Universal Remote Control URC-A6 User manual

URC-A6
Remote Control
Owner’s Manual

Congratulations!
Congratulations on purchasing Universal Remote
Control’s URC-A6 Pre--Programmed and Learning
remote control. You now have the power to control
your entire home entertainment system with one
easy--to--use remote. The URC-A6 can be used with
thousands of audio/video components because of
the extensive library of codes that have already
been programmed into the remote. So... get ready
to sit back, relax, and simplify your home
entertainment experience.
This Owner’s Manual is designed to assist you in
programming your URC-A6 remote to work with
your components by guiding you through an easy
step-by-step process. Everything you need to know
about programming the URC-A6 is contained in
this Manual.
URC-A6 Owner’s Manual © 2009 Universal
Remote Control, Inc.
This document is protected by the copyright laws of
the United States and internationally by the Berne
Convention. No part of this manual may be
reproduced in any form without the express written
consent of Universal Remote Control, Inc. Although
reasonable care has been taken to assure the
accuracy of the information herein contained,
Universal Remote Control, Inc. is not responsible for
operational, technical or editorial errors or
omissions.
The specifications and information in this manual
may be subject to change without notice.
MacroPower and SimpleSound are trademarks of
Universal Remote Control, Inc. Entertainment Made
Simple is a registered trademark of Universal
Remote Control, Inc. All other brand or product
names are trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective owners.
500 Mamaroneck Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]

Table of Contents
Getting Started - Overview
• Control up to 6 Components ..................4
• Component Buttons ...............................4
• Battery Installation.................................4
• Low Battery Warning.............................5
• Couch Mode ........................................5
Keypad Layout & Button Functions....6
Programming URC-A6 Using
Pre-Programmed Codes .....................7
• Quick Set-Up Method ............................7
• Three-Digit Code Entry Method ...............8
• Auto-Search Method............................10
Programming URC-A6 Using the
Learning Method................................12
Special Advanced Features ..............14
• Programming Automated Activities ........14
• MacroPower Total System On/Off.........14
• Programming Multi-Commands to
Macro Buttons ....................................16
• “My Favorites” – Favorite Channels.......17
• More Favorite Channels.......................18
• SimpleSound™ Total System Volume
Control ..............................................19
• Channel Control “Punch Through”.........21
• Transport Control “Punch Through”........22
• OSD (On-Screen Display) Control
“Punch Through” .................................23
• Input Switching Macros .......................24
Erasing Commands-Overview .........25
• Erasing a Single Learned Command .....25
• Erasing All Learned Commands from
One Component .................................26
• Erasing MacroPower & Other Macro
Commands ........................................27
• Erasing SimpleSound & Other
“Punch Through” Commands ...............28
• Factory Reset .....................................29
Finding a Component’s Set-Up
Code Number ....................................30
Pre-Programmed Code Tables .........31
• CABLE/SAT .......................................32
• TV ................................................33-34
• DVD/DVR/VCR ..................................35
• AUDIO ..............................................36
• AUX ..................................................37
• LIGHTS ..............................................38
FAQs ...................................................39
Warranty ...........................................40
Specifications ....................................40

Page 4
Getting Started - Overview
Control up to 6 Components
The URC-A6 remote control is designed to control
up to six different Audio/Video components and
operate virtually all brands of AUDIO, TV,
DVD/DVR/VCR, CBL/SAT, LIGHTS and
AUX(Game, Music server, etc.) components.
Component Buttons
Once you have programmed the URC-A6 for all of
your components, all you need to do is press a
component button and all the buttons on the URC-
A6 will work with that component. For example,
when you press the TV component button, all the
buttons on your URC-A6 will operate your TV. If you
press the DVD component button, all the buttons on
the URC-A6 will operate your DVD.
Each time you press any of the buttons on the
remote, the LED light in the component button will
light up to indicate which component you are
controlling.
Battery Installation
Press the tab and remove the cover of the battery
compartment located in the back of your remote.
Insert the two AAA batteries (included in the
package) making sure to match the positive (+) and
negative (-) symbols as shown in the diagram.
Place the cover back over the battery compartment.
TV BUTTON
INSERT BATTERIES
CORRECTLY

