RCA RCU1010 LCD Touchscreen Remote Control
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- Type: Universal Learning
- Universal Remote Control Type: Learning
- Broadcasting Type: IR
- Applicable Devices: TV, VCR, DVD Player, Cable\Satellite Receiver, Amplifiers, Tape Deck, CD Player, Tuner, LD Player
- Devices Controlled: 9
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Good Concept, Bad In Practice
Pros
Good Ergonomics, Easy to Use (in theory), Decent Price
Cons
Slow broadcasting learned commands, touchy learning process, remote incompatability
Recommended it?
No
The Bottom Line:
Do not buy this remote unless you have primarily RCA products or RCA fixes their "learning" issues. It's just a fancy toy w/ functionality you can't use.
I received this remote as a Xmas present and was elated.
In theory, this remote looked perfect for me, I could control my 5 living room components: TV, VCR, DirecTv DVR, Receiver, and 5 disc-DVD changer, as well as a backup for my family room components. The layout was easy to rearrange (although lacking in some descriptions, but this will not be solved at this level of remote, only by one programmable by computer), and entering in codes was easy.
However, the codes are VERY rudimentary, they only handle the basics. My 5 disc DVD player (Panasonic) is only a few years old, and although the code would allow it to be controlled (play functions), I could not change discs, or teach ANY of the other remote commands. Even when I got the remote to accept a learned code, it would not control my DVD player. Similar things happened with the VCR although by due diligence, I eventually got some learned commands to take.
The receiver (Yamaha) codes were all screwed up, the main buttons worked but the mode buttons were all mixed. And this is a very popular mid-level Yamaha receiver. Didn't try to teach the remote on this one because the dog chewed the tip off that remote a long time ago (seriously, it must've like the "stick" design of the original manufacturer's remote).
Also, the Hughes DirecTv DVR code was not in the code book, and although it did allow almost all of the remote commands to be learned correctly (except the momentary buttons that don't stay on when you hold them down), the learned commands were so slowly broadcast that scrolling through the TiVo/DirecTv screen was excrutiating.
I could've dealt with the TiVo limitations and reduced my remote count to 2, but the learning problems pretty much reduced this remote to a standard universal remote for me. The customer service/help line was atrocious, and the manual is mediocre. I also can't find the "specs" (frequencies, etc) anywhere.
I would recommend this remote if RCA would get off their butts and make this remote work as advertised, as it is reasonably priced and is a good concept, in theory. But as it sits now, pass the "good deal" by and try something else. I'm now debating between a Sima SUR-35 (with modem upgradable codes w/ option cable kit) and a Sony Rm-AV3000. I'm leary of them all now that this one went down in flames (Needless to say, I am returning the RCA), but I don't want to spend the money for a Philips Pronto that is computer programmable.
-------------------------------------
Update 1/14/04: After MUCH research, I decided to replace this remote with a Universal/Home Theater Master MX-500 and an OneForAll 8910. I decided against going for an all touchscreen remote (still have an affinity for hard buttons I can find by feel) on the MX-500 because of all the great reviews, and the functionality was exactly what I was looking for. It's mostly hard buttons with most of the critical functions, and features a nice LCD screen in which you can program (AND customize the labels) for all the aux/special functions of each remote.
The reason for packaging it with the OneForAll remote is the JP1 capabilities of this remote. In short, JP1 in a protocol that hackers developed to completely reprogram select remotes (Most Universal remotes such as OFA & Radio Shack, amongst others) based on the original remotes and research done by other audiophiles & hackers worldwide. The best thing about it is that Universal doesn't fight this capability, and some companies are actually putting the appropriate connectors to allow this reprogramming. As a package, I can reprogram the OFA remote using some data that other people got from my lost Yamaha receiver, then use that remote to teach the MX-500. Voila, I've got all the functionality of all my remotes on one. You can also program discrete commands (rather than a power on/off toggle, you can assign one button to power on and one to power off, or one to Line 1 rather than an input toggle, which is GREAT for doing Macro functions... ie. "Play Playstation" being "turn on TV, turn on Playstation, turn on VCR, set VCR to 'Line In'".)
