I could be wrong, but the UCommand looks very much like a unit that has been marketed under at least one other company and model name, possibly two others. It has been several months, but I recall someone on EBay offering very similar looking units having a different name, and saying they were the same as another name label (to which he included a web link)for specs & picture, etc. I don't want to be an alarmist, but this makes me suspicious. Plus, I'm unclear how this unit measures up to the new Sony AV2100 that is available for $119 and JandR.

Does anybody have any insight into other versions of this product??? While I'm impressed with the customer service comments about UCommand and Uli, I'm wondering whether the relatively small $10 price difference, is UCommand of equal or superior functionality and value to the new Sony AV2100? Perhaps I'll have to wait for Daniel's review, but that sounds like at least a month or so into the future.

Best wishes to all engaged in these helpful conversations.

--Doug--

You might be refering to the Rotel RR990. I think it was an earlier version
of the UCommand. A picture link for it is at the bottom of this site's main
page.

I for one have had it. I come to this board to see what other users think about remotes and home theater in general. Either this UCommand is the greatest thing in the world, or the people from UCommand are conducting a Marketing Campaign to those of us that are on the cutting edge.
If this remote is so great...why can't I find it in any stores? I've been to every retailer in the greater Chicago area and they all give me the same blank stare.
I know what someone is going to say, "they sell direct on line to bring the savings direct to the consumer". Tell me a dealer that has made an investment in buying and supporting UCommand and I'll go see if. If it's half as great as everyone says it is, I'll buy it.

A. Ambria: it's your prerogative, of course, to only shop locally. Many people distrust Web retailers, and there are a lot of good reasons: like being ripped off!

However, Crisp Solutions is a small start-up, and they are selling the product while they develop a distribution base. They don't just sell from their site; they have a couple of other e-tailers retailing for them, as well. And I understand they are in talks with some of the bigger chains in the state of California. I understand all too well the logistics of a start-up company, as I am currently on staff with a software company that is not quite six months old. It is a full-time job setting up the business to run through the proper channels for Web, for marketing, for hiring, for documentation, for investors, and on and on.

The comments you've seen on remotecentral.com are ALL positive about the quality and usefulness of the UCommand; you cannot dump on the company because someone else sells the same thing under another name.

For example, do you have any idea how many TV "manufacturers" actually make their own sets in the US? Maybe three... and how many brands are there? And check out how many refrigerator and oven brands there are, then contact your local major repair centre and ask them who manufactures the different brands: out of twenty names, you'll probably find three companies that make them all.

Finally, there aren't too many dealers that go after a new company for its products; they wait for the companies to come to them and make them special purchasing offers and return guarantees. So having a dealer make an "investment" and "support" is a pipe dream. ... Mike

Doug W: The Sony 2100 has a price a lot higher than $119, more like $169 to $179, while the UCommand is being offered at $119 already. And I was just reviewing the the comments about J & R (whoever they are) in the Sony Remotes forum: that not only has no one ever been able to buy one of these from J & R, but they are getting so many excuses from J & R that a number of people are now refusing to even listen to them, and have gone to Circuit City or other places and paid $169.

And the Sony is probably worth it. But the UCommand is 50 bucks less...

I got my UCommand yesterday and on first impressions I LOVE IT.

I agree with Mike Riley, it does have a very strong sturdy feel that gives you an indication of a quality product. Learning from my other remotes was just too easy. It pretty much goes as fast as you can push the buttons. It learned all 6 of my remotes in less than 10 minutes and worked flawlessly all night. I’m really impressed with the sensitivity of the touch screen, you barely have to press it and the response is very fast.

Tonight I’m going to setup some macros with X10 commands and customize some of the buttons. All the reviews have been very accurate and I thank everyone, especially Uli, for helping me find this great solution to a table full of remotes.

This is truly an outstanding product and I highly recommend it!!!!

I already see a bunch of positive reviews on this product but I wanted to share my user experience with readers of this forum.

I bought the UCommand from Crisp Solutions, and it is definitely one of the best home theatre accessories I've purchased so far.

