Universal Remotes

Basic universal remote controls

The broad range of features available in remote controls is responsible for the wide range in prices. At the lower end of the scale, simple remotes use a list of internal product codes to set up control of a limited number of devices. If you're only looking to control, for example, a TV, DVD player and VCR, a simple model might be all you need.

Although we didn't find any professional reviews for the One For All URC 6131 (*est. $10) , it gets terrific notices from users posting to both Amazon.com and Epinions. This simple remote control runs on two AAA batteries and can control six devices, including satellite and cable-TV boxes, as well as digital video recorders (DVRs), such as TiVo. The buttons are laid out logically, and there are dedicated buttons for functions like surround sound, picture-in-picture (PIP) and more. Even TiVo's characteristic Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down buttons are present. Like most remotes in this price range, this one relies on a library of built-in codes, and there are no learning or programming capabilities. The unit can be upgraded later, although that usually entails returning the remote to the company. In some cases Universal Electronics' well-regarded customer service department might instead be able to provide an updated code that will work with an uncooperative component.

Stepping up in price, the One For All URC 8910 (*est. $20) adds a number of significant features. For starters, it can store up to three macros, so that repetitive operations that normally might take several button pushes can be reduced to just one. Unlike the URC 6131, the URC 8910 is a learning remote control, which means it can be "taught" to add functions that are unique to a specific piece of equipment. Four dedicated learning buttons are provided for any added functions, although any of the remote's buttons could be reprogrammed (this eliminates the button's original function, however). Like the URC 6131, the URC 8910 relies on built-in codes to control devices. The remote can be upgraded to handle newer gear, thanks to a built-in speaker modem that connects over the telephone. The URC 8910 is powered by four AAA batteries and can control eight devices (two more than the URC 6131), including TVs, VCRs, cable and satellite boxes, DVD players and A/V receivers. Additional features include an LCD display with real-time clock and a backlit keypad. Although the TiVo Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down buttons are missing, the remote has the capability to control DVRs as well.

The One For All URC 8910 remote control gets solid reviews from users at Amazon.com and Epinions, but is also one of the few low-priced remotes to get a positive review from a professional source. At Home Theater magazine, John Higgins likes that the remote can be used to control several different components without needing the remote to switch between them. "For example, all of the playback controls can handle the DVD player, while the audio controls adjust the receiver, and the channel controls alter the television," he writes, adding "this will help keep family members sane." He also says that thanks to all of its features and the ability to upgrade, "this remote packs quite a punch for its price."

The Sony RM-VL600 Learning Remote Control (*est. $20) also gets good reviews from Amazon.com and Epinions readers. Features include macros, a learning function, dual beam for use over a greater distance, and memory backup. There is no display or backlight. Power is supplied by two AA batteries. Daniel Tonks of RemoteCentral.com ends his long and thorough review with the observation that Sony's attempt to add more macros, a larger code database, and a better key layout at such a low price has prevented it from adding features such as backlighting. However, he concludes that this remote control offers "unprecedented power for the money" and would work well for a bedroom system or modest home theater.

The Universal Remote Control R7 (*est. $25) is a learning remote that can control seven devices and store up to nine macros containing 20 steps each. Its non-volatile flash memory can retain its programming for up to ten years without batteries. The buttons are backlit, and the remote is powered by two AA batteries. PC World's Dan Tynan says that the remote control has features that others don't, such as the ability to control the sound for all devices without switching between them, but he also notes that it requires a lot of trial and error to program.

Moving up the features chain, the Universal Remote Control Home Theater Master MX-500 (*est. $70) gets recommendations from professional reviews as well as more than 100 owners posting comments to Amazon.com and Epinions. This model adds an LCD screen, which displays labels for tactile buttons that sit to the side of each label. You can customize the buttons, and the backlit screen is easy to read (it's not a touch screen). The MX-500 can control ten devices, including DVD recorders and TiVo units. Programming is through a 1,000+ code library, and you can custom-program any units that are not in the library. CNet.com's Stewart Wolpin says this universal remote control has great features and is "about as thoughtfully planned and flexible as a remote can be." Lee Gomes likes the universal remote so much that he has made it a pick in several of his holiday gift guides in The Wall Street Journal.

