08.13.2007 — Universal Remote Control is making its products more international-friendly, introducing 433 MHz versions of its MX-3000, MX-900 remote controls and MRF-350, RFX-250 and MSC-400 RF base stations.

Collectively, they are known as the i-series, labeled MX-3000i, MX-900i, etc. The original versions (MX-300, MX-900, etc.) will still be available at 418 MHz.

"This gives custom installers a great option if they are dealing with insurmountable RF interference," says director of marketing Jon Sienkiewicz. "The "i" stands for "international" because, as we all know, UK, Western Europe, parts of Eurasia and other areas proscribe 418 MHz transmitters."

In other URC news, the company has doubled the memory of its flagship MX-350 remote (now internally designated MX-350n) and "improved other internal features," Sienkiewicz says.

He also points out that all URC Complete Control remotes (MX-350 and up) use narrowband RF and are thereby compatible with the MSC-400, the newish MRF-350 and the forthcoming MRF-260.



That base station features an integrated narrowband receiver and antenna, two fixed line outputs for IR emitters, and two adjustable, or variable, line outputs. Each adjustable output can be matched to the IR input on any component that a standard IR repeater can operate. The unit is more affordable ($149) than URC's MRF-350.

"There seems to be some lingering confusion," says Sienkiewicz. "All URC remotes manufactured after Nov. 1, 2006, use narrowband RF. Narrowband RF delivers improved spurious adjacent signal rejection."

In addition, URC is introducing at CEDIA the MX-810 remote and the MX-980, which Sienkiewicz calls the "sleeper" of the new lineup.

"It’s not touchscreen," he says, "but otherwise it’s essentially a wand-style version of the MX-3000, complete with 240x320 color graphics. And I know installers will love it because anyone who can program an MX-3000 already knows how to program it. Cosmetically it is a delight."

Speaking of programming, this year at CEDIA URC has taken over an entire training room (Capitol Ballroom 5 in the Hyatt Regency) for three days and will be offering 14 training sessions, including two sessions that cover the new MX-980 and MX-810.

(URC will be doing a similar thing at the Electronic House Expo in November).

Finally, URC is giving away a Triumph Motorcycle during CEDIA. Stay tuned for details.


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