Greg: If your original remote can switch directly to an input mode, the UCommand will learn it. I used the URC that came with my RCA MM36100 TV, and it's menuing set up auto-switching. The UCommand learned them instantly: I assigned them to the available device keys on the TV panel of the UCommand.

I haven't tried a macro that would include a discrete On/Off command from my Sony receiver, but the Sony remote does not have separate On/Off buttons, which is the situation with most remotes, of course. ....Mike

K.Stokes: Only the high-end screen types, like Harmon-Kardon and Pronto, can display all the buttons we'd like. However, the layout and labelling of the UCommand and Sony offer a lot more than almost any hard-button remote, except for the RS 1994. I had to return an SL-9000 not only because it was incredibly painful to program, it had way too few buttons. The LCD screen does not offer any benefits other than displaying the selected device. The reviews of the Marantz remote would seem to indicate that it does everything, but once again the price is way up there.

I have coherent labelling on my UCommand for just about everything; certainly for almost all the buttons I use on a daily basis, and I use them a lot. I'm always diddling with fine-tuning controls of all my equipment (that's why we buy it, isn't it?). The ones I don't have that I wish I did: PIP. Instead I use three buttons that would normally be for Satellite use: they like little windows with text. Easy enough to remember for me, and the lady never uses PIP anyway.

there are good buttons for Direct Tuning and Preset Tuning for radio; there's even a Select button that I use for AM/FM. There are three Menu buttons for DVD along with all the necessary DVD controls. I don't know about changers.

There are buttons for all VCR controls, including two sets for variable-speed FF and RW.

I have master volume buttons on several screens that operate the Receiver volume, as well as buttons on the TV layout for just the TV. And so on and so on. I guess my final comment is that at this price range, you can't do any better.

Paul: the best humour I've seen posted here. I admit I am powerless over URCs... ... Mike

K. Stokes: I made a major error in that post: I confused the Universal SL-9000 with the URC-9800. Sorry about that. I have a friend who has used the SL-9000 for over a year and would not trade it for anything. .... Mike

Just bought the Marantz RC-1200 for $160. Seems a little steep but I have 3 days to try it out and it was a local purchase. So far, I'm impressed. Has the combination of both hard buttons and LCD. Slight step-down from the RC-2000MarkII but $100 cheaper. Can't get every button programmed, but who uses every single button on every remote? I have just programmed a couple of remotes so far and it seems to be working great. Only downfall is that it is only pre-programmed with Marantz codes. However, all you do is point and push buttons to program. In the LCD window, if a button is labeled wrong, rename it! For example, there isn't a cable button on the remote, but it has a DSS button. When you press it, DSS shows up in the LCD. All I did was rename the LCD screen to say Cable. The hardest thing will be remembering some of the hard buttons are named different than the function programmed in (ie button says "Clear" but programmed for "Exit"). Will let you know if i encounter more problems. Still may take it back and wait for the MArantz RC-2000MKII to go down in price or for the Universal Mosaic to get a review. Thanks for all the responses.

Kevin

Here some reactions on your feedback:

Fry's
Are NOT selling UCommand for $99.00, their instore price is 129.90.
Just as a general comment: We can not influencee any selling price by law. Whatever price a dealer wants to sell a product for, it's their decision.

Battery life
We revised our statement for the 9-12 month battery life. More realistic is a lifespan of about 7-10 month for typical use.
If you should run out of batteries in less than 6 month (at typical use), fax us the empty batteries (just kidding) - send us a fax and we send you some fresh ones for free.

Backlabel print
We got notice of poor print quality of the serial number and barcode on the backlabel. Problem: the print was wearing off. This issue has been addressed and solved. Your product warranty will not be affected by a missing serial number.

I just received the remote today. I have it operating all my equipment but I can't get it to work my lightening system. I have the RF to IR converter and it learns the commands from my RS 1594 remote but it still will not operate my lights. Does anyone have a solution to this problem????

UPDATE ON REMOTECENTRAL SPECIAL PRICE: $109

There was some confusion regarding where to type in the "Remotecentral - Special" code for receiving the $10 rebate.

