Hello,

I can buy a model URC 9960 (US). My question is, wether this remote control can be used in Belgium. Does this US version remote control uses the same codes as the European versions of remote controls?


Thanks.

Many remote controlled devices used in Belgium use the same IR signals as similar devices used in the US. But many don't.

Even in the US, a 9960 doesn't have built-in support for every remote controlled device on the market. Using it in Belgium greatly increases your risk that some of your devices won't have built-in support in the 9960.

A 9960 is upgradeable by .wav file to support devices for which it doesn't have built-in support. The fact that a device isn't sold in the US doesn't make it much harder to get a .wav file for adding support to that device to a 9960. But the fact that you are outside the US when trying to get that .wav file does make it harder.

You may need to find the setup code number for your device from the phone or web support for some European OFA model, since US customer support wouldn't know that. But once you have that setup code number only US customer support has the .wav file and they don't give out those files, they only play them over the phone to directly upgrade the 9960. That can be a problem if your phone connection to the US is expensive and/or low quality.

You can make the .wav file yourself using the free JP1 software, and get a better result than you would get from OFA customer support. But doing that requires an even higher level of understanding of the JP1 software than you would need to use it the normal way (with a JP1 cable).

Personally I think all the Kameleon remotes are poor choices, both the expensive US models of Kameleon and the even more expensive non US models.

I suggest getting a URC-8811 and a JP1 cable. I think some US web based vendor still ships those to Europe. The 8811 has ordinary buttons rather than a touch screen so it doesn't appear at first glance to be as flexible as a Kameleon. But when you actually use one for a while, especially with JP1, you would find the 8811 is better (and it costs less). The 8811 is not upgradeable by .wav, only by JP1 cable. But the JP1 cable is much easier and more useful than .wav upgrade (in models that support both) so the fact that a 8811 in Europe probably NEEDS the JP1 cable isn't a disadvantage.

This message was edited by johnsfine on 04/12/05 16:46 ET.

Hello johnsfine,

Thank you very much for your advice about the other type of remote control and the JP1 cable and software.