Remote Controls

[Hi Ho]

I am bored at the moment so I thought I rant about remote controls. It seems that many companies can't design a decent, long lasting, remote that is easy to use. HERE is a picture of all the remotes I have. Sanyo TV, Sharp VCR, Aiwa DVD, and Panasonic reciever. The Sanyo, although it isn't the fanciest looking, is the easiest to use. It is easy to feel around without looking. Also, the lettering is not printed directly on the buttons. That brings me to the VCR ramote. It is easy enough to use but the numbering is printed directly on the buttons and has mostly worn off. The DVD remote is easy to use except the arrow buttons are not designed well. Also, some of the lettering is printed on the buttons but it seems to be holding up better than the VCR. Now, the worst of the bunch. The reciever remote. I have seen other Panasonic remotes that look very nice and are egornomic and easy to use. However, the one that came with my reciever isn't so hot. It doesn't look so bad in the picture but the gold lettering is near impossible to read in any lighting conditions. The red on black is also very hard to read. The buttons are designed so that they are hard to memorize and most feel the same. I have to use all of these remotes because even though they are all universal I there are certain functions for each component that only the original remote can do. The reciever remote does not support my DVD player. I don't know how interesting my little rant has been but I have been bothered by this for a long time. I don't believe there are any resonably priced "super remotes" out there that will perform all the funtions for each component but I am still looking. Why can't all companies design a good remote like the one for my TV?

[SonicVanguard]

Boy, don't we want our cake and to eat it too?

Look at some of the Sony touchscreen remotes. They can be had for just over $100 - that's not too bad. Or the Philips Pronto remotes are completely customizable. But you'll be looking at $200+. But if you want the convienience, you've got to pay for it. I've done home theater installs with $5,000 remotes, so $200 isn't that bad looking at it that way.

Dave.

[yellowsnow]

Originally posted by Hi Ho I am bored at the moment

I'll say.

I hate remotes too, half of mine are funky.

[Hi Ho]

I've done home theater installs with $5,000 remotes

What on earth was in that thing? Did it have diamond buttons or something?

[SonicVanguard]

Originally posted by Hi Ho What on earth was in that thing? Did it have diamond buttons or something?

Home automation, controlled any A/V controller in the home, controlled lighting, had an intercom....it does everything except make the popcorn for the movies. It also had plenty of eye candy, large color touch screen, built-in speakers for the intercom...it's pretty nice. Overkill for 99% of us, but for the 1% that wanted the best, that's it.

Dave.