Universal Remote Control Home Theater Master MX-500. (Equipment).

Manufacturer: Universal Remote Control, 500 Mamaroneck Ave., Harrison, NY 10528; 800/901-0800; www.universal-remote.com

Price: $189

Source: Manufacturer Loan

Reviewer: Glenn O. Strauss

In our seemingly endless quest for audio perfection, it is easy to overlook new products that do not directly affect the quality of audio reproduction we experience, but which serve us by being genuinely functional. These can include products to clean a disc, or restore a scratched one to full functionality. Or, products such as the one we examine here and now--remote controls that aid in the operation of our increasingly complex audio and video equipment.

In this category is the MX-500 Home Theater Master from Universal Remote Control. It is a full function, learning remote finished in a deep blue "soft" finish paint, with an LCD screen surrounded by 10 device control buttons occupying the top third of the unit. It looks very much like the Marantz remotes of several years ago, although it outperforms them in every way. All 45 buttons are backlighted with a bright, Indiglo color that was easy on the eyes in a dark room, while clearly visible. The ergonomics design was first-rate, as I asked people with various hand sizes to use it, and none reported any problems--one size does fit all here. (While some folks like the trendy touch screen remotes, I do not, and I am told there is strong market demand for quality "buttoned" remotes).

The MX-500 I tested is the latest version, with a number of software changes for better performance, and several external feature changes. Most notable of the latter are the new hard plastic (called "gemstone") buttons, which are easier to use than the original silicone rubber ones. Another improvement is the style and height of the round joystick button, which is indeed easier to operate in the improved ...