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Universal Control

Five remotes that help keep your home theater in line.

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MX-600 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated:

Home Theater Master MX-600

33 hard buttons, 15 macros, Controls 10 components, Ease of use: Very good, Extra features: Very good, LCD can list 26 functions per device, RF base station extends range, Price when ranked: $250

Bottom Line: The MX-600 feels solid in your hand, and having all those buttons is reassuring. HTM's entry had trouble learning some DVD functions, but mimicked our original remotes admirably.

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SST-768 Universal Remote Control **Check Color w/Merchant** (Harmony-SST768) PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

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Harmony SST-768 Universal Remote Control **Check Color w/Merchant** (Harmony-SST768)

32 hard buttons, Nearly unlimited macros, Controls 18 components, Ease of use: Outstanding, Extra features: Outstanding, Displays TV-listings data, Web-based setup, USB connection, Price when ranked: $299

Bottom Line: The SST-768 uses an activity-based model instead of focusing on devices. While the browser-based setup program can take some time, you get pinpoint control of all your components.

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URC-9960 8 Device Universal Learning Remote with Kameleon Screens (One For All-URC9960) PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

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One For All URC-9960 8 Device Universal Learning Remote with Kameleon Screens (One For All-URC9960)

53 programmable, backlit buttons, 5 macros, Controls 8 components, Ease of use: Good, Extra features: Good, Home theater mode keeps several useful functions on screen at once, Price when ranked: $99

Bottom Line: This inexpensive device features a bright and responsive touch screen, and it can download new codes over the phone using a built-in modem. Learning mode needs work.

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Philips TSU-3000 Pronto Intelligent Remote Control (Philips-TSU3000) PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

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Philips Philips TSU-3000 Pronto Intelligent Remote Control (Philips-TSU3000)

12 hard buttons, touch-screen LCD, Nearly unlimited macros, Controls 15 components, Ease of use: Good, Extra features: Outstanding, LCD interface is completely programmable via a USB-connected PC, Price when ranked: $399

Bottom Line: This PDA-like device offers a great many functions, but the 3.8-inch display shows few buttons per screen, and the touch screen is slow to respond. It's also very expensive.

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Universal Learning RCU1010 PCW Rating: PCW Rating: PCW Rating:

Last Rated:

RCA Universal Learning RCU1010

13 hard buttons, touch-screen LCD, 9 macros, Controls 9 components, Ease of use: Fair, Extra features: Very good, Customizable touch-screen buttons, Price when ranked: $139

Bottom Line: What this model lacks in flash, it makes up for in customization. You can easily remove or change buttons on the responsive touch screen, but setup requires too many steps.

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