Guv Bob wrote:

I have had this DVD/VCR combo unit for over 3 years now, and would like to find out if anyone has found a 3rd party remote control that can be used with it, or if the factory has a remote with upgraded software.

The device is top quality and the manual is excellent, but the remote is so complicated and non-intuitive that if you don't use it every day, you have to go back to the manual, even after this long time.

The manual does leave out some basic steps -- like how to set the record speed (which they call "mode"). I'm fairly good with electronics (servicing industrial electronics is my business) and took me a good year before I could make basic settings without looking it up.

Most of the features can't be done from the device and must be done via the remote control which is cryptic. It has way too many buttons, even for a combo unity, and has tiny labels that can't be read in a darkened room. If you hit a wrong button, sometimes it is impossible to figure out how to return the device to normal use without digging out the manual again. My manual is well worn and has many notes scribbled in it now.

One problem is that when you are using the timer, you have to turn the device off and on with a button other than the ON/OFF button. If your lovely wife comes in and used ON/OFF, it disables the timer, and must be reset again with the special non-ON/OFF button.

It is a real shame that such a fine device from a good manufacturer has such a poor user interface. A better designed remote would completely change the usability.


Wrong newsgroup. This is a test equipment newsgroup. You want
news:sci.electronics.repair.


--
You can't fix stupid. You can't even put a Band-Aid™ on it, because it's
Teflon coated.

On 3/28/2011 1:56 PM, Michael A. Terrell wrote:

Guv Bob wrote:

I have had this DVD/VCR combo unit for over 3 years now, and would like to find out if anyone has found a 3rd party remote control that can be used with it, or if the factory has a remote with upgraded software.

The device is top quality and the manual is excellent, but the remote is so complicated and non-intuitive that if you don't use it every day, you have to go back to the manual, even after this long time.

The manual does leave out some basic steps -- like how to set the record speed (which they call "mode"). I'm fairly good with electronics (servicing industrial electronics is my business) and took me a good year before I could make basic settings without looking it up.

Most of the features can't be done from the device and must be done via the remote control which is cryptic. It has way too many buttons, even for a combo unity, and has tiny labels that can't be read in a darkened room. If you hit a wrong button, sometimes it is impossible to figure out how to return the device to normal use without digging out the manual again. My manual is well worn and has many notes scribbled in it now.

One problem is that when you are using the timer, you have to turn the device off and on with a button other than the ON/OFF button. If your lovely wife comes in and used ON/OFF, it disables the timer, and must be reset again with the special non-ON/OFF button.

It is a real shame that such a fine device from a good manufacturer has such a poor user interface. A better designed remote would completely change the usability.


Wrong newsgroup. This is a test equipment newsgroup. You want
news:sci.electronics.repair.



Michael... Careful you posted your reply to the wrong groups too! g

--
I'm never going to grow up.

PeterD wrote:

On 3/28/2011 1:56 PM, Michael A. Terrell wrote:

Guv Bob wrote:

I have had this DVD/VCR combo unit for over 3 years now, and would like to find out if anyone has found a 3rd party remote control that can be used with it, or if the factory has a remote with upgraded software.

The device is top quality and the manual is excellent, but the remote is so complicated and non-intuitive that if you don't use it every day, you have to go back to the manual, even after this long time.

The manual does leave out some basic steps -- like how to set the record speed (which they call "mode"). I'm fairly good with electronics (servicing industrial electronics is my business) and took me a good year before I could make basic settings without looking it up.

Most of the features can't be done from the device and must be done via the remote control which is cryptic. It has way too many buttons, even for a combo unity, and has tiny labels that can't be read in a darkened room. If you hit a wrong button, sometimes it is impossible to figure out how to return the device to normal use without digging out the manual again. My manual is well worn and has many notes scribbled in it now.

One problem is that when you are using the timer, you have to turn the device off and on with a button other than the ON/OFF button. If your lovely wife comes in and used ON/OFF, it disables the timer, and must be reset again with the special non-ON/OFF button.

It is a real shame that such a fine device from a good manufacturer has such a poor user interface. A better designed remote would completely change the usability.


Wrong newsgroup. This is a test equipment newsgroup. You want
news:sci.electronics.repair.



Michael... Careful you posted your reply to the wrong groups too! g


No. I added the proper group.


--
You can't fix stupid. You can't even put a Band-Aid™ on it, because it's
Teflon coated.

The problem, Guv Bob, is not so much in the remote control, but in the
unit's firmware, which requires such confusing operation. Many products are
designed with no concern whatever as to how people actually use them.

The only thing I can suggest is to buy a remote control that can be
programmed with IR sequences from your existing remote, AND supports macros.
You should then be able to create one-button commands.

On 3/29/2011 8:25 AM, Michael A. Terrell wrote:

PeterD wrote:

On 3/28/2011 1:56 PM, Michael A. Terrell wrote:

Guv Bob wrote:

I have had this DVD/VCR combo unit for over 3 years now, and would like to find out if anyone has found a 3rd party remote control that can be used with it, or if the factory has a remote with upgraded software.

The device is top quality and the manual is excellent, but the remote is so complicated and non-intuitive that if you don't use it every day, you have to go back to the manual, even after this long time.

The manual does leave out some basic steps -- like how to set the record speed (which they call "mode"). I'm fairly good with electronics (servicing industrial electronics is my business) and took me a good year before I could make basic settings without looking it up.

Most of the features can't be done from the device and must be done via the remote control which is cryptic. It has way too many buttons, even for a combo unity, and has tiny labels that can't be read in a darkened room. If you hit a wrong button, sometimes it is impossible to figure out how to return the device to normal use without digging out the manual again. My manual is well worn and has many notes scribbled in it now.

One problem is that when you are using the timer, you have to turn the device off and on with a button other than the ON/OFF button. If your lovely wife comes in and used ON/OFF, it disables the timer, and must be reset again with the special non-ON/OFF button.

It is a real shame that such a fine device from a good manufacturer has such a poor user interface. A better designed remote would completely change the usability.


Wrong newsgroup. This is a test equipment newsgroup. You want
news:sci.electronics.repair.



Michael... Careful you posted your reply to the wrong groups too!g


No. I added the proper group.



I had to read that twice before I realized what you meant... g So you
added SER to help the OP out. Sure left me confused!

--
I'm never going to grow up.

PeterD wrote:

On 3/29/2011 8:25 AM, Michael A. Terrell wrote:

PeterD wrote:

On 3/28/2011 1:56 PM, Michael A. Terrell wrote:

Guv Bob wrote:

I have had this DVD/VCR combo unit for over 3 years now, and would like to find out if anyone has found a 3rd party remote control that can be used with it, or if the factory has a remote with upgraded software.

The device is top quality and the manual is excellent, but the remote is so complicated and non-intuitive that if you don't use it every day, you have to go back to the manual, even after this long time.

The manual does leave out some basic steps -- like how to set the record speