Universal Remote reveals $149 URC Digital R50

Back at CEDIA, you witnessed the best Universal Remote Control had to offer for the high-end and custom-install market, but the outfit's latest caters to the commercial crowd. Hailed as its new flagship unit for the consumer retail channel, the URC Digital R50 features a backlit, customizable color screen, PC-free setup, an IR blaster, support for up to 18 home theater components, an ARM7 microprocessor and backlit buttons for good measure. The unit gets powered by four AA cells and weighs just nine ounces with the batteries installed, and for those who are already drooling, you can snap it up now through major retailers for $149.

[yyan @ Nov 13th 2008 8:12AM]

This would make a decent Mario Kart course.

[bill cant fart @ Nov 13th 2008 8:17AM]

I call Bowser!

[maveric101 @ Nov 13th 2008 10:49AM]

you can have bowser. yoshi's the shit.

[konshuss @ Nov 14th 2008 1:01AM]

i'll use the muffin

[Mabedan @ Nov 13th 2008 8:20AM]

UG LY

[StalematE @ Nov 13th 2008 12:25PM]

alibi? i think not!

[Flashpoint @ Nov 13th 2008 8:29AM]

That's the most sophisticated remoted control I've ever seen. But, my question is, how quickly will I lose it and find it under my sofa with the batteries missing and gum on it.

[gad get @ Nov 13th 2008 8:33AM]

Only you can answer that.

[chefgon_ign @ Nov 13th 2008 8:31AM]

Is the Ugly included for free or does that cost extra?

[gad get @ Nov 13th 2008 8:33AM]

Do people really buy $150 universal remotes? I mean, how many remote-controlled devices do you have to have before spending that kind of dough just to consolidate your controls actually starts to look remotely justifiable? (Pardon the pun.) Particularly since you can buy a less fancy, but fully functional universal remote for a fraction of the price, and not have to explain to your wife that you just blew a hundred fifty big ones on a remote control.

[Tim Spence @ Nov 13th 2008 8:41AM]

I do. I've got an absolutely technophobic girlfriend, who can't remember that she needs to change the TV source to component, switch the hifi on and change input to DVD, and switch on the 360, when she wants to watch a DVD.

With my Logitech Harmony, it's just one clearly labelled button.

[ShyGuy91284 @ Nov 13th 2008 9:03AM]

When you have multiple components that need to have several buttons pushed to get everything working properly, yes, they are worth it if they have macros. Turn on Projector, Change input, change image settings, turn on audio, change input, Turn on item, do whatever you need, maybe adjust the volume to a standard level. Although I'm personally not willing to spend over $100 even with macros on a remote unless it can do way more than just be a remote and let me browse and play my music with my projector off (which is why I'll eventually get an internet tablet or something for LinuxMCE)

[TrentD @ Nov 13th 2008 10:38AM]

People like you simply don't understand how a macro-driven universal remote works. I understand...you think that it's just a $29.00 K-Mart "Universal" remote that can control your VCR, your Betamax, and your CRT TV. It can do that, but so much more.

Here's a typical "Watch a DVD" experience for someone with an HDTV and surround sound, and NO special remote:
1) TV Power On
2) TV Input 1
3) AV Receiver On
4) AV Receiver DVD input
5) AV Receiver Dolby Digital Soundmode
6) DVD Payer On
7) DVD Player Play

Seven buttons, just to make a DVD play.

With a macro-driven remote like this one, here's the process:
1) Press "Watch a DVD"

As you can see, it makes complex actions very simple. It's critical for anyone who has a non-technophile in their family (wife, child, etc.).

[Mr. Ford @ Nov 13th 2008 7:26PM]

$150 is by no means expensive for a remote. A good remote, that has RF, is PC programmable as well as device programmable, isn't web dependent (not all people have fast internet believe it or not), supports HEX entries, has programmable delays between outputs, and is 99.9% reliable start around $300 bucks and go up to used car prices.

I have installed many, many nice remotes over the years. Non-techie people who have nice systems with these remotes are excited to point out how much more enjoyable their system is, because they are able to work it without having to think about it. They are also happy that they don't have to give house guests a 30 min tutorial on how to operate their system.

If it is as reliable as other URC products, $150 is a steal.

