Universal Remote Control Launches New RF Remote For Sophisticated Whole House Control

21-Aug-03

Universal Remote Control, Inc. has introduced the second of its new radio frequency (RF) remote control products. A 2003 Innovations Award-winning product, the Home Theater MasterÆ MX-600 IR/RF Learning Remote and its companion MRF-100 Base Station combine both RF and IR technologies to send commands up to 100 feet away, through walls, floors, and cabinet doors, even in highly active RF environments, both indoors and outdoors. The MX-600 and MRF-100 Base Station allow users complete control of up to 10 audio/video components regardless of where the equipment is placed in the home. The MX-600 sends RF signals to the MRF-100, which converts the RF commands back to infrared signals (IR) to control A/V components. Whether the equipment is behind closed doors, inside cabinets, in other rooms of the house, or even outdoors, the MX-600 sends the necessary commands without pointing the remote control directly at any A/V components. The launch follows Universal Remote Control, Inc.'s recent introduction of the Home Theater Master MX-800 PC Programmable Learning Remote Control and companion MRF-200 Base Station. The new MX-600/MRF-100 combination provides many of the features and capabilities of the earlier model, except for its PC compatibility, while offering more affordable pricing.The memory of the MX-600 offers up to 15 potential macro buttons, plus an additional 50 Favorite Channel buttons. Each macro button can play back recorded sequences of commands that completely automate a complex system with one button press. A macro button can record and play back up to 20 steps, while a Favorite Channel button can play back up to 10 steps.Controlling up to 10 components, the MX-600 can be programmed with up to two pages of LCD screens per component (26 screens with 260 text buttons), in addition to the 33 hard buttons. Text on each page can be edited as desired. The MX-600's internal database contains hundreds of ""code sets"" for various brands, including hard-to-find codes that allow precise control of all system components. The MX-600 can also learn up to 530 new commands.The MRF-100 receives RF signals from the MX-600 and transmits commands to all components in the home theatre, either through the MRF-100 Base Station's front IR blaster or the six plug-in flashers. The MX-600 and MRF-100 achieve a range of 75 to 100 feet without interference, even in hostile RF environments with multiple satellite receivers, computers, and several key A/V components.Theoretically, a user could control all of their components with the MRF-100's front IR blaster. Since infrared light bounces, the front blaster is often more than sufficient. However, when components are out of sight of the MRF-100, it is necessary to use the supplied flashers. There are six plug-in flashers provided with 10-foot cables. The flasher has an IR blaster at the tip of the cable that can be affixed to the front panel of each A/V component. The other end of the IR flasher connects via a 2.5 mm mini-jack at the rear of the MRF-100. The LCD display screen and glass-like Gemstoneô hard buttons on the remote incorporate ""EL"" illumination technology, which provides bright, energy-efficient backlight illumination. Powered by four AAA alkaline batteries, the remote control features a built-in flash memory backup, designed to prevent memory loss for up to one year, should the batteries be removed, and up to 10 years with dead batteries. The MRF -100 comes with its own external power supply and mounting plate for installation on walls and inside cabinets.The Home Theater Master MX-600 and MRF-100 package carries a suggested retail price of $249.95.For more information about Universal Remote Control, Inc., visit www.hometheatermaster.com.

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