Customer Reviews

One For All URC 6131N 6-Device Universal Remote Control

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Like many people, I have a motley assortment of audio/visual equipment of various brands and ages - fairly old RCA VCR, a relatively new Samsung DVD player, a brand new Toshiba TV and a Scientific Atlanta digital cable box, all with remotes. Although there was some overlap in function, each remote had one or two functions it alone could perform - VCR remote for programming timer recording; digital cable remote for the "info" and "guide" functions; DVD remote to search by chapter. I got the One for All (OfA) hoping to consolidate.

Set-up was quick; it took about 10 minutes to program all my devices, and that included some time spent browsing the manual. The unit is compact, which is a plus for me, though some users might not like the small, closely spaced buttons. The OfA uses two AA batteries, and I've noticed no unusual battery drain. (It is neither backlit nor equipped with an LCD display, so I expect the battery life will be comparable to my other remotes.) It has a few neat features - I particularly like "volume lock," which allows you to assign volume adjustment to just one device no matter what mode you're in. As my TV's volume is much more sensitive than any other device, I've "locked" the volume control in TV mode.

After a month of use, the only drawback I've found with the OfA is that it can't perform the functions of three specialized buttons on the digital cable remote (A, B and C.) This is very minor to me, since I don't use those buttons very much. It's possible the OfA models with learning capabilities would be able to handle those functions; some of them don't cost much more, so it's probably worth a look if that's important to you.

Overall I'm very pleased with the OfA. It's inexpensive, easy to use and works well with my variety of devices - I couldn't ask for more.

If you're looking for a reasonably priced all-in-one remote control that will work with your Tivo or DIRECTV/Tivo, look no further.

We had an older version One For All remote control which worked great for us until we purchased our DIRECTV/Tivo. Then we were using two remotes, the old one and the one that comes with Tivo, just fine, although it was inconvenient to have to find the old remote just to raise or lower the volume or turn on and off the TV. When the buttons on our old remote started to stick, an alternative became necessary.

My husband programmed our original remote, way back when, and I never had any reason to learn how to do it myself. This time, he was away on business when I decided on the URC-6131. I ordered it from Amazon and it came in three days, when he was still out of town. I couldn't wait, so I pried the remote out of its hard plastic shell and opened the manual.

It took me less than 10 minutes to program the URC-6131 to control all of our stuff: the Toshiba TV, the Technics audio system, the Sony DVD, the Panasonic VCR, and the DIRECTV/Tivo. The longest part of it was looking up the codes, which were all conveniently located in the back of the short manual. I found a workable code for every device, even our Panasonic VCR, purchased back in 1991, and our Technics audio system, purchased in 1992.

I was even able to easily program the volume controls on the remote to only work on the audio system. Now, no matter what mode the remote is in (DVD, PVR, VCR, etc.), the volume works! And so does the TV/Vid button, which switches the TV from the DVD to the VCR to regular TV. Amazing!

But the biggest selling point of this remote, in my opinion, is the fact that it is specifically designed for use with PVRs, like Tivo. The thumbs up, thumbs down, and menu button are all centrally located. There was no problem programming in the Tivo Easter Egg for 30 second skip. The exit button worked like the clear button without programming necessary. And although there is no specific "List" button (the one that takes you back to the Now Playing List), I was able to program it in as the stop key, since whenever I want to "stop" watching something, I want to go back to the Now Playing List to pick something else to watch. Just as an FYI for fellow DIRECTV/Tivo users: I used the PVR button to program my Hughes unit, not the CBL/SAT.

I haven't done anything yet with advanced codes or the JP1 capability but then I'm not looking for bells and whistles. All I care about is being able to control my entertainment system with one remote control. With the URC-6131, I can do so - and easily.

I bought this remote and didn't think a lot about it at first. I have 6 remotes hanging around. Friends that come over are confused as to which one does what. And, I have to admit that I get confused sometimes too. I have had lots of "learning remotes" and I haven't been very succesful at getting them to work.

