Acoustic Research AR-R1540 Universal Remote Control

Great Remote - No idea why it is so cheap??

Strengths: Easy to set up; comfortable in the hand; nice user interface; fully customizeable; displays room temp. and time...

Weakness: Nothing (yet??)

I researched this remote for almost a month and only found one review in which the user stated that the remote could not learn properly and further research revealed that this seems to be the general consensus on the internet with regard to this remote. Well, let me tell you that this is absolutely incorrect. Probably they did the same thing I did at first. When first attempting to use the learn...
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I researched this remote for almost a month and only found one review in which the user stated that the remote could not learn properly and further research revealed that this seems to be the general consensus on the internet with regard to this remote. Well, let me tell you that this is absolutely incorrect. Probably they did the same thing I did at first. When first attempting to use the learn function, I aimed the remotes so they were facing each other (as is common with learning remotes). It turns out there is another IR on the back of the remote (the part that faces you when you use it) that is used for the learning function. Once I figured out the right IR to use, everything worked perfectly. I have successfully set up my XBOX, Sony TV and VCR and my Kenwood Receiver, all without a glitch. Also, this remote has a huge library of preprogrammed codes, in fact, even my XBOX was listed!! All and all, this is a great remote and is even better than my Sony Touch Screen that cost over three times this amount. It’s such a good remote that I ordered a second today, just to have on hand if this one breaks!!

By nicholaspapagiorgio - Dec 23, 2005

Cumbersome but good for the price

Strengths: Price, multiple functions, touch screen

Weakness: Have to press hard on the screen, it gets full of finger prints, it's also rather large

I bought this remote and I will have to say it's pretty nice. The nicest remote I have ever owned. It works well for what is needed to do. It took a bit of time to program but it seems to work well for all of my electronics. It sure does collect finger prints though. I have only had it a couple days but it seems to do what I want it to and that's all I can ask.

By boles608 - Apr 22, 2007

Great Remote

Strengths: The price, aility to learn, atomic clock, touch screen

Weakness: Size, weight,

Overall a great remote. It is definitely not worth more than $50 but has great learning ability and the atomic clock function is very cool. The overall size and weight are drawbacks, along with the orientation requiring two hand operation.

By messkit - Apr 22, 2007

Best Remote Ever!!

Strengths: Easy to read LCD screen Touch Screen Backlight Great Range Easy to program.

Weakness: A bit big not color

Wow is all I can say about this remote. It can program fifteen other remotes into one! I like the many features it has such as macros. The backlight is a must at night. This works perfect in my home theater so I don't have to fumble around with 5 remotes for cable, TV, dvd player, VHS, and Audio. It is a bit nice, but impossible to lose. It is not quite a logitech harmony since it is not color...
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Wow is all I can say about this remote. It can program fifteen other remotes into one! I like the many features it has such as macros. The backlight is a must at night. This works perfect in my home theater so I don't have to fumble around with 5 remotes for cable, TV, dvd player, VHS, and Audio. It is a bit nice, but impossible to lose. It is not quite a logitech harmony since it is not color and does not have a usb interface to connect it to the computer to download controls and updates. But it has a wide selection and is very easy to setup. Has everything you would like, need, want, and more!

By xdr4gon - May 15, 2007

cool device

Strengths: touchscreen, programmable, learning remote, macro functions, backlit screen

Weakness: nothing major: weird shape (wide vs.long) takes getting used to, rubber buttons are not backlit, no RF functionality, not as visually pleasing as other similar products

This is a great remote. It take a little while to get used to its size and weird shape where it is wide rather than long, so not as easy to hold on one hand as the standard remote. The touch screen is very nice, and you can hide screen buttons you are not using. This is also a learning remote. Many other universals come preset, and cannot learn new commands. So if your device is not...
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This is a great remote. It take a little while to get used to its size and weird shape where it is wide rather than long, so not as easy to hold on one hand as the standard remote.

The touch screen is very nice, and you can hide screen buttons you are not using.

This is also a learning remote. Many other universals come preset, and cannot learn new commands. So if your device is not pre-programmed, or not all the functions of your original remote are programmed, you are out of luck. This device is great in that it will learn the codes from other remotes by placing the original remote behind it receiver led is on the side facing the user, rather then the opposite side, which is different from other learning remotes) and pressing the button.

The macros are nice too...allowing you to set one macro so switch on all your devices (E.g. sat/cable box, receiver, and tv) in one action...very nice.

Not a big deal, but this has no RF (radio frequency) functionality. So this will not replace remotes that use RF (such as the X10 products, etc). Most remotes are IR (infrared) so you are ok, but keep that in mind if you have RF remotes you are looking to combine into a universal remote.

Extra bonus: display time and temperature! :) Also,uses only 2 AA batteries, vs. other similar remtoes that use 4.

All in all this is a great device for a great price, compared to other similar remotes, such as the ones Sony makes.

By Lurker3 - Aug 1, 2007