What is the best Universal Remote for your home?

Published on August 27, 2022

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Well, we are in 2022. Everyone is using apps, and we connect everything to the cloud. With all the connectivity, we still have to get our advanced entertainment systems powered on to use the apps that are connected to the cloud. Many of today’s Homes, have advanced entertainment systems in at least 2 areas of the home if not the entire home. So how do we control these systems? How do we control simple power on and off? Audio codec selection, switching between sources, and how do we make the systems we use, easy for the entire house?

We control these systems with Universal remotes paired with advanced remote processors. HUH? More technology? Yes and No, see the idea of universal remotes and processors has been around for a long time. How? You had companies like Logitech create the harmony line of products. This product line was amazingly advanced and simplistic, so it was well known and use in many homes across the world. You probably know someone with a harmony remote in your circle of friends’ households.. They Love it, simple one touch start up, one press touch screen activities, every smart home device and home entertainment device controlled at the touch of a button.

Here is where the shoe drops. Logitech Harmony discontinued the product line April 10, 2021 . They have said they will support the device as long as products are being used. The product line includes universal remote products designed for controlling the components of home theater systems (including smart televisions, cable set-top boxes, Blu-ray players, surveillance DVR/NVRS) any device that can be controlled via infrared, as well as newer smart home hub products that can be used control supported Internet of things (IoT), Zwave and other smart home products. This controller allowed the use of a mobile app to control all the same devices that the remote would control, of devices.

So why would a company stop producing such a well-known product? Evolution! The pandemic of 2020, the rise of televisions connected by the manufactures control apps and media streaming built into the television itself. Logitech Harmony focused their business on video conferencing solutions and their line of keyboards and other business computer equipment. Yet has promised to continue support of the product line, long as people are using the devices.

Anyone that knows the product line understands that harmony products would not last forever. Yes! you could get 2-3 years out of the equipment, some have reported longer. So we have a product that was manufactured in 2021. This has created a massive problem for home theater enthusiasts, older family members, and guests, to your home.

The best replacement for Logitech Harmony Elite is ProControl, by its p arent company called RTI control. RTI has been around since 1992. Yes! 30 years of creating and producing universal remotes and control products. So, with all the other industries focusing on their businesses and narrowing their product line. What do you think RTI control did? RTI focused on their product line and expanded their control options. Simplifying the world of control again by creating the solution to integration of all of today’s apps and technologies into one application.

The ProControl product line was created before the pandemic, yet with the news of Logitech Harmony ceasing operations. This positioned their product line to satisfy the void, and increase their client base for all the new products they created during the refocus of the brand.

The ProControl line is robust and full programmable, this includes its 2.4 inch touch screen. The product line comes in two versions, the R series and the Z series. The only major difference in the series is the Z line over the R is the latter has two-way feedback and integrates with RTI’s larger control systems. You can control almost all Internet of things (IoT), Zwave, IR and RS-232 devices with both systems. ProControl has done extensive work with both of the available versions, as they have native control of all devices in templates that come with the software to program the remote. It has an app that is compatible with IOS / Android app stores. The app allows you, just like Logitech, to control all the devices the remote can control.

ProControl product line comes with a brilliant LCD touchscreen and is easy to personalize. The remotes have programmable soft keys that give fast access to frequent actions. Global buttons (volume up/down, channel up/down) give consistent performance across multiple media components. Color-coded buttons enable easy DVR control. No matter which series you choose, it works hand-in-hand with the compatible processor. The processors come versions to match the remote. The ProLink. z or ProLink. R processor to deliver an exceptional experience.

The ProLink Processors, either ProLink. R or ProLink. z, is a professional grade processor, able to store macros and commands to deliver complete system control. It is PC programmable via the Pro Control wizard-based software. Each processor communicates with the Pro24. r or Pro24. z remotes via a one-way 433 MHz RF signal or Zigbee communication for control and feedback. With 4 IR routing ports, 2 voltage sense inputs, and one-way LAN control for iPhone or iPad control, the ProLink set of processors over delivers.

The product line has a huge support team that has over 30 years of experience with product support. The team has been helping create solutions and solving problems for decades, with custom system integrators. So the best universal remote control for 2022 is the ProControl remote by RTI. They sell the product line only to dealers, to ensure that a trained professional installs the product line.

This is great for the clients and organizations that use the product as a professional will handle all the heavy work. When a client has a trained professional to program the system, you lessen the problems of harmony. How? All RTI Control dealers train and are certified through company training, via online or at company training sites. This ensures that your automation control technician will make sure your system is under control.

So the best alternative for Harmony is ProControl by RTI. Contact your local dealer to get your new ProControl Remote today!