The Universal Remote Control MX-500 has a 50-channel favorites feature, and the power button can be customized to turn on all your A/V equipment at once. The MX-500 can store up to 20 macros to do things like change the settings on your home theater receiver when you turn on your DVD player. It uses four AAA batteries.

Pricier remote controls are activity-based

Most basic remote controls, such as those above, use an internal list of product codes to assist setup. More expensive universal remotes can connect to an online database of thousands of codes via a USB connection to your PC or Mac computer. The remote control owner answers an online survey about what kinds of equipment they own, and the software downloads the necessary codes to the remote automatically, along with programming information. You can update firmware and add new components whenever you like.

However, the most significant difference is that more advanced remotes are "activity-based" rather than "device-based." With a device-based remote, each button corresponds to a single function on a single device, although which function on which device can vary depending on the remote's mode. The act of watching TV, for example, can actually involve several actions -- such as turning on the TV, turning on an A/V receiver (and placing it in the correct mode) and turning on a satellite or cable TV box, with each step requiring pushing one or more buttons. With an activity-based remote, pressing a single button initiates an activity such as "Watch TV" that does all of that automatically.

Of course, activities such as "Watch TV" can be created and stored on some basic universal remotes by programming macros, but activity-based models have the computational horsepower and memory to store many more macros than lower-end devices. Also, while macros have to be created manually on a simple device-based remote, activity-based remotes create them automatically as part of the setup procedure.

Another difference is the display. While some basic remote controls have LCD displays that provide feedback during setup and use, activity-based models have interactive displays that do things like indicate button functions. That concept is taken to an extreme in LCD touch screen remotes, where the face of the display is the remote's control panel, interactively changing in response to user input.

Among activity-based universal remotes, the Logitech Harmony series pretty much sets the standard. The company's software and interface is so successful and well regarded that several other companies, including Harman Kardon and Monster, have licensed the technology for their own products.

The Logitech Harmony 550 Advanced Universal Remote (*est. $85) is the most basic remote in the Harmony series, yet offers most of the features of the more expensive models. It can control up to 12 components including lights and appliances, and it is programmable through a USB connection to the Internet. It features fully backlit controls and an LCD display, and includes a learning port that lets you add functions from an old remote by pointing it at the Harmony 550. More than 300 users at Amazon.com have given this remote control mostly favorable reviews, although several users have reported that the number buttons are too small, and that response time after pushing some function buttons is slow. This model uses four AAA batteries.

The Harmony 659 (*est. $90) is one of the first remotes to offer programming that is entirely web-based. It supports up to 15 devices, including DVRs, cable and satellite boxes, CD or DVD jukeboxes, game consoles, PCs with IR (infrared) capability, A/V receivers, TiVo and more. It also includes downloadable TV program listings. The device features three preprogrammed Activity buttons -- Watch TV, Watch a Movie and Listen to Music -- and users can add additional activities as desired via the More Activities button. The remote is powered by four AAA batteries. PC Magazine, among others, praises this remote control, although there are reviewer complaints about the small six-line LCD screen.

The Logitech Harmony 670 (*est. $120) is designed specifically for DVR (Digital Video Recorder) users, with the most commonly used DVR controls located in the center of the unit for easy thumb access. It controls up to 15 devices (including TiVo) and features web-based programming via a USB connection to your computer. Several Amazon.com users note that most of the functions are similar to those on the Harmony 659. Power is supplied by four AAA batteries.

