10/24/22 - In searching for the perfect day, Timmy discovers something unexpected!
9/04/22 - That childhood favorite is back in a new Timmy video.
7/31/22 - It’s time for my second new Just Like Timmy video!
7/12/22 - Why not check out my new YouTube animation channel, Just Like Timmy!
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The following page was printed from RemoteCentral.com:
| User reviews for the URC-100 "Unifier" & RF-10 from Universal Remote Control Inc. |
 | | Ratings | Reviews | MSRP (USD) |
Average: 3.93/5.00
Median: 4.33/5.00 | 10 | $100 / $80 |
The URC-100 is an 8-device learning and preprogrammed remote control that features up to 24 macros, a small display LCD, 5-way menu controls and an optional RF extender.
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Now viewing user reviews page 1 of 2 for
the URC-100 "Unifier" & RF-10 remote.
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| Written by tranx from Hants Uk . The reviewer has used this remote control for under 1 month. |
| Review 10 made on Thursday December 20, 2012 at 7:59 AM. |
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| Review: | The example I got was silver and was relatively heavy, but felt substantial. The DVD and user manual were quite a good as an introduction but short on details. In practice this was of little importance because operation was strightforward and intuitive.
Configuration for five devices was quick and easy and it is useful that all keys can repeat. Repeating of learned buttons could be adjusted by pressing the teaching button longer or shorter.
I did not find the red backlight, which illuminates all the keys, offensive
Unannounced changes:
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1.) Re. Macro Page Jump.
Daniel Tonks' useful review mentions: "...if the DVD device�s [Off] button macro was on the TV device when it (the off macro) was saved, pressing [Off] will always change the remote back to TV...It operates this way on device switching macros as well...".
However, at least on my example, a macro on a device selection button can be set up to change to another device and stay there.
e.g. the following sequence, saved in SAT device, and set to operate as a macro on the SAT button, actually ends with the remote on TV, and not on SAT as I had expected:
"Tv : Guide: Pausex4: Up : Ok"
- which seems to be a significant improvement
2.) Instead of the additional 20 or so characters for LCD device labelling, the only extra ones are "#", "&" and "_"
3.) 'Pause' steps do not count towards the maximumum of 50 steps for a macro, which makes a big difference. With this I was able to run a macro with a 23 secs delay in it. 50 secs, with100 Pause steps, was possible too, but I did not discover the limit.
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| Written by rf10 from USA. The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months. |
| Review 7 made on Saturday August 4, 2007 at 8:55 PM. |
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| Review: | Note: This is for the new version of the RF10, which has more memory than the 100 or older RF10 (can learn 704 total commands + 10 macros of 50 steps each +16 power macros). It has a silver-colored face, instead of black. Otherwise, it is pretty much the same as the 100, without the gemstone finish and stronger backlighting, but with a more streamlined learning process.
I had to get a new remote when the PHDVR8L ran out of memory and couldn't learn commands from the remotes of a couple of new components. I was looking for a universal that could control at least 6 components, had many hard buttons (prefer them over drilling down via menus - what's the point if a remote is supposed to save you time?), and was a true learning remote - as opposed to many others which made the claim but had very limited memory.
Setting up codes and learning took about 30 min for all 6 components, about half of it deciding where to map the buttons. Some of the preset codes didn't have all of the functions of the original remote, I didn't like the way some of the commands were mapped, and the RF10 didn't have preset codes for two of my components - a Philips HDD DVD recorder and a non-Media Center based home theater PC. But out of about 100 commands learned, I only had to retry learning for two or three of them. And it learned everything. There is no "automatic" remapping, but learning was so painless and quick, it wasn't an issue.
Production quality is not quite as stellar as the 100, but still very good, and it's durable. I accidentally dropped a 40lb barbell on it with only a scratch on the remote.
Overall I think the Sony VRL-600 would probably be a less expensive option, but I like the having the backlight (although I would prefer it be blue/green like the 100), more hard buttons, and the LCD display. Other budget remotes than the Sony don't appear to have the learning capability the RF10 boasts, or they require JP-1 to achieve the same result. I'd rather spend less time on my remote, and more time enjoying my components. Which is also why I rate the RF10 much higher than the Harmony 720, which I returned. It looks cool and is a good concept, but takes too much time and effort to set up perfectly and accomplish the same thing as the RF10 for half the price.
With it being able to learn commands for my obscure PC and new-model DVD recorder, I'm not too concerned about it's future-proofability, even though it doesn't have JP-1 or USB capability. You do need to have the original remotes, or the commands stored on another universal remote to program it or use discrete codes. The only other major problem is the WAG factor - most buttons can be programmed to logically corresponding buttons on the RF10, but the lack of dedicated Next and Previous buttons means they have to be mapped elsewhere, sometimes under the shift fuction, which can be frustrating for the girlfriend. |
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| Written by Ishlin from Sweden. The reviewer has used this remote control for 6-12 months. |
| Review 4 made on Sunday March 13, 2005 at 1:45 PM. |
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| Review: | I went with this brand because of the near-universal raves all their models have been getting. Also, I decided on this particular model over the URC-200 and URC-300 because you have direct access to all functions and devices without flipping through menus, and it seemed easier to use one-handed.
It has 43 usable buttons, and thanks to the shift button (all remotes should have one!), that number is in effect doubled, making it more than enough for any device. So theoretically you can access over 300 functions with 3 or fewer button presses.
It's comfortable to hold, and has a well thought out button layout with commonly used buttons in the middle. I have smallish hands and can reach most buttons without changing the grip. The buttons have a good solid feel. After 9 months of use (including a couple of drops on the floor), the remote still feels like new.
Code database: My devices from big manifacturers (Panasonic, Pioneer, Philips, Sony) were in the database, but plenty of functions were missing and had to be learned. My Macab cable box, predictably, was not in the list. However, the learning feature is good enough that this was a non-issue. All buttons can be taught, and there is plenty of learning memory to go.
Initially, I learned something like 80-90 buttons which took at most 15 minutes and worked without a single hiccup. All learned buttons seem to repeat the signal if held down.
When I later got another DVD player, instead of fetching the manual and trying out codes from the database, I just taught all the buttons in a couple of minutes.
It would be nice however if buttons could be "moved". As it is, if you want to move a given function to another button, you have to re-learn it.
Macros can only be put on the device and power on/off buttons. It's not something I use extensively.
The signal strength is without doubt the strongest of any remote I have used.
I use rechargable batteries (4 AAA) and they tend to last about 2 months which I think is a bit on the short side.
I find the button labels less than ideal. Obviously no hard button remote can have perfect labels for all users -- that's why there are LCD remotes. But even given that, I think there's room for improvement. The remote features such button labels as SLEEP, 6.7CH, TEST, LOGIC, VCR4, TAPE2, PH, CTR, which I would gladly trade for, for instance, Audio track (for DVD players) VCR+ (for VCRs and DVD recorders), Subtitle (DVD), Aspect ratio (TV), Recording speed (VCRs, DVDRs), Clear/Cancel (various).
This means that not just anybody can pick it up and know what all buttons will do.
Even so, I doubt there is a significantly better remote for me out there, regardless of price.
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