I took the URC 6131 out of the package and braced myself for an extensive set up. I just purchased a Panasonic DMR E80 DVD recorder along with an 8 year old Pioneer Elite Pro-107 big screen TV. I have a harman kardon AVR 310 reciever and a new panasonic VCR. All of these components worked with only plugging in a few codes. I also like the feature of say moving the volume buttons of the reciever to the dvd remote section so that you don't have to go back and forth to change the volume. I haven't yet figured out the master power off feature but this isn't a big deal. I am finally buying a TiVo. The clencer for this remote is that it supports the TiVo and even has the thumbs up and down buttons.

I was going to get their touch screen version, but saw a lot of reviews saying that it cuts on and off with the slightest bump even from a subwoofer. And you have to change rechargable batteries (rechargable because of effeciency) out at least once a month.

I like this because it is like a regular remote. No digital display; hence, the batteries should last for at least 6 months of regular use.

I usually don't write reviews like this, but upon searching for a good all around remote, I couldn't find any good reviews.

Bottom line, forget digital touch screens until some of the color screens come down from the $600 level to the sub $100 level. Buy this. I have no problems with it. I have been burdened by remotes for a long time. My Pioneer Elite Pro-107 was always the catch. I could never get any remotes to switch from video 1,2 or 3 and LD (laser disc in those day for the young). This remote switches these selections. You can't beat it for the price. Hats off to one for all for making this remote. I am going to hide all of my remotes in a drawer. The DVD recording remote will be kept handy for DVD recording. It has a lot of technical buttons on it that I would expect the new $600 touch screen color remote couldn't even do........... I hope that this helps.

Bottom line: Buy it. Best $12 you'll ever spend.

I needed to manage a TV, home theatre amp/receiver, DVD player, VCR, Tivo Series II, and a Slim Devices Squeezebox (which emulates a 2nd DVD player). Wasn't ready to take the $100+ Harmony plunge. Got this baby. Works fantastic, controls all devices, no problem. Tivo controls worked awesome. Had to map my "2nd DVD" to the cable/sat button (wish it had an "aux" or "cd" button instead/in addition to) but that doesn't bother me.

(FYI: The other reviewer who stated that this remote wouldn't even "turn on" his Series II Tivo seriously needs to have his brain examined; Tivo is always on, can't turn it off.) Trust me, this thing controls Tivo like nobody's business.

Several great things about this remote:

-- It's pretty smallish, not huge like some others. Good heft and feel in the palm, all the main buttons are easily reachable.

-- Dedicated Tivo buttons. I know |<< and >>| can be used for the "skip back" and "skip ahead" functions, but I'd rather have the little dedicated Tivo versions of these buttons!

-- For $12 you can't go wrong.

-- This is not a "learning" remote, i.e. it won't learn IR codes directly from other remotes. HOWEVER, the groovy thing is that virtually all buttons are freely assignable, either through the built-in move/"punch-through" feature, OR via the Advanced Codes that you can easily find on the web (see http://www.hifi-remote.com/ofa/ for example.)

Upshot is, that while the device was not 100% perfect out-of-the-box, it took me only a couple of hours of button reprogramming, and suddenly this baby was singing, dancing and asking if I'd like another beer.

One small example: On my remote, the only Tivo button that was "missing" was the Display/Info button, to bring up program info, etc. The "info" button on the remote would not work in PVR mode. What's up with that? No problem! Did little research, then mapped "Advanced Code" 635 to the Info button, and VOILA!

Can't recommend it highly enough.

After straining my brain to decide between this URC6131 and the high-end, fancy glowing URC9960 model (the "Kameleon"), my checkbook tipped the scale in favor of the basics. Just looking at the "Kameleon," I suspected it was going to be more trouble than it's worth, and the comments regarding sketchy behavior and battery drain helped me feel better about my purchase. It was the right call. With a completely hodgepodge setup (Panasonic TV, APEX DVD player, Toshiba VCR, Sony receiver, and a TiVo), I had this universal remote working in 10 minutes... including the neat 'power all' feature that makes my living room feel like a space ship coming to life. And considering it costs almost $40 to replace a factory TiVo remote, this URC6131 would have been a steal even to control just one of the six it promises. If you want a conversation piece, I'm sure the "Kameleon" will look great on your coffee table. If you just want something that works, and costs less than some DVDs, the 6-in-one URC6131 is a winner.

