Next I wanted to make sure my audio receiver would control the volume no matter which device mode I was in. The R50 uses a process it calls Copy and Paste to achieve that task, which was pretty easily done.
At this point a lot of people would stop, satisfied. For more advanced control, the R50 can do macros--execute a series of commands with a single button press. This is where the Harmony remotes excel by making the whole setup process activity-based rather than device-based. However, some users find the Harmony software locks you into activities and don't allow for enough customization. The R50 can do essentially the same thing, but with a lot more steps. In this area, the R50’s screen prompts are a little lacking (and the unit comes with a barely adequate one-sheet manual). It took several attempts to get the remote to turn on the TV, AVR and Motorola box, switch input and then smoothly switch to DVD mode. For some steps you also need to insert delays (my TV takes a few seconds to start up before you can switch inputs), and this is somewhat of a guessing procedure. In the end, I got it all to work, and that’s what really matters. The unit allows up to an astounding 255 steps for an individual macro, which means that if you're good, you can customize it to do virtually anything.
The R50 will appeal to people who want to synchronize the parts of their home entertainment system, but don’t want to mess with a PC interface or pay a professional. Some of the steps may seem a little unclear at first use, but once the logic of it clicks for you, the procedure goes well. It offers essentially the same functionality of some professionally-programmed remotes, for a lot less money
Universal Remote Control R50
$150
Color LCD screen
Built-in device database
On-screen setup instructions
Controls up to 18 devices
Stores 48 favorite channels
Macro control
Universal volume control
Runs on 4 AA batteries
www.universalremote.com
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