The unit had a solid feel, and a nice matte black finish. The ambient backlight sensor worked well, and the sensitivity level is configurable. The UCommand feels a bit top heavy, so it may take some getting use to, for channel surfers. Overall, the ergonomics is simple and elegant.

The UCommand did not come with any pre-programmed remote codes, but I found that learning remote commands was a breeze. Step 1 - Press learn; Step 2 - Press a sequence of keys (this feature was intended to prevent accidental programming); Step 3 - Map your device's remote to the pre-set icons for each device. "You can map controls on up to 8 device screens (TV, VCR, CD, DSS-CABLE-SAT, AMP, DVD, AUX) but it can learn even more devices since it accepts more than one device on the same screen. " Step 4 - Press Learn again to finish. Each device took only a couple of minutes to program, without so much as a hiccup. The UCommand even learned the codes from my old cable box remote. It helped that the instructions were very well documented, even for a novice (like me) to follow.

The macro function of the UCommand was just as easy to program as the learning function. I set up a macro to turn on the TV to my favorite morning news channel.

I shopped around for Universal Remotes before finally purchasing the UCommand. At $129 + tax, the UCommand has certainly the best Feature per Buck, in any URC I've seen.

Mike, the e-tailer that's been giving everyone the runaround about the 2100 is everythingwireless.com and not J&R. The Sony forum is full of testimonials about J&R actually having the unit in stock and at a good price. :)

You're right, of course. I hadn't looked since the end of May, just a week ago. I see now that that problem has been overcome.

That makes it a tough call between the two devices, when price is no longer the issue. ... Mike

Mike:
a) J&R HAS the Sony RMAV2100 for $119. everythingwireless is the one that does not.
b) What I am saying is that if the Ucommand is as great as you say it is, why are there no retailers carrying it.
c)I don't get it? Why is it that I can find 1,000 word testimonials about this UCommand but I don't find them on the Philips Pronto which I own and love? Who is writing them?
Be a good sport and leave this board to us! If you want to push the UCommand, place an ad.

I agree with Ambria. It really sounds like Mike Riley works for UCommand and is writing ads in the form of personal testimonials. In all the boards I've visited, I've never seen anyone write so much, so often, and been so positive about a single product. It realy makes me suspicious!

A Ambria:

a) ok thanks. Whatever.
b)could be for the same reason there is lots of great music out there that you never hear on the radio.
c)we can tell. Maybe because you are in the Universal Remotes forum under a UCommand thread……

We are people who are interested in the UCommand. Some of us have gotten one and we are sharing our experiences for others to read. The Pronto is a GREAT remote but cost 3 times what this one does. I don’t know who Mike Riley is, but his review of this product was right on the money. So now why don’t you be a good sport and leave this thread to us, I bet if you go over to the Pronto Forum you’ll be much happier....

Just my 2 cents.

I agree fully with you and your 2 cents. My problem is, I have also been looking at the Sony RMAV2100 forum (am always interested in other products) and everytime someone asks a question on a Sony thread guess what? Mike Riley pops in and recommends the UCommand. maybe I'm just a little suspicious but I'd really like to see Daniel's review first on the UCOmmand. If he recommends it that's one thing. In the mean time I'll stick with the Pronto and Sony boards where I belong. I hope the UCommand people can do the same.

A. Ambria:

Thanks for the explanation. I really wanted a Pronto but just got a Toshiba TN61X81 Big Screen TV, and cash flow is low so I went with the UCommand. I’m not sorry one bit; the remote is way cool and works exactly as described by everyone. I seriously thought about the Sony RMA2100, it has hard buttons and supports more devices but it’s just too big for 1 hand operation (it’s 5x7!!!). Plus if you don’t like the UCommand, they have a money back guarantee.

Honestly if Mike hadn’t said all the great things already, I would have. I’m not defending him, but all he has said is true. It really is a very nice remote.

For the ones who want to check out the UCommand personally:
Fry's Electronics, a large retail chain with 17 megastores will start selling the UCommand in the next few days. Will inform you when the sale starts.