My new RCA RCU810B remote with datecode#1214 works great with my Admiral TV and Memorex VCR but I am having troubles with my 1996 Pioneer Stereofile-Type CD/Cassette Deck Reciever, model XR-J2500F. I have Phono, Tuner, 25 disc CD, Tape1&2 capabilities with this stereo. I followed the instruction manual and was only able to get it to turn on/off, play tape2 and play the cd in slot3. Stop, FFD, REV and changing songs-cds-tapes, not to mention changing functions, have not been working. I lost the remote so I went onto Pioneerelectronics.com but was not able to find anything as old as my stereo. So, is there something I am doing wrong? Would it work if I had the old remote to 'learn' from? Is there a Universal Remote KNOWN to work properly with ALL stereos? Please Help!

probably no "universal" remote will work the way YOU want out of the box. However, you do have an 810, which is probably one of the better ones. You are at a bit of a disadvantage without the original to "learn" from. But this isn't unsurmountable. You could add the JP-1 header and use JP-1 tools to program it the way you'd like/need. Otherwise, your other options would be 1.) buy another original remote; price probably 50/75.00, maybe more. Less if you can find one one ebay and get a good deal. 2.) dump 500+ on a pronto and install someone elses's ccf file for your device. 3. get a strict learner, and another original remote, 100+ plus the original, another 50+. 4. 10.00 (delivered) for the JP-1 cable kit, and a little soldering and time; free JP-1 software and set up your current remote just the way you want it. 5. Find the codes you need and "hand" program your 810 with the code you found that works some functions. However, you may not quite get everything in, especially if you intend to use macros, and need to program in a lot of button functions.
Jim

When companies make these combo units, they often use the same IR codes that they would use for the indivudual components. So, you might need an audio (Receiver/Tuner/Amp) code to work the volume, etc. You might need a CD code to work the CD functions, a CASSETTE code for the cassette functions, etc

If you're only missing a few functions you can use learning to program them (you can learn up to about 24 buttons)

Using JP1 would allow you to build a code exactly to your specifications.

Rob.
http://www.hifi-remote.com