For more information on Remotes, visit remotecentral.com. For more information on JP1, visit hifi-remote.com. For good deals on JP1 compatible packages, visit bluedo.com.
Hope this helps!!
In theory, this remote looked perfect for me, I could control my 5 living room components: TV, VCR, DirecTv DVR, Receiver, and 5 disc-DVD changer, as well as a backup for my family room components. The layout was easy to rearrange (although lacking in some descriptions, but this will not be solved at this level of remote, only by one programmable by computer), and entering in codes was easy.
However, the codes are VERY rudimentary, they only handle the basics. My 5 disc DVD player (Panasonic) is only a few years old, and although the code would allow it to be controlled (play functions), I could not change discs, or teach ANY of the other remote commands. Even when I got the remote to accept a learned code, it would not control my DVD player. Similar things happened with the VCR although by due diligence, I eventually got some learned commands to take.
The receiver (Yamaha) codes were all screwed up, the main buttons worked but the mode buttons were all mixed. And this is a very popular mid-level Yamaha receiver. Didn't try to teach the remote on this one because the dog chewed the tip off that remote a long time ago (seriously, it must've like the "stick" design of the original manufacturer's remote).
Also, the Hughes DirecTv DVR code was not in the code book, and although it did allow almost all of the remote commands to be learned correctly (except the momentary buttons that don't stay on when you hold them down), the learned commands were so slowly broadcast that scrolling through the TiVo/DirecTv screen was excrutiating.
I could've dealt with the TiVo limitations and reduced my remote count to 2, but the learning problems pretty much reduced this remote to a standard universal remote for me. The customer service/help line was atrocious, and the manual is mediocre. I also can't find the "specs" (frequencies, etc) anywhere.
I would recommend this remote if RCA would get off their butts and make this remote work as advertised, as it is reasonably priced and is a good concept, in theory. But as it sits now, pass the "good deal" by and try something else. I'm now debating between a Sima SUR-35 (with modem upgradable codes w/ option cable kit) and a Sony Rm-AV3000. I'm leary of them all now that this one went down in flames (Needless to say, I am returning the RCA), but I don't want to spend the money for a Philips Pronto that is computer programmable.
-------------------------------------
Update 1/14/04: After MUCH research, I decided to replace this remote with a Universal/Home Theater Master MX-500 and an OneForAll 8910. I decided against going for an all touchscreen remote (still have an affinity for hard buttons I can find by feel) on the MX-500 because of all the great reviews, and the functionality was exactly what I was looking for. It's mostly hard buttons with most of the critical functions, and features a nice LCD screen in which you can program (AND customize the labels) for all the aux/special functions of each remote.
The reason for packaging it with the OneForAll remote is the JP1 capabilities of this remote. In short, JP1 in a protocol that hackers developed to completely reprogram select remotes (Most Universal remotes such as OFA & Radio Shack, amongst others) based on the original remotes and research done by other audiophiles & hackers worldwide. The best thing about it is that Universal doesn't fight this capability, and some companies are actually putting the appropriate connectors to allow this reprogramming. As a package, I can reprogram the OFA remote using some data that other people got from my lost Yamaha receiver, then use that remote to teach the MX-500. Voila, I've got all the functionality of all my remotes on one. You can also program discrete commands (rather than a power on/off toggle, you can assign one button to power on and one to power off, or one to Line 1 rather than an input toggle, which is GREAT for doing Macro functions... ie. "Play Playstation" being "turn on TV, turn on Playstation, turn on VCR, set VCR to 'Line In'".)
For more information on Remotes, visit remotecentral.com. For more information on JP1, visit hifi-remote.com. For good deals on JP1 compatible packages, visit bluedo.com.
Hope this helps!!
