Buy a Universal Remote Control Right Now

I checked out programmable remote controls years ago, and found them to be a non-solution solution, swapping mere annoyance (too many remotes) for a confusing hobbyist mega-brick. Ugh.

I didn't realize there'd been a huge shift in how these things operate. These days, they're transparently contextual, running what computer nerds call "macros". If you haven't fooled around with one lately, you won't understand why they're so essential. Let me fill you in.

Logitech Harmony 650 is not the fanciest, but is definitely the best bang-for-buck, and it's currently just $30 at Best Buy. I strongly recommend it (note that similar Harmony 650/665/670 models are not meaningful upgrades).

The Harmony 650 (like the rest of the Harmony line) works via contexts, or "actions". One action might be "Play a DVD". You initiate this by hitting, duh, the "play a DVD button", and it places all other devices on standby (conserve power!), turns on your TV, amp/receiver and DVD player, and directs all remote control functions (play, fast-forward, etc.) to the DVD player...except volume control, which is handed off to whichever device you use to control that (in my case, my amp/receiver, which sends audio to my speakers). It doesn't actually play the DVD, of course. It just leaves you one button press away from the usual process.

If I hit "Watch TV", it places everything on standby, turns on TV and amp/receiver, and starts controlling (volume aside) my cable box. There's an action for every device - video game consoles, Apple TV, and whatever else you have going. It won't control my Roku (because it's IR), but will stand-by all other devices and switch over to Roku's main screen, at which point you reach for your normal Roku remote control (or smart phone app) to work within that interface. I can live with two, not one, remote controls on my coffee table (it sure beats six of them!).

Previously, I needed to shut down TV to turn off picture and then reach for my amp/receiver remote to turn off audio. Now I just choose “shut all” and it all goes down...and my living room no longer looks like a cockpit, with a slew of needlessly activated devices. And, once again, you never, ever, need to tell the remote which device to control, or worry which "mode" it's in. Nor do you switch away for volume control. It's not rote button-for-button substitution; it thinks in terms of workflows, utterly transparently.

The Harmony 650 is very smart (it comes preloaded with deep knowledge of all our devices), and includes a slew of buttons, so you won't need to do much custom programming (i.e. for arcane features not reassigned by default). But during the learning curve you can always pick up the device's remote control to trigger some obscure function.

Buy one! It's just $30!


I also recently upgraded my 1985-era stereo amp to a modern AV receiver. This gives me remote control of volume and muting plus integration of a sub-woofer. I bought a cheap refurb from these guys (consider their touchy-though-reasonable return policy before ordering).