The URC-6131 features intuitive, easy-to use buttons and color-coded keys for popular functions. The device requires two AA alkaline batteries (not included) and some simple programming. The remote is preprogrammed at the factory to operate an RCA TV, VCR, and satellite receiver, a Philips TiVo DVR, a Toshiba DVD player, and a Pioneer audio receiver/amplifier. To control devices other than the default brands, simply find the manufacturers in the provided code library and load them manually.

Other features include direct code setup for easy device programming, step-and-set code setup and code verification (for an alternate way to program devices), and device key re-assignment to remotely control a second (duplicate) device.

What's in the Box
Remote control and a user's manual. Two AA batteries not included.

I took the URC 6131 out of the package and braced myself for an extensive set up. I just purchased a Panasonic DMR E80 DVD recorder along with an 8 year old Pioneer Elite Pro-107 big screen TV. I have a harman kardon AVR 310 reciever and a new panasonic VCR. All of these components worked with only plugging in a few codes. I also like the feature of say moving the volume buttons of the reciever to the dvd remote section so that you don't have to go back and forth to change the volume. I haven't yet figured out the master power off feature but this isn't a big deal. I am finally buying a TiVo. The clencer for this remote is that it supports the TiVo and even has the thumbs up and down buttons.

I was going to get their touch screen version, but saw a lot of reviews saying that it cuts on and off with the slightest bump even from a subwoofer. And you have to change rechargable batteries (rechargable because of effeciency) out at least once a month.

I like this because it is like a regular remote. No digital display; hence, the batteries should last for at least 6 months of regular use.

I usually don't write reviews like this, but upon searching for a good all around remote, I couldn't find any good reviews.

Bottom line, forget digital touch screens until some of the color screens come down from the $600 level to the sub $100 level. Buy this. I have no problems with it. I have been burdened by remotes for a long time. My Pioneer Elite Pro-107 was always the catch. I could never get any remotes to switch from video 1,2 or 3 and LD (laser disc in those day for the young). This remote switches these selections. You can't beat it for the price. Hats off to one for all for making this remote. I am going to hide all of my remotes in a drawer. The DVD recording remote will be kept handy for DVD recording. It has a lot of technical buttons on it that I would expect the new $600 touch screen color remote couldn't even do........... I hope that this helps.


Great performance, great price   January 12, 2004
 17 out of 17 found this review helpful

Like many people, I have a motley assortment of audio/visual equipment of various brands and ages - fairly old RCA VCR, a relatively new Samsung DVD player, a brand new Toshiba TV and a Scientific Atlanta digital cable box, all with remotes. Although there was some overlap in function, each remote had one or two functions it alone could perform - VCR remote for programming timer recording; digital cable remote for the "info" and "guide" functions; DVD remote to search by chapter. I got the One for All (OfA) hoping to consolidate.

Set-up was quick; it took about 10 minutes to program all my devices, and that included some time spent browsing the manual. The unit is compact, which is a plus for me, though some users might not like the small, closely spaced buttons. The OfA uses two AA batteries, and I've noticed no unusual battery drain. (It is neither backlit nor equipped with an LCD display, so I expect the battery life will be comparable to my other remotes.) It has a few neat features - I particularly like "volume lock," which allows you to assign volume adjustment to just one device no matter what mode you're in. As my TV's volume is much more sensitive than any other device, I've "locked" the volume control in TV mode.

After a month of use, the only drawback I've found with the OfA is that it can't perform the functions of three specialized buttons on the digital cable remote (A, B and C.) This is very minor to me, since I don't use those buttons very much. It's possible the OfA models with learning capabilities would be able to handle those functions; some of them don't cost much more, so it's probably worth a look if that's important to you.

Overall I'm very pleased with the OfA. It's inexpensive, easy to use and works well with my variety of devices - I couldn't ask for more.


Incredible value, intuitive use.   March 20, 2004
 13 out of 13 found this review helpful

If you're looking for a reasonably priced all-in-one remote control that will work with your Tivo or DIRECTV/Tivo, look no further.

We had an older version One For All remote control which worked great for us until we purchased our DIRECTV/Tivo. Then we were using two remotes, the old one and the one that comes with Tivo, just fine, although it was inconvenient to have to find the old remote just to raise or lower the volume or turn on and off the TV. When the buttons on our old remote started to stick, an alternative became necessary.

