Universal Remote for Series 2?

[Susie N]

Hi all,

We have a Series 2 dvr manufactured by TiVo. We were wondering if there's a universal remote that we could buy somewhere so I can operate everything else with it. I've looked on ebay and I see several with the word "TiVo" in the item title, but I'm not certain if they are compatible with our dvr. Help?

Thanks,
Susie :)

[GoAWest]

Do a search for the "Harmony" remote (in this forum and elsewhere).

http://www.weaknees.com/harmony_details.php

[JimSpence]

The original OFA URC-6131 is a good choice and much more less expensive. It has the thumbs buttons as well. I used one for quite a while until I added the HR10-250 to the system and I needed something that I could program. I now use a Harmony 628.

[rainwater]

If your TV supports it (you can check the ofa website), I would recommend getting the old 6131. You can usually get them for about $10 off of ebay.

[windracer]

On the cheap side, I used to use the Magnavox PMDVR8 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000ALPB9/sr=8-3/qid=1152281366/ref=pd_bbs_3/104-7592233-0182358?ie=UTF8) (it has Thumbs buttons). Now I have the Harmony 676 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0003QER7S/sr=1-1/qid=1152281438/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-7592233-0182358?ie=UTF8&s=electronics).

[classicsat]

If your TV supports it (you can check the ofa website), I would recommend getting the old 6131. You can usually get them for about $10 off of ebay.
Get it anyway. If it doesn't work with your TV, you can send it in for an upgrade, ir if you are technically capable, upgrade it yourself.

[mr.unnatural]

Most universal remotes will control a Tivo these days. If the codes aren't resident there are learning remotes that you can teach the codes to. Universal remotes can run anywhere from $10 up to several hundred dollars. If you're looking for something inexpenseive then try one of the Philips universal remotes. I've seen models for $15 that contain the Tivo codes.

When you say "everything else" you might want to be a little more specific. If you're looking to control all components in your home theater system then you'll probably want to look into something a little more high end than the Philips model. Check out remotecentral.com for everything you wanted to know about universal remotes.

[JimSpence]

The problem with the original 6131 is that it would only control a TiVo on remote address 0.
You can get a modified version with jp1 capability that you could then use to change the remote address.

[dirtypacman]

I also suggest URC-6131 it worked right out of the package with my Tivo and only took a few moments to program the rest of my electronics.

[Susie N]

THANK YOU!!! I will look into these ideas. :)

When I say "everything else", I only mean a Sony VCR and a Philips DVD player. It's kind of a pain to put down the TiVo remote and go find the other one to turn on the VCR for the kids or something. I know, I'm lazy. ;)

My ultimate would be to have a remote with which I can put the TiVo in standby while it's recording something, switch over to our basic cable, record a 2nd show with the VCR as usual and then watch a 3rd show live (through cable, not TiVo). That would be wonderful!

[rainwater]

If the URC-6131 doesn't work with all of your componenets, then I would try out the Magnavox PMDVR8. Its a great learning remote for the price. However, the buttons take a lot of getting used to. Personally, I found the buttons too small. However, the 6131 pvr version is a pretty easy to use remote for the price.

[mr.unnatural]

My ultimate would be to have a remote with which I can put the TiVo in standby while it's recording something, switch over to our basic cable, record a 2nd show with the VCR as usual and then watch a 3rd show live (through cable, not TiVo). That would be wonderful!
Switch to DirecTV and get yourself a DTivo. You can do all those things with one box (except record cable, of course). You can record two shows at once and watch a third show that was previously recorded (but not a 3rd live show). My question is, why are you still using a VCR? FYI - most basic universal remotes can do what you suggest quite easily.

[Edmund]

THANK YOU!!! I will look into these ideas. :)

When I say "everything else", I only mean a Sony VCR and a Philips DVD player. It's kind of a pain to put down the TiVo remote and go find the other one to turn on the VCR for the kids or something. I know, I'm lazy. ;)

My ultimate would be to have a remote with which I can put the TiVo in standby while it's recording something, switch over to our basic cable, record a 2nd show with the VCR as usual and then watch a 3rd show live (through cable, not TiVo). That would be wonderful!


If you were to get a OFA remote like the urc-6131, there is a advanced code for Standby, its code 152. But if you want macros, and perhaps on device keys, then get the OFA urc-6820 or 8820. It allows macros on device key, press and hold macros. They're learning remotes also, and have preset codes for control upto 4 different peanut remote controlled tivos, since it has tivo remote address 1-4 preset.