Page 5
Low Battery Warning
When the batteries are low and need to be
replaced the component LED will quickly blink three
times when you press the Power [ON] button.
Couch Mode
The URC-A6 is designed to automatically turn itself
off if a button is pressed for more than 30 seconds.
This prevents battery power from being depleted
should the remote accidentally slip between the
couch cushions.
PLEASE DO NOT RETURN
THIS PRODUCT TO THE STORE
PLEASE CONTACT OUR TECHNICAL
SUPPORT CENTER
IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE, E-MAIL
techsuppor[email protected]
or dial 1-800-901-0800
(9:00AM-6:00PM EST)

Page 6
Keypad Layout &
Button Functions
Allows you to turn the
selected component
on and off.
POWER
Designed to send Power
On/Off commands for up
to six components with one
button press.
SYSTEM OFF
Used to select the
component you
want to operate
and signals remote
control activity.
Displays the
Applications Menu
through the Cable
Set Top Box.
TV, CBL, LIGHTS,
AUDIO, DVD, AUX
Raises or lowers
the sound volume.
VOLUME
Exits from current
screen through
the Cable Set Top
Box.
Custom-programmable
Favorite Channel
Buttons
MY
FAVORITES
Controls Picture-
In-Picture actions.
PIP
CONTROLS
Use to enter code
numbers for
programming
components and to
enter channel numbers
to tune in channels.
Also used to make
numeric entries on on-
screen menus.
Perform standard
VCR and DVD
functions when in
VCR and DVD
mode, or VOD
(Video-On-
Demand) and DVR
(Digital Video
Recorder) functions
when in Cable
mode.
TRANSPORT
CONTROLS
MENU
Displays the
Program Guide
listings through
the Cable Set
Top Box.
Displays information
about the program
currently playing or
highlighted in the
Program Guide
through the Cable
Set Top Box.
INFO
GUIDE
Used for
programming
steps and on-
screen navigation
and highlighting.
CURSOR
NAVIGATION
PAD
EXIT
Selects highlighted
screen options.
SELECT
Selects the video
source from
available
components.
INPUT
Returns to the
previously tuned
channel through
the Cable Set
Top Box.
LAST
Silences the Audio.
Press to activate.
Press again to
restore sound to
the previous level.
MUTE
NUMBER
PAD

Page 7
Programming URC-A6 using
Pre-Programmed Codes
There are three different ways you can program
your URC-A6 using the component brand codes
that are pre-programmed into the remote. One of
these will work for you!
• Quick Set-Up Method
• Three-Digit Code Entry Method
• Auto-Search Method
* * *
TRY THIS FIRST!
Quick Set-Up Method
STEP 1: Manually or using your old remote, turn
on the component you want to program—for
example, to program your TV, turn on your TV set.
STEP 2: Point the URC-A6 toward the component
that you want to program (in this case the TV set)
and press and hold the component button (in this
case the TV button). While holding down the
component button, begin to press numeric
keys, one number at a time, starting from 1,
continuing to 2, 3 ... 0 until component (in this case
the TV) turns off.
STEP 3: Release the component button to save the
code. The component LED light will blink three times
to confirm that the code has been stored.
Repeat the above three steps for other components.
COMPONENT
BUTTONS
NUMBER
PAD

Page 8
IFQUICK SET-UP DID NOT WORK, TRY
THIS NEXT:
Three-Digit Code Set-Up Method
STEP 1: Find the 3-digit code numbers assigned to
your brand from the lists in the back of this manual.
The codes are listed by component category (i.e.,
TV, VCR, DVD, etc.), then by brand name. For
instance, if you would like to locate a code for a
Sony television, first locate the TV category and
then look for the Sony brand.
STEP 2: Once you have located the 3-digit codes
for each of the components that you wish to
operate with your URC-A6, write them ALL down
on a piece of paper. It’s important that you write
down all the codes listed for your brand because
only one code is going to work with your
component.
STEP 3: Manually or using your old remote, turn
on the component you want to program—for
example, to program your TV turn on your TV set.
STEP 4: On the URC-A6, press the Component
button that you want to program (in this case the
button that says TV) and the SELECT [SEL] button at
the same time. Hold down both buttons for 2
seconds until the TV Component LED light turns on.
This signals that you are in programming mode.
IMPORTANT: You have 30 seconds to perform
the next step while you are in programming mode.
If you do not press a button within 30 seconds,the
component LED light will turn off. The remote will
exit the programming mode and you will have to
start over.
COMPONENT
BUTTONS
SELECT
BUTTON

