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geekhack Community => Input Devices => Topic started by: microsoft windows on Thu, 06 January 2011, 18:50:21

Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: microsoft windows on Thu, 06 January 2011, 18:50:21
What kind of TV remote do you use? I've been using this all-in-one rubber dome TV remote for a while.
(http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/8059/remotez.jpg)
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Thu, 06 January 2011, 19:12:23
You have a TV? I would think you would only have radio.

(http://fieldengineer.homestead.com/files/Antique_radio.jpg)
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: microsoft windows on Thu, 06 January 2011, 20:00:03
Quote from: Computer-Lab in Basement;274260
You have a TV? I would think you would only have radio.

Show Image
(http://fieldengineer.homestead.com/files/Antique_radio.jpg)


I've had a TV for years. But I've never bothered with cable.

That's a cool radio though. I like those AM dials. Wonder how many vacuum tubes it's got?
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Thu, 06 January 2011, 20:25:15
Quote from: microsoft windows;274285
I've had a TV for years. But I've never bothered with cable.

That's a cool radio though. I like those AM dials. Wonder how many vacuum tubes it's got?


My dad has at least 3 radios like that and at least 20 other vacuum tube radios at his house in NY.  Some of the big ones have record players in them.
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: woody on Fri, 07 January 2011, 05:12:24
Not mine (http://www.casio.com/products/Timepiece/Databank/CMD40B-1T/), but perhaps interesting to remote consumers.
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: db_Iodine on Fri, 07 January 2011, 06:47:17
A little NSFW so I edited this to be just a link to the picture (http://i7.aijaa.com/b/00396/7271659.jpg).
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: firestorm on Fri, 07 January 2011, 07:22:42
I've actually been more picky about remotes than I have keyboards.  Part of it is tactile feel too though.

We're back to using the old faithful Home Theater Master (was the consumer brand for Universal Remote Control) MX-500.
(http://gallery.tjapkes.com/d/6920-4/mx500.jpg)

I tried out a Logitech Harmony 700, but it felt cheap and I was annoyed by having to plug it in to recharge it frequently.  The button layout is improved for Harmony, but remains sub par compared to others.  I wasn't impressed by button feel either.

Then I tried the Harmony One.  It had a similar button feeland the button layout was virtually the same.  Battery charging was easier, since it had a docking station and it had Lithium Ion batteries vs. NiMH in the 700.  I probably could have lived with the Harmony One, since it performed well enough.  I was able to get the "macros" to work satisfactorily.  What I really hated was the touch screen.  Every time I wanted to use a non-standard (i.e. non hard button) feature, I had to look at the damn screen.  e.g. DVR button.  It also felt like it would break if it were ever dropped or sat on.

Our MX-500 is fairly old, and it doesn't work with the newer IR protocol used by some cable boxes.  I'm not happy with the AT&T U-Verse picture quality or DVR software in the first place, but of course my MX-500 doesn't work with it either.  I've managed to get half the DVR buttons work, through persistence, but that's it.  Otherwise, the MX-500 is built 10x better than the Harmony remotes, with a better tactile feel (buttons and layout.)

For now, I returned the Logitech remotes and bought a photo backpack instead.  I'm trying to decide between settling for the URC R50 (essentially replaced the MX-500), going for the MX-450 or higher, or simply waiting until a better option magically appears.
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: microsoft windows on Fri, 07 January 2011, 12:52:37
Just imagine if that was a TV screen in that remote.
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: 7bit on Fri, 07 January 2011, 14:22:31
Those ^^^ are lame!

This one is the real thing:

Outside for normal operation:
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=14591&stc=1&d=1294431260)

Inside for entering text:
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=14592&stc=1&d=1294431276)

Please notice that it has got more keys than an IBM 122-key terminal board!

Even though it is larger than ususal remote controls, 2 batteries are sufficient:
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=14593&stc=1&d=1294431290)
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: phillip on Fri, 07 January 2011, 15:27:33
the ones for the bedroom tvs
(http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/7541/remotes.png)
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: pfink on Fri, 07 January 2011, 15:32:57
Quote from: microsoft windows;274248
What kind of TV remote do you use? I've been using this all-in-one rubber dome TV remote for a while.


Wow. I thought you'd have one of these:

(http://www.tvhistory.tv/1955-Nov-Radio-TV-News-REMOTES.JPG)


I'm using this thing:

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61Elqb%2B-1FL._AA1500_.jpg) (http://araccessories.com/universalremotecontrols/?sku=ARRX15G)
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: firestorm on Fri, 07 January 2011, 15:43:07
Quote from: ripster;274743
I found the Harmony One buttons pretty tactile.

The layout provides OK tactility as far as locating buttons by feel, but button feel (i.e. switch action) is very disappointing compared to the MX-500, which I paid $80 for 6-7 years ago.  I don't like the stiffness nor the "crack" of the tactile bump on the Harmony remotes.  The MX-500 just has a nice tactile bump, and there's no mistaking when pushing through it.  Key action is soft, yet relative easy to avoid accidental activation.  It's much nicer for "30 sec skip" on DVR's IMO.

Still, my gripe was with the complete lack of tactility with the touch screen.  If it had 6 physical buttons instead, I would have been fine with it.  And it probably would be $50 cheaper, which would remedy the fact that I think it feels too cheap for even the $160 I paid for it.

