One For All URC8811 Upgradable Remote Control with Learning Capabilities (8-Device)

Rating:
Summary: Caveat Emptor... well, maybe just a bit..
Review: This is actually a great little remote. Where it fails is in the documentation. On the package there is no mention of this but in the manual it says that it does not support remotes that use radio frequency, ultrasonic or are wired directly. The manual also seems to imply that the learning function is limited to just 4 keys (L1 to L4). But you can actually map the learning functions to just about all the keys on the remote. Add in a backlighted display, control of 8 devices with support for home theatre features all rolled up in a remote that's comfortable to hold and you've got a great deal that won't dent your wallet. My only real pet peeve about All 4 One remotes is that they require 4 AAA batteries. I'd love to see them go to AA batteries like almost every other remote uses but I'm sure someone is paying them to drive the demand for AAA batteries. ;)

Rating:
Summary: Don't be fooled
Review: This remote does not live up to its claims. It didn't have the codes it claims. For instance, it says it has codes for Audiovox, which is my DVD player/home theater system. However, what it means is, it has codes for Audiovox's VCR, but not Audiovox DVD player or home theater. And if you have any newer system, like my plasma TV, forget about having a code for it.

The next thing it claims is that you can search for a compatible code, so I tried that. No codes found.

The next thing it claims is that the remote can "learn" your device's codes by pointing one remote into the other. Not exactly. What it means is, you can press each button on your remote and map it to their remote. BUT, the catch is, there isn't enough memory to completely map the buttons for even one remote, so it stops "learning" after the memory is full. I don't know why you'd have a remote that controls eight devices but can't contain all the buttons for even one of them. I only had three devices, and one of them did have a code, but I still couldn't use this remote with only two remotes to map.

The next thing it claims is that the remote is upgradable and that new codes can be added. What it means is, you have to send the remote back to customer service -- and pay the shipping by the way -- and they'll send it back after they reprogram it. If you plan on adding any more devices to your system later, get ready to be without your remote every time you need to "upgrade" it.

I eventually returned mine after lots of frustration. This remote is low priced, but it's still not worth it.