I have a coffee table full of remotes, and need a solution which will suit the technophobe wife.

I know most remotes have macros on them, which would make it very easy to use, but I have a question.

My amp and TV remotes don't have buttons for each input, but one button which scrolls through all the options. How does a universal remote macro cope with this? To watch a disc, how would it know which input to select on the amp and the TV, as it wouldn't know where in the sequence it already is?

Hope I've explained this well enough for you to understand what I mean.

At a guess I suppose you would assign two buttons on the universal remote that correspond to the buttons on the TV/Amp that scroll through all the options.

Although the supplied remote doesn't have the individual codes to select individual inputs they normally exist.

My Sony TV for instance only has a single key for changing the input source but the codes do exist.

Look at the logitech harmony remote range. They have an enormous on line database that downloads all the codes your kit understands by simply connecting the remote to a PC by USB.

Check with the Remote manufacturer directly through their website your equipment is supported. There's no point in getting an all-in-one if it misses out on some of the equipment.

See this review of one Award Winner.

Whatever you do, remember to remove all the batteries from the battery compartments of the remotes you are retiring and keep the remotes somewhere safe so you can always recommission them into service shoud you need to.

So each press of the button on your Sony transmits a different code?

I tried to do this with my TV as I had to scroll through all inputs before I got to the HDMI input, I just wanted the one code that corresponded to that input but had no luck, I just leave the TV on HDMI now.

No each press of the original remote button transmits the same code which simply selects the next input that is enabled. The same as the power button is often a toggle each press of the button reverses the last action on/off/on etc. Seperate discrete on and off commands are available just not from the supplied remote.

If you know anyone with a Harmony programmed for your TV and you have a learning remote you could teach it the code to say select hdmi1.

Harmony remotes are activity based. You tell it which input on AV amp TV etc is needed for that activity.

For Example

"Watch Foxsat-hdr" on my Harmony

Turns on the Foxsat, Turns on The TV and turns on the AV amp

Selects hdmi1 in on the TV (setup has all the inputs listed you choose the appropriate one) , selects the correct digital audio input on the amplifier and sets the remote volume control to control the amplifier.

I use my Denon learning remote so it could have been possible, would have been very useful when I used DTV, scart, component and HDMI, these days I only use HDMI and on the odd occasion switch over to DTV.

I have system call 1-3 on the Denon remote, providing the TV is on HDMI I only need to push one button to turn on the TV, Sky and Amp or PJ, Sky and amp. Got most of it covered except the PS3, though I see there are universal remotes now that cover Bluetooth.

[quote=Deacon1972;56251505 Got most of it covered except the PS3, though I see there are universal remotes now that cover Bluetooth.[/QUOTE]

The posher Harmonies have an add on bluetooth adaptor for kit like the PS3 that use this system.

I have always liked the Harmonies. I looked at one a while back, the one with the 3.5" screen, couldn't justify paying the money out, at that time it wouldn't have been doing anything more than what my Denon remote was doing. I suppose a lower model and the adapter would make things easier, I'm still using the game remote for Bluray's and it does my head in sometimes - I may look into it a bit further.