost, etc... The more advanced commands that an items specific remote has on it.
I don't know if it controls the mac, but I do like my Harmony...I have a 660 (??) in my bedroom and just bought an 880 at dell for $120 for my living room...
I also have this remote, its the best remote i've ever had! The only thing it can't control is the my PS3 because the PS3 uses bluetooth instead of IR!
i've got a harmony as well, they're cheap on amazon, it' s as lightly different paradigm, more geared towards "activities", but could probably control itunes. a marantz learning remote might do the trick as well. i'll be at CES next month, probably see some cool alternatives there.
