06-29-2016 04:05 AM - edited 06-29-2016 04:30 AM
Just got the new remote control on Monday, for use with our Nextbox 3. Although I'd brought 2 old Atlas URC-1056 remotes with me to the Rogers store, the rep suggested we keep our NB2(8642HD) remote as that old PVR isn't RF capable, so there isn't much point in exchanging it. We could always do an exchange at a later date if we wished.
Having used the new Champion Plus URC-2125 for a couple of evenings now, I'm happy with that decision. This remote has some serious shortcomings!
Like so many others have complained of above, my main complaint is that although this remote's RF cabability is a welcome functional improvement, it is substantially LESS usable as a multi-device universal remote than the URC-1056, due to its apparent lack of optional "unlock" modes. Its inability to allow the user to unlock on a per-device basis the volume controls and the number (and channel up/down) controls mean I have to now keep handy my AVR and DVD remotes in order to use those devices as intended. I'm going to reach out to Rogers and/or UEI to see if it's possible to unlock the missing features, and if it's not, I think it's probable I'll be returning this remote.
Some thoughts on the new remote:
I think that's all for now. I wrote far more than I was expecting to!
06-29-2016 10:04 AM
@theClubHopper wrote:
- ERGONOMICS: - no where near as good as the URC-1056.
Even though I don't have one of these new ones and I'm not planning to get one, I have to jump in here. Why, oh why, do they always have to keep changing stuff for the sake of change? I keep 4 remotes in the side pocket of my La-Z-Boy recliner (Rogers PVR, Samsung TV, AVR, DVD-R) and can tell them all apart just by feel. The URC-1056 is by far the most ergonomic and I can never pick it up the wrong way. The Samsung TV one is the worst because it's symmetric top to bottom and half the time I have it backwards and have to look at it and turn it around. Why would designers do that?
On another note, why do these Rogers remotes have letters above the numbers like a telephone dial (ABC above the 1, etc)? Is there a function for that?
06-29-2016 02:00 PM
06-29-2016 02:48 PM - edited 06-29-2016 02:53 PM
One should not be surprised when different remotes have different functionality. I've had several different remotes over a period of roughly 15 years and each of them behaved differently. For example, one of the remotes was able to have direct access to various inputs on a Yamaha AVR that I have. The next remote behaved totally differently and didn't have the same type of direct input access (by pressing the number buttons for example). Some remotes can control TV inputs while others cannot.
One also needs to remember that these remotes are not manufactured by Rogers, but rather URC. Rogers may request that certain functionality is "pre-programmed" (like volume lock, ability to turn on/off most STBs/TVs (master power), etc). They may even do this themselves - not sure how it's handled.
It would be nice if URC provided a link like they used to for the complete operating manual for the remote and not only the condensed "quick setup" sheets. This would then allow consumers to override certain settings designed for "ease of use" by most Rogers customers.
I've often considered purchasing another remote like a Harmony, however, my 1056 is ergonomically well designed, I can use it without looking at it and covers 99% of my needs. When it doesn't manage, I pull out the remote specific to the device for the 1% of the time. I'm sure that if I were not the only user in my home in our Home Theatre, I would have purchased a Harmony for wife or children, however, that has not been necessary.
06-29-2016 03:57 PM
@kimbelery87 wrote:
My video input button is doing nothing. The remote has been paired with my Nextbox and Auria TV. It seems to work with my TV, it turns on/off, controls volume. Only other issue is it opens my TV settings fine but the arrow buttons have no functionality to make any changes.
I'm just trying to cycle to my Playstation on HDMI 2, which wasnt an issue with the old remotes Video Source button.
I make sure I am in TV mode before hitting the button, am I missing something??
The remote can only control input on a single device so your input key may be locked to a device other than your TV. You change the input lock as follows:
06-29-2016 04:15 PM
Guys, there should be another way to activate the FAV (Favourites) key, as well as the Picture in Picture key when no such key exists on the remote, its called EFC commands (Extended Function Control) commands. There is a 4 or 5 digit code you can enter to activate the function even if the remote does not contain the required button. I have not studied this new remote yet but I can definately do some tests to figure out how to get the fav and pip options back, I can even help you guys to program them as a macro into an existing unused key as well once I figure out.
06-30-2016 12:30 PM - edited 06-30-2016 02:30 PM
Hello Everyone,
I picked up the Rogers RF remote (URC-2125) and want to provide feedback (further to the excellent post by @theClubHopper😞
- Pressing "Volume Up" or "Volume Down" transmits the signal to the TV only, not the AUDIO device (Yamaha amplifier)...even when I press "AUDIO" on the remote first. This is fine when using the TV's internal speakers, but NOT okay when using my amplifier for surround sound.
On the previous remote (URC-1056) the signal would be transmitted to the TV or AUDIO, depending on which mode the remote was in. The new method makes zero sense, since you now require the actual amplifier remote in hand, which defeats the purpose of having a universal remote.
- Pressing "Video Source" transmits the signal to the TV only, not the AUDIO device (Yahama amplifier)...even when I press "AUDIO" on the remote first. This means I cannot change input sources on the amplifier with the Rogers remote.
On the previous remote, the signal would be transmitted to the TV or AUDIO, depending on which mode the remote was in. This new method makes zero sense...since you now require the actual amplifier remote in hand...which defeats the purpose of having a universal remote control.
- No "VCR" mode. Yes...I still have 2 of them that see periodic use.
- The remote does not work with my living room TV (Vizio M70-C3). It caused my Vizio **to stop responding to any IR input, even from the TV remote...unless the remote was pressed directly up to the IR sensor window***.
After fixing this issue by performing a TV factory reset, I tried again.
And again...the Vizio stopped responding to any IR input, unless the remote was pressed up against the IR sensor window. I performed another factory reset, and it now works properly.
- The remote does not pair to my NextBox 3 via RF. Held "Setup" + "Up Arrow" buttons (as directed) till lights flashed, then waited. Does not control box any better than it did before, and it does not work if pointed away from the box.
The remote also continues to control other devices (NextBox 2), which tells me it is still operating in IR mode.
These are severe regressions in functionality that, for me, are "deal-breakers".
Looking for the community to chime in - are you seeing the same issues? Sorry for the mini-rant, just frustrated!
06-30-2016 12:32 PM
Need help. I think I've accidentally set it to some weird mode where it's expecting a 3-digit code after I hit a particular key. For example, when I was trying to navigate to channel 500 and it was not accepting the 0-keys, what was actually happening is that after pressing 5 it, basically, ignored the next 3 presses. After pressing any three keys the cable light would blink twice, and after that I could press another key. Except that by this time the PVR had already navigated to channel 5.
Maybe I'm not describing it clearly, but I've noticed this pattern. While I thought some keys were being unresponsive, in reality it looked like the remote was waiting for a specific input of three key-presses (some code?) before it "confirmed" the entry by flashing the cable key two times. Until those three keys had been pressed it was not sending *any* signal to the PVR (either RF or IR).
So I think what I need to do now is some kind of factory reset and start from scratch. It really is almost useless now (or at leas very infuriating).
06-30-2016 12:34 PM - edited 06-30-2016 02:19 PM
Also:
- Remote intermittently looses control of cable box (must press "CABLE" again).
- PiP window can no longer be moved to corners of the screen (PIP Move button gone from remote. ROGERS: Can this not be re-mapped to another button - "B" or "C"?
06-30-2016 12:35 PM
Hello @MrMontagoose,
Have you tried removing the batteries for 5-10 seconds, then replacing them? This will usually fix these types of issues.