UEI’s Nevo Q50 Remote (Mostly) Eases Programming Process

Programming a remote used to send shivers down the spines of many installers. Today, the software packages offered by companies like Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI) make the task a lot less intimidating.

I recently checked out UEI's Nevo Q50 remote along with the companion programming software and, once I got over the learning curve, the remote programmed quickly and provided a pleasing level of customization.

Unboxing: Z-Wave Base and Accessories

I began by unpacking the remote and its accessories, which included a Z-Wave-enabled base unit.

The base unit extends the remote's control capabilities beyond a standard IR remote.

After plugging the remote and base unit in, I let the unit charge and loaded the software onto my Dell laptop PC.

Training Helps Programming Ability

The momentum I was gaining with the preliminary set-up stalled when I tried to program the remote. After taking a one-hour training class, however, I was back up and running.

The library didn't offer me a full complement of codes to load into the remote, since my system has components from Bryston, Cary and Toshiba. I was able to research these codes elsewhere, however, and I easily chose codes in the Nevo code library for my Hitachi plasma and Motorola cable set-top-box.

I customized the remote by dropping in pictures of my kids to the home page and subsequent device pages.

In hindsight, this is yet another product for which I should have received training. Despite that, the Q50 impressed me.

It is a good product that should satisfy installers' need for profitable attachment sales and their clients' need to have a cool remote that controls their home theater.

MSRP: $699