RCA RCU810 8-Device Learning Universal Remote Control
See it at Amazon.com for $19.99Average Customer Rating
(3.5 out of 5)
Amazon Customer Reviews
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(3 out of 5)Almost kept this one.
We have a Sony TV, Panasonic DVD, Hughes Satellite Receiver, RCA Tuner/Receiver and an RCA VCR. Of all the things for the remote to not work on it was the RCA Receiver and VCR. I'm not saying it didn't work completely. . .for the VCR, it wouldn't operate the fast forward and rewind shuttle (different speeds). On the receiver is where we have our master volume control, but if you are under another function key like TV or Sat, you have to hit AUD to change the volume...and here's the kicker--when you hit the AUD button, it automatically puts the receiver in Tuner mode (turns the radio on). Really irritating when your in the middle of a movie on SAT. But I figured, no problem, it's an RCA component so I'll just call the helpline and they'll have a simple answer.
The toll-free helpline is a JOKE! It's all automated and when you finally get through all the number pressing, it's just a voice recording of exactly what's in the manual!! Why do they bother?? Their website's a joke, too...always errors, can't find pages, etc.
I returned this remote for the somewhat mediocre ONE FOR ALL UNIVERSAL 8 DEVICE LEARNING REMOTE. It comes with an IR extension so I can use the Satellite Remote in the Bedroom. At least it didn't have that irritating change-over to TUNER when I wanted to change the volume.
(5 out of 5)Great if you have satellite TV and a DVD/CD Changer!!
I have tried about 5 universal remotes to get my surround/hifi system to work on 1 remote. I have satellite TV which makes it difficult to start with, as the remote needs to be Satellite remote centered to begin with. I also have a Toshiba 5-disk DVD/CD changer which many of the other remotes have a problem with (cannot get disk skip to work on the others). The remote is made by RCA, who handles the majority of satellite TV components, one of the main reasons why this works so well. It is visually pleasing, has a great LCD and backlighting function as well. The learning and macro functions work great, and I can turn on or off all 5 compents with the touch of a button. ....
My system: Toshiba 36" Flat Tube TV Toshiba 4109 5-disk DVD/CD Changer Sony 100 Watt STR-DE845 Receiver JVC vcr RCA Sattelite TV Dynaudio Audience 40 mainspeakers Klipsch surrond speakers
(4 out of 5)Very good remote, but...
I, like you if you are shopping for a universal remote, have many different brands of components, each with their own remote. Cable box, big-screen TV, DVD player, receiver, VCR, etc. It's annoying to have four remotes in front of you at any given time. So, after a bunch of research, I bought this remote controller.
What I like about it is that I can program any key to do anything from the original remote. It seems like some of the other reviewers have missed this feature and have thus unintentionally mislead others. You can take this remote, set it an inch or two from the "original" remote, press the button you want it to learn, and it will do so. Sounds confusing, but here's an example. I set up some of the remote buttons to do the slow-motion forward and backward for my DVD player. I set up buttons to change the DSP mode and input source on my receiver. There's no button on this remote that says "DVD" for input source, so I set the "Tape" mode button to be DVD. You can do whatever you want. I set up buttons to change the picture mode on my TV. If the original remote has a button for it, you can make it work on this remote (at least in my case I was able to).
This upside is also the downside, however. I am not looking forward to the batteries dying and having to reprogram the thing from scratch. When this happens, I am going to write down what I programmed or put little stickers next to the buttons. Also, the remote is not something your guests will be able to instantly figure out if you have programmed it. For me, though, this is not an issue as I am the type who likes to have my remote always in hand.
Finally, the last thing I don't like about it is that you have to change modes so often to do things. If I am using it to control my DVD player and want to turn up the volume, I have to switch to audio mode, turn up the volume, and then switch back. I tried to program it to use the signals from multiple remotes in one mode (i.e. have the volume in DVD mode control the receiver) but was unable to do so. It doesn't seem like it's capable of this.
I would recommend this product to others if you have a knack for programming things and want to take the time to read the manual. Just using the factory codes will give you just minimal control over your components, as others have written. It's in the custom programming mode where this remote shines.
(5 out of 5)You definately get what you pay for!!
If your tired of buying all those 4 and 5 unit controllers at KMart, Walmart, and Target because they either don't work well, eat up your batteries or do not have the right functions then this is the remote for you! I've tried them all and got sick and tired of screwing around with mediocrity this one is absolutely fantastic! I have DSS, DVD, tuner, tv, vcr all being controlled with one remote now and all of the functions for each are operable. Even the DSS favorites and menu's. This thing can learn what your needs are too, not to mention the macro's that you can write. As an example I wrote one that turns the tv on, changes it to channel 3, turns on DSS, turns to my digital music channel, turns on my tuner at level 6 volume all at the touch of one button. It is very easy to perform all of these tasks. I was fully programmed for all units and writing my first macro within minutes of unwrapping. Good Job RCA!
(4 out of 5)Suits my needs, but needs improvement
I have an large home theater setup, and I hate the idea of sorting through 6 different remotes to preform a single function. The RCA RCU810 really did combine all of my remotes into one. There was not a single function it couldn't handle.
Despite what other reviews have indicated, this remote CAN handle another components functions while in a different mode. For example, I set the remote's volume up/down keys to control the receiver's volume no matter what mode it's in. So even if I'm in TV or DVD mode, pressing the volume button will always control the volume on the receiver. This keeps the button-pressing to a minimum.
This remote is not without its flaws, however. As others have stated, the backlight is a nice feature, but the button to turn it on is hard to find in the dark. Plus, it makes a slight humming noise when its on. Another annoyance is that the DVD/VCR controls; ffwd, pause, stop, etc. are placed at the very bottom of the remote. This makes it very awkward to press these buttons, especially with one hand.
Another problem which seems to be a common among everyone is the clock resetting. This is a very common occurance on mine. I've given up on setting the clock because it resets itself at least 1-2 times a week. Thankfully, you don't lose any of your programmed functions when this happens. If it did, I would've returned it right away. I think the problem is directly related to the use of the backlight function. Poor circuitry perhaps?
Finally, some more macro buttons would have been nice. I can think of a million uses for this feature if there were more. This remote only give you 3, which isn't enough.
Overall though, I'm satified with this product. It does what it says, and all my other remotes are now in a cabinet.