URC RF20 Universal Infrared / RF Remote Control

Pros: Bought the old version of this 3 years ago and it still works good, except the light button on the side is becoming more and more unresponsive. I was looking for a remote that can control my audio/video components which sit behind a projector screen. There wasn't a lot of choices out there for a RF remote with an IR blaster and this one does it all.

Cons: It learned everything except my htpc remote. It's odd, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I've tried reprogramming it a few times but it still has trouble. Might be interference from something else. Another odd problem I have is with the volume. It happens rarely but when it does it keeps happening. I try to turn up the volume a little bit and it continuously turns it up, I then try to turn it down and it continuously turns the volume down. It's as if the signal is bouncing around in a loop, maybe off the back of the screen, although the next day, same situation and it works fine.

Pros: works with everything and the RF works great too

Cons: with i could put more than 5 letters in lcd screen for editing labels

Pros: It works. It works. It also works.

Cons: Programming usually requires pressing each button on your previous remote to program. No mouse controller of course.

Other Thoughts: I have been using this remote for 5 years and it has worked for every single crazy remote for every single device I have. It controls everything by RF, so no signal problems. I use the IR wires to direct the signal directly into some of the devies. I love this thing. It is pure functionality.

Pros: This remote does exactly what is says it does. IT REPLACES ALL YOUR REMOTES!!!!! I was able to replace my onkyo, cable set top box and blu-ray remote with ease. And the best part was since my equipment was RF compatible I did not need to purchase the RF base which sold seperately. I can now control all my components from anywhere in the house. I highly recommend this remote. Good construction. Quality remote.

Cons: I actually don't have any cons about the remote, since I am an installer and the basic and advance setup came easy for me. The only problem I can see is if you are not technically advanced you may encounter headaches setting up the remote. But if you know what you are doing, you can replace all your remotes and be able to access ALL the functions that your original remote can do, which is the biggest thing I found with using other universal remotes ( THE LEARNING FEATURE ALLOWS YOU TO LEARN ANY FUNCTIONS TO THE REMOTE THAT MIGHT NOT BE AVAILABLE, AND YOU ARE ABLE TO LABEL THAT FUNCTION AS YOU WOULD SEE ON THE ORIGINAL REMOTE ON THE RF20 LCD screen).

Other Thoughts: Lastly, I would suggest that you read the entire manual AND watch the setup DVD before you attempt to program the remote. so you can fully understand the basic and advanced program features.

Pros: If there is a better value Universal remote out there then get it- I somehow doubt it. This does exactly what it is supposed to do and more. It is well thought out and easy to navigate through the various menus. Build quality is on a par with many of the others on market for a fraction of the price.

Before you do anything, get yourself some new batteries in your teaching remote. Old batteries do not seem to get all the buttons programmed quickly. you have to go over several times if you use old batteries- just safe yourself the time and get the new batteries.

Cons: A scrolling screen will be a nice upgrade. Missing the usual RED,GREEN,YELLOW, BLUE buttons found on many remotes but these are still customizable. It really deserves 5 eggs but I'm being over critical here.

Other Thoughts: Don't waste your money on more expensive units, i can bet my house they can't beat this gem.

Pros: Does what it says -- sometimes.

Cons: You can't clone one RF20 to another unless they are exactly the same. They upgraded the model without upgrading the model number. I bought this so I wouldn't have to spend time programming it for all my devices and could just clone my old RF20, but since one has a newer ROM, I can't clone them! It's time to return this one.

Other Thoughts: I have two RF20s and have had a higher end model for over a year. I bought this 2nd RF20 to replace an RF10 that is somehow mysteriously no longer working. It has been act like the signal gets weaker over time, which should not be happening. I've had this issue with both the radio and IR signal.

I'm invested, since I have the higher model and the power blaster and don't want to go to high end remotes, but with the odd failure of the RF10 and the inability to clone one RF20 to another, I've started looking for alternative systems that use both infrared and radio so I can control my cable box from another room.

Pros: I come from three harmony remotes. I've been a long time user of harmony remotes but this takes it to a new level. Harmony is great if you just want the remote to work. This remote is great if you don't mind taking the time to set it up. This remote gives me the flexibility I have been looking for.

Cons: None so far

Pros: None anymore

Cons: No backwards compatability. The reason I bought this was to replace my failing unit made a few years ago. Seems they changed the firmware and I can no longer copy the programming from one unit to another. Now I have to spend all the time re-programming. yuck!

Pros: Does what it says, but not too well....

Cons: This thing is BIG AND HEAVY! But that's the least of it's problems. For one thing, you can only set up 1 macro, so if you think you can use it for 2 set ups, like living room, bedroom, you're wrong. I have 3 setups and I could only program this thing for the living room, not what I had in mind when I purchased it. It also didn't have built in codes for some of my equipment, especially a Philips DVD recorder. Sure you can self program it, but program it from the original remote button by button is ponderous. I didn't find it all that hard to program for the stuff it did have codes for, but setting up the macros is a pain in the *ss. It really not worth the effort. Ream my other thoughts.

Other Thoughts: I have 2 Harmony 880 remotes Anyone who says it's a pain to setup shouldn't buy ANY universal remote. This thing is a piece of cake to setup and set activities (more than 1, I set up 3). The reason I changed to the RF20, is that the 880 has a cradle to charge the LiMi battery. The cradle isn't so good. The cheap contacts wear out. I've manage to take my cradle apart and replace the contacts and it works but I ordered the RF20 because it uses batteries. Well, I've just ordered a Harmony 688. It uses batteries also and is just as cheap as the RF20. Believe me, there is no remote easier to program, via the internet, or product it can't control. If they don't have a code, it just needs one flash from the original remote, and it automatically matches nearly all of the other buttons, without a rematch. Save your money and get the Harmony...any model is better then this one.

Pros: - Very capable remote.
- Macros are great.
- Ability to hide pages and rename soft-keys makes for a very clean experience once you've got it programmed.
- Backlight is nice.
- Does what it's supposed to (replaces all your other remotes)
- Child lockout
- With some tricky programming, you can really make it shine...

Cons: - Manual a bit unclear, makes for steep learning curve at first
- Some buttons can't be made into macros
- Pre-programmed codes are sketchy and also blow away any custom labels. Just use learning mode instead.
- You can't hide any of the Main menu pages (would be nice for those of us with 5 or less components).

Other Thoughts: I created a few "virtual devices" as my first two soft-keys. The first device is labeled "Movie" and, via a macro, turns on the DVD player, TV, amp, and sets the amp to the DVD input. The "Movie Device" menu has the remaining keys programmed for the appropriate devices--the navigation keys control the DVD player, but the volume keys control the amp.

The second virtual device is labeled "Game" and functions similarly. THen both devices have an OFF macro which shuts everything back off and kicks you back to the main menu. Programming this thing is a chore at first, but you get to know it, and in the end you have a very easy to use, stream-lined user experience.