Home > Consumer Reviews > One For All RC64RBK IRF/RF DIRECTV Backlit Universal Remote Control

I purchased this remote to replace the original remote that came with my legacy RCA DRD486RH receiver that has a number key no longer working. Before purchasing this remote through an Amazon vendor I made certain that it was a RF model (RC64R) based on another persons review stating that some vendors are shipping the non RF version (RC64). I did get the RF version as advertised. The unit did not come with any instructions but you can download a manual from DIRECTV's website. Unfortunately the only manual available is for the RC64 not the RC64R. I could easily program the unit to work with my receiver but it only works in the IR mode, not RF. Since the manual has no instructions on setting up or re-programming the RF mode I contacted DIRECTV tech support and asked them why there is no instructions on the RF mode for this remote and how to make it work! The bottom line is that you cannot make the RF mode work with my receiver. Additionally, if you actually want instructions on the RF mode for this remote you need to do a web search. You can find instructions on how to turn on the RF mode and program it to a particular receiver, but not from DIRECTV tech support.

Specifically from the body of an email from DIRECTV -
"The receivers that are compatible are our HD receivers you would need a H21 or higher for a standard HD receiver and for the HD DVR you would need an HR20 or higher. The R16 and higher are the only standard DVR that is RF compatible.
In addition, this remote in RF capable with DIRECTV manufactured receivers only."

I think DIRECTV should put the last statement in their product literature but that is another story.
I particularly like the fact that this remote has one button that can be used to turn on/off both the TV and the receiver. However, since I cannot get the RF capacity it is not a usable remote for my application.

this remote does everything it says it will. It goes through multiple walls and gets rid of all those other pyramid receivers and transmitters. These are great and allow you to wire your house to add a guest bedroom using the box in your living room to give them all the channels without having to pay for an extra hookup. A nice way to treat your guests. Or...you can do the same for your own bedroom and keep the extra remote in the bedroom and save having an extra box for your dish or direct tv.

This remote works perfectly. I needed the RF capability so I can close the doors on my tv stand, but I didn't want to pay $24 just for that. I found this one with an added backlight feature and that helped seal the deal.

For some of those who say it doesn't work - some DirecTv receivers require a setting change from IR to RF.

This is the same remote that shipped with one of my DirecTV receivers, and I like how it controls the receiver even when it's in a cabinet, after I went through the remote setup screen under Settings. I have two DirecTV receivers with identical looking remotes, except one is labelled RC64 and the other is labelled RC64R. Neither has an external antenna. Both work identically, except that RC64R has RF capability. I couldn't figure out why I couldn't get the RC64 to work when I went through the DirecTV RF setup (at the end of punching in the setup code, it tells you that if it doesn't now work as an RF remote, then you just have to use IR mode - nowhere does DirecTV tell you that some remotes aren't even capable of transmitting RF). Thankfully, I found a couple Amazon reviews which noted the above difference. Otherwise, it's a decent, but not outstanding, remote. On the other hand, the RF feature of the RC64R is very useful, and it still controls my TV's volume, input and power using standard IR while controlling DirecTV receiver with RF (and RF is married to a specific receiver so it won't interfere with receivers in other rooms).

I purchased this remote so I could watch TV in the next bedroom. It worked fine in the room with the box, but I wanted to use it from the next room and, of course, control a different TV. I had to call support for instructions. They walked me thru the procedure to disable the IR input to the box and enable the RF input. Now it works fine. These instructions are not in the book that came with the remote. The instructions are on page 71 of "Directv HD Receiver User Guide"(#1647544A)that came with the receiver box, but they are not very detailed. My advice is call support for setup.