Any new remote news?

[jostenmeat]

Keep in mind that if you buy a URC online, it won't come with a warranty because they don't authorize ANYONE to sell online.

I've asked Amazon at least once about being authorized for certain AV products. They've told me that they don't sell anything directly for which they are not authorized. Maybe there's something I don't know here . . .

I absolutely get what you're saying and I understand the methodology. Just for me, I just have a hard time spending even $300 or $400 on something that just turns my stuff on and off. I know it's more complex and it certainly increases the usability of the system, but it's just hard for me to swalllow. I'll spend on a lot of things, but something about spending that much on a remote just rubs me the wrong way. Foolish... sure, but it's just the way I feel.

I also have a hard time spending that much. That's why my last two remote systems each cost $80. The RF20 remote used to be only $50 for a while there, but it looks like it jumped to $80. The combo pack used to be $80, but looks to be sold out at Amazon. I'm sure AH must have a nice selection. There is the combo pack selling for $70 from some other vendor, but . . .

I programmed my brother's for cable, bluray, and dvd, controls everything but Xbox. Easy. Sure, you have to click a certain button to change tv input, and another for receiver input, but it's still waaaaaay nicer than fumbling thru a whole bunch of remotes. RF is super nice to have. I'll never go without it again I think. NONE of his remotes were backlit, and so that's pretty darn nice as well.

While I don't like spending $300-400 either on the stuff, I think $50-100 is pretty reasonable to have an easily programmable remote, and backlit! (None of my remotes are backlit except for receiver and projector). For 2 way communication via rs232, I'm not even sure if I have components that have that anyways! (Well, my PJ does).

It seems you are the type that values good looks more highly than some others, and so I offer you this possibility as well. No RF it seems, but the URC Digital R50 is discounted very nicely right now at the price of $85.

Here is the remote central review
http://www.remotecentral.com/reviews/urc_r50/index.html

 

[BMXTRIX]

I absolutely get what you're saying and I understand the methodology. Just for me, I just have a hard time spending even $300 or $400 on something that just turns my stuff on and off. I know it's more complex and it certainly increases the usability of the system, but it's just hard for me to swalllow. I'll spend on a lot of things, but something about spending that much on a remote just rubs me the wrong way. Foolish... sure, but it's just the way I feel.

What's interesting is that the way you feel may not reflect the way your wife, kids, parents, in-laws, etc. feel.

That is, if you get a remote that is 90% accurate, and then it fails when you aren't home, it becomes a headache that just ends up irritating everyone else. For you, personally, you know how to resolve the issue. If you are home, the issue can be taken care of in a few minutes or less. But, if you are not home, then you can't take care of the issue, and the system can't be used. Even worse, it could be turned on improperly, or a projector could be left on indefinitely because nobody even knew it was on.

That's the difference when you go to a remote system of that quality. I have gained a remote that my wife, in-laws, and kids can use, and DO use on a daily basis.

What's amazing is my customers do agree with you. I'm buying off eBay and it's WELL under MSRP (or even cost), then pass savings on, but it's still expensive. Yet, when I have installed everything and programmed it, then talk to them later. Their absolute number one comment is that they are most happy with the investment in the remote. It has always exceeded expectations.

Considering how many products out there barely meet expectations, and how many people have, at best, mediocre success with their universal remotes, it is a blessing for those who don't have the technological fortitude that most on these forums do have.

I generally say "This remote isn't for you, you don't need it. This remote is for your wife." This is why I've had good luck with it. Not because I say it, but because at the end of the day, it actually is the wife that sells the remote to the husband.

Still, I agree - it ain't cheap.

 

[MDS]

The URC RF-20 is about the best value out there in my opinion. I think that because I have a lot of experience with URC remotes and the RF-20 is nearly identical to the MX-350 I use but half the price. If you can get a remote that powerful and useful for $100 you should jump on it.

Technology improves in fits and starts. Anyone who is content to 'suffer' with multiple remotes while they wait for all devices to offer discrete codes or be network enabled and all use a standard protocol for communication will be waiting a very long time...it just won't happen.

You can spend a lot of money to get as near 'perfect' as you can or you can accept minor little quibbles. If the wife or kids accidentally mess everything up you can tell them to get up and manually turn every single device off and then use the remote to turn everything on to the starting state I described before and all is well.

 

[highfigh]

I've asked Amazon at least once about being authorized for certain AV products. They've told me that they don't sell anything directly for which they are not authorized. Maybe there's something I don't know here . . .

Here's all of their authorized online dealers- all one of them:
http://www.universal-remote.com/pro/online_dealers.php

 

[MDS]

I bought my first MX-350 (the early ones that were branded 'Osiris') from an online site called BlueDo. They say they are authorized and they must be because a few of the buttons started sticking and I called them for warranty service. I had to call URC directly and tell them where I bought the remote. URC verified it and sent me a brand new remote, no questions asked.

I bought my current MX-350 from OneCall. The new ones use narrow band RF and are now branded 'MX-350'. I bought it mainly so I could use the newer MRF-260 basestation and give the old one to my sister's family. OneCall is also authorized.

So while Amazon may be the sole authorized online dealer for certain models, I do not believe they are the only authorized dealer for all models.

 

[MatthewB.]

The only remote you will ever need.