URC RFS200 PowerPak Bundle with MasterControl RF20 and PowerBlaster

This really is a great remote- very functional and inexpensive compared to others especially when factoring in the RF power blaster. Once it is programmed, a flash memory retains the programming- so if you take out the batteries and keep it in a box for several months you need not go through the programming process again. As explained below, this is a very good thing.This remote handles everything I have- cable box/DVR, Pioneer home theater receiver, TV connected to the internet through an ethernet port, blu-ray/VCR (yes- they do make one unit that plays both!). The manual contains codes for each of the components. Entering the right code programs the basic features of each into the remote - once you find the right code. For many manufacturers, the manual contains numerous codes for each device; inputting each one in turn to see which works takes time. That done, you'll probably want to use the "learning" function of the remote to program some of the few buttons that don't program automatically, which is easy, but you'll go through the process for each button and for each component. The one-button on/off macros work well and are easy to program - but may require some tweaking - if you have compenents that do some automatic switching, (e.g. my blu-rau player will automatically switch the receiver to the proper input) you may have to reprogram either the remote or the components to get them synced up properly. In addition, unlike the Harmony remotes, programming the remote from the manfacturer codes does nothing to sync the components to each other - for example, the main menu shows a button for the cable box, but pressing that only changes the remote's functions to control the cable box - if you need to switch your receiver to the cable box input, you have to program a macro to do that as well. With multiple components, you need to program a macro for each one - which takes more time. The "punch through" function is a nice addition - the unit allows you to program certain functions -volume for example -that will remain synced to a button whether the receiver is set to control the tv or the cable box. Once set up, this saves you switching back and forth between settings. Setting it up requires going to each component and entering the macro - which takes more time. Then if you want to set up macros to do more complex things, say switch to an internet radio station that is several menus down on the tv - well, clear your calendar for an hour to set that up through trial and error. I spent the better part of a day - perhaps 5 hours altogether - programming the unit. If your needs are more than basic - and really, there's no point buying this remote over cheaper ones if they are - programming will take at least an hour and a half. The thing to remember is that, unlike the Harmony system, this remote requires you to do all the programming yourself.The good news is that, if you are willing to spend the time, you can program this remote to do just about anything. For example, you can set up a macro that will, with the press of one button, navigate through setting your receiver to play on your outside speakers, then automatcally tune your TV to play your Pandora "modern blues" station and turn up the volume. You can also rename the screen name of the button you program for this to "blues" or whatever else you want. And with the RF function, the button will work from your patio. Because of this, the remote is really handy once programmed. The manual says that it will accept macros up to several hundred steps long (though I shudder to think how long THAT would take to program). You can program it to navigate through menus as well as incorporate pauses into a macro - to accomdate a component taking several seconds to load content from the internet, for example - and literally to do anything that you can do with any of your components' remotes all automatically. This can really be a time-saver once the programming is done.The included "power blaster" RF unit also works well. As others noted, I needed only the main unit installed inside my cabinet to have all the compenents respond properly, even though there appeared to be no sight lines between that unit and some components. And the signal goes travels the exterior stucco walls of my house.One minor issue- those looking for something sleek to match cool looking components may not be able to overlook the clunkiness of the remote and its lack of a color screen.A great buy -just be ready to spend the necessary time to program it.

You should buy this if you:Need RF for controlling hidden components inside a cabinet,Don't want to spend the money on the RF Harmony,And don't mind tinkering.If you don't need RF, you should probably buy a cheap Harmony for the same price.If you don't want to tinker, you should just cough up the money for an RF Harmony.If you want to tinker and don't need RF, get the cheaper RF20. Same remote, no RF base, cheaper.If you're debating between RF and an IR repeater, go with RF. This remote responds every time you press a button. No running IR sensor wires, no pointing the remote at the sensor, no interference from sunlight/CFL lights/TV. I was using an IR repeater which picked up interference from all sorts of stuff, including the TV itself. It worked fine with the stereo, but cable boxes are notoriously finicky with IR repeaters. It would sometimes miss button presses or not work at all. Switched to RF, no more issues.Setting up this remote will involve codes, learning buttons (the codes won't work 100%), macros, etc. The Harmony you setup on the computer by telling it what equipment you have, and it does the rest. If codes, macros, and learning sounds daunting, get the Harmony and have easy setup.If you're looking to tinker, this remote actually can outperform a Harmony. On the Harmony, you hit "Watch TV" to watch TV. Seems intuitive, but it's not. People naturally want to hit On or Power just like on a regular remote. This remote functions more like that. After (extensive) setup, I now just hit On and the TV, stereo, and cable box turn on with everything setup to watch TV. Very natural for people to understand. If I want to watch a movie, hit Main (menu) and then hit Media and everything switches to the Apple TV.The other benefit versus the Harmony is that the remote makes it easier to "trick" your equipment. A lot of equipment does not have discrete power commands, meaning instead of a separate Power On and Power Off command, there is a Power Toggle. The problem here is that the Harmony remembers what state everything is supposed to be in. Suppose a component didn't get the "Off" signal from the remote, or you manually turned it on by hitting the power button on the component. Now the Harmony doesn't know the correct state of the equipment. When you go to turn it on (it's already on) the Harmony sends the "Power Toggle" command and actually, accidentally, turns it off. Now the Harmony has a Help button to fix this problem, but it's a pain.With this remote it's easier to program tricks. For example, to turn on my cable box, the Harmony uses "Power Toggle" which causes the noted issue. On the RF20, I don't use "Power Toggle" to turn the cable box on, instead I use a macro that tunes the cable box to channel 0 (this turns it on automatically) and then hits Exit (which cancels tuning to channel 0). So the Harmony sometimes would accidentally shut my cable box down when it should be turning it on. This trick I used on the RF20 makes sure it turns the box on, not off.If you want the remote to just work most of the time, with minimal setup, get the Harmony. If this description of programming tricks sounds appealing, this remote will take longer to setup and will be more frustrating, but once setup will work more intuitively and with fewer issues.Here's how mine is setup:Power On macro:TV - Power On (discrete)Cable box - Channel 0 (turns on)Cable box - Exit (cancels the channel 0, so it stays on existing channel)Audio - CD (turns unit on)Audio - Video 1 (turns to correct input)TV - HDMI 1 (turns to correct input)Power Off macro:TV - HDMI 1 (turns to correct input for when TV turns back on)TV - Power Off (discrete)Cable box - Channel 0 (makes sure the box is on before we turn it off)Cable box - Exit (cancels the channel 0, so it stays on existing channel)Cable box - Power Toggle (we know it's on, so this definitely turns it off)Audio - CD (makes sure unit is on)Audio - Video 1 (turns to correct input so it's ready next time it switches on)Audio - Power Toggle (we know it's on, so this definitely turns it off))Cable Macro is setup to tune the TV and Audio to the right source. Everything is turned on with Power On button, so this just sets the inputs to watch cable.DVD Macro (renamed Media) is setup to tune the TV and Audio to the right source for the Apple TV. Again, everything is turned on with Power On button, so this just sets the inputs to watch Apple TV.