Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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.

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.

The intruction book and accompanying DVD made it a breeze to start programming this remote.

Programming does take some time, but there's no law that says you have to get it all done in one sitting, now, is there. So here's my approach:

* I started by programming my original remote's pre-defined manufacturer codes into the URC200 (which provided basic functionality).

* Then over several sessions (while I was simply watching TV or movies) I refined the button labels and functions to suit my own tastes, until I was satisfied I would no longer need the original remotes. This eliminated the need for separate remotes for:
- TV
- VCR
- Digital Cable DVR
- ReplayTV DVR
- some of my A/V receiver's main functions.

(I chose to keep using my original DVD remote because I like its design, but in time I may combine it into the URC200 as well.)

I love that the URC200 is flexible enough to let me assign button positions wherever I want. Even though my two original DVR remotes are radically different in button design, I "unified" all their core functions onto the identical button locations on the URC200. This way, regardless of whether I'm in Digital Cable DVR mode or ReplayTV DVR mode, the same button performs the same function.

Construction of the remote is very rugged, but without a heavy feel. Moderately sized, it fits and operates as a one-handed remote.

Batteries: Uses AAA. Batteries last several months before needing replacement. The remote remembers all your customization so you can safely remove and replace batteries with a fresh set, yet still keep all your settings intact.

Not as fancy as a several hundred dollar Pronto remote - but I am not aware of an equal in this price class. Highly recommended.

I have owned at least a dozen universal remote controls in my lifetime. This one is, by far, the best. It is fully customizable and configurable. I have this unit combined with the remote emitter (MRF-250). One of the best features is the ability to control wether a command will use the IR at the end of the unit, any of the IRs on the emitter (the MRF-250) or all: what I have found with other units is that a remote emitter will blast out the signal to all your devices (e.g. stereo and cable box at the same time) and will disable them temporarily making it seem sluggish to respond. The Osiris corrects this problem by only sending the signal to the exact component that you want (using little stick on IR emitters).
The remote itself is very intuitive and easy to use (my wife, who has difficulties with all of our remotes, can actually use this one). The display pages and buttons can be completely customized and with a little planning, you could program it to work like a Harmony Remote (e.g. have a "Watch Movie" button).
The remote emitter must be close to the remote to work well. I have it in a small closet about 10 feet from where we usually watch TV. Everything worked great until one day we hung up some clothing on the back of the closet door; it was just enough to affect the remote emitter receiving the signal. So, if you have thick doors, or need to put the remote emitter far away, you might have some troubles...but other than that, it is a great piece of technology.

This remote is simply great. I recently purchased a surround sound system and needed a programmable remote so my wife could easily turn on the TV, watch a movie, or listen to music without having to know exactly what components to turn-on and what inputs they need to be set to. The key to this remote is the easy macro programming and customizable LCD labels. The built in RF signal is just awesome - I purchased the RF Expander at the same time and can now control the system from anywhere in the house - simply perfect for parties.

I PROGRAMED 6 DIFFERENT REMOTES INTO THIS PRODUCT , WITH ALL THE FUNCTIONS THAT I HAD BEFORE. I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST INVESTMENTS I HAVE MADE IN MY ELECTRONIC LIFE.

I've recently installed a ChannelPlus modulator system to distribute my TiVo, (first-generation) ReplayTV, and MythTV systems to all TVs in the house and was looking for a single brand/model remote that I could buy for each room to normalize controls for both "permanent residents" and visitors.

Since I expect to purchase multiple units (1 for each room) cost was as important as ease of use. After reading numerous reviews, I selected the URC200...and purchased one to "test the waters." While I've only had the unit for a few days now, within the first hour it easily surpassed my expectations. The remote is the perfect size/weight - it feels substantial without being too heavy. The buttons are awesome. For me, it strikes the perfect blend of "full-featured" and "ease-of-use." Some of the other inexpensive HT remotes I viewed looked cramped with tons of buttons in a relatively small space. This unit is just right -- and guests seem to pick up its operation rather quickly.

While it's true that there is some tedium to the programming, it really wasn't all that bad (think mobile phone SMS message typing)-- maybe 2 hours total for getting up to speed and programming all devices plus macros...and it only really needs to happen once. A computer interface would be nice, but I wasn't ever actually frustrated with the programming and it would likely have taken me extra time to install and configure any PC software anyway. Now I no longer need to "reaquaint" myself with the locations of the oft-used "skip/jump" and "replay" buttons whenever I switch between devices as equivalent functions now reside on the same programmable buttons for both devices.

For folks with modulator systems, the macros rock since you can program the device buttons to also act as macros. In my case, if you hold down the "TiVo" button for 1.5sec (user-programmable delay) it will change the TV to channel 125 (the "TiVo" channel in my house) and change the remote to the appropriate device. Ditto with the other shared devices...no more having to remember which channel is which device!

After reading the (rather sparse) manual, I've just ordered some INSTEON devices for lighting control and an X10 IR controller - which this remote contains pre-programmed codes for...so I look to using it to also control whole-home lighting.

Bottom line is I'm thrilled with this controller and will be ordering 3 more once my renovations are complete!

This is a great remote my only complaint is the book has no examples of macros that do anything like how to have one button power up every thing. I could not get this to work until I realized that if you punch through the "power on" from one of your system components like the VCR/DVR you can not assign a macro to that button. Once I removed the punch through (which was not explained either) the "one button" turns on every thing macro worked.

I defiantly recommend this remote.

I purchased this product from Amazon a few months back and I was amazed at it's functionality. It's amazing. The learning capability of the remote is out of this world. I have put away almost 8 remotes (including my room fan control).
Since then I tried several other remotes, but believe me none of them can handle the load this remote can if you are more dependent on the learning feature. Most other remotes, rely on a host of codes and for learning the memory provided is limited so when you try to learn more than two remotes, the device screams that the memory is full.
The Automator has no such problem and is a Universal remote that I will always recommend. It's battery life too is quite remarkable.