Recommend a good backlit WMC remote?

[wackychimp]

I've been digging but can't find what I'm looking for. I want:

• backlit keys
• number keys for channel entry
• the "standard" WMC buttons like liveTV, guide, back, record, and of course "the green button"

Mouse emulation would be nice too but don't know if this is available. Also should come with the IR receiver.

I know there's Harmonys out there that might cover this. Just looking for a simple WMC remote right now.

Thanks!

[mdavej]

Inteset is my favorite backlit WMC remote, but they appear to be out of stock at the moment, more due in a week or two. It's also 4 device and learning. They appear on ebay now and then as well.

[wackychimp]

Thanks! I wish I could at least read about it on their site.

Is it fully learning or just "volume and stand-by" learning?

[mdavej]

Fully learning. You can at least check out the manual below. I had a few of these for a while and they worked pretty well. Learning wasn't great, but it was enough to get by. No macro capability though, so I eventually went back to my JP1 remotes and sold my Intesets.

http://shop.inteset.com/downloadfiles/4 ... 0Guide.pdf

[wackychimp]

These look interesting but are out of stock. Anybody else have a recommendation?

[mdavej]

My second choice for a backlit remote is the URC WR7. It's a bit too big and bulky for my taste, but it's very popular, cheap and works well. You can usually pick those up locally at best buy, wal-mart and similar places.

I'm also a big fan of the Vizio VUR8. But you'll have to get one of those on ebay. Since they're JP1, they can perform any function for any device using individual command codes. So even commands that can't be learned can still be programmed. You can also program it from your computer of course, similar to harmony, with an optional cable. My absolute favorite, though it's harder to find, is the Insignia/Nexus JP1 remote. Here's one Amazon seller I found. If you search "Insignia" on hifi-remote.com, you can read some history and technical details as well.

In my bedrooms and guest room, I use the Radio Shack 15-133 JP1 remote. It was discontinued long ago and is hardest of all to find, but it was made for Media Center, Xbox, PS2/PS3 (with IR dongle), etc. Nice layout, backlit, learning, very programmable like all JP1 remotes. Best of all, it's 8 device. The particular one I linked on Amazon is way over priced though. I bought half a dozen of these for $3 each when they were on clearance at radio shack. Unfortunately, I don't have any spares left.

I would recommend a harmony 200 or 300, but those aren't backlit.

So that's all I've got for recommendations. They lean very heavily to JP1 because JP1 remotes are incredibly versatile and programmable remotes for the money, far surpassing anything else in their price range.

EDIT: Great minds think alike. I see mcewinter posted the same thing below at the same time.

[mcewinter]

I've been using one of these...

http://www.amazon.com/URC-Universal-Con ... sal+remote

It does the job but tends to be more "directional" than other remotes I've had.

[blueiedgod]

I've been using one of these...

http://www.amazon.com/URC-Universal-Con ... sal+remote

It does the job but tends to be more "directional" than other remotes I've had.

We have it's little brother, http://www.amazon.com/A6-Pre-Programmed ... pd_sim_e_4 and it works better than one supplied by Linksys with the extender.

[Pikkie]

I bought the HP Mediasmart remote on ebay. It's also backlight and allows you to program other devices.
Really love it specially for the price.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid= ... &_from=R40

[UCBearcat]

My apologies if this is a dumb idea... but how about the old white Xbox remote. It is backlit, has number keys, includes all standard buttons including the green button, and it can learn a few IR commands for TV power and volume.
It's not pretty, but they can be had for cheap on amazon right now. I'm guessing the only thing that it lacks is an IR receiver for the PC.

Again... I don't know if it will work, but for 9 bucks... it might be worth a shot.
http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Universa ... im_sbs_e_2

[3rob3]

My apologies if this is a dumb idea... but how about the old white Xbox remote. It is backlit, has number keys, includes all standard buttons including the green button, and it can learn a few IR commands for TV power and volume.
It's not pretty, but they can be had for cheap on amazon right now. I'm guessing the only thing that it lacks is an IR receiver for the PC.

Again... I don't know if it will work, but for 9 bucks... it might be worth a shot.
http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Universa ... im_sbs_e_2

Definitely works. Didn't realize they could still be found new, and for so cheap!