The following page was printed from RemoteCentral.com:
User reviews for the One For All URC-8800 (A/V Producer 8) from One For All.
Ratings
Reviews
MSRP (USD)
Average: 3.41/5.00 Median: 4.00/5.00
17
$79
The A/V Producer 8 is similar to the URC-9800 Home Producer but without the RF basestation. It features a backlit keypad, macros and limited learning capabilities.
The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-2 years.
Review 10 made on Wednesday April 11, 2001 at 10:53 AM.
Strengths:
-Shape and style of the remote -Every button is backlit not just the main -PRICE!! -All the buttons have different shapes -good signal strength with fresh batteries -nifty VCR recording features -unlimited Macro capabilities -PRICE!!
Weaknesses:
-No learning capability, if remote doesn't have the code, you have to send it in to be reprogramed. -Play, FW, RR buttons in awkward spot -backlit feature drains the batteries
Review:
This is a good 'starter' remote. Has advanced features when you become more hardcore, yet still easy to get up and running at first. The price on this remote can be beat, the best value for the dollar hands down! If you leave the blue backlighting on permanently, you will drain the batteries very quickly as some posters have mentioned; however you can leave the backlighting off, and only use it in the dark when you need it by pressing a button. I rarely need backlighting now that I have the remote memorized, and the buttons are intuitively shaped (ex: the number 2 button is shaped like a number 2) which makes it easy to use in the dark also. The next model remote, 9800, looks the same but adds remote learning capapbilities. Unlike many advanced home theater remotes which can learn codes by aiming your original device remotes at it, all the codes must be preprogrammed into the remote. If a new product comes out with new codes, you have to send the remote in to be upgraded :( you only have to pay shipping and handling though.
If your looking for your first advanced home theater remote, or don't want to spend more for your remote than you did for some of your home theater gear (under $100), you can't go wrong with this baby.
The reviewer has used this remote control for 3-6 months.
Review 9 made on Monday March 19, 2001 at 5:08 PM.
Strengths:
Real buttons. Discreet (advanced) codes. Extremely versatile. Relatively inexpensive for what it does.
Weaknesses:
Some users may use up all of the remote's memory.
Review:
I am finding it hard to believe that so many reviews in this forum are basing their negative comments on things that are simply not true about this remote.
First off, you can program learned functions to any button on the remote with the proper codes. So it is not true that you can only program learned functions to the 6 'L' buttons.
Secondly, any key can be a macro button. The only caveat with this is that once you assign a macro to a non-macro button, it takes over for all devices, so make sure its a button that youre not likely to need in any other device.
One of the greatest things about this remote is the advanced codes. This allows you to program things like dsicreet commands such as Power ON and Power OFF instead of the Power TOGGLE that is standard. This makes macros for turning system components on and off much easier because you dont need to know whether or not the component is on or off when youre creating the macro. Another great use for discreet codes is the Vdeio 1-4 options. Anyone who has tried to program a macro and needed to get to video to on their TV to use the DVD player knows that its very difficult to make this happen. With a discreet VIDEO 2 code its simple. This is a very powerful feature found on much more expensive units.
The volume punch through and key swapping (or copying) are also extremely handy.
This really is a powerful and verstaile remote. If you want information on how to use all these advanced features, just do a search on ggogle.com for oneforall cinema 7 and youll get back some great FAQs, advanced codes, and updated manuals for programming.
There are a lot of remotes out there in this range but none that I have found can do discreet codes without learning them from another remote first. A great remote.
The reviewer has used this remote control for 6-12 months.
Review 8 made on Tuesday March 13, 2001 at 6:33 PM.
Strengths:
Inexpensive learning remote with a huge code database. I like the rubber coating.
Weaknesses:
Poor button design, fairly difficult to setup. Lacks advanced features on my DVD player. No master off. Only six learned function buttons.
Review:
I've had this remote for a little over 6 months. I bought it as a stop gap until I could buy a top end remote later. It's done okay, but I still find myself using my other individual remote controls for many things.
Limiting learning to the six buttons set aside for this is a serious limitation. If the button set aside for a function doesn't work as desired, you have to use one of your precious 6 learned buttons. Allowing learning on any button on the remote would be much better.
For the price I'm satisfied, but I'm still in the market for a better remote.
The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-2 years.
Review 7 made on Saturday February 3, 2001 at 10:09 PM.
