Customer Reviews

One For All URC 8811 Premium Learning Line 8-Device Upgradeable Universal Remote Control

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After searching many hours for a good universal remote, I found the One For All (OFA) URC8811. I had first purchased the OFA URC6131 but without the "learning" feature, it was impossible to program all the buttons from the original remote. One for All makes 21 different models. The "learning" feature begins at model 8811 and the "modem" feature begins at model 8910. The "learning" feature is used to copy the buttons of your original remotes into your new universal remote. The "modem" feature is used to update the universal remote via the telephone.

Because the 8811 carries such an extensive library of manufacturer remotes in its memory chip, you may never need to update your 8811. If you actually do need to update it with new remote codes, you can send the 8811 to One For All for free. The 8811 is so advanced I bought two, one for myself and one for my father whose own original remote was failing. I was able to replace 3 remotes: my VCR, TV, and air-conditioner. Yes, I was able to copy, or the remote "learned", all the functions of my air-conditioner remote. Also, it only took a few minutes for me to program my father's remote for his TV/VCR combo.

Using the 8811 is very convenient. Because of the "learning" feature, I was able to choose the placement of all the buttons from the original remotes. As has been mentioned in previous reviews, while it is not written in the sparse manual, most of the buttons are "learning" enabled. For years I was forced to switch between the original VCR and TV remotes whenever I wanted to "mute" the TV, very irritating. Whenever I wanted to enable or disable the caption feature of my TV, I had to switch to the TV remote and go through 6 steps. Now all I do is press one macro button.

Finally, the 8811 and more advanced OFA models have a little known but powerful additional feature: JP1 programmability. Very few people know this, but there is a standard for universal remotes known as JP1. If a remote has the 6 JP1 pins, a JP1 cable can be used to connect it to your PC. JP1 first used the parallel port but now there are also USB JP1 cables. With a free downloadable program which runs on your PC, you can use the JP1 connector to update your remote in any manner you wish. Be aware you must know what you are doing. Otherwise, you can lock up your remote and you may be forced to return it to OFA for resetting. The JP1 parallel cable is inexpensive and the JP1 USB cable costs twice as much. You can find any information you need using a Google search if you are interested. There are forums specifically for JP1. You can find these forums by doing a "remote JP1 forum" Google search.

While more advanced OFA remotes have an LCD display, I prefer not to have one because the display can break when you drop the remote. Furthermore, an LCD display will drain the batteries quicker. Some people complain about the 8811 using 4 AAA batteries. I don't have a problem with this because it makes the 8811 more compact. In terms of balance, weight, size, features, price and usability, the URC8811 is the best remote available. I am surprised more retail stores do not carry it. It seems the only way to obtain it is through the Internet.

This remote does not live up to its claims. It didn't have the codes it claims. For instance, it says it has codes for Audiovox, which is my DVD player/home theater system. However, what it means is, it has codes for Audiovox's VCR, but not Audiovox DVD player or home theater. And if you have any newer system, like my plasma TV, forget about having a code for it.

The next thing it claims is that you can search for a compatible code, so I tried that. No codes found.

The next thing it claims is that the remote can "learn" your device's codes by pointing one remote into the other. Not exactly. What it means is, you can press each button on your remote and map it to their remote. BUT, the catch is, there isn't enough memory to completely map the buttons for even one remote, so it stops "learning" after the memory is full. I don't know why you'd have a remote that controls eight devices but can't contain all the buttons for even one of them. I only had three devices, and one of them did have a code, but I still couldn't use this remote with only two remotes to map.

The next thing it claims is that the remote is upgradable and that new codes can be added. What it means is, you have to send the remote back to customer service -- and pay the shipping by the way -- and they'll send it back after they reprogram it. If you plan on adding any more devices to your system later, get ready to be without your remote every time you need to "upgrade" it.

I eventually returned mine after lots of frustration. This remote is low priced, but it's still not worth it.

Ok, I am a tough gal to impress, and this is an impressive remote before you take into consideration the price. Once you factor that in, it's a steal! I had been limping along with an 8-10 year old universal remote that controlled all but the DVD player, until the batteries died and all the programming went with it. Extremely irritating. So I did a bit of research and took a shot at this guy. It arrived today, and I spent about 30 minutes programming this baby to do EXACTLY what I want it to do. I went from 6 remotes to one, and I couldn't be happier. A few key points:

1) ALL buttons (not just the "learning buttons") are capable of learning any function you want from another remote.

2) I found that on my Pioneer DVD player the first code listed worked for power and play, but wouldn't scan chapters, or bring up the menu etc. I tried the second code for Pioneer and everything worked like a charm.

3) Works great with my digital cable, with a few functions needing to be taught to use all functions of the original remote.

4) Love the volume lock feature! I have all audio piped through my receiver to take full advantage of my bose acoustimass speakers, and the volume lock feature "locks" the volume buttons onto your receiver no matter what device you're using. Very handy.

5) Macros on a 20 buck remote, need I say more!

Some people have complained about the size, and OK it is a bit large. However, to get all those buttons on there, and to not have them so close together that you're hitting more than one button at a time it's gotta be a little big.

All in all a terrific remote at a terrific price.

For me, a moderately advanced user of electronics, I value most the ability to program/re-learn _every_ key on this remote (for every device, too). This means that _no matter what, this remote will work for you_ (excluding old/rare/weird remote transmitters).