[WhyNotV2 @ Nov 13th 2008 8:33AM]

Too bad it's IR and not RF (or BlueTooth...or RF and BT). It would be nice to have another option to the Logitec Harmony remotes.

[cranky @ Nov 13th 2008 9:17AM]

I would love to replace my logitech 890, some of the buttons have stopped responding, even tweaking the heck out of the timings it's still slow. I was hoping that the Vave 100 would have worked for me (sideshow sounded good) but that's not happening.

Chances are I will go back to an IR repeater and a traditional IR remote :(.

[WhyNotV2 @ Nov 13th 2008 10:27AM]

I only have 3 complaints with my 890 and those are:

1: the charging issues (past warranty so no one will do anything about replacing the charge base) which could be fixed by allowing it to charge via USB or use AAA batteries versus that little slim one.

2: The fact that one minute everything is fine. Devices turn on/off, switch to propper channels, etc., but then a week later one device might have an issue turning on or off. Thankfully I've not ever hidden the "remote helper" so that I can keep answering "No, that did not fix the problem and no X device is not on".

3: Having to disconnect the RF unit, take it to my PC, update my settings there and then reconnect it back into my system each time I tweak a setting or add/remove a device.

I use to have a small laptop integrated into my system to solve number 3 after the first few month of disconnecting/reconnecting the RF piece, but a couple months ago I removed it in favor for a standard MP3 player.

Wait, I thought of a 4th thing...the BlueTooth or lack there of since I have a PS3 that causes me to have an extra remote (actually I just use the PS3 controler) for those BluRay moments.

[edgore @ Nov 13th 2008 10:43AM]

I am surprised to hear that people are not getting out of warrenty assistance from Logitech on their 890s - I had the base charging issues on my out of warrenty 880 and so far they have replaced it twice - in fact because of shipping screw-ups I actually have an extra one now that remains in it's box, awaiting the next time the remote dies.

Sad comment on the remote that I am on the third one, but I have never had any problem getting logitech to replace it.

[Mr. Ford @ Nov 13th 2008 7:41PM]

There are plenty of other options. The MX-450 from URC is basically this remote with RF for about $100 more retail. No pc is required with it either. The wizard is built in to the remote. You can see it on their website if you click on the professional link to the left. Harmony was a cool concept, but their quality control isn't up to par. Universal is the most cost effective/reliable at any of their price points.

If you really want a "fancy" remote that is extremely powerful, check out pronto.phillips.com or rticorp.com. You can expect to spend 2x what URC and Harmony costs though. If you can afford it, they are really worth the $$$.

[Tim Spence @ Nov 13th 2008 8:37AM]

ARM7 processor? How long until someone installs Linux on this?

[Tim Spence @ Nov 13th 2008 8:42AM]

Oh, and of course, will it run Crysis.

[000000 @ Nov 13th 2008 8:41AM]

Test

[joe23521 @ Nov 13th 2008 11:49AM]

Test confirmed. The low rank button works just fine.

[Lowest Ranked @ Nov 13th 2008 11:53AM]

...icles are his favorite.

[Mr Bojangles @ Nov 13th 2008 8:43AM]

what is with these new universal remotes and not including RF, Bluetooth or WiFi? Freakin $10 earpieces have bluetooth, why can't a $150 remote!

[Ian @ Nov 13th 2008 1:02PM]

And just what would you control with wifi and BT? Seriously. Scope the problem. You are proposing solutions to problems nobody has. Can you name one piece of HT gear that has wifi and/or bt contol? And would anybody buying a low end programmable remote own it?

If your response is some bable about an HTPC and your awesome Girdir setup then: fail. You are not the target of this product.

The R50 isn't up on their site so i cannot tell if PC programmability is an option. You need it for really complex setups.

[Colin Potter @ Nov 13th 2008 3:36PM]

BT control for PS3 Ian, welcome to the 30th century.

[Jon @ Nov 13th 2008 8:52AM]

Buy a Harmony One .. the end

[Mr. Ford @ Nov 14th 2008 11:57AM]

"Buy a Harmony One .. the end"

more like:
Buy a Harmony One... have it replaced... have it replaced again... have it replaced with the Harmony Two... throw it because your internet is down and you can't reprogram it... understand why I posted this... the end.

[dzhiurgis @ Nov 13th 2008 9:03AM]

Because the world isn't fked up enough..

