The ultimate home theater system usually comes with a handful of remote controls, and inevitably, the one you really need is nowhere to be found. Universal remotes have been around for some time, but they have limited functionality, so some features are inaccessible. The Marantz RC9200 is the ultimate remote for your entertainment center, but the price tag might mean sacrificing that extra component you've wanted to complete your system.

The RC9200 includes 14 direct access buttons that can be programmed with basic functions and a unique 256-color 240x320 pixel touch-screen display. While the color display is the first we've seen in a universal remote, the limited colors make icons appear grainy. Sightless control isn't as easy as with traditional remotes, since the touch screen doesn't have the tactile feel of traditional buttons. Careful not to sit on it, too -- LCDs generally can't handle the pressure.

Customize it

The power of the RC9200 comes with the programmable macros that can include as many as 255 steps. With a simple touch of a button, you can control multiple devices and set them to your exacting specifications for, say, watching a movie. Macros, like every other aspect of the interface, can be labeled any way you please with the help of a software-based Qwerty keyboard.

Similar to high-end remotes like the Yamaha RAV-2000, the RC9200 is fully customizable with the help of a Windows-based PC. The software, a free download from the Marantz website, isn't the easiest to use, but provides remarkable control of the interface. You can customize the graphical background and the shape of control buttons. The software imports standard BMP image files for buttons and backgrounds, while the final package is stored in a CCF (communications configuration file) format. Unfortunately, the documentation is scant, making the creation of functional interfaces a chore. While we were able to quickly create an interface, actually programming the buttons was a task that would have been made easier with better documentation.

Our biggest complaint with the RC9200 is the limited number of presets. Marantz includes presets for a few components from the major manufacturers, but nothing that could be called comprehensive. So, you'll have to gather your collection of remotes to teach the RC9200 the proper commands. Expect to spend some time programming each key, and if you've broken or lost a remote, you might be out of luck. We did find IR (infrared) codes for other Marantz remotes created by users, but they don't exist for the RC9200 yet. We expect that over time they will become available.

All the graphics, macros, and configuration are stored on 8MB of flash memory. For what the RC9200 does, the memory is sufficient enough to control even the most complex home theater setups and more.

A feature we really liked was the IR extender included in the package. While IR is limited to line of sight, RF (radio frequency) doesn't have that limitation. With the IR extender, you can place a small module in front of your devices and use RF to control them from other rooms in the house. The extender converts the RF commands to IR and extends the range of the RC9200 to 66 feet, according to Marantz. With standard IR, Marantz claims an effective distance of 33 feet.

If you get annoyed by the dying batteries in your remotes, the RC9200 comes with a rechargeable battery. Marantz claims the remote will survive for several months on a single charge depending on usage. It does come with a charging cradle, so you may never have a dead remote again. The charging cradle also provides a home for the RC9200, which hopefully will reduce the number of times you lose your remote and keep the display safe from harm.

The bottom line

While the Marantz RC9200 is definitely a powerful universal remote, the price tag relegates it to the high-end home theater owner and few others. At $1,250, the RC9200 is priced comparably to some entire home theater components. For those who have it all and need one more toy, the RC9200 might be worth considering merely for the novelty factor. However, other alternatives exist for more than half the price that can do almost as much.

Pros: Rechargeable battery; highly customizable.

Cons: Expensive; no tactile feedback; limited presets; poor documentation.

Company: Marantz
Price: $1,250
Available: Now
Requirements: Windows PC with serial connection (for customization).