URC remotes

[moreira85]

i was looking on amazon to by a new univeral remote. I was looking the RF20 or the R50. What is RF and what is the benefit of this?
Which would you recommend?

 

[Adam]

i was looking on amazon to by a new univeral remote. I was looking the RF20 or the R50. What is RF and what is the benefit of this?
Which would you recommend?

RF is "radio frequency" and remotes that use it can transmit through solid objects. In other words, you don't need to be able to see the equipment in order to control it. This is handy if you have your equipment in a closet or behind a closed opaque door in a cabinet. If your equipment isn't set up to use an RF signal (and a lot aren't), then you'll need to get an RF station with IR (infrared) "blasters". The IR blasters are used to send IR signals to your equipment that mimic what the original remote controls would do.

The recommendation will depend on how you plan to use your equipment. I have zero use for an RF system, so I'm plenty happy with a regular IR remote.

 

[njedpx3]

Unequivocally get the ---> RFS200 PowerPak Bundle w/ MasterControl RF20

RF= Radio Frequency as opposed to IR (infra red )which is optical and requires line of sight.

RF will operate behind closed cabinet doors and you do not have to point at device.

The Amazon URC RFS200 PowerPak Bundle w/ MasterControl RF20 and PowerBlaster is really a great product. for $85.10

http://www.amazon.com/RFS200-PowerPak-Bundle-MasterControl-PowerBlaster/dp/B000FL9E6U

It can control up to 6 IR devices and convert them to RF. You have wires and a fiber optic pad that sticks to the device's IR sensor. There are extra translucent stick-ons if you have to move or the fiber optic pad comes off.

Now the programming is easy. A lot of devices can be entered in pre-programmed and you don't have to do anything. Then there is also a learning mode and a macro mode.

You can use macro and program all devices to turn on or off with one button push.

You can also have volume control and mute as a button that works from all screens.

It isvery easy to use and program. I programmed in DishNetwork 722, Marantz SR8002 receiver, Panasonic DMP-BD30K blu ray DVD and Poineer Kuro Elite Plasma PRo-151FD TV all controlled and very easy to use. Excallent WAF!

Good Luck!

 

[highfigh]

i was looking on amazon to by a new univeral remote. I was looking the RF20 or the R50. What is RF and what is the benefit of this?
Which would you recommend?

I tried an RF50 and found that it has a red backlight, which made it impossible for me to read the text. In the dark, even with the contrast set at the highest level, it was illegible.

If the equipment would normally be in direct sunlight (when it's light enough) or you have compact florescent bulbs, RF makes sending commands much more reliable. Also, plasma TVs cause all kinds of problems with IR sensors.

 

[MDS]

The color of the backlight is one of the differences between the 'consumer' line and the 'total control' (ie. 'professional') series. You can't do anything about the backlight color but it may not be worth it to upgrade to the equivalent remote in the total control series (MX-350) just to change the backlight color.

However, some the other features on the total control series models may be useful for some people in some circumstances. I own the MX-350 and from what I can tell by reading the manual for the RF-20 the differences are these:

1. Backlight color - Red on the RF series and Blue on the MX series.
2. Assignable emitters on the MX series.
3. Ability to select IR, RF, or both for each device on the MX series. The RF series always transmits both IR and RF which is not usually a problem but will be if you have multiple devices that respond to the same remote codes. Assignable emitters solve that problem.
4. I think the RF basestation on the RF series will always send the IR out of both the emitters attached to the back panel and the front 'blaster' panel. RF basestations sold separately for the MX series can do either or both.
5. Color: Black on the RF series; Silver/Gray on the MX series.

Most people won't really need the extra features of the MX series and can save over $200 by going with the RF series.

If anybody needs anywhere near the 192 step limit for macros, their system is WAY too complicated.

 

[BMXTRIX]

While I think you get a good idea of what RF remotes offer over IR, I think one of the biggest points has been missed.

In my experience, the big plus you get with RF is the reliability of the operations from the remote.

With IR only universal remotes, when you have a startup sequence, quite often it will be "Turn on the receiver" wait .1 seconds "Turn on the TV" wait .1 seconds "Turn on the DVD player" - Now, wait 5 seconds for the receiver to power on fully... "Turn the receiver to the DVD input" - wait 3 more seconds "Turn the TV to the HDMI 2 input".

That was over 8 seconds of making sure the remote was pointed properly to get the action taken care of. From that point on, anytime you want to control any device, you have to ensure that it is pointing right at the device you want to control.

While this may not sound like a big deal, most people don't get that the startup macros may take a while and will greatly affect usability and reliability of the system.

With RF, you mostly get rid of this issue completely. Press that 'DVD' button on the remote, and the RF signals are sent to the receiving station no matter where you have the remote pointed. Everything should start up exactly as expected whether you are pointing the remote at your gear, or you have it behind your back.

This is even nicer if you have a setup where you might be in a different room - like a open kitchen/family room where you may want to use the remote in the kitchen with the TV or A/V receiver or cable box 20+ feet away, and maybe at an angle or out of a sight line.

I swear by RF use, and I have integrated URC remotes into my Crestron system extensively.

 

[lsiberian]

I think a URC RF system is definitely the way to go for me. Now it's about picking out the setup to get.

I may just ask for this for Christmas or something.

 

[moreira85]

While I think you get a good idea of what RF remotes offer over IR, I think one of the biggest points has been missed.

In my experience, the big plus you get with RF is the reliability of the operations from the remote.

With IR only universal remotes, when you have a startup sequence, quite often it will be "Turn on the receiver" wait .1 seconds "Turn on the TV" wait .1 seconds "Turn on the DVD player" - Now, wait 5 seconds for the receiver to power on fully... "Turn the receiver to the DVD input" - wait 3 more seconds "Turn the TV to the HDMI 2 input".

That was over 8 seconds of making sure the remote was pointed properly to get the action taken care of. From that point on, anytime you want to control any device, you have to ensure that it is pointing right at the device you want to control.

While this may not sound like a big deal, most people don't get that the startup macros may take a while and will greatly affect usability and reliability of the system.

With RF, you mostly get rid of this issue completely. Press that 'DVD' button on the remote, and the RF signals are sent to the receiving station no matter where you have the remote pointed. Everything should start up exactly as expected whether you are pointing the remote at your gear, or you have it behind your back.

This is even nicer if you have a setup where you might be in a different room - like a open kitchen/family room where you may want to use the remote in the kitchen with the TV or A/V receiver or cable box 20+ feet away, and maybe at an angle or out of a sight line.

I swear by RF use, and I have integrated URC remotes into my Crestron system extensively.

Thanks for help fellas.
After reading reviews i ended up going with the R50. The biggest reasons are becuase I have like 5 remotes and my little guy keeps losing them!! Also I dont feel i really can benefit right now with RF. My setup is hooked up through the PURE AV and as soon as the receiver turns on that turns on every other component including the TV. Also The R50 seems quite easy to use so have to keep in mind the Wife has to be able to figure it out.