URC RF-20 Universal Remote + Blaster, $83.

[jostenmeat]

I have been using a Harmony 520. The URC RFS200 PowerPak Bundle w/ MasterControl RF20 and PowerBlaster costs only $83, atm. It comes with 6 stick-on emitters, which are 10 ft in length. These wires are extremely thin, and as a whole, the emitters are very discreet. You can't even tell they are on my components until you get very close.

My preliminary comparisons as I just finished programming today:

- It only took 15 minutes to program 2 macros. I think it would have been faster if I realized that one of the emitter jacks was just barely loose at the RF/IR blaster. Only after re-programming for HD-DVD, thinking I programmed incorrectly, did I troubleshoot. All this, and still only 15 minutes to program everything. I personally found much it easier to program than the Harmony. However, I will assume that Harmony's software and database have been improved upon since I've played with those. That being said...

- I used the learning function, rather than pre-programmed codes. This is actually more fool-proof IMO. I remember certain codes in Harmony's database did not work. Less important stuff, but nevertheless I think of functions like dimmer, display/status, return, and so forth. It's been a while, but even using the learning command with the Harmony seemed useless to me at the time. Perhaps user error on my part? But the URC is so easy!!!! Every code took on the first try.

- I love that the backlight does not HAVE to turn on unless I hit the "light" button. The Harmony always lights up (though it can be quickly turned off, but it MUST light up, AFAIK). I also prefer the red light over the blue light of the Harmony. The default length of backlighting seems perfectly fine for me, but its adjustable between 0-99 seconds, or completely defeatable as well.

- The feel, size, and weight of the remote and buttons are incomparable. My Harmony is really chintzy in this regard, IMO.

Cons:

- only one set of FF/RR buttons. I use them as FF/RR, but then I don't have chapter skips. As I only watch BD and HD-DVD, I use the pop-up menu with the toggle anyways, but for those who watch a lot of DVDs, it could be a concern. One can always assign unused button for those commands, but its understandably less than intuitive for some. I don't watch TV, so I used "prev CH" (which I presume is for channel) as "previous chapter". Hehe.

- AFAIK, more advanced models can have commands assigned to any particular blaster or AV system. I'm only using this for one system.


Summary for Day 1:

Its a fantastic value. It is a superior remote to the Harmony, while also having RF capability, at an identical price. IMO, using the learning function on the URC is much easier than the computer based system of the Harmony. While that is debatable, the fact is I can do it much, much faster than I could with the Harmony software. Not even close.

So you think you don't need RF? What if you use your "macro", and your dog walks in front on your AV stand? What if a pretty lady is passing by the window, and you get up to gawk? The RF will still execute without a hitch.

Its a win-win situation IMO. I originally went with Harmony because the noobie-appeal of a software based system was too difficult to resist. I'm here to tell you to get a URC for the same money.

*special note: thanks, again, to MDS for his post regarding this deal, and sharing the differences between this unit, and the more advanced remotes.

 

[jcPanny]

URC remote

I have a simlar URC remote and agree with your review. Works great and the RF feature is nice. Another bonus is that a set of batteries last a couple months due to the power friendly B&W screen.

On a device like the DVD players, I programmed the Channel +/- button to change the chapters.

 

[Guiria]

I will also add my recommendation for the URC RF-20 with blaster.

I have the older but equally featured automater 200 with blaster and the blaster does not work well at all...lots of glitches.

My parents have the URC RF-20 with the blaster controlling their system and they love it. Setup did not take too long as I recall because all their devices were already in the remotes memory bank.

I recently set up 6 URC RF-20 at my inlaws place. He wanted the same remote for all his TV's. He asked me about the URC or Harmony and since my experience has been with URC that's what I recommended, not to mention that setting up 6 harmony accounts and all the PC programming etc would have sucked.

I'll admit that was a bit of a chore but all his compenents work, even his ancient TEAC stereo. The cloning feature became handy at this point since he had 3 identical DVR's and two TV's of the same manufacturer.

