The dishnetwork 921 receiver remote uses UHF. All of my other devices use IR. Is UHF and RF the same thing? Can I program the URC 100,200 or 300 to work all of the equipment (IR and UHF)?

UHF and RF are in this case conceptually the same thing. In terms of technology they are a bit different, but it's the same concept for controlling your sat box through a wall.

Now, I believe that 921 takes both IR and UHF at the same time. So it shouldn't be an issue using a universal remote to operate it via IR.

Those remotes do have some RF options, but these cannot directly control your 921 via RF, it is not compatible. If you get the RF option, you will get a little RF receiver that will output IR to the 921. No universal remote can directly operate a device that takes RF/UHF from its own remote.

Check this out: [Link: remotecentral.com]

Basically, RF is just radio frequency, for all kinds of communication, not just AM/FM radio.
UHF (ultra high frequency), for example, refers to a specific section of the RF spectrum, or frequencies from 30 MHz to 300MHz..

jjkm,
All Dish's UHF remotes(for 501s, 508s, 811s, 322s, 911s) will also accept most IR codes to operate other devices.

fred

Most of the models you mention, Fred, will receive IR. However, not all Dish receivers will. With the 322 and 522 dual receiver models, only the first receiver will accept IR. The second receiver will only accept UHF via it's own antenna. These are the models that Dish supplies two remotes in the box, one labeled "1" and the other labeled "2". For those who are using universal remotes or control systems, I recommend staying away from these models.

Penny,

Mostly correct.
But the No 2 UHF remotes for the dual receivers will also accept IR codes to operate other devices.

fred

What you mean is these remotes also emit IR and Dish has included a code database so they can operate other devices.

jjkm,

Correct, the 921 Manual will have a section to put the IR codes in the remote to operate IR devices.

fred

I read Spiky's post back in August that there were no universal remotes out there compaible with Dish UHF, so I gather that applies to our Dish 501 DVR as well. I don't think it uses IR at all, but perhaps I'm mistaken...

It looks like several new RF (UHF?) programmable remotes have come out since then. Perhaps someone has started making one that's Dish-UHF compatible? Anything new on this?

The dish remote seems quite capable but we really miss:

1) A macro feature (We used to have our cheap old Sony universal remote set up to turn everything on with one click).

2) Reprogrammable buttons. (so the volume control always adjusts the volume on the tuner even if the remote is on the SAT or TV mode, for example).

Kevin

Sorry to say but at this date there is no such thing as a universal RF remote control. The reason is simple, RF devices require license and approval for each dedicated RF band. A universal RF remote would cost too much to produce in terms of RF licences.

Martin :-)

No change.

my MX-500 universal remote operates our 501 flawlessly. It had to be "taught" most or all commands. I just ordered a dish 625 and I did not think of remote problems. I hope it works!!

I just purchased a TSU7000 , my house sitter sat on my old 1000. I'm not smart enough to understand 90% of the stuff you guys are writing about. I had a Dish network DVR 721 and recently upgraded to the 921. I can program all the other gear but I can't seem to be able to program for the 921. I've read the manual 5~6 times and still having a difficult time. Help.