Digital R50, the New Universal Remote Control in Town

As home entertainment systems become more complex and cluttered, the need for remote controls that can be used for accessing the functions of a very large number of devices is also a lot direr. For this reason, the Universal Remote Control company has just launched the URC Digital R50, a remote control that delivers a host of advanced functions, while keeping controls and setup at a very accessible level.

As the name says it, the URC Digital R50 has been specially designed to work with as many different products as possible, and also to be user-friendly enough so as to allow even users who are not so "technically-proficient" to control their various devices. The remote can provide infrared (IR) control of up to 18 home theater components, meaning that it can potentially replace 18 remote controls that come with various audio, TV, DVD, VCR, cable and satellite boxes from virtually any brand.

Moreover, the device has been equipped with a two-inch TFT color LCD screen that is used for delivering various graphics for all home theater activities, customizable labels for every button, and separate logos for up to 48 favorite channels. It also offers users access to an easy-to-use setup wizard that is viewed directly on the screen of the remote and includes built-in programming tips and step-by-step instructions.

Even if the device caters to the needs of everyday users, it's also got what it takes for the most sophisticated home entertainment systems out there. Thus, it has been equipped with an ARM7 microprocessor with 32 Mbits of non-volatile/NOR flash memory, used for recording channel buttons with color logos and macros of up to 255 steps. Hence, each device the URC Digital R50 controls can have up to eight pages of its own custom-labeled buttons, and each page can have up to six custom labeled buttons, for a total of 48 buttons per device.

Another interesting feature that this remote control comes with is SimpleSound, which provides total volume control over all of the components in a system, even those without their own built-in volume control, such as TiVo, DVD and VCR. Plus, as any serious universal remote control should, this one also has "learning" capabilities, meaning that it will be able to very easily pick up the codes from other remotes.

The URC Digital R50 will sell for around 150 US dollars, which is quite a moderate price for such a product, compared to the other devices of this type available on the market, most of which are generally significantly more expensive.


We are just a few, but there are many of you, Softpedia users, out there. That's why we thought it would be a good idea to create an email address for you to help us a little in finding gadgets we missed. Interesting links are bound to be posted with recognition going mainly to those who submit. The address is .