Side note:
I also use the CH+/- for DVD chapter navigation.

 

[bandphan]

Cons:

- only one set of FF/RR buttons. I use them as FF/RR, but then I don't have chapter skips. As I only watch BD and HD-DVD, I use the pop-up menu with the toggle anyways, but for those who watch a lot of DVDs, it could be a concern. One can always assign unused button for those commands, but its understandably less than intuitive for some. I don't watch TV, so I used "prev CH" (which I presume is for channel) as "previous chapter". Hehe.

Nice write up. As for assigning the chapter skip, I put it on the the lcd screen for some, others on the center dial. I had the older version of the remote setup for my ex, after she remarried she gave it to her dad because her new husband had a harmony, needless to say she misses the rf control for the zones

 

[selkec]

I have a few questions yo owners of this remote may know. Does it have a media button like the harmony does that can store movies. this is handy if you have the sony 400 dvd player which I had and may get again. Its nice to just hit the bitton next to the movie and it puts it in. ALso does it have the one to0uch buttons like the harmony. for ex...one for TV,one for movies, and one for music and one to set up as you like. What I mean is does it turn on the tv put it on the right input, turn on the receiver and dvd player and make sure the receiver is on the correct input, all from the one movie button my 676 has. Then once in this mode I can hit media and see a list of 400 movies in my sony 400 dvd player and choose a movie and it will put it in. Can this remote do this? Im not so much worried abot the media button but would like to just hit 1 button and be un and running. Im selling my 676 because like others have said of the sync issues which i think happen because we dont hold it till the green light goes out. and also the other problem is the volume can stick and turn it way up even after the button is let up. Help please

 

[bandphan]

Yes there is a favorites button that can be programed with macros but entering 400 discs would drive me nuts id rather use a serial based controller for some thing like that with osd and 2 way control , but they cost.

 

[selkec]

It was easy to program the 400 dvds into my harmony 676. Just had to type them in in the media section in the program in my comp. But Im not too worried about that now since I sold my 400 dvd changer. The main thing I want is the 1 button solution. With the harmony its very easy to set up, the program asks you a few questions and your done.
One thing that makes me want to buy something is also the looks and the rf-20 looks kind of cheap to me. But I do like that it is RF. I was also looking at this remote http://shop.remoteshoppe.com/product.sc?categoryId=17&productId=108 but it is not RF. Anyone have any experience with it?

 

[bandphan]

There is no requirement of professional programming tied to any warranties on Universal Remote remotes. What they do say is that you need to get the Pro line of remotes from an authorized dealer, and there are no online authorized dealers (I don't believe). So if you get the remote from some unauthorized place and then have issues you may be up the creek.

As for Harmony vs. Universal Remote, the MX-450 coupled with an RF system will smoke Harmony in terms of how powerful it is. The Harmony, conversely will be easier to program, though the MX-450 isn't terribly difficult to manage.

What you should really be interested in, however, is the Digital RF-50 which is the consumer level version of the MX-450.

Our review: http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/remote-controls/universal-mx-450-rf

Check out the Rf50.

 

[MDS]

The main thing I want is the 1 button solution. With the harmony its very easy to set up, the program asks you a few questions and your done.

You can easily achieve the '1 button solution' but it does not ask you questions to walk you through the setup. You just enter each of the steps that you want performed when you press that button.

One nice thing about the URC remotes is you can create 'press and hold' macros where the macro isn't executed until you've held the button down for a time (you specify the time by entering pauses).

I have the MX-350 which has a few additional features over the RF-20 but is more or less the same thing. I use the power on button to turn everything on in one shot and the power off button to shut everything down. Since I watch cable TV most often, my 'on' macro sets everything up to watch cable. But I also have press and hold macros on the DVD and Cable buttons so I can switch to DVD with one press and switch back to Cable with one press.