Those who have a Microsoft Xbox 360 might want to take a look at the Logitech Harmony Advanced Universal Remote for Xbox 360 (*est. $80) . What separates this remote from the others in the Harmony line is four color-coded buttons to correspond to the X, Y, A and B buttons on an Xbox 360 controller. This remote control is also preprogrammed with Xbox 360 functions. Programming for additional devices -- up to a total of 12 -- is done via Logitech's web-based software, as is the case with other Harmony remotes. In his review for CNet.com, David Rudden says that having Xbox-specific buttons really does not provide much of an advantage, however. "While they can be programmed via the remote's update software just like any other keys, the horizontal alignment makes them less than intuitive to navigate for seasoned users of Xbox controllers," he writes.

Of all the Harmony remotes, however, none has drawn more praise than the Logitech Harmony 880 (*est. $165) . (There are over 1,100 user reviews on Amazon.com.) It ups the ante by adding a significantly larger color display that's capable of showing eight context-specific icons which correspond to eight adjacent hard buttons (earlier units only had six). The LCD is used to display the remote's Activity buttons, as well as functions within the various activities (such as displaying DVD controls when watching a DVD). The Harmony 880 also adds a lithium-ion rechargeable battery and a charging cradle to its feature set. The remote includes a motion sensor, so the display (which enters a sleep mode after a period of nonuse) lights up automatically when you pick it up. You can even download photos and images to use as a background on the LCD screen. The Harmony 880 has features specific to widescreen HDTVs, including the ability to change aspect ratios according to the source material.

The Logitech Harmony 890 (*est. $300) adds RF (radio frequency) functionality to the Harmony 880 and includes an RF-to-IR receiver. The advantage of RF is that it gives users the ability to control devices hidden inside a cabinet or even located in another room. However, it is considerably more expensive than the Harmony 880, and there have been some reports of problems during programming.

Logitech has licensed its Harmony software to several other companies who use it in their own brands of remote controls. The software is used in the Monster AV100 Home Theater Controller (*est. $165) , which features a color LCD, and uses IR only. The Monster AVL300 Home Theater and Lighting Controller (*est. $280) also has a color LCD. It sends both IR and RF signals simultaneously and is able to control a home lighting system that uses Monster's Illuminescence lighting modules, which work on the Z-Wave wireless technology standard. The AVL300 comes with a separate RF-to-IR bridge. Both remote controls use a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. CNet.com reviewer David Carnoy feels that both models have superior button design and placement compared to Harmony's own remote controls. Although he notes that the Monster remotes are significantly more expensive than comparable Harmony remotes, the prices have come down since his review was written.

Remotes with a color LCD touch screen cost even more. While these represent the ultimate in luxury, they are also among the easiest remote controls to use -- once programmed. These devices are essentially single-function PCs and, in most cases, manufacturers recommend (and sometimes require) professional programming and installation.

The Logitech Harmony One Advanced Universal Remote (*est. $250) is the winner of the 2008 Best of Innovations: Home Theater Accessories award at the International Consumer Electronics Show. This infrared learning remote has a full color touch screen and can control up to 15 devices. Sculpted, backlit buttons are placed in logical zones, say critics, and the unit comes with a charging station to recharge its lithium-ion battery. Users on Amazon.com report that this remote control lacks RF and Z-wave support (for lighting systems), and several reviewers have noted that the remote's glossy surface picks up fingerprints easily. PC Magazine names the Harmony One an Editors' Choice, and editor P.J. Jacobowitz calls it "the best remote control for the money." Jacobowitz also suggests that the Harmony One is a replacement for the Harmony 880, although both models are still currently available.

The Logitech Harmony 1000 Advanced Universal Remote (*est. $390) has a large 3.5" color touch screen LCD. The brushed metal front also includes several hard buttons, and the remote can send both infrared and RF signals. The Harmony 1000 uses the same computer-based installation program as other Harmony remote controls and comes with a charging stand and rechargeable lithium-ion battery, but it does not come with an RF receiver as does the Harmony 890. This model can control up to 15 devices. In his review for PC Magazine, Tim Smith says that setup is easy, but that the touch screen buttons are too close together. He recommends trying this remote before buying, and says that the Harmony 890 might give you a more usable remote for less money.