Page 9
STEP 5: Point the URC-A6 toward the component
(in this example the TV) and punch in the first 3-digit
code that you wrote down for that specific
component. Use the Number buttons 0–9 on the
remote to punch in the code. The TV LED light will
blink each time a number is pressed.
If the 3-digit code number you just punched in is
the correct number, the component you are trying to
program will turn off. If it did not turn off, enter the
next code number from your list until it does turn off.
STEP 6: Once you’ve entered the code number
and the component has turned off, press the
POWER button on the URC-A6 remote to turn the
component back on.
Next test the VOLUME and CHANNEL buttons (or
PLAY and STOP buttons for DVD and DVR) to make
sure they all work. For example, perhaps your
Sony TV turned off with code number 147, but the
volume controls did not work properly. In this case,
try the next code number listed for that component.
Repeat Step 5 using the next code number until you
find a perfect match.
STEP 7: Once you’ve entered a correct code you
must save it. Press the component button you just
programmed (in this case TV) one more time to
save the code number. The component LED light
will blink three times to confirm that the code was
successfully stored. Now when you press the TV
component button, all of the buttons will work with
your TV.
Program the remaining components by repeating
steps 3 through 7.
IMPORTANT: If you have tried all the set-up
codes in the list and the component still did not turn
off after Step 5, either the Auto-Search Method
(page 10) or the Learning Method (page 12) will
help you program.
NUMBER
BUTTONS

Page 10
If the Three Digit Code did not
work, try this next:
Auto-Search Method
The Auto-Search Method is a way you can scan
through all of the codes in the table to find the right
code for your component.
STEP 1: Manually or using your old remote, turn
on the component you want to program—for
example, to program your TV, turn on your TV set.
STEP 2: On the URC-A6, press the Component
button that you want to program (in this case the
button that says TV) and the SELECT [SEL] button at
the same time. Hold down both buttons for 2
seconds until the TV Component button light turns
on. This signals that you are in programming
mode.
IMPORTANT: You have 30 seconds to perform
the next step while you are in programming mode.
If you do not press a button within 30 seconds, the
component LED light will turn off. The remote will
exit the programming mode and you will have to
start over.
STEP 3: Point the URC-A6 remote control toward
the component and press the UP

arrow (or
DOWN

arrow) button once. Each time the UP
or DOWN arrow button is pressed, the code will
count up (or down) one code number and send a
Power OFF signal. When the correct code is sent
out, the component will turn off.
DOWN

ARROW
UP

ARROW

Page 11
STEP 4: Once you have found the right code
number and the component has turned off, press
the POWER button on the URC-A6 remote to turn
the component back on.
Next test the VOLUME and CHANNEL buttons (or
PLAY and STOP buttons for DVD and DVR) to make
sure they all work. If any of the buttons do not work
properly, you need to find a new code. Continue
pressing the UP (or DOWN) arrow button until you
find a new code that turns off the component and
makes the VOLUME or PLAY buttons respond
correctly.
STEP 5: Once you have found the right code, you
must save it. Press the component button you just
programmed (in this case TV) one more time to
save the code number. The component LED light
will blink three times to confirm that the code was
successfully stored. Now when you press the TV
component button, all of the buttons will work with
your TV.
NOTE: Use this method for those components you
cannot program with either the Quick Set-Up or 3-
digit Code Entry Methods.
IMPORTANT: If you cannot find the right code
after 5 minutes of trying the Auto-Search Method,
try the Learning Method (page 12).
PLEASE DO NOT RETURN
THIS PRODUCT TO THE STORE
PLEASE CONTACT OUR TECHNICAL
SUPPORT CENTER
IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE, E-MAIL
techsuppor[email protected]
or dial 1-800-901-0800
(9:00AM-6:00PM EST)

Page 12
If Auto Search did not work, try this:
Programming URC-A6
using the Learning Method
STEP 1: Line up the URC-A6 to the remote control you
want to ‘learn’ from, head--to--head as shown below.
Make sure the heads are one to two inches apart.
STEP 2: On the URC-A6, press the Component
button that you want to program (in this case the
button that says TV) and the ENTER [ENT] button at
the same time. Hold down both buttons for 2
seconds until the TV Component button light turns
on. This signals that you are in programming mode.
IMPORTANT: You have 30 seconds to perform
the next step while you are in programming mode.
If you do not press a button within 30 seconds, the
component LED light will turn off. The remote will
exit the programming mode and you will have to
start over.
STEP 3: Press any button on the URC-A6 that you
want to teach a command to. For example, if you
want to teach the MUTE button on the URC-A6 the
TV Mute command from the other remote, first
press the MUTE button on the URC-A6 and the TV
component button LED light will blink once
indicating that the URC-A6 is ready to learn the
command.
STEP 4: Press and hold the MUTE button on the
other remote until the component button LED on the
URC-A6 blinks twice. Now you can continue
learning all other buttons from your old remote by
pressing the next button on the URC-A6 and
repeating this step.
Note: The component LED will blink five times if
there was an error in the learning process. In this
case, please repeat Steps 3 and 4.

