Denon launches programmable RC-7000CI remote

Right on cue, Denon has gone and launched the oh-so-snazzy RC-7000CI remote, which we had the pleasure of seeing a tad early thanks to the FCC. The fully programmable, ZigBee-based remote allows for universal command and control of all Denon remote controlled products "as well as products from other manufacturers," and those with internet access (that'd be you, hot shot) can simply connect the remote to a PC via USB and "program the functionality of all the products in their system" care of the online IR database. Paired up with one or two RC-7001RCI RF/IR Remote Bases (pictured after the jump), the duo creates a multi-room remote control system that allows for "both two-way communication and IR functionality." As with everything labeled Denon, don't expect either of these August-bound niceties to come sans a premium, as you'll be asked to cough up $299.99 for the remote itself, while each base station adds another $199.99.

[Via TrustedReviews]

[feffrey @ Jul 28th 2007 2:19AM]

I like the looks of the Logitech ones more than this one.

[feffrey @ Jul 28th 2007 2:26AM]

Logitech's remotes looks better than this one and are a heck of a lot cheaper

[BSW @ Jul 28th 2007 4:07AM]

I own a Harmony 890 (~$220 when I bought it if I remember right), and it is a trainwreck. What's so sad is that the remote itself is nice hardware. Tons of potential anyway.

First, there's a design flaw with the older cradles that prevented a reliable recharge connection. I have to place a small weight on top of my remote to force the connection. Logitech offers a free replacement, but I'd rather not wait 4-6 weeks to use a device I just spent $200+ on...

That hardware glitch is acceptable to me. However, their software isn't, and it sounds like Denon may be shooting themselves in the foot with the same approach: web-based programmer. Logitech offers NO way to directly program the remote with raw codes or even customize it to your liking. Instead, they force you to log into their (wickedly slow and unreliable) web site and specify the specific make/model of each and every component you wish to control with your remote. [hmmm, I wonder if that user database has any value to marketers????] Then, the software TELLS YOU how the menus will be organized (alphabetically mostly). And all this only allows you to control one device at a time with the keypad without having to manually switch devices on the remote (similar to inputs on your TV menu, 3-6 keystrokes involved).

Say you have a home theater system (if you spend $200+ for a remote control, it's a safe bet you want to control more than a 19" b&w TV). Obviously you might want the 'Channel +/-' button to control your Cable/satellite while having the 'Volume +/-' control your A/V receiver without needing 4 keystrokes in between to change components on the remote. Can't do it natively with the Harmony. Instead, there's a whole other dimension of hell involved with configuring their "Activities" menu. An expert with this device starting from scratch would need 1-2 hours to set up the most obvious config: sat recvr + a/v recvr + TV.

Don't believe me? Just read the support forums at the Harmony site. I've followed it for almost 2 years, and see posts almost daily from people flat out BEGGING Logitech to offer a utility that allows raw programming and/or without requiring an active internet connection. I'm convinced their silence has more to do with the marketers subsidy (from the user db I already mentioned) than any technical limitation with the flash. In fact, someone got so frustrated about the inability to even customize the order commands are displayed on the LCD that he wrote a trivial Firefox extension that lets you change the order yourself while using Harmony's web-based programmer. For shame!

Another thing that annoys me: "customizeable slideshows" for the LCD. Buy it and then find out the remote only displays the slideshow when it's docked on the cradle - with the weight I have to place over the screen in order for the charging contacts to touch ;)

[yoinkers @ Jul 28th 2007 3:13PM]

That's funny because I bought one for my parents who (especially my mother) normally have a terrible adoption rate for technology but LOVE their Harmony remote. The fact that it breaks up the remote into activities makes perfect sense to them and they use it for everything.

It would be nice if the Harmony remote was more hackable for the tech inclined but it does its job as advertised and the web based programming is a snap.

[Wun Chiou @ Jul 28th 2007 1:06PM]

@BSW:

Wow, I have a Logitech Harmony 880, and I have to totally disagree with you on nearly everything you said. I love my 880 and find it very easy to use. First of all, it makes no sense to me to resign yourself to having to put a weight on top forever instead of waiting a few weeks for the replacement cradle to be shipped and then never having to worry about it again.

