URC-R50 Remote Control Review
Universal Remote Control brings a very capable sub $100 remote control in the form of URC-R50. While RF20 was a very capable remote control with RF capability, it lacked simplicity provided by the ever popular Harmony remote controls from Logitech. URC-R50 is aimed at rectifying that weakness.
Features
The URC-R50 features on screen set up wizard as opposed to PC based programming. The URC-R50 can control up to 18 different devices, up from 10 devices from RF20. Also, the larger LCD is upgraded from monochrome to full color. The LCD is flanked by increased number of corresponding hard buttons. It retains the backlit buttons as well multi device macroing capability.
Design
The URC-R50 retains nothing from the RF20 model. It is a total redesign. The larger color LCD is flanked by 8 buttons. The playback function buttons are right beneath the LCD. The volume and channel buttons are separated from other areas via distinct line etched in the remote. The middle and the bottom are dominated by directional button and numerical buttons respectively. The overall shape of URC-R50 is similar to the RF20’s rectangular shape. The button layout made it easy to operate the remote without having too much problem remembering their locations.
Ease of programming
The URC-R50 takes departure from other remote control in the way it is programmed. Unlike Logitech’s system, URC-R50’s programming is done entirely on the remote. This eliminates the need to connect and disconnect the remote between programming to see if it is working. On the other hand, Logitech’s method of programming is still easier and more straight forward. The step by step wizard on the URC-R50 is not as easy as the Logitech’s programming. One thing you notice immediately upon unpackaging is the lack of user manual. URC must really like their set up wizard to forgo any kind of documentation. And, for most part, it was not too difficult to program the remote. It is very easy to punch in your device’s model and have it remember. It’s the macroing that gets little tricky. You will likely need to spend a good day if you plan to use the macro function.
Ease of use
Using the remote control is fairly straight forward. The ability assign constant function to channel and volume key is pretty useful. You won’t have to cycle through different devices to lower the volume or switch the channel. If you programmed any macros, they work as they should. I did encounter some problem using the macro function. For some reason, the macro worked few times before completely going crazy on me. I had to redo the macro and it has worked fine since. The lack of rechargeable battery system was bit off putting as I’ve gotten used to high end remotes coming with recharging docks.
Besides some screwy macroing and lack of battery recharging, the remote was solid performer. For sub $100 category, only the Harmony remote is comparable in the overall function and ease of use. The inclusion of RF might have pushed this model ahead of Harmony remote controls.
Pros
- Self sufficient programming
- Good button layouts
- Easy to use
- Price
- Nice LCD
Cons
- No rechargeable system
- Some problem with macroing
- No RF
- No documentation
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Universal Remote Control URC-R50 Digital R50 Universal Remote Control List Price: $129.99 Sale Price: Too low to display Used From: $59.24  |
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I bought this to replace my Logitech Harmony on which down arrow key stopped working. I did not like the slow response of my AT&T DVR (even with programmed delays) with my Harmony remote.
R50 however, is not as easy to program as many claim. I found the macro feature very cumbersome, and really, they need to do a much better job that this, to make the process easier. Specifically:
* you can’t ‘move’ icons around, you have to delete them and re-program! what kins of numb-nut way of doing things!
* macros like ‘watch-TV’ are very, very difficult to program initially. (once you get the hang of it, it becomes easier, but not like Harmony, which is way more easy to program).
* switching between macros, say ‘watch TV’ to ‘watch DVD’ means you have to perform ‘switch-off-watch-TV devices-first’, then attempt to press ‘watch DVD’ macro button. What a fearful bore! (Harmony handled that part particularly well, remembering which devices were already on from previous activity.
* Remote is a bit too long, and farthest buttons are a little hard to operate with one hand.
* No dedicated ‘DVR’ button! again, an egragious oversight.
* overall, I rank this remote a 6/10. Harmony, for all it’s weaknesses, is far easier to program, and use.
works greats price
Ideal for 3 units TV -DVD -CABLE BOX you can program it or have a professional do it.
Needs a “re-do”
Nice idea. Very good looking! But it needs work. For one, it needs an owner’s manual. Even though the concept of this remote is based upon a built in “wizard” programing system.
For my application it just wasn’t that easy. After hours of programing it finally worked, sort of. I couldn’t remove the malfunctioning “on, off” macro. So I called customer service and I was waited on promptly. Apparently, there’s this neat little icon burried in the main menu, not in the programing function, that completely deletes any macro. I applied the delete function icon and reprogramed the “on and off”. Now it works fine.
