Don't Buy Verizon FIOS Universal Remote

[Chuckc3]

I just bought a Verizon FIOS Universal Remote for $14.95 and I'm going to return it because I can't get it to work with a new Sony Blue Ray Disk Player. I went through over 300 codes trying to get the remote to work with it and nothing worked - I called Verizon Customer Service and I was told the remote codes only support DVD players not Blue Ray. Hello?? Isn't a Blue Ray Player also a DVD player? Does anyone still make DVD players that won't do Blue Ray?

PS Comcast gives away a universal remote for free and doesn't charge an additional $14.95 for it and theirs actually works!

[gs0b]

Do yourself a favor and get a Logitech Harmony remote.  Way better than any "universal" remote from Verizon, Comcast, or RadioShack.

Enjoy.

[tns2]

Bought?  why?  You can get a new one for free.  Of course they arn't the greatest remotes, best only for accessing your FIOS STB and basic TV functions.

[armond_in_nj1]

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@Chuckc3 wrote:

... Isn't a Blue Ray Player also a DVD player? Does anyone still make DVD players that won't do Blue Ray? ...

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Evidently the answer to your question is "yes":

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Blu-ray-DVD-Players/DVD-Players/abcat0102005.c?id=abcat0102005

I will echo the "gs0b" comment about Harmony remotes.  If you want to do this remote thing the right way, Harmony is the answer.  There is a learning curve and they are a bit on the pricey side, but otherwise they really shine.  Note that Logitech is selling the Harmony remote business and changes are afoot for these products, but many folks think that the products and service will improve without the Logitech connection.

Here are a few earlier comments on these devices:

http://forums.verizon.com/t5/FiOS-TV-Technical-Assistance/3rd-Party-Remote-for-QIP-7232-Anyone-Buell...

Note on Edit:  Our posts crossed in the mail, and you already know the benefits of the Harmony line.  However the VZ "universal" remote (which of course it isn't) is still available at no charge.  I personally don't find it surprising that this older and somewhat simple device cannot handle some of the very latest devices.  Also, I believe the Harmony 650 will solve your issues at about $50 or so retail.

[Chuckc3]

Because I want more than the free basic remote that only does a TV and a STB. I have a complicated setup with a STB, TV, Blue Ray/DVD player and a Wii all feeding a single TV and my wife gets confused by having four different remotes.

I have a Logitech Harmony remote on one of my other TV's that has an even more complicated configuration with a receiver and surround sound system. The Logitech Harmony remote is fabulous but it costs around $200 for a good one.

Perhaps the majority of Verizon FIOS customers have very simple configurations with only a TV and a STB and that's why they decided to make the universal remote an option and charge $14.95 for it.

[Chuckc3]

I'm surprised that anyone would still buy a basic DVD player for $34.99 to $69.99. For $89.99, I bought a new Sony Blue Ray player that does DVD and also has an Internet connection for streaming video. I probably will use it more for streaming video than either Blue Ray or DVD. I can't imagine that Best Buy sells very many of the basic DVD players any more.

[lacticacidtrip]

Sorry you had to find out the hard way Chuckc3. I bought a Sony Blu-ray player a few months ago and found the same thing after an endless amount of code searching. Only difference is that I already had the 4-device remote, so I don't have the added aggravation of returning it. The remotes are just too old and are not being updated with newer codes.

[ozzito]

My remote control broke down & I'm getting charge for a new one

[beetlejuice2]

When I purchased the 4 device remote I ran into the same problem. Everything worked except the blu ray player. The issue lies with the remotes being outdated and no newer codes. Just old ones.

As others have said a Harmony remote is the way to go and it doesn't cost a lot. You can get the basic entry level Harmony 650 for $60-$99 new and if you are lucky like me get it new on ebay for $40. It was easy to set up to run everything I have. I personally dont need all of the fancy looks, touch screen, and rechargable battery on the more expensive ones. Even if you have a complicated set up once you set the remote up its easy to control everything. If its hard then something wasnt done right.

Its nice to be able to hit one button to turn everything on or off and coontrol it all without having to hit every single source button.

Someone mentioned why buy it, they give it for free. That is incorrect. They will give you the free one when you get fios and if it breaks will replace it, but if you want the 4 device remote or a new one you defiently have to pay for it.

[PJL]

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@beetlejuice wrote:

When I purchased the 4 device remote I ran into the same problem. Everything worked except the blu ray player. The issue lies with the remotes being outdated and no newer codes. Just old ones.

As others have said a Harmony remote is the way to go and it doesn't cost a lot. You can get the basic entry level Harmony 650 for $60-$99 new and if you are lucky like me get it new on ebay for $40. It was easy to set up to run everything I have. ...

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I agree with you one the Harmony 650, except that I don't consider it a basic entry level device.  There are several other Harmony models that are much more basic and lack some very useful functionality, like programming "acitivities" (macros to configure multiple units to one-button ).  The 650 has all the functionality of the higher-cost model except the touch screen and rechargeable battery.  My neighbor has one and he hates it.  It is WAY slower than the 650 to issue commands, and the unit requires constant charging.  My 650 is very quick, and the battery last 5-6 months before requiring replacement.  The touch pad is nice, but it's not necessary in my opinion.  And with the learning capability, you can go beyond the five device limitation by simply adding commands from other devices to one of the five.

That said, I do have two of the 4-button Verizon remotes that I use for two of our rooms.  These control only the TV, STB and audio receivers and do everything necessary for that "basic" configuration.  But for the main media room, with the STB, Blu-ray players with multiple built-in streaming apps, a CD player, three old VCRs, a laser disc player (yes, it still works), two PCs, a Chromecast device, and Nook HD+ HDMI input all to a Denon receiver, the Logitech 650 lets me control all with single button activities.