Universal Remote URC200 10 Device Universal Remote Control (Silver & Black)

by Universal

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9 x 3 x 1 inches ; 8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00067R5XW
• Item model number: URC200B
• Batteries: 4 AAA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 5, 2005

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Universal URC-200 Automator universal remote is an easy-to-use advanced universal remote that controls the TV, DVD player, VCR and many other components. This remote can control up to ten devices, and thus, replaces ten remote controls. Use the LCD display to select your favorite device. It can also learn commands from your original remote control; just point your original remote toward this Automator and perform some easy steps. The URC-200 transmits both IR and RF signals to control devices. The range for IR is 30 to 50 feet whereas the range for RF is 50 to 100 feet.

The URC-200 Automator has 432 macro buttons for easy programming that allows you to take advantage of one-touch operation. Automate all the commands (maximum 190 commands) to control these devices for your convenience. It has non-volatile Flash memory that can retain programming (without batteries) for up to 10 years. Navigate and operate menu-driven devices through a combination of wear-resistant buttons and a 5-way thumb pad. Other features include a 0.9 x 1.9-inch LCD, selections for 40 favorite channels, and backlit buttons.

What's in the Box
URC-200 remote control, 4 AAA batteries, printed operating instructions

Product Description

Description: The Automator universal and learning remote control can replace up to 10 remote controls and operate an entire A/V home entertainment system. The LCD screen device and function labels can be customized. Comfortable navigation via a combination of wear-resistant buttons and 5-way thumbpad for operation of menu-driven devices. The URC-200 has over 1,000 built-in codes for easy programming of products from all major brands. Because the URC-200 sends both IR and RF signals, consumers can take advantage of "whole-house" (through walls, cabinets and floors) operation by utilizing the optional MRF-100 RF receiver base station.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple and functional, February 18, 2006

By 

Family of Four (Bartonville, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Universal Remote URC200 10 Device Universal Remote Control (Silver & Black) (Electronics)

Bought this remote along with the RF base unit (sold seperately). First, this is the only affordable out of the box RF set-up option I could find. It works flawlessly.

The layout of the remote is well planned. Very easy to use. Very intuitive.

Programming the remote is a little time consuming but straight-forward. I found the pre-programmed codes to not be perfect, so I always end up programming over them (so that you can change the buttons to be exactly what you want). There is no limit to what you can do, it is up to you how creative you want to make the macros. You can literally have it repeat any remote function by just pointing the old remote to this unit and pressing a few keys.

I did not think that the Favorites button would be that big a feature, but it is a very nice bonus.

In case anyone is interested, I have a Sony LCD TV, a NAD AV unit, a NAD DVD / CD multichanger, and a JVC Dish Network DVR. The unit works with all of them. It really does not matter the brand or type of device, it can literally learn anything.

In short

+'s
Very easy to use
Backlight is nice
Unlimited programming capability
RF (with seperate RF base unit) is awesome (can hide all AV units behind a closed door) and works instantly
About as intuitive a remote as you will find (The Harmony is nice too but lacks RF)
Great value for the money

-'s
No computer interface capability
Programming multiple remotes can be a minor chore, but only a one-time thing

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly powerful and flexible, but a bit complicated, November 9, 2006

By 

montana_nick "montana_nick" (Boise, ID) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Universal Remote URC200 10 Device Universal Remote Control (Silver & Black) (Electronics)

Overall, I'm very happy with this remote, having tried several others over the years. But, it isn't without its flaws. First, the negatives:
* The learning function, while robust, is often difficult because it is very sensitive to ambient light. Basically, if you have a florescent light on, there's almost not chance this thing will learn commands from another remote. Works fine in daylight, though.
* I thought it was overly difficult to change the default device types on the main screen. If, for example, you don't want to use the VCR device on the main screen and change it to something else, you have to erase and relabel all the commands under it, rather than simply assigning it to a different device type.
* The URC200 does not accept discreet device codes or advanced codes. The only options are if the code is in the pre-programmed library, or learning a function from another remote. Since I really wanted discreet power codes for my equipment as well as discreet input codes for my TV and A/V receiver, I had to first program these into an inexpensive One-For-All, then teach these commands to the URC200. Again, not a show-stopper, but a bit of a pain.
* The transport keys (pause, play, FF, RW, etc...) are well-placed, but I would have really liked to have had both the FF and RW keys as well as the chapter skip ahead/back keys as "hard" buttons. Anyone with a DVR that supports the skip ahead/skip back buttons will tell you have handy this would be.

Luckily, the good far outweighs the bad. On the plus side:
* Apart from missing the 2 extra transport keys, the button layout on this remote is fantastic. Very logical layout, easy to navigate by feel. The button shapes also help in this regard.
* The feel of the buttons is very solid. In fact, the whole remote feels very solid and well-made. Each button gives good tactile response when pressed.
* The backlighting is very good, easy to see. The LCD screen is also very handy, easy to change labels.
* This remote, in the right light, will learn anything. Some universal remotes have limited memory for learning, this remote learned a TON of buttons and never flinched.
* Very flexible macro support, including the ability to add pauses between commands, and the ability to assign a macro to almost any hard/soft button.

So, if you have some patience and a willingness to learn, this remote is a fantastic bargain. With some effort, it can be an activity-based remote, just like the more expensive Harmony remotes.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars so far so good, October 4, 2006

By 

S. R. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Universal Remote URC200 10 Device Universal Remote Control (Silver & Black) (Electronics)

It's been in service now for over one month. I got it because I needed to operate my MOXI digital cable thingy, and after calling the service number they got me the right code and it indeed works. I control everything, DVR/MOXI, Receiver, DVD, TV, VCR, and all work smoothly . The included DVD helps with setup, which can get tedious. The light feature is cool for the dark, of course, and buttons are large and easy to use. I recommend this unit highly.