Universal Remote Control Inc. has a track record of producing extremely functional and versatile remote controls. However the company’s latest high-end Complete Control lineup has been reserved primarily for custom installers… so what are regular do-it-yourself users who want something a little more capable than usual and priced for under $200 to do? For the longest time the answer was the Home Theater Master MX-500, but more recently the official solution from URC has been the “RF” series of black-and-white remotes. Wait a minute, black and white? The market wants color now!

And so, URC has answered the call for a new advanced remote control with the first addition to their consumer lineup in some years: the big, bright and far more capable Digital R50. With a vibrant color LCD screen and completely new modern design, the $150 MSRP R50 certainly looks the part of a sophisticated remote. But what’s even more interesting is under that glossy black exterior: enough horsepower to give you control over 18 devices, three times the learning capacity of the MX-500, editable button labels, more macros than you’ll know what to do with, plus a favorite channels section that’ll display actual TV station logos. And all of this is done without the use of a computer!

Today I’m pleased to present our full in-depth review of the Digital R50, with the same attention to detail that you’ve come to expect from Remote Central – and as usual it’s also packed with plenty of photos and screenshots. The review should be useful for anyone looking at the R50’s more expensive big brother, the Complete Control MX-450, since the two models are substantially similar and all differences are discussed.

Read all about the Digital R50!