Customer Reviews

One For All URC 8820 8-Device Universal Remote Control

5 star:		(71)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

For you remote control freaks out there, this is an UEI remote with a JP1 header, but it is a newer interface, so no JP1 cable/programming available (yet). So, I'll count that as one disadvantage. Another is that there is no backlighting, save for the power key. Now, on to the good stuff ;)
This remote is an amazing value! Spend some time at [...] to discover the true power lurking under the hood of this budget remote. I needed a remote to control my Toshiba HDTV, Pioneer A/V receiver, Toshiba DVD player and Dish Network DVR that was powerful enough to take care of all the basic functionality, yet was easy for the family to use. In particular, I needed a remote that worked will with a DVR. Another concern I had was my Pioneer A/V receiver, which had issues with other sub-$100 remotes I've tried.
With some help from the friendly people on the [...] forums, I was able to get this remote to meet all of my needs. For example, I was able to set up a master power button. If I press the power button, it turns on/off the selected component, but if I hold it in for two seconds, it powers on/off a whole series of selected components. In addition, this remote can accept advanced codes, discrete codes and macros. An added bonus is that I can map a macro to a device key. As a result (for example), I can press and hold the DVD button on the remote for two seconds, and it will send a series of commands that turns on my TV (and leaves it on if already turned on), switches the TV over to HDMI 1 input, makes sure the A/V receiver is on, switches it to the DVD input, makes sure the DVD player is on, then sets the TV to the "natural" setting for screen format. I have similar set ups for over-the-air HD and satellite.
The new 8820 (and its siblings, the 8620 and 81020) support a wider range of device codes than earlier One-For-All remotes. This, combined with support for advanced codes (which are 3 or 4 digit codes that allow you to assign a specific function to a specific key) and support for discreet codes (which lets you just turn on or turn off a device, rather than toggle between on and off) opens the door for some sophisticated programming. Again, [...]has lots of resources. With some time and patience, you can have an activity-based remote for a lot less money than the Harmony remotes (which are fantastic remotes, BTW, just more money than a lot of people will want to spend).
Finally, the button layout is pretty intuitive, and easy to find by feel in the dark. So, if you don't mind doing a little research, this remote will give you a ton of functionality.

This my first attempt at using a Universal Learning Remote. I was slightly skeptical because I was afraid that since it was so cheap (10-15$) but I was wrong. This remote has everything I need, and the macro functions make it a must have. Even my wife admits, though reluctantly, that having all the functionality of all my remotes packed into one is very practical. If you are looking for a remote that is top of the line ULR with LCD screen and text input then this remote is not the one. At times it is hard to remember what all the buttons do because the same button has different functions on different modes. But once you overcome that hurdle, this remote becomes a must have for the price. Highly recommend it for what it says it does.

*** I have not tried it, but supposedly you can download new codes for the remote from the oneforall website!

This remote includes many pre-set remote layouts and has a learning feature. The buttons are well laid out and the overall remote feels comfortable in the hand. However, this remote does have some quarks and limitations. Most of the presets are very limited, containing only the most common buttons (volume, power, etc). As such, this remote with the presets alone will not fully replace an existing remote. The more esoteric buttons will have to be learned from the original remote.

Likewise, the presets are not all inclusive. This remote only had the presets for one of the three devices I wanted to replace. Using every alternative method described in the manual, I never was able to find any preset that would work with those other two devices. The only remaining option available was to use the learning feature.

Since one is going to program dozens of buttons into this new remote, it helps to have a plan before starting. My solution was to create a spreadsheet listing each of the buttons on the new remote. Afterwards, I studied each of the old remotes to determine which button would be programmed into which button on the new remote, listing each button in the spreadsheet as I went along beside the selected button on the new remote. To make the remote easier to use later, I tried to stay consistent between the various devices, with similar functions programmed into the same buttons (the menu buttons for the four devices into same button on the new remote, the door/tray buttons into the same button, and so on). When I finished, I finally started programming the new remote.

The learning feature was much more combersome to program than I expected. It required a precise sequence of buttons, with only five seconds allowed between keystrokes. It often took longer than five seconds to refer to the manual or my notes to find the proper buttons to press. Anyway, if you miss a keystroke, or delay longer than five seconds, the entire sequence has to be started again from the beginning.

Also the learning feature memory is limited to only 50 to 70 buttons (small print in the manual), which is not a lot considering many remotes today have twenty, thirty, or more, buttons. Since presets seem to use a separate memory area, you can conserve learning memory by always using whatever preset is available for your device. Of course, not all devices will have a preset available, or will have a preset with all the features desired. However, try several presets until you find one offering the most features used by your device. At that point, your remote only has to learn the other buttons.

Another memory saving technique is to always hold the button down on the original remote while learning. The gives the learning remote time to study the signal to obtain the number sequence instead of just recording the signal. The three or four digit number sequence requires far less memory than a recorded signal. Finally, if a button isn't in the location you prefer, copy the sequence from the old button instead of learning.

In the end, using careful memory management, I was able to fully program four full remotes into this one remote without running out of memory. However, if the memory limit mentioned in the manual is indeed accurate, I seriously doubt anyone could program eight remotes into this one.

