Universal Remote Unveils Two IR Units

By Staff On Jan 5 2006 - 8:00am

Universal Remote Control is unveiling its R5 and R7 remote controls during CES. The R5 and R7 are said to be the company's most affordable IR models for the retail market, both compelling alternatives to the growing under-$50 retail category. The remotes are suited for any room in the home and are said to be simple to program and use.

Both have a simple, step-by-step DVD guide to assist in setup. The R5 and R7 remote controls introduce two new functions. MacroPower enables the R5 and R7 users to turn several A/V components on or off with only the single press of a button. SimpleSound affords users total and convenient 'one-touch' control over the volume functions for all of their components, including components that do not have built-in volume control, such as TiVo, DVD players or VCRs, the company said.

The R5 and R7, from the Harrison, N.Y.-based company, are loaded with thousands of preprogrammed codes for over 350 different brands of A/V components — including televisions, projectors, satellite receivers, cable boxes, DVD players and recorders, audio receivers, lighting controls and media center PCs, making high-end performance more accessible for every consumer.

The R5 includes seven macro buttons that can each send up to 20 commands and has a suggested retail of $39.99. With the ability to replace up to seven different remotes, the R7 has nine macro buttons that can send up to 20 commands each, and includes bright green back-lit illumination for convenient operation in dark rooms, the company said. The R7 has a suggested retail of $49.99.