Can the URC Digital R50 take down Logitech Harmony?
You could be forgiven for thinking that Logitech's Harmony line has all but taken over the universal remote market. But--just as the iPod isn't the only choice for portable media players--there are still plenty of alternatives out there. One of the latest is the URC Digital R50. (URC is short for "Universal Remote Control," the aptly-named company that also makes remotes under the Home Theater Master brands, as well as many of the "generic" remotes that are packaged with cable boxes and other devices.)
The Digital R50 is a $150 clicker that includes a brilliant color screen and plenty of programmable hard buttons. It eschews Logitech's PC-programming approach and instead includes thousands of built-in codes--all accessible with an on-screen wizard interface--which can be used to control up to 18 separate devices. CNET got an early look at the R50, and put it to the test versus similar offerings from Logitech and Philips. Read the full review--and watch the video--to see how it stacked up.
Read the CNET review of the URC Digital R50.
What do you think: Would you consider the R50 as your primary remote? Do you prefer Logitech's models? Or do you think $150 is just too much to spend on a glorified clicker?
John P. Falcone covers home theater and network entertainment products. He's been writing for CNET since 2002. 
Let's say you have a macro with about 20 steps and 10 delays in it. Want to remove or change a step? In the MX-900 editor that takes about 2 seconds to do. Try doing that with the Harmony. See how easy it is there. How about programing a short press to execute a function, and a long press to execute a macro? WIth the URC software, again, very easy, very quick. Give that a try with the Harmony.
The Logitech remotes are toys, the URC remotes are tools. There's the difference. One is a piece of junk with horrendous build quality designed for grandmothers, the other is built to last and has nearly infinite capabilities.
I love my Harmony 550. One of the features that make it simple to program is the PC based software. I can do everything I need to do for my Home-theater system and it hardly took anytime to get the programming done.
PS - I do not have any components that require two clicks of the power off button to power off :-)
regards
I got an 880 about 3 years ago and used it for over 2 years in my main setup before upgrading to a One when it was released. At that point I moved it to the bedroom and eventually upgraded that to an 890 with the wireless extender. I'm very well versed with harmony remotes and I can understand the frustration that some people see with setting it up the first time. People expect things like a manual as opposed to a setup guide, but fail to realize that with a database that supports over 250,000 devices already (and is always growing), it's pretty hard to include a manual for all possible combinations.
That's where the logitech support system comes in. Their phone support system is great and the forums they have pretty much answer all your questions in a matter of a few hours. I myself am a huge contributor there.
In short, a URC remote can't touch a harmony remote in my book...but then again there are certain Harmony models I wouldn't touch either (i.e. the 1000).
- by HARMmoney November 19, 2008 9:45 AM PST
- Logitech has superior thought put into the sequencing and logic of their remotes. They are the easiest to manage for everyday users. However, all that thought is for nothing since the overall quality is well below that of brands like URC.
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(14 Comments)Logitech is soon sending me a third replacement for the 550 in just under 3 months My friend just received his second Harmony One and it is failing after 3 days of use. Just by googling "harmony freezing" or "harmony remote locking", I will not need to tell you why I know how to boot the remote in 'Safe Mode' in my sleep. That and the fact that the buttons on logitech remotes are sometimes sized for infants. These mini, clicky or overly soft butoons are not how a remote should feel. URC knows how the remote should feel and every URC remote I've received from the cable company has lasted years without issue. Let the bias continue...
There is something to be said about keeping PCs away from remotes.
Maintaining software on a PC always requires some amout of maintenance. I bet we all have enough of that to deal with in a day. I think the total time invested for the average hometech to set up an R50 will not be any longer than loading and using the Logitech software.....assuming the Logitech hardware or firmware does not fail as usual.
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The R50 provides more flexibility, but no archive ******* (yet), but I have never lost the codes in a URC remote to date (even with the batteries out for months).
The R50 sizes buttons to be used by an adult and require normal pressure to operate.
I think Logitech offers superior tech support (probably because its required more often).
The layout is a scratch. Both companys seem to locate buttons/menus fairly well, needing some small amout of improvement.