Has anyone heard any good things about this company? In my latest S&V magazine, the add said it practically programs itself once hooked up via USB to your computer.. Looks nice..heres the website http://universalremote.com/consumer/

You might be the only one that hasn't heard of them around here. :)
They're far superior to anything else I've tried. I'm currently holding out for their new MX-980 myself.

Nothing new about URC, they have caused a bit of a stir recently. I know several pros who like and use the product. They do have a consumer line that you can program yourself. I am not a big fan, but that is nothing more than a personal opinion. The last product I used (B&K keypad) that used their software and was not that impressed. I hated the lack of flexibility, but took it to the limit where most would not...

If hiring someone to program your remote is not a deal breaker I would suggest looking at RTI as well before you make a purchase. But if the programming is something you want to do this would not be an avenue for you. It is a dealer only product...

URC makes nice remotes but you need to purchase from an AD (authorized dealer) in order to obtain the updateable software. Even some AD's do not supply the updateable software so do some research prior to buying one their remotes. I currently have an MX-900, but like Mike, am seriously considering the MX-980 when it is released.
Personally I would stay away from their consumer models; I don't believe any of them are computer programable. Someone correct me if I am wrong.
RTI also make nice remotes but I don't believe they allow the consumer to have the software. This is enough to eliminate them from my consideration. But as Roddy mentioned if you are going to use a CI definitely consider them.

There are a few more recommendations about RTI here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=11427571&postcount=41

But this may not apply exactly to your case since the poster was responding to a specific request (how to find a good remote under $500).

Personally I would stay away from their consumer models; I don't believe any of them are computer programable. Someone correct me if I am wrong.


You're correct. Basically, all MX (and the one TX) series models numbered 700 or higher are PC-programmable.

For the OP, URC is a large remote manufacturer that supplies many of the OEM remotes on the market, as well as many cable companies. If you have at least 3 or 4 remotes in your home, it's a safe bet that one of them was made by URC.

Picked one up today - I have the R5 (29.00 at Fry's) Its the only universal remote Ive been able to find that works with my Yamaha receiver. I think it even opens my garage door.

Yamaha Receiver /
Panasonic Plasma TV /
Satellite DTV /

the macros are the icing on the cake.

I purchased an MX-3000 with a MRF-300 from ebay, complete with software. I loaded up the software, used the on-line manual, and began making my "pages". I used the IR data base download to set up the list of devices, and used the sample templates to create a system.

I went to use the Live Update, and it says that I am not an installer, so I do not have access to the password protected data base. They tell me I must go to an authorized dealer to get the updates. The updates are needed to support any new devices like the BlueRay stuff.

As I understand it, if you get it from Best Buy, they will not give you the software and also will not update the system. Not sure what someone should do if they have spent $1000 and then find they cannot program it.

Big mistake, to buy URC if there is no access the software.

Just my opinion.

Dick.

I went to use the Live Update, and it says that I am not an installer, so I do not have access to the password protected data base. They tell me I must go to an authorized dealer to get the updates. The updates are needed to support any new devices like the BlueRay stuff.



Unfortunately you are not the first to discover this the hard way, nor will you be the last. I would contact the ebay seller and ask if they can provide the updateable software; some of them can. If they can't you still have a few options. If you are looking for a certain device I would recommend searching the "files" section at remote central. You can also try downloading the non-updateable s/w directly from Universal Remote. They do occasionally update the version available through registration.

Best of Luck!

I like the consumer version URC 200 "Automator." Very easy to program, and I have it doing many different functions. I tried the Harmony and while I found it easy to program on the computer, that didn't make up for the fact that it was awkward feeling with small buttons and no macros. Wife finds it simple to use, so I bought two more for the other rooms. When I bought the two additional ones, I first bought the newer version called RF 20, but to my surprise, the light button was so dim it was useless. I called the company's help line, and they told me that's the way they make them now. So I returned the two RF 20's and luckily was still able to find the older URC 200s on amazon, bought them and the backlighting works great.

I am in the midst of evaluating proposals for a home theater installation and have proposals at opposite ends of the spectrum of the MX line of URC remotes.* Low end is proposal with MX-350 and high end is MX-980.* I have seen both remotes, been at URC website and understand some of the differences (ie. PC programmable and such).* I like the 980 much better, obviously...just not sure if it is worth the price differential.* Any thoughts?

URC's are a little harder to program than just pluggin in a USB cable, unless you are doing an mx810 then maybe. The rest of the URC computer programmable remotes are deisgned with isntallers in mind and have more of a learning curve to them but are very easy to program once you understand the programming flow of the remote. I use the mx350/850 in basic situations when all the equipment is right in front of you. The rest of the line is great for basic stuff as well if you want a little nicer/better looking remote remote. They do offer some programming advantages as well. The 900, 980, 3000 also off the ability to work with the MSC400, which is an extremely nice piece if you are looking into hiding your components.

In general, you do not need the updateable software. Just learn the codes that you need from the remotes that you already have, or goto remotecentral.com and find the ones you need. No big deal. The URC pro remotes really are meant for dealers and CIs. Since these people represent the bread and butter for URC it makes sense that they would want to provide some protection for them. It is just like with the MX-980. There is no legal software available for the end user. Even your dealer can not give you a copy. As the owner of a design build company, I really like this. It is about time that our vendors start to give us some support.


I purchased an MX-3000 with a MRF-300 from ebay, complete with software. I loaded up the software, used the on-line manual, and began making my "pages". I used the IR data base download to set up the list of devices, and used the sample templates to create a system.

I went to use the Live Update, and it says that I am not an installer, so I do not have access to the password protected data base. They tell me I must go to an authorized dealer to get the updates. The updates are needed to support any new devices like the BlueRay stuff.

As I understand it, if you get it from Best Buy, they will not give you the software and also will not update the system. Not sure what someone should do if they have spent $1000 and then find they cannot program it.

Big mistake, to buy URC if there is no access the software.

Just my opinion.

Dick.

There are authorized dealers who will sell you any URC remote with the updating software, and they'll do it at a 35-40% discount from list price. Check out the URC forum over at RemoteCentral and you'll find at least one of them. Also, the software on some models, like the MX-810 comes only in the auto updating version (i.e. no crippled "consumer" verson exists), and you can download it from the URC site regardless of who you buy from as long as you have a legit serial # on it.