Little Help?

[RCL]

Hi All,

First post... I guess I'm the new guy today

This might be easy for those of you with a broad background. I've never owned a learning remote or a JP1 compatible remote, but I believe I have the need. You seem to have an excellent site and forum here!

Here's a little background, to help you with my question(s):
I've recently built a front projection screen TV and now I need to build a home theater to put it in. The projector runs via a Viewsonic N6 Tuner/Convertor. I also have surround sound, DVD, stereo, cable TV, XBox, etc., all of which needs to be controlled. X10 for various things (mostly lightling and curtains) in the room also sounds inviting. The last thing to mention is that some of the equipment, due to cable lengths, needs to be in different parts of the room.

Concerns:
A.) Control of all components from one remote.
B.) WAF.
C.) Range Extender (mostly to prevent having to point a remote toward multiple directions to make things work).
D.) Control of the lighting and curtains via the X10 from the same remote.

Thoughts:
Someone, somewhere, advised buying a URC-8811, an MX-500 and a JP1. The 8811 would be to train and program the MX-500. This sounds reasonable, but I wonder if the MX-500 will really control everything mentioned above, once programmed?

Questions:
1.) Is this the best combination I could get to do the job, without spending a fortune?
2.) Is there a range extender that will work with it to provide IR and RF, so we can just point the remote to one place in the room, to make everything work?
3.) If there is a better combination of equipment, could you please make recommendations?

Sorry for the long post, and thanks for your help!!

Mark

[jon_armstrong]

Concerns:
A.) Control of all components from one remote.
B.) WAF.
C.) Range Extender (mostly to prevent having to point a remote toward multiple directions to make things work).
D.) Control of the lighting and curtains via the X10 from the same remote.

Thoughts:
Someone, somewhere, advised buying a URC-8811, an MX-500 and a JP1. The 8811 would be to train and program the MX-500. This sounds reasonable, but I wonder if the MX-500 will really control everything mentioned above, once programmed?

Questions:
1.) Is this the best combination I could get to do the job, without spending a fortune?

My suggestion would be to try to find an RS 15-2117 a JP1 remote that has RF and IR. It is being discounted for ~$30.

You need a JP1 cable $14. I don't see how the MX 500 adds anything to the combination. You can always buy it later, if you really find something you think it can do for you. From an IR command perspective there is nothing the MX-500 can do that the 2117 with a JP1 cable can't do. There are a number of things that a JP1/2117 can do that the MX-500 can't.

You will also need an IR543 for about ~$20 to do IR to x10

2.) Is there a range extender that will work with it to provide IR and RF, so we can just point the remote to one place in the room, to make everything work?

The 2117 has one built in

3.) If there is a better combination of equipment, could you please make recommendations?[/quote]

I can't think of one. Perhaps others here will have suggestions.

[Nils_Ekberg]

The only thing I would add is that if a 2117 is not available the URC-9910 with the new arrow buttons would be a suitable substitute and actually has a few more buttons.

[RCL]

jon_armstrong, Nils_Ekberg,

I really appreciate all the help! I'll have a look at the RS 15-2117 and the IR543 today.

Actually, I was looking at the specs and features of the URC-9910 yesterday and wondering if it wasn't better suited for what I need.

I guess when you first start looking at all of these, there's a lot of specs, features and information to sort through. Thanks for pointing to models!

Thanks,
Mark