Page 13
STEP 5: Once the URC-A6 has learned all the
buttons in the selected component mode, press and
hold the Component button and ENTER [ENT] buttons
at the same time to save the learned functions. The
component LED light will blink three times to confirm
the programming. Now test all the buttons to make
sure they learned correctly.
Repeat Steps 1-5 to program any other component
modes.
If the Learning Method does not work, here are a few
suggestions:
• If you have a Plasma TV, move to another room.
• Avoid programming under fluorescent light or
direct sunlight.
• Put new batteries in the old remote.
• Gradually vary the distance between the
two remote controls.
• Tap the button on your old remote instead of
pressing and holding it during the learning process.
Here are some additional facts regarding the
Learning process:
• Learned functions override any existing
pre-programmed functions on the remote control.
• Learned functions are automatically erased when
a new function is learned on the same button.
• Learned functions are retained even after a
different set-up code number is programmed
into the remote control.
• To return to an original pre-programmed function,
a learned function must to be erased.
PLEASE DO NOT RETURN
THIS PRODUCT TO THE STORE
PLEASE CONTACT OUR TECHNICAL
SUPPORT CENTER
IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE, E-MAIL
techsuppor[email protected]
or dial 1-800-901-0800
(9:00AM-6:00PM EST)

Page 14
Special Advanced Features
Programming Automated Activities
The URC-A6 has six Macro buttons (POWER,
SYSTEM OFF, A, B, C, D) that are designed to
store up to 20 commands in each button. Pressing
any one of the Macro buttons, or Automated
activity, will send out the series of commands that
are stored in that particular button.
MacroPower™ Total System On/Off
MacroPower makes several devices work together
by pressing one button. Imagine the convenience
of turning on your TV, your DVD player and your
Surround Sound receiver by pressing a single
button on your URC-A6. What could normally take
three remotes and three button pushes, the URC-A6
can accomplish with the press of one button. We
call that MacroPower. Any of the Power On or the
System Off buttons can be programmed for
MacroPower control. To set it up, follow these easy
steps:
STEP 1: To program MacroPower commands for
the Power ON button, press the POWER button
and the MUTE button at the same time for 2
seconds until one of the component button LED
lights turns on.
MUTE
POWER

Page 15
IMPORTANT: You have 30 seconds to perform
the next step while you are in programming mode.
If you do not press a button within 30 seconds, the
component LED light will turn off. The remote will
exit the programming mode and you will have to
start over.
STEP 2: Press the component button you want to
turn on and then the POWER button; repeat for all
other components in the order you want them to
turn on. The component LED lights will blink once
each time you press the POWER button.
STEP 3: Once you’ve entered all the Power On
commands, press the CHANNEL UP

button to
save your MacroPower commands. The component
LED lights will blink three times to confirm that the
programming has been successfully saved.
SUGGESTION: Most of the components have the
same signal to turn the power On and Off. You
may want to program MacroPower only in the
POWER button and save the System Off button to
turn components On or Off individually.
Note: If you want to program MacroPower for the
SYSTEM OFF button, repeat the same steps used
for Power ON programming.
COMPONENT
BUTTONS
CHANNEL
UP

POWER

Page 16
Notes regarding programming multi-
commands to Macro buttons:
• You can program up to 20 commands on each
Macro button.
• You can program delays in between commands
by pressing the PAUSE button. Each press adds
a one-half second delay.
• Also, if you add the delay time as the first step
of Macro commands, the remote will not send
the Macro unless the button is held for two
seconds. (This is the Press & Hold Function).
• You can also program macro commands in
‘layers’ by pressing the STOP button in between
commands. (For example, if you press CBL,
009, STOP, 035, STOP, 365, STOP and the
CH+ button in Step 2) the remote will send out
009 at the first press of the ‘A’ button, and then
send out 035 at the second press, etc.
• You cannot program the CH+ or PAUSE buttons
as macro commands.
PLEASE DO NOT RETURN
THIS PRODUCT TO THE STORE
PLEASE CONTACT OUR TECHNICAL
SUPPORT CENTER
IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE, E-MAIL
techsuppor[email protected]
or dial 1-800-901-0800
(9:00AM-6:00PM EST)