One Philips color LCD touch screen remote has been turning heads with its performance. According to Sound & Vision magazine's John Sciacca, the Philips Pronto Professional TSU9600 (*est. $800) "would be a welcome addition to any system." While certainly not inexpensive, the Philips TSU9600 gives you complete control of A/V equipment, lighting and music throughout your home. The remote has a 3.7" full VGA color LCD touch screen, built-in Wi-Fi, control for Escient music managers and Lutron lighting, and a rechargeable lithium-polymer battery and docking station. There are more hard buttons than on previous models. One user at RemoteCentral.com cautions that programming is not for novices and may require a professional installer.

Important Features: Universal remotes

Experts say to consider the following aspects when choosing a remote control:

• Most universal remotes can handle basic home theater components, but digital video recording devices (DVRs), such as TiVo boxes and DVD recorders are trickier. Nearly all remotes can control a TV, DVD player, cable or satellite box, VCR and receiver. If you have a DVR or DVD recorder, which require a lot more interaction, look for a remote that can specifically handle these components.

• Less expensive remotes rely on internal codes for programming. Pricier remote controls use a web interface. If you only have a few components, either method works fine. If you have brand new equipment, you may need to download new codes. A web interface works better in this respect. If you have more than ten components, web programming is usually faster. All of the Harmony models can connect to a PC or Mac with a USB cable. A wizard asks you about your equipment and then downloads the appropriate information to the remote control.

• Activity-based remotes perform several operations at once and are easier to use. For example, if you plan to watch a DVD, an activity-based remote initiates a macro to switch the television to the proper channel, turn on the DVD player and execute the correct output settings with the push of one button. Sophisticated, activity-based remotes create the macros for you. Many basic, device-based remotes also let you create and store macros, but the number of macros is more limited, and the process is more tedious.

• Nearly all remotes use an IR beam for transmitting commands. That means you need an unobstructed view between the remote and the components. Some remotes come with an RF transmitter. This allows you to beam commands through obstructions such as furniture and walls. This can be useful if you want to control your stereo from a nearby room. Range is generally between 50 and 100 feet. You will also need an RF-to-IR receiver. Some RF-capable remotes include the receiver, but with others it is an extra-cost accessory.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model(With Retailer Links)	Details from Amazon.com
3	Logitech Harmony 880 (*est. $165)	details
3	Logitech Harmony 1000 (*est. $390)	details
3	Universal Remote Control MX-500 (*est. $70)	details
2	Logitech Harmony One (*est. $250)	details
2	Logitech Harmony 890 (*est. $300)	details
2	Philips Pronto TSU9600 (*est. $800)	details
2	Universal Electronics One For All URC 8910 (*est. $20)	details
1 each	Harman Kardon TC30, Logitech Harmony Advanced Universal Remote for Xbox 360 , Logitech Harmony 550 , Logitech Harmony 670 , Monster AV100 , Monster AVL300 , Philips SRU8015, Philips TSU9400, Philips SRU9600 , Universal Electronics One For All URC 4110 , Universal Electronics NevoSL, Universal Electronics NevoS70, Universal Remote Control MX-810, Universal Remote Control MX-980, Universal Remote Control MX-3000

Logitech Harmony remote controls score well with professional reviewers and users alike. These activity-based remotes are more expensive than more basic, device-based remotes, but they are extremely versatile and easy to use. While certainly not cheap, the Philips TSU9600 has a large color touch screen and can control many types of devices throughout your home. The Universal Remote Control MX-500 gets picks as an excellent mid-range device-based remote and is capable of storing up to 20 user-created macros. As for inexpensive remotes, we saw few models compared in professional reviews. However, we found dozens of owner-written reviews on Amazon.com, Circuit City.com, Epinions and elsewhere. These writeups give us a great idea of what works and what doesn't.

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