Under "Billing Info" during checkout we now added a special field, called: "Rebate Code".
Type into this field: "Remotecentral - Special".
Your rebate will be applied when your credit card is finally charged just before shipment. You will not see the rebate in your shopping cart.

Hope this helps.
Uli
www.crispsolutions.com

Billies problem is most likely related to similar problems that others had with X10 infrared systems. We are handling this issue in a separate e-mail thread with Billy.

Regarding the X10 problems:
Here is some info from users that got the UCommand to learn from the X10 remote.
It's some kind of "fiddling around" until it works, but at least it works. Hope to come up with a more "exact" approach.

1:
After some experimentation I was able to get the Ucommand to except the X10 codes from my One for All model 8080. Pressing the command button on the source remote more then a second produced unsatisfactory results. Pressing the source button less then 1 second would usually work with the exception of the dimmer command. The Ucommand would learn the dimmer function but it would only increment the brightness of the lights slightly with each button push. After some more trial and error I was able to get the amount of change per button push to a satisfactory level. With the Ucommand I have finally been able to achieve the elusive goal of remote unity and my wife can use it without special training.


2:
Problem has been resolved. Sorry for not getting back with you sooner
but I've been very busy.

If anyone else was to have this problem tell them to learn the signals
quickly. What I mean, when you press the button you want to learn pull
the Ucommand remote away quickly and it will learn the command.

My lightening system is working wonderfully.

There is definitely a link between length of signal from OEM remotes, and the learning time-lapse built into the UCommand. Unlike some other learning remotes, the UCommand has a distinct time-frame during which earning takes place.

This is helpful in some instances where holding down the original remote's button sends too long a signal, thereby causing the learning remote to learn "too much". You can see this sometimes when teaching On/Off: the learning remote records two or more bursts of the original signal, and in turn plays back two or more bursts, causing a TV or device to turn On and then right Off again.

On the other hand, sometimes you -want- to teach a longer signal. For instance, for volume on a receiver: a quick burst learned on the UCommand will only send a quick burst to the volume control, resulting in detented —or stepped— change, requiring you to press the volume button repeatedly. In most cases I have found this can be overcome by ensuring that you hold down the original remote button during the full learning cycle of the UCommand button.

The case of the X10 story above shows an even trickier time-lapse situation.
... Mike

Regarding the problem learning sound field processor commands please stand by until we have an answer from engineering. However, we can not promise a final solution. Please also check the mail thread: "Programming Problems with Surround Fields — and Universal Remotes" in this forum.

Uli
www.crispsolutions.com

A. Ambria
Let's put this fire to bed once and for all and get back to the real reason we're here reading these threads.

I think what you're seeing in this thread is a cumulative grassroots reaction to a very fine product backed by some of the most responsive Customer Support I have EVER come across.

The UC is not God's gift to the under $500 URC crowd. It's not a Pronto, but it is nearly $300 less. It has it's shortcomings and could still use a little tweaking. But after sifting through the mass of URCs out there, a product like this, at a price point like this, is like a tall glass of ice water in Arizona (where I live) in July.

And no, I don't work for Crisp Solutions, their ad agency (I don't even think they have one), or their PR firm (I'm pretty sure they don't have one of them, either). I'm just a very satisfied customer who has been very impressed by this startup company's efforts.

Hopefully I don't sound a Ucommand salesman, but I have to remark about crispsolutions customer service.

I ordered a Ucommand and it got to me in a very timly manner along with a tracking number. Unfortunatly when I opened the box, the lcd screen was broken. I e-mailed Uli and asked for an address to mail it back. Much to my surprise he e-mailed within the hour,informing me of the address. He also shipped out a remote the same day and gave me another tracking number. On top of that he credited me $10 for shipping and told me to ship it the cheapest way possible. I live in Germany so it might be awhile!! And as if that wasn't enough, he credited me another $10 for being a remote central reader. That is customer care....Anthony

AMEN!!!! Mike!