Page 17
Programming “My Favorites” - Favorite
Channel Buttons
In Cable mode, the A, B, C, D buttons are also
designed to serve as dedicated Favorite Channel
buttons. Each button will access one of your favorite
channels with just one button press. Here’s how to
program Favorite Channels:
STEP 1: Press the CBL button to select the Cable
mode.
STEP 2: Press the ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ or ‘D’ button and the
MUTE button at the same time for 2 seconds until
the CBL component LED turns on.
IMPORTANT: You have 30 seconds to perform
the next step while you are in programming mode.
If you do not press a button within 30 seconds, the
component LED light will turn off. The remote will
exit the programming mode and you will have to
start over.
STEP 3: Using the Number Pad, punch in the
Channel number of the Favorite Channel that
you want to store in the Macro button. The
Cable component LED light will blink once for
each button pressed.
STEP 4: Press the CHANNEL UP button to
store the commands entered. The CBL
component LED will blink three times to
confirm the programming.
CHANNEL
UP

MUTE
A
BUTTON

Page 18
More Favorite Channels
You can also use the "A, B, C and D" buttons to
program favorite channels. Each button can pro-
gram up to 5 favorite channels (or a total of 20
button presses), but you're not limited to using
these buttons for only that. You can record any
series of button presses into a macro. This is great
switching video or audio sources. Here is an
example of how to program a macro on the "A"
button with three favorite channels. We'll use "25,
50, and 75."
STEP 1: Press the device you are getting
channel control from. Ex. Cable.
STEP 2: Press and hold the "A" button and
"Mute" button at the same time until a
device button lights up.
STEP 3: Press "2".
STEP 4: Press "5".
STEP 5: Press "Select".
STEP 6: Press "Stop".
STEP 7: Press "5".
STEP 8: Press "0".
STEP 9: Press "Select".
STEP 10: Press "Stop".
STEP 11: Press "7".
STEP 12: Press "5".
STEP 13: Press "Select".
STEP 14: Press "Stop".
STEP 15: Press "Channel Up" to save macro.
Note: Pressing the "Select" button just assures the
quickest response from the Cable box. Pressing
"Stop" allows you to program several favorite
channels on one button. Now, the first press of the
"A" button will change the channel to "25." The
second, to "50" and the third, to "75." Then the
sequence starts all over again.

Page 19
SimpleSound™ Total System Volume
Control
SimpleSound is one of the most exciting features of
the URC-A6. It gives you total volume control over
ALL the components in your system, even those that
do not have built--in volume control, such as TIVO,
DVD and VCR. SimpleSound saves you the hassle
and inconvenience of constantly switching between
component modes just to control volume.
First you should identify which device in your
system will be used to deliver sound. In a basic
system, the sound may come from your TV speaker.
In a more advanced system, the sound may come
from your audio components (such as a Surround
Sound Receiver or Home Theatre system).
Now, let’s set--up SimpleSound. Here’s how:
STEP 1: Press and hold the button that corresponds
to the Component you want to add volume control
to (such as a DVD or DVR) and the SELECT (SEL)
button at the same time for about three seconds
until the component LED light turns on.
IMPORTANT: You have 30 seconds to perform
the next step while you are in programming mode.
If you do not press a button within 30 seconds, the
component LED light will turn off. The remote will
exit the programming mode and you will have to
start over.
COMPONENT
BUTTONS
SELECT

Page 20
STEP 2: Press the VOLUME UP button and then
press either the TV or AUDIO component button
that you want to use for volume. The Component
LED light will blink three times to confirm that it is
saved. This sets up three buttons (Volume Up,
Volume Down and MUTE) as a group for that
component.
Repeat Steps 1-2 for all other components.
Note: SimpleSound is what’s technically
referred to as a “Punch Through” feature and is
not limited to volume control. It can also be
applied to other groups of buttons. If you find
yourself switching to a particular component
mode frequently to access a particular control,
consider using “Punch Through”.
VOLUME
UP