I am looking to buy an MX-890 remote with an MSRP price of $500.

How do you justify the price which is nearly equal to that of my Denon AV receiver?

It's not that I can't afford it, but why is it so expensive, surpassing the cost of most of my components which all come with remotes of their own, most of which are made by URC?

I notice that URC makes a consumer model, the WR7, which sells for about $25 and gets rave reviews on Amazon. How then is the price difference justified? The cost difference is just unbelieveable.

You're not comparing apples to apples. The WR7 is a Lada and the 890 is a Bentley if comparing the 2. For a "good" PC programmable remote with the capabilities of the 890, $500 is worth it. That doesn't include the programming. I regularly sell remotes that cost over $1000 and another $500+ to program. No complaints from my customers.

URC pro level remotes are control system solutions and should not really think of it as "just a remote". It can do so much more. The MX890 can fully automate your system with one touch control through the use of macros. URC has an extensive database of codes to help with the ease of programming. It has a color screen with 6 customizable button locations, can load custom graphics. It works on both IR and RF with the use of an added base station. Range on URC's RF is fairly good, so you can take your remote outside for instance, to control the zone2 off of an AVR to your outdoor speakers. It also has a rechargeable battery which lasts on average 4 or 5 days before a charge is required, at which point it sits on a charging dock. All buttons on the remote are customizable, you can can program it however you want. It also can execute complex variables to track the state of equipment, as well as achieve clever programming tricks. They can control URC Lighting by Lutron with no other equipment required so you can automate the lighting in your system as well.

The WR7 can control a TV.

Your right, all your components come with their own remote if you dont mind doing the following to watch cable TV.
1- pick up tv remote, press power.
2- pick up AVR remote, press power
3- pick up cable remote, press power
4- pick up tv remote, select HDMI 1 input by pressing the input button untill you get to HDMI 1
5- pick up AVR remote and select CATV input
6- pick up CATV remote and select channel
7- pick up AVR remote and adust volume of AVR but dont put down the CATV remote because your going to want to change the channel.

Vs.

Pick up properly programmed URC remote and press CATV

You can do that with the URC WR7 mentioned but you need one of the other computer controlled models to teach it the discrete codes:-)

I'm sorry but the WR7 is not even a Lada, its more like a tricycle or big wheel. Sure it will get you where you want to go, but who the hell wants to drive around in a big wheel (unless your a first grader).

That remote might be ok for a system with a TV, Blu-Ray, and cable box. Add a a few sources, a surround receiver, or a multizone system, and that remote basically becomes a royal pain in the ass.

A 890 might not be cheap, but in my opinion the most important part of any system is the remote. If you spend thousands of dollars on a system and its not easy to use what's the point of spending all that money?

You would also end up spending a lot more time trying to program the less expensive remote. And it would do about 50% or less of what a properly programmed 890 would do and I guarantee it won't be nearly as reliable.

Also ask yourself these two questions. One, is there anyone else in your house using your system? Do you want your wife or kids calling you because they can't figure out how to use the system. Two, what if you want to access some of the features on a piece of equipment. Like a Netflix button on the Blu-ray or surround modes on your Denon, etc... Where are you gonna put those on the WR7? Not to mention the tons of other features I didn't even mention.

I agree that the remote is the most important part of the system and the two remotes are at opposite ends of the spectrum. But, I have used both as an installer and the WR7 has its place for 4 or under devices that just need simple control. We call it the 'elderly' remote. It is good for someone that is not going to play with surround modes or a need for Netflix button and just wants to have simple control of their system and aren't willing to pay several hundred dollars to make that happen.

We charge the retail price of the remote ($35) and 1 hour labor. It usually takes about 15 minutes. Here is how you do it. Open CCP and look at the codes for the devices you need. Put the codes in the remote. Take one of the CCP model remotes and teach your discrete on/off and input commands onto a device you are not using like AUX. Program your 4 macros (On/Off and typically DVD and cable buttons). Set the volume punch through. DONE!

It is probably the fastest remote we have to program. Our next step is the MX-780. We don't do the MX-450 as it takes too long to program compared to a 780. The 450 I find is only good for prepackaged systems where you do the program once and just download to it for each subsequent system or a good sale for the DIY crowd.

The WR7 is not for everyone and it won't work as well for the average consumer that can't teach it discrete codes. It is also our least selling remote but it does fit a small niche.

For the OP you are comparing a very low end to a higher end remote. There are models in between. You want a screen with some customization look at the URC R50. Need RF look at the MX-450. Want computer programming with variables on the remote and macros on any key then consider the MX-780 which only has text labels except for the main page. Want more graphic options for buttons, a rechargeable battery and a charging dock, now you are up to the 890. Want a touch screen go to the 1200.

I don't know how you go from a WR7 to an 890 and think the price should be remotely close, there are many step in between that might fit your needs.

BTW, if you go this route, you'll need CCP program, which is only available to dealers. Be aware of this and make arrangements with your dealer BEFORE you acquire the remote and have no way to program & use it. 

BEFORE is the operative word here, igleaner. If you don't and purchase without setting up acquiring the software with the retailer in advance you'll be back on here quickly looking for it...be prepared for a keyboard bitch slapping.

Easy.  It's because the control is by far the most important part of any system.  That $500 Denon AVR is pretty useless if you can't reliably get it to work everytime you want it to.   

Now add the other devices it needs to control.  TVs, Cable/Sat STBs, Blu-Rays, Lights, Shades, Video Streaming devices, Whole house music systems, the list goes on and on.

Now you also need the ability to turn on all those devices, set the devices to the proper inputs, set any sound modes, dim the lights, lower the shades, yada yada yada... 

Oh yeah you want all that cool stuff to happen by only pressing one button right?  I sure don't wanna press 10-20 buttons.  Oh yeah, don't forget to put delay time inbetween the commands for everything to work properly. 

Now we'd also like to have the option of using that snazzy RF base station.  I for one don't want an IR rcvr kit and have to point my remote at it for god knows how long.

Add in the ability to make the remote look nice with all the cool graphics.

Also, when your done for the night, you have the remotes charging base to set it into.  Pretty sweet to not have to keep replacing 4 AA or AAA batteries every so often.

A well programmed remote control is an amazingly powerful tool.  Imagine getting a phone call from the mrs. while your at work to try and have to explain how to put on a DVD for the kids.  Well first grab the TV remote and turn on the tv.  Next find the Denon remote and turn on the rcvr to the DVD input.  Next grab the DVD remtoe and power it up.  Oh no, 2 of those remotes had dead batteries!  Damn we don't have the right ones in the house!  Now go  lower the blinds by hand - LAME, and also get up and dim the lights - LAME!

So basically off the top of my head, thats how URC  justifies the price of an amazingly powerful remote control!  Best money you'll ever spend!!!  

That made me feel better! lol 

I would definitely check with the dealer before buying! I got a great deal on an MX-950 and now it may as well be junk if I don't find the software.

Tweeterguy,

My intentions are ONLY to buy from an authorized dealer. I am well aware of URC's current software policy, having been a customer with them for years having previously owned an MX-850 remote.

It is well worth the peace of mind knowing that an authorized dealer will stand behind my purchase, and provide software and any technical support I may require.

I only paid £30 each for MX-850 remote. And I got three of them for that price.

I can top that.  


I walked into a cave once while looking for my kidnapped girlfriend.  There was this crazy old man selling bombs and mx980s.  He said he would sell me the mx980 for only 10 Rupies, but that it was a secret to everybody.

it happened so long ago that i feel it is safe to tell the secret now.

Ah! My favorite video game of all time. Your post above brought back memories from my childhood.