Anyway, with all that finally out of the way (and the spreadsheet printed to help me remember the buttons), this remote is now a real pleasure to use. Unlike the original remotes (now in a drawer), the buttons on this remote are laid out exactly as I want them. And, since the memory is retained while changing batteries, I probably won't have to program any more buttons until a new device is purchased or this remote wears out (seems fairly well built, so not a major concern). I'm going to knock off a star for the learning limit not disclosed on the box (or in advertising I've seen) and the combersome learning process, but will give this item an overall positive rating. After all, the price is very hard to beat.

This remote appeals to the geek AND the tightwad in me. I was able to pack away an army of remotes and do it all with this gem. I'm very surprised at the advanced features in his remote for such a small price. I've paid much more to buy single-function replacement remotes that weren't as useful.

I even like the FEEL of the remote. Some remotes are just awkward to hold. The remote that comes with the Windows Media Center PC (2004) from Dell, for instance. This remote handily replaces its functions and is much nicer to hold.

Since it is a learning remote, there really is no limit to the devices it can control. I taught it some tricks with some odd equipment and it handles them perfectly. Being able to split functions for a particular mode is also a brilliant feature. You can set up the remote to control the volume of your audio amplifier while controlling the channels on the TV - without having to switch modes on the remote!

There are only two things I hold against this remote. First is the lack of illuminated buttons. Second is the difficulty in getting to "Discreet" codes for such things as Power and Mute. Most remotes send a signal to "toggle" the state of the power then yo press the power button (if it's on, turn it off - if it's off, thrn it on). But with the complex macros you can program into the remote, you'd like to be SURE certain devices are on or off, and you won't always know the state when you start. Perhaps it has this ability, but it's not obvious, even to a fairly informed user like myself.

We still get people asking about this in the JP1 group, so I thought I should post something here. When Montana Nick wrote his review saying that you could not program the URC-8820 using JP1, that was true, but that was back in 2005. We have since added programming for this type of remote to the JP1 software. This remote is what we call a JP1.2 (Flash) remote, so you do need a different JP1 cable that those used for the older "EEPROM" based remotes.

Newer remotes are JP1.3 (Flash) remotes, but JP1.2 and JP1.3 remotes can be programmed using the same JP1.2/3 cable.

I've had this remote for about 8 months or so I'd say, and it's one of the best remotes I have ever owned. It was easy to set up and easy to use. It controls my HDTV, Cable box, Surround sound, Tivo, heck i even taught it to control a fan and my Xbox 360. I haven't had to change the batteries yet so I can't say how well it is on memory retention. The reason I am writing this review is because I came here to buy another one for the bedroom and realized I forgot to review it awhile back. But the simple fact that I came here to buy another one should show how good this remote is.

My son got the remote that came with my DVR from the cable company, and he threw it in the bathtub with his brother. Instead of paying $15 for a new one from the cable company, I searched online and found this remote from Amazon for only a little more money. It is awesome! It is easily programmable, and it now operates all of the following equipment: My Sony TV, DVD/VCR Combo, and Audio Receiver, my Scientific Atlanta Cable Receiver/DVR, and my Sanyo TV and VCR in the bedroom. In minutes, I was able to teach this remote to perform all the functions of any buttons I ever use on all of those other remotes, and now they're all put up. I would definitely recommend this remote control to anyone who is tired of using multiple remotes.

Believe me, I've tried a bunch of these. Not because I'm some audiophile with a huge home theater system, but because I have a hodgepodge of stuff (new and old alike) that I need to run just to watch TV. All the components in my system (magnavox TV, RCA VHS, Mitsubishi DVD, Kenwood AMP and CD, Panasonic 7.1 AMP, Comcast cable box) worked right off, with very little effort. What more can you ask for?

I've tried the sony learning remotes. Those also work, but they took forever to program since I had to teach it the commands for the older VHS and Kenwood audio components.

I've tried a programmable touch-screen unit, which was lovely, but expensive and heck and I don't see that it worked any better than this.

This is simple, affordable, and gets the job done.

This remote is a good buy; no doubt about it. Ergonomic design, easy to use, wide range of product support, upgradeable, macro functions... you name it... And, of course, to top all that off.. it's cheap!!!

Even when I recently bought a new TV brand that is new to the market, I contacted customer support and they immediately sent back the code I should use for the remote. I couldn't believe it!

Couple drawbacks about this remote, though: the learning capacity can get used up quite quickly (obviously depending on the number of components' keys to be learned). In my case, I had to teach the remote about five components and all their keys. I therefore had to stick the most often used keys. Comparatively, the Sony learning remotes did not run out of memory, for the identical programming.

In addition, you never know which component is the selected one, as the component select buttons are not lit. You can only know by the response of your equipment (if in sight). Of course, if you are unsure, you can just press the component button you wish to select, before any operation.

I thought that this was going to more complicated, but it was so easy! Did it in a few minutes last night. Now I can get rid of the 4 remotes we had going for the TV, DVD, DVR and surround sound. I know it can do other things, so I'm going to try more this weekend. If I can program it, anyone can.