Also, the HTM/URC remotes have IR cannons on them.  Mine can shoot through blankets and some pillows.  It magically bends IR light around corners too.
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: db_Iodine on Fri, 07 January 2011, 15:43:17
Quote from: Julle;274487
Is it universal, or do you have one for each device?


A man can't live with only one remote, so no, it's not universal.
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: microsoft windows on Sat, 08 January 2011, 09:22:48
My remote's a universal. It controls both the TV and the VCR.
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: Daniel Beaver on Sat, 08 January 2011, 09:34:59
I haven't owned a TV for a couple of years now. But when I did, I used a Logitech Harmony remote. I distinctly remember it sucking.
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: 2084 on Sat, 08 January 2011, 10:30:40
Best remote I owned was this Metz 6203, unfortunately the tv died long ago

(http://www.abload.de/img/b17bg3qb2kkgrhqzhie7wz4p3s.jpg)

simple, intuitive and good feel
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: woody on Sat, 08 January 2011, 19:05:12
Quote from: Daniel Beaver;275139
I haven't owned a TV for a couple of years now.

Few more years, and it will be two decades without TV for me. Feels good.
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: phillip on Sun, 09 January 2011, 11:53:34
so do you guys not watch movies?  or do you have projectors?
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: instantkamera on Sun, 09 January 2011, 16:28:50
Quote from: woody;275448
Few more years, and it will be two decades without TV for me. Feels good.


I have news for you, fellow internet surfer ...
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: woody on Sun, 09 January 2011, 16:40:44
Quote from: instantkamera;275831
I have news for you, fellow internet surfer ...

Go on, my brother. I don't surf the net for news.
What's new?
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: keyboardlover on Sun, 09 January 2011, 16:45:30
Quote from: woody;275836
What's new?

For one thing, we have begun to colonise mars.
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: woody on Sun, 09 January 2011, 16:47:52
Quote from: keyboardlover;275839
For one thing, we have begun to colonise mars.


I will repost specially for you:



Enjoy!
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: Lanx on Sun, 09 January 2011, 17:44:39
Ipod touch controls my htpc.

Quote from: phillip;275738
so do you guys not watch movies?  or do you have projectors?

I got another wife angry at me, her and her husband came over to play the kinect and he says he's been obsessed with the thought of a projector ever since they saw my setup.

Of course they'll never do it they don't have a basement and she'll never let him turn a room into a projector place.
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: instantkamera on Mon, 10 January 2011, 08:44:53
Quote from: woody;275836
Go on, my brother. I don't surf the net for news.
What's new?


No, but if you are telling me you aren't entertained by the internet and your computer in general, Im inclined to call BS.

Entertainment delivered via a screen to the consumers eyes ... how is it any different?
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: woody on Mon, 10 January 2011, 15:09:29
Entertained - kinda, if you count listening to music, etc., but no news. My computer is just a tool.
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: Jerri on Tue, 11 January 2011, 06:26:36
Here are my remotes. The one i like most is the one from the Pioneer BDP. The Wadia "brick" is ok, too. But the one i hate is that for the XRGB-3! And the most "tactility" (hope that word is right) has the sony.

(http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/4395/bricksg.jpg)
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: microsoft windows on Tue, 18 January 2011, 18:41:37
You all are a bunch of geeks who know about input devices and you still don't have universal remotes!
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: keyboardlover on Tue, 18 January 2011, 19:50:33
MW, I think you should start a new troll poll!
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: microsoft windows on Tue, 18 January 2011, 20:23:35
Quote from: ripster;280747
Where's the MUTE!!!


With over 25,000 posts, I never thought you'd know what that was!
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: microsoft windows on Tue, 18 January 2011, 20:47:53
We all already knew you were a wise guy.
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 19 January 2011, 06:44:10
Yoo talkin' to me???

MW doesn't have to worry about me.  He's got someone new going after his crown: piotrek.
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: db_Iodine on Wed, 19 January 2011, 07:18:24
A lot of topics getting derailed lately. I shall put this one back on track.

(http://static.arstechnica.com/11-23-2010/harmony_one.jpg)

This is certainly my all time favorite remote.
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 19 January 2011, 07:59:42
I like the Harmony remotes.  I have an old-school 880, and I love it.  The only (good) problem I have with it is that I can't find a reason to upgrade.
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: db_Iodine on Wed, 19 January 2011, 08:24:17
I think I'd be fine with something like Harmony 555, but I got the Harmony One at a great price. It was only €25 more than the cheapest 555 I could find.
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: woody on Thu, 20 January 2011, 16:07:15
So if you play with this, does it make it a Glockenspiel?
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: microsoft windows on Thu, 20 January 2011, 17:32:47
Quote from: ripster;281911
Not the most politically correct right now.  A Glock.
Show Image
(http://gadgetsteria.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/gangsta-remote-glock.jpg)


I'm pretty certain it's photoshop.  The Gangsta Booty mouse pic is right next to it.
Show Image
(http://www.forevergeek.com/wp-content/media/2010/03/gangsta-booty-mouse.jpg)


It would be funny if the trigger was a "Mute" button.
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: microsoft windows on Thu, 20 January 2011, 17:55:46
When I was a kid my TV never had a remote.
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: msiegel on Thu, 20 January 2011, 18:10:19
"good engineering is not funny" (read in austrian governator voice)
Title: Post your TV remotes
Post by: ffarysam on Fri, 21 January 2011, 20:30:10
Not as many as mine.