I was surprised to see that most reviewers gave this product 5 stars, but there was one reviewer who gave the remote only 1 star and sent it back. May I suggest that you try again?

The instructions recommend testing the device via the Power button when programming codes into the remote. If it powers off or on then the code is correct. Well... Tivo does not have a power button. It is always on. Try going to the main Tivo start screen by pressing 'PVR Menu' to test the code. (BTW, I got 0618 to work)

All my other devices (TV, DVD, Audio Receiver, Cable Box) were quickly programmed and all work great. 5 remotes to throw away, 1 to keep!

Definitely a great buy at $18.

Good Luck

I don't have many components to my "media center," so take this review with a grain of salt. I have an RCA TV, Toshiba DVD player, and a TIVO Series II DVR. Honestly, I opened this remote from the plastic casing, and it worked with all three immediately. I had to do some tweaking with the remote to make the EXIT button go to the Live TV option, like the TIVO remote has. And also, I had to search for a code to make the INFO button work as the INFO button on the TIVO remote had. I changed the Master Power option, and volume controls, and voila! Happiness galore!

I am so excited about this. And for those of you who are comfortable with the TIVO remote and all of it's functions and buttons, this remote is easy to make the switch to. You don't have to search for the buttons, you fingers just find them, and that's always a plus when it comes to universal remotes.

Oh yeah, now I don't have to switch to my TV remote when TIVO is recording something that I don't feel like watching at the moment, I can just switch inputs, and I can watch my normal cable programs! Yaaay....I now live in a "one-remote" household!

UPDATE: I recently bought another URC 6131 for my bedroom Philips tv, TiVo DT DVR, and also a Samsung dvd/vcr combo. I set up the tv and TiVo (and other convienient buttons usings advanced codes) almost instantly. However, I am unable to get my Samsung dvd/vcr combo to work properly. I have used every Samsung code possible, and it just will not work. I don't know how this remote works on dvd/vcr combos. It would be interesting to know if anyone with a combo has gotten the remote to work properly. Other than that, I still am the biggest advocate for this remote! I still love it....and the price!

I lost my DirecTV Receiver with TiVo's remote and was told to check out the URC 6131! Very cool! It has replaced all the remotes in my home theater setup, except my HD receiver. I'm told you can send your remote for free to One For All and they'll add the needed remote codes. Well worth the cash!

It's wonderful for those with TiVos too, as it has the thumbs buttons.

The buttons of the remote are laid out very nicely and every function I use on all my individual components are on this remote.

I'll be snagging a second one for my den setup here too too.

I had all but given up hope that I would ever find anything that would be an affordable replacement for both my Tivo remote and my off-brand Akai television. Earlier today I found some forum discussions that gave me renewed hope. I went out and bought this immediately.

I had it up and running flawslessly with my Tivo, TV, VCR, and XBox DVD player within 5 minutes. I am absolutely ecstatic! I can finally dump all of my old remotes!

Take a look at the keypad - it has the familiar Tivo "thumb" buttons and is very practically laid out.

Also, it's worth mentioning that this company, although their products are priced very low, has a reputation for standing behind their products. My cable guy told me the manufacturer rep visits them regularly and is always adding compatibility with new equipment. I also understand that if you have something that they don't yet have a code for, you can send in your remotes and they will create a new code set and upgrade your unit. What more can you ask for? This is the best $18 I ever spent.

Woohoo!

My remote went out on my Series one Sony SVR-2000 Tivo box and a replacement remote was $99 new and $78 used. Forget that. This remote works with my TIVO, Sony TV, Phillips Stereo, General Instrument cable box, Sony DVD player, and even my JVC VCR. Setup took 2 minutes for 6 devices!!! Best money I ever spent.