[didi @ Nov 13th 2008 9:07AM]

hmm so many functions but still no direct pizza delivery button or remote control for opening the doors so that you never ever have to get up again...

[cranky @ Nov 13th 2008 9:17AM]

Since we're all complaining about remotes:

Why don't most universal remotes have the four colored buttons that most cable and satelite STBs use?

Why do they put the number pad all the way at the bottom so that you can't press numbers without risking dropping your $150 remote?

Also it's great that logitech has a fancy website to make programming easy, how about allowing those of us who can, the ability to directly program our macros and scripts. I'm tired of jumping through hoops to trick the logitech to do things I want it to do.

[TrentD @ Nov 13th 2008 10:40AM]

Harmony One has them on the soft-touch screen...also supports the Xbox colored buttons with letters.

[ssoltero @ Nov 13th 2008 1:31PM]

"Also it's great that logitech has a fancy website to make programming easy, how about allowing those of us who can, the ability to directly program our macros and scripts. I'm tired of jumping through hoops to trick the logitech to do things I want it to do."

I'd have to agree with you on this one. I'd really like to be able to program the macros by myself. I don't like how it forces certain actions into each activity.

[Roroco @ Nov 13th 2008 9:29AM]

Why do all these universal remote companies think the best place for the number pad is on the bottom of the remote. I have used Logitech remotes forever now and the one issue I have always had with this configuration is that you have to awkwardly re-grip the remote when you need to change the channels.

They should either move the numbers up or they should put more plastic below the number pad...

Just my 1.5 cents.

[TrentD @ Nov 13th 2008 10:44AM]

I've thought about that, but there's just no way to fit all the functions you need within a thumb's reach. Something has to move, and since most people use the onscreen guide with their STB to navigate channels, it makes sense to put the directional pad and guide buttons within thumbs' reach, and hide the numbers down at the bottom.

My 2 cents.

[TimmyRaa @ Nov 13th 2008 11:38AM]

If you're still using channel numbers to get around, you need to be dragged into the 21st century. No one goes direct to channels anymore, it's all done through EPGs, and that's only if you're backward enough to actually watch *live* TV - everyone else is busy watching recorded TV, or suggestions (if you have TiVo).

My next remote isn't even going to have a keypad on it.

[Philster @ Nov 13th 2008 9:33AM]

Whoa. Fugly. Definitely worth the extra money for a Harmony One or 880.

[yoda_uk @ Nov 13th 2008 10:10AM]

One problem here. Bet it doesnt know the discreet IR codes to turn devices off or on. With standard and a lot of these 'learning' remotes they all seem to support a power toggle which assumes the current state of a device. In other words pressing the power button to turn the TV on when its already on turns it off. Makes this kind of thing completely useless.

If you want to do something properly buy a harmony or a pronto. Ok, serious money..I paid about £400 for my pronto...But it got rid of 8....yes 8 remote controls. All my kids have to do to watch sky is press the sky button. It turns on the TV, changes the TV input channel, turns on the surround sound amp, Sets the correct input, sets the volue, sets the output style, turns on the sky box. Changes the display to a sky remote copy, etc, etc...the list goes on.

Like a previous poster said, it takes some very complicated kit to being useable very quickly and easily.

But this remote just seems too much like any other learning remote to me.

[Valicore @ Nov 13th 2008 3:10PM]

It took me a minute to figure out what the hell was happening in the picture. At first it looked like a badly designed remote on top of another cheap looking remote. Meh.

[Rick @ Nov 13th 2008 6:56PM]

Unless URC has changed, this isn't a universal remote, it's a remote for PC users. Harmony was smart to go web based because any platform can use their remotes. mac users are (last I knew) shut out from using URC remotes. Again, forgive me if they now support macs.

[ClydeSeal @ Nov 13th 2008 7:45PM]

when i first saw the picture it looked like a dunbell

[xor24 @ Nov 13th 2008 9:58PM]

Harmony One universal remote is way better,I say this cause it looks to ugly to be functional and no rechargeable battery.

[dakid @ Nov 14th 2008 12:28PM]

How about bluetooth? Any remotes support bluetooth. That is the only reason I still have more than one remote. I have a harmony and the ps3 remote. I want a true all in one. Any ideas? suggestions?

[DaveDave @ Nov 15th 2008 4:25PM]

That's the best bow tie I've ever seen.