I've been looking to get a universal remote, specifically one these models: URC-300, URC-200 or MX-600. Which one would you folks get and why?

Also what is the difference between the MX-600 and the URC-300? Are all the functions and capabilities the same on these two remotes? I know both allow RF signal control- what the difference between the two.

Finally is there a difference between the MX-500 and the MX-600?

Thanks for answering.

The urc-300 is a 15 device touchscreen remote, where the mx-600 is little larger but only 10 device remote. other then that there isn't any difference. I switched from mx-600 to urc-300, I prefer the smaller case, i got sick of the cobra hood of the mx-600/500.

The only difference between the 600 & 500 is the color and RF circuitry.

Check which button layout you like the best as well. Picture yourself using it and which buttons will be used the most.

The Select button especially is, IMHO, better on the URC-300 than the MX-600. Also, I do not like the placement of the PAGE buttons on the URC-200. The PAGE buttons get used a fair bit, and they are in an awkward spot on the 200.

Some people like the touchscreen of the URC-300 while others like the buttons by the screen of the 600. I find the touchscreen to be just fine on the 300, and my normal remote is an MX-800.

Just some things to think about before you buy.

IMHO!

Good pic, edmund. Very helpful, I'd say!

One thing to consider is whether you want hard buttons for chapter skip on the same device as channel up and channel down. This is an issue for many DVR owners on URC's remotes up through the MX-850. The MX-500 and MX-600 have a nice complement of buttons for DVRs, whereas on a URC200/300, you might have to put some commonly used functions onto the LCD buttons.

Another minor difference between the MX-600 and MX-500 is they swapped the locations of the ON and OFF buttons in the upper corners.

Thanks for the input. Edmund thanks for the head to head pics. gcoville would you say it is easier to use the MX-600 for DVR functions than it is to use the URC300?

I haven't used a URC300, but I have used a URC200. And yes, I would say that I prefer to use the MX-500/MX-600 (over the URC200) because I really am quite dependent on the 30-sec-skip and 7-sec-skip-back functions on my older ReplayTV DVR. It may be different for you if you're using a different DVR (such as a Tivo or Tivo-based unit) where much of the playback control is done with the FF and REW buttons. I suggest you look at pictures of the remotes and get an initial plan of how you would lay out the buttons onto the hard buttons of each remote.