My husband programmed our original remote, way back when, and I never had any reason to learn how to do it myself. This time, he was away on business when I decided on the URC-6131. I ordered it from Amazon and it came in three days, when he was still out of town. I couldn't wait, so I pried the remote out of its hard plastic shell and opened the manual.

It took me less than 10 minutes to program the URC-6131 to control all of our stuff: the Toshiba TV, the Technics audio system, the Sony DVD, the Panasonic VCR, and the DIRECTV/Tivo. The longest part of it was looking up the codes, which were all conveniently located in the back of the short manual. I found a workable code for every device, even our Panasonic VCR, purchased back in 1991, and our Technics audio system, purchased in 1992.

I was even able to easily program the volume controls on the remote to only work on the audio system. Now, no matter what mode the remote is in (DVD, PVR, VCR, etc.), the volume works! And so does the TV/Vid button, which switches the TV from the DVD to the VCR to regular TV. Amazing!

But the biggest selling point of this remote, in my opinion, is the fact that it is specifically designed for use with PVRs, like Tivo. The thumbs up, thumbs down, and menu button are all centrally located. There was no problem programming in the Tivo Easter Egg for 30 second skip. The exit button worked like the clear button without programming necessary. And although there is no specific "List" button (the one that takes you back to the Now Playing List), I was able to program it in as the stop key, since whenever I want to "stop" watching something, I want to go back to the Now Playing List to pick something else to watch. Just as an FYI for fellow DIRECTV/Tivo users: I used the PVR button to program my Hughes unit, not the CBL/SAT.

I haven't done anything yet with advanced codes or the JP1 capability but then I'm not looking for bells and whistles. All I care about is being able to control my entertainment system with one remote control. With the URC-6131, I can do so - and easily.


This thing ROCKS   January 31, 2005
 11 out of 11 found this review helpful

Bottom line: Buy it. Best $12 you'll ever spend.

I needed to manage a TV, home theatre amp/receiver, DVD player, VCR, Tivo Series II, and a Slim Devices Squeezebox (which emulates a 2nd DVD player). Wasn't ready to take the $100+ Harmony plunge. Got this baby. Works fantastic, controls all devices, no problem. Tivo controls worked awesome. Had to map my "2nd DVD" to the cable/sat button (wish it had an "aux" or "cd" button instead/in addition to) but that doesn't bother me.

(FYI: The other reviewer who stated that this remote wouldn't even "turn on" his Series II Tivo seriously needs to have his brain examined; Tivo is always on, can't turn it off.) Trust me, this thing controls Tivo like nobody's business.

Several great things about this remote:

-- It's pretty smallish, not huge like some others. Good heft and feel in the palm, all the main buttons are easily reachable.

-- Dedicated Tivo buttons. I know |<< and >>| can be used for the "skip back" and "skip ahead" functions, but I'd rather have the little dedicated Tivo versions of these buttons!

-- For $12 you can't go wrong.

-- This is not a "learning" remote, i.e. it won't learn IR codes directly from other remotes. HOWEVER, the groovy thing is that virtually all buttons are freely assignable, either through the built-in move/"punch-through" feature, OR via the Advanced Codes that you can easily find on the web (see http://www.hifi-remote.com/ofa/ for example.)

Upshot is, that while the device was not 100% perfect out-of-the-box, it took me only a couple of hours of button reprogramming, and suddenly this baby was singing, dancing and asking if I'd like another beer.

One small example: On my remote, the only Tivo button that was "missing" was the Display/Info button, to bring up program info, etc. The "info" button on the remote would not work in PVR mode. What's up with that? No problem! Did little research, then mapped "Advanced Code" 635 to the Info button, and VOILA!

Can't recommend it highly enough.


Works great with Tivo Series II   January 9, 2004
 10 out of 11 found this review helpful

I was surprised to see that most reviewers gave this product 5 stars, but there was one reviewer who gave the remote only 1 star and sent it back. May I suggest that you try again?

The instructions recommend testing the device via the Power button when programming codes into the remote. If it powers off or on then the code is correct. Well... Tivo does not have a power button. It is always on. Try going to the main Tivo start screen by pressing 'PVR Menu' to test the code. (BTW, I got 0618 to work)

All my other devices (TV, DVD, Audio Receiver, Cable Box) were quickly programmed and all work great. 5 remotes to throw away, 1 to keep!

Definitely a great buy at $18.

Good Luck