I never did the old version of URC lighting when it came out, so I thought there was a special piece that needed to be added to the system.

Does the new version of URC lighting also connect direct or need additional parts?

I stay clear of any of the proprietary lighting the control companies come out with. Lighting is to important of a service to gamble on these companies, knowing they might discontinue or change the service causing a nightmare for us and the consumer - such as URC has done!