Strengths:
Good layout Easy to hold Nice backlight
Weaknesses:
Not long lasting 90 day warrenty(what were they thinking) Batteries don't last long
Review:
I've been using this remote for over 1 year now, and all I have to say, it used to be good. I paided $70 for it, and I regret every last penny of it. The first one I bought, I had to exchange the first day because the buttons didn't work right (should have taken a clue then). Then recently the buttons have to be pressed real hard to work, especialy the power and chennal buttons, this isn't because of low batteries, this happens after placing in a brand new pack in. That leads my to my other conclusin, the battaries only last me about 3 months with regualr use.
This remote is build to be used for six months and then replaced, take a clue from the pathatic warrenty of only 90 days. If they don't want to give you support you, why support them? Don't.
The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.
Review 6 made on Saturday January 20, 2001 at 3:45 PM.
Strengths:
Extensive code library. Excellent backlight. LCD Screen (helpfull for programming) Home Theater button.
Weaknesses:
Only two macro buttons. Only 6 'learned' commands per device (total of 48 commands) Some of the default button mappings a little quirky.
Review:
Over all this is a good remote. However, be prepared to spend some time remapping those buttons!! The good news is that remapping the buttons is fairly easy, especially with the hints provided at this web site.
This remote is designed to provide use of simple functions on your existing remotes (if your components are supported). It definately will not replace some of the more advanced functions on your original remotes. Keep this in mind when shopping around for a Universal Remote. I have owned One For All products in the past and found them easy to use and setup, however, if you need access to some of the more advanced functions they were a pain to either program or learn.
One thing I really like though is the LCD screen. Programming is easier when you can see the code you are typing in.
The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.
Review 5 made on Wednesday January 3, 2001 at 4:06 PM.
Strengths:
Excellent primary device button layout. Backlight is excellent. Handles most equipment I have asked it to. The instruction manual - always an important tool - seems thorough. I particularly like the weight and feel of the remote. The two "macro" buttons are fairly easy to program. Pricing seems reasonable for what it offers.
Weaknesses:
As stated in other reviews, the transport controls are in an odd place - the bottom of the remote. With this remote, which has a very solid build, trying to use them with one hand can be awkward. Seems to have limited DVD functions (at least on mine - or I haven't figured it out yet).
No Master Off - this would be an excellent feature.
Review:
This is my first "higher end" remote. I realize it isn't way up there, but it is a good start for me. I got it as a stop gap measure until my system is fully up and running.
I currently have it running a Phillips/Magnavox TV, a Zenith VCR, a JVC DVD, an Onkyo receiver, a TEAC CD player (limited success), a simple Pioneer Surround Sound System, the most outdated cable box around - Zenith circa. 1973, a Sanyo cassette deck.
For our primary purposes this is great. We are having a DSS system put in next month and I will start using this system in the bedroom and get a more configurable one for the main room.
We have found that we still need the DVD remote to make full function of DVDs possible. However, on the other equipment it is pretty solid.
The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.
Review 4 made on Friday November 17, 2000 at 1:19 AM.
Strengths:
Lots of codes. Cool backlight. Controls my Adcom gear! Feels great in your hand. Good IR strength.
Weaknesses:
Must use one of 6 buttons for learned features.
Review:
After owning the much heralded RCA RCU810 for a week, and having quality problems with both remotes and finding out it will not control my Adcom gear, I bought this beefy, over-engineered remote and must say for all it's quirks, I'm plenty happy with it. Plain and simple, it works as advertised.
Unlike the RCA remote, this one has 6 keys you have to use for earned tasks. In other words, if you don't use the PIP button, you can't program it to do something else via the learning mode. So unless you remap it to do something else, you'll have a useless button; and on this remote, I have LOTS of useless buttons.
As for quirks, the button in the center of the cursor keys is "SUR". Fine and dandy when in AUDIO mode, but in DVD and Cable mode, it makes since that this would be the SELECT or ENTER mode. Oddly, in Cable mode, this button does the job of the FAVORITE button on your cable remote. That's just plain goofy! And as stated, you can't teach the button to do something else.
But, when it's all said and done, this remote HAS TAKEN THE PLACE of 6 remotes in my system. I can literally lock those remotes away and forget about them. This is something the other remotes I've tried in the $24.99 - $75.00 range could not do. Yes, I do have to keep a "cheat sheet" on the coffee table, but that's better than 6 remotes!
Also, this remote extrudes a certain build quality not found in other remotes like the RCA I mentioned or the very 80's looking Marantz units I've tried.