The keys are not as easy to find in a dimly lighted theater room as most of the other Universal Remotes. But after a while it becomes a little easier. It would have been a great remote if it had the MX-500 body with the color screen of the R50.
Awesome Remote!
This remote rocks!!! Unlike the harmony remotes you don’t need a computer to set it up. It’s very easy to configure. Programming macros are a breeze.
Ignore J Kline! The reason that the manual is basic is because the remote literally walks you through the setup of devices and macros. There are on screen directions. You won’t need the manual after you learn how to start the set up procedure (HOLD THE ‘MAIN’ BUTTON FOR 5 SEC). If you don’t like where the commands on the lcd end up then re-label the command and teach it from your original remote. This is a learning remote control.
You can place macros on almost any button on the device. This includes anything you put on the main page and also inside the devices themselves. I’ll give you a big tip with macros – when setting a macro up use the ‘Pause’ button as your 1st command. This inserts a .5 second delay. Push ‘Pause’ 2x and you get a 1 sec delay, get it? This also creates a dual purpose button. I put ‘press & hold’ macro on my dvr button on the main page. If I just depress the button the device brings up the dvr page but if i press and hold the button it will run the macro. This is brilliant! This means no accidental macro triggering like on the harmony remote.
My one and only caveat is this:
It’s much easier to program macros if your devices have discrete on and off buttons. I only have one device that uses a power toggle so my setup is great but I can see someone having issues with this.
All in all a fantastic remote with great build quality, programming flexibilty, a powerful IR blaster, good support and most important of all a great price!
5 remotes cut down to 1
We had 5 remotes stacked up on our coffee table for years. finally got fed up with it and bought the universal R50. Its amazing. very easy to use, and program. excellent learning capabilities. overall a great product for a good price. definitely worth it if you have as many remotes as we do.
Great, simple Universal remote, couple small quirks.
I loved its predecessor, but it finally died after good years of use. This new one is so simple and sleek, I love it.The only little quirk is that some buttons are to close to each other, and you can accidentally hit the wrong button, but in a short time you get it figured out. Very good remote.
Good Sturdy Remote
I purchased this remote to replace a Logitech Harmony remote. My Logitech lasted about 1 1/2 years which I feel was very short compared to the price that I payed for that remote. The buttons on it just wore out. So far, this remote seems to be built a lot more solid than the Logitechs. Which I think is pretty important on a remote that normally gets daily use. The buttons on this remote are made of rubber which seems to stand up better over time for me than the hard plastic that the Logitech uses. Programming for this remote is more difficult though. You have to be able to understand macro and how to set them up for this remote to function the way you’d want it too, but it is very versatile. I also like that it uses just plain old AA Batteries. The Logitech had a rechargeable which meant you always had to keep it on a charger when it wasn’t in use. So far I’m pretty happy with this remote.
Well worth it
I’ve spent almost 10 years looking for a replacement to my trusty old Marantz RC2000 remote, and I finally found one in the URC R50 (especially @ this price). There isn’t anything this remote couldn’t handle: built-in codes, learned codes, combinations of the two. Easy to set-up and use, this is the first time I’ve ever used a “Favs” function on any electronics; it’s easy to bounce between the “Main” and “Favs” screens. The URC R50 is better than remotes costing 5x as much.
Disappointing device.
The URC-R50 is a very disappointing device. It did not deliver on the claim “it has thousands of built-in control codes to assure full control of your components.” This claim lead me to believe it would have a database from which I could select my devices and I’d be done; not at all the case! You have to go through a crude trial and error process to find a program selection that responds correctly to four button presses; then save that setting and test it out… What a laborious process; and to make it worse, NONE OF THEM WORKED! Some of the buttons would work some of the time; and none of the buttons would work all the time. AND LETS BE CLEAR; none of the program selections even came close to providing “full control of my components”!
Finally a truly universal remote!
This is a great remote. I replaced 8 other remotes with this one. Codes were already there. Easy to set up and use. The ONLY thing I found that I would like to have is a timer function on the macros so I could have my TV and stereo all turn on at specific times. Otherwise, this is a fantastic remote. I’m very pleased.
95% perfect!
I love this remote! The construction and quality are far better than my Logitech / Harmony, and the button size / location is more user friendly. Programming is a breeze, and I don’t have to boot up my computer / go online when I want to make a simple change. (Boy am I sick of “internet gizmos.”) Also, the URC-R50 uses standard batteries instead of a stupid charging cradle I’d have to keep in an inconvenient location. (Like some expensive remotes.)