Secondly, the software very easily allows you to control more than one device at a time via Activities, which I actually find very useful. When you set up and activity, it prompts you whether you want the volume buttons to control the volume on the receiver or the tv, for example. If you don't like the default button choices that the programmer makes, you can go back in and manually choose which button you'd like to control which function from which device. 1-2 hours is a ridiculous exaggeration; I could probably do it from scratch in about 15-20 minutes. I currently have it set up to control cable + av receiver + tv and don't have to do any of multi-step control crap that you mention. I just push the "Watch TV" button, all the devices turn on, and all are controlled by the proper buttons on the remote. If you're having to go through the "devices" on the remote every time you want to control a different device, then you're using the remote in the wrong way; use activities to your benefit, rather than trying to fight it.

I will agree that the Slideshow feature is useless. I'll also agree that the random/alphabetical organization of the menus is annoying. Neither of those detract from the fact that it's a great remote, though.

[murray @ Jul 28th 2007 2:02PM]

I have a lower end Harmony (680 I think) and I agree with some of BSW's complaints, but my experience is closer to Wun Chiou's in terms of programming ease and use of activities. Controlling multiple devices at the same time with minimal button presses is easy and works well, except that there are only 6 soft-buttons and sometimes I need more.

My Harmony runs a home theatre receiver, TV, TiVo, DVD player and CD player. The activities ("Watch TV" etc) work very well most of time time. Some times a command goes astray and I need to fix it manually.

I agree with BSW's issues with the web interface limitations. Not being able to order actions the way I want is really annoying.

All in all I'm not in love with my Harmony (2 years on). I would like to try an alternative, but this Denon is way overpriced.

[Arnie @ Jul 28th 2007 3:36AM]

that has got to be one the ugliest remotes I have seen. I mean a little bit curves on this thing wouldnt have killed them.
I can't believe in 2007 they can come up with such an ugly design.
Aesthetics people Aesthetics!!

[BSW @ Jul 28th 2007 4:16AM]

Disagree completely. That attitude also contributed to the tech crash of 2000/01.

Functionality people, FUNCTIONALITY!!!!!

[murray @ Jul 28th 2007 2:03PM]

Screw appearance. All I care about in a remote is functionality and usability.

[Arnie @ Jul 28th 2007 2:36PM]

I am sorry but most remotes today have standard set of features which are kinda given. Functionality is of course important but so is the look. This remote is even a bother to hold for someone like me who has relatively small hands.
Also, the feature set of this remote is pretty much on par for its price range.
So my point was why cant they make it look a bit more interesting and comfortable to hold. At least the logitech remotes have a curved shape which is comfortable to hold. This thing is plain fugly.

[DrMUR @ Jul 28th 2007 4:49AM]

It's the anti-Jobs remote!

[Todd @ Jul 28th 2007 8:15AM]

I think it looks pretty good and has lots of buttons. I love my Harmony 880 though. The only real thing I don't like about it is the click you get when pressing the buttons. BTW BSW, Logitech has significantly improved their software lately and it seems to works quite well.

[Rick Lyon @ Jul 28th 2007 11:08AM]

'connect to a pc' so this is PC-only? Bah. Unless they just use that as a generic computer tag and their website works with Safari. Not crazy about the shape, seems too wide at the top/front.

[feffrey @ Jul 28th 2007 1:09PM]

@BSW
I set up a 880 for a friend of mine. He had 5 devices and it was a easy. I never had any of the problems you had. it only took me about 45 min to get it all set up with all the different activities, and it was my first time ever physically using the device. I would like to get one even though I only have a TV and a DVD player. It is so easy to use.

[Johan S @ Jul 28th 2007 11:50PM]

Dear Steve Jobs,

Please help.

Thanks,
Johan

Why have so many buttons on a REMOTE CONTROL?? Wouldn't it be easier to have only one or two large OLED buttons on an on-remote LCD touchscreen and control stuff on via a menu on the TV screen itself? Oh wait that's almost available today with the Apple TV.

[arcsine @ Jul 30th 2007 3:53PM]

Harmony sucks for one reason, everything else is insult to injury. It assumes it works a lot better than it does. If you weren't pointing the remote _directly_ at your stack of equiment for the entire 10 seconds it's flashing ON/OFF codes to your stuff, a component will remain on. Then, you go to watch TV again and the remote flashes another ON/OFF code at it, and it turns off. Now you get to spend ten clicks going to a sub-sub-submenu to turn it on individually, then ten more clicks to put the remote back in the mode you want.

In short, fuck Harmony. If you really care that much, get a Crestron. They cost more, but they're literally the cheapest universal remote I'd buy these days.