Review on Inteset Universal Backlit Learning Remote for Apple TV, Xbox, Roku & More by Adam Browning

I have been using programmable/learnable remotes for over 15 years. I started with the Universal MX-500 (many happy years with it!), then the URC-R40, URC-R6, URC-200 and finally the Harmony 650 just to see what it's all about. Aside from the MX-500, which really doesn't have the best button mapping for newer devices like DVR/Blu-Ray, I wasn't really happy with any of them. This Inteset remote is a lot cheaper than all but the URC-R6 and a massive improvement over all for my use. Of course, like every remote I've ever used, it has a few features and functions that I would implement differently. But overall it gets all the important features RIGHT. So let's start with this: 1. ERGONOMICS. The remote control case is almost the perfect size and shape. It's not too bulky, not too thin, not too long and not too heavy. It's very similar in shape to the TiVo "Peanut" remote, which I've never found to be a match in design. The back is covered in a smooth but grippy material (similar to the MX-500). You can easily adjust the position of your hand, but it's easy to hold and doesn't feel like it's going to slip out of your hand like a wet fish any second. I see you URC-R6 and Harmony 650!2. PROBE POSITION. The button layout is great, especially if you're used to the TiVo remotes mentioned above (and are very similar to most DVD/Blu-Ray/TV remotes). The buttons are big enough for my thumbs, vary in shape and size well, are spaced far enough apart that you never have to worry about pressing two at once, and they're all tall enough to be easily distinguished by touch. I'm looking at you, URC-R40!3. ADDITIONAL BUTTON. The button set is one of the best I've seen on a programmable/learnable remote. Not only are all main functions covered, but also four colored buttons, six "PIP" buttons (ON/OFF, FRS, +, SWAP, MOVE, -), as well as LIVE and ZOOM buttons. . Also present are DISPLAY, INPUT, and Back (round arrow pointing counter-clockwise). Of these, only my TiVo DVR uses them and then only about half, leaving plenty of room for programming these buttons with additional functionality from your original remotes. Actually only my receiver has so many functions that all buttons of this remote control are needed at all. An INPUT button in particular is invaluable. This means that in any remote control mode (A, B, C, D) I can program the input button to switch the receiver to the input for that device. Of course, more expensive remotes can change the input, but usually only in a macro or on the "soft" buttons next to their LCD screen. BACKLIGHT. The backlight on this remote control is excellent. It's a lovely orange color that's a lot easier to see and read than blue, but a little brighter than red. It's not super dark like some of the more expensive remotes - if you look at the Harmony 650! But even without a backlight, the keys are labeled in quite large font so well that they are easy to read even in low light in the room. But really, with the layout and the size/shape distinction, you could manage it pretty easily with one touch if you had the time. PROGRAMMING. Remote programming couldn't be easier. The instructions are well written and easy to follow, and in just about an hour I had it programmed and working on my four devices (Receiver, Blu-ray, TiVo, TV), including learning features not included in the pre-programmed code. The only quirks I found are the learn mode. In step 5, when you press the button on the Inteset on which you want to learn a new function, it will show that the LED is on for three seconds. It's actually blinking (at a very high rate) so at first I thought it was buggy and wouldn't detect anything. I found that this is what "on" means and you have to press the remote while it's flashing rapidly. Also, it says that if you don't press a button within 10 seconds it will exit programming mode, which is fine, but it seemed more like 6-7 seconds to me. The time-out seemed to be going by a lot quicker than I had hoped. But the great thing is that you don't have to repeat the whole process for each key. Once a button/function has been learned and accepted (two LEDs flashing), simply press the next button and away you go! It really speeds up the learning process and is great. I have never encountered situations where I failed to learn a command from my original remotes - I can't say the same about any of my URC products! I've found macro programming to be just as straightforward and easy. As for learning ability, I haven't reached it yet. The manual lists 42 to 75 keys depending on the original IR code. Along with the pre-programmed buttons, this seems to be enough for four devices and even learn almost all buttons not normally used by my devices.6. GENERAL INSTALLATION INFORMATION. As I mentioned earlier, with an INPUT button, I can program that button to switch the receiver's input to the current device. My TiVo is the only component I used colored buttons on, so instead I programmed the red and green buttons to be discrete off and discrete on for my receiver and TV, as well as the power button for my Blu-Ray. This then allows me to use the power button on the top right to use it as a global (device independent) macro to turn everything on. Then I created another global macro for the ON/OFF button in the bottom left corner to turn everything off. I used the SWAP, FRS, and MOVE buttons to create three more global macros that would switch to either my computer or TiVo or Blu-Ray - the only devices we actually use - and the receiver and Switch TV inputs as needed. In that sense, they're similar to Harmony's activity buttons. I programmed the INFO button to work with the display button on my devices for TiVo compatibility since its display function is essentially the same function as the TiVo INFO button. I then programmed the DISPLAY button to control my TV's "Wide" function so that it is available in all modes. In any case, I really like how many buttons this remote has, giving you maximum flexibility to set it up in a way that makes sense for YOU and your system. One final note on MACROS: I was happy to learn that the macro leaves the remote in the device mode of the last command sent in the macro. So, for example, if you have a macro that turns on each component, switches inputs, etc., and the last command sent was a turn on command for your Blu-ray player, the remote control for your Blu-ray player stays in the device. Beam. Sweet. I've read that some macro remotes don't do this, but it's so sane that it should be standard on all macro remotes.7. LIMITATIONS. This remote control has few disadvantages and they are relatively minor, but it would be remiss to omit them. Let's start with the lighting. There's no dedicated button to activate it, nor a motion sensor like some of the more expensive devices. I can't think of any other backlit remote that didn't have at least one of these backlight activation options. This device requires you to press one of the function buttons to activate the light. That's actually fine - you just have to try to use a button that doesn't negatively impact your browsing experience. I've also found that the backlight doesn't stay on as long as I'd like and there's no way to change the time. Also, I find it odd that it flashes when you press the button after it's activated. b. There are four devices in total. For a large system with many components, this remote control may not work. However, depending on what components are involved, you can get by. Our review is actually either TiVo (which offers OTA TV as well as Netflix/Revain/YouTube streaming) or Blu-Ray/DVD. So four devices. Of course I have a separate CD player and VCR, but they are used so seldom that I don't have to worry. I can just take out their original remotes or be fooled. Since I have two devices (a receiver and a TV) that don't use the transport functions, I could program the CD/VCR transport functions into those devices if I wanted to. For the price, however, it's a lot more than I expected. I would rather buy two or three of these devices and program them all than most of the 6-12 devices. The key's feel isn't very good, it's soft rather than firm. It doesn't compare to the TiVo remotes in this regard, but I haven't found a programmable remote, so I can't say this is a specific issue of the Inteset.d. Honestly I can't think of any other cons at the moment but will update this review if I find any!