Tip: Make sure to press the button on your old remote, aimed at the OneForAll, -while- the LED is rapidly flashing... you might read the manual as you do it after the flashing stops, but no.

The remote feels solid... but not heavy or bulky. Perfect, in fact. The buttons feel good... this remote should last pretty much forever.

There are 4 macro and 4 'learning' keys that you can do whatever you like with. And I stress... every other key can be 'taught' if the built-in codes don't work perfectly for you.

The backlight is splendid, the 'home theater' function (which lets you assign, for instance, channel changing to the TV, play/pause/stop/etc to your DVD, and volume +/- to your audio receiver) is a super bonus... and to top it off, this remote is so inexpensive, I feel guilty using it :)

Way to go, OneForAll. What a first-class product.

This is actually a great little remote. Where it fails is in the documentation. On the package there is no mention of this but in the manual it says that it does not support remotes that use radio frequency, ultrasonic or are wired directly. The manual also seems to imply that the learning function is limited to just 4 keys (L1 to L4). But you can actually map the learning functions to just about all the keys on the remote. Add in a backlighted display, control of 8 devices with support for home theatre features all rolled up in a remote that's comfortable to hold and you've got a great deal that won't dent your wallet. My only real pet peeve about All 4 One remotes is that they require 4 AAA batteries. I'd love to see them go to AA batteries like almost every other remote uses but I'm sure someone is paying them to drive the demand for AAA batteries. ;)

Pros: Learning function, great Customer Service, AUX device, button colors

Cons: upgradeability is via mail, not phone like higher models

I purchased this remote and its more expensive sibling, the 9910.

I needed to replace a still-somewhat functioning original remote for two (very old) Citek (by Teknika) televisions, so I bought both remotes just to make sure at least one would work.

After fruitlessly searching for codes for the Citek TV and re-attempting to put in the teknika codes a second time, I called One-For-All (a toll number, but no problem in my case) and read them the model number of the TV.

They said that this 8811 remote did not come with that code preprogrammed and in order to program it, I'd either have to get a higher end remote that could be programmed over the phone or send this one in to be programmed at their factory.

So, instead, I used the learning feature and "taught" the new remote each of the 20 or so keys on the original remote. After pointing the two remotes at each other and pushing buttons for a minute or two, it worked like a charm so I didn't need to send it in.

I then took it to the downstairs TV, an old Zenith, and I called them to see if this one had the code built-in (I left the manual upstairs). The rep very patiently stepped me through the now-familiar programming steps and gave me two possible codes for the Zenith, and I successfully, and relatively easily, programmed the Zenith as the AUX device.

I plan on buying two more of these and programming them the same way, so they can interchange the remotes - the Citeks work on TV mode, and the Zenith on AUX.

As a nice bonus, the main keys (Volume/Channel Up/Down, Power, and numbers) are gray, as opposed to the others which are clear/white, so it's easy to pick out the most frequently used buttons.

The buttons are also nicely and logically laid out as well.

The minor downside to this remote:

1. The One For All URC 8811 Premium Learning Line 8-Device Upgradeable Universal Remote Control is not upgradeable over the phone, like their other more expensive ones are - you have to send it in, which they said would take a couple weeks (one lady there said 10 days).

So, athough the remote has many, many codes, if your code isn't in there (as mine was not) you have to send it in.

If you have the original remote as I did, though, it should take any IR TV you throw at it, in my experience, thanks to the excellent learning function.

been looking for a good universal remote for months and this one totally fit the bill. controls my replaytv, dvd player, cable box, tv, and vcr perfectly. the learning and macro features make this remote even more valuable. for the price this remote can't be beat

I recently purchased this product and I couldn't be more happy. As others have stated you can have the remote learn any button not just the 4 learning buttons. This allows it to control any device (that is IR controlled). I have a liteon DVD player (LVW-5100) that didn't have a code, it took me a bit to figure out how to program the remote but within 30 minutes it was running all my equipment including the DVD player.

For this price the product is a steal, if your in the market for a universal remote this should be high on your list. Don't forget to add some AAA batteries to your order though.

I've been using a URC 8811 for almost a year now. Right out of the box it does the basics and has some learning capability. But where it really shines is in what it can do if you have a PC and a little technical savvy. If you're willing to put in some time to learn how, you can reprogram ANY key on the remote. But that's not the best part. Any key can also be programmed to run a macro(a series of commands). For example, I programmed the 'Rcvr/Amp' key to turn on my TV and then turn on my DirecTV satellite receiver. The 'Cable' key is programmed to bring up the DirecTV guide screen, change the channel to 520, shift to Home Theater mode, and activate the mute button! I love this remote! You can read up on it and find programming information at [...]

At first i brought it at Fry's Electronics, saw it for 24.99, it thought it was good, and real easy. I took it home, and TRY to program it, and got frutrasted,so i returend it to Frys.. Then I got on the website and looked up the remote, and found out that you can get speficic codes for certain models. I have a Comcast Motorola Cable Box, and wanted to use it for my onDemand. They sent me codes Via email, to program the Play,Record,FF,RW, etc.. that is why the first time i returned it.. but i found out, and went back to go buy...

I would recommend this remote, after all you can program alot of stuff to it, and if you send the Customer Service people a list of electronic yu have, and they send you a list of codes, and advanced codes. It is worth the money...

I extremly recommend it. Good Price, Nice buttons, nice backlightening !!! no cons for me.....also very lightweight, forgot it was in my pocket !

BUY it, it is going to be worth the money...