One-For-All Universal Remotes

[soloredd]

Ok, I just bought one of these things (model 6131) in hopes of controlling my Samsung HDTV, my Pioneer DVD recorder, and my cable box (Motorola).

The problem is, the buttons on the remote do nothing in relation to what they say. For example, on the TV, the volume buttons work, but I can also control volume with the menu navigation buttons (thus, I cannot control any TV menus because I need those buttons). Also, none of the codes work to control the Pioneer DVD recorder (all I want is to be able to play DVDs, I can use the original remote for recording).

So, my questions is, does anyone have any solutions or had experience with these? There is a number to call for customer service to "upgrade" the remote, but the number is not toll-free and I'm curious as to how this is even done over the phone.

[Guest]

I have been holding off to find one that the buttons can labeled. On the lcd touch screen,not stickers. That way you wont have problems with the esoteric ones.

Try this site for info.

[bugster]

For a truly universal remote that can replicate all the functions of your existing remotes reliably in one unit then you need a learning remote. These can be 'trained' from your existing remote and many have 'macro' capibilities. This allows you to chain multiple commands together so that with a single key press you can, for instance, turn on the TV, turn on the DVD player, turn on the Surround sound amp and play the DVD. They take a while to get setup properly but can be very useful. The downside is they cost a lot more than the 'all in one' or other replacement remotes.

[Shadow57]

Maybe something like this.....?

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=189-065

[soloredd]

Maybe something like this.....?

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=189-065

That looks like it could do the trick, thanks alot

Obviously, the original remotes can never be permanently replaced, there's too many specific features that are needed.

If anyone has used one of those LCD learning remotes, can you please provide your experiences? Thanks!

[MackemX]

my e-pilot works fine as it's easily programmable. The only thing is the LCD graphics are limited as to what button they can show so sometimes the graohic is different for the command. Saying that it's done the job for a while now

[Hardcoreruss]

Phillips Pronto.

[bugster]

Phillips Pronto.

I have a Pronto, and although it does everything I need it to, I don't like it. The reason is the touch screen interface. It requires that you actually look at the screen everytime you want to press a button and its very nature means that the buttons need to be fairly large. This means you can get relativley few buttons on a screen so you often end up navigating to different screens for different functions. It just doesn't suit my needs. I know there are plenty of fans of this device, but I think I will look around for one with a decent set of real buttons for my purposes.

[BJ_M]

some real good ones

Remote Technologies Inc. TheaterTouch T2+ Universal System Controller
http://www.rticorp.com/products/t2plus.shtml




Sunwave SRC-3810


and a whole boat load of them here (just a few samples below)

http://universalremote.com/products/

[yoda313]

Hello,

The reason is the touch screen interface. It requires that you actually look at the screen everytime you want to press a button and its very nature means that the buttons need to be fairly large.

Ugh... never thought about that drawback of those fancy touchscreen universals....

PLUS - doesn't the brightness of the screen detract from the "theatrical" experience you're trying to achieve while watching a movie????

I wouldn't want this huge bright green or blue glow in front of me - I just want the TV!!!

Kevin

[pbhalerao]

PLUS - doesn't the brightness of the screen detract from the "theatrical" experience you're trying to achieve while watching a movie????

I wouldn't want this huge bright green or blue glow in front of me - I just want the TV!!!

Kevin

Just put it upside down?

[MackemX]

this is the one I have and it does the job. I can feel where the buttons are now anyway and it dims to lighting so it's not like a spotlight in the dark

http://www.sunwave.com.tw/products_1.php?product_id=1103618701&area_id=1099471722

[bugster]

PLUS - doesn't the brightness of the screen detract from the "theatrical" experience you're trying to achieve while watching a movie????


Kevin

Well, tha backlight goes out after a few seconds until you next touch a key. With the pronto this period is programmable, don't know about others.

[BJ_M]

you need a little light anyway to see the ashtray

[yoda313]

Hello,



I guess the light wouldn't be that big of a deal....

But I can't imagine paying more than $10 or $15 for a remote in the first place :P :P :P

Kevin

[BJ_M]

some are around 3000$ and if you get a full blown AMX or Crestron system -- figure on 10k and up easy

[jackal70058]

Ive never had luck with so called "universal" remotes. They never "universal" enough. I can always get every device except one to work with the remote. And Learn commands don't always work either for some reason. I have one remote the remote cant learn the code from. And I don't like spend a lot of money on a remote control: they are notorious for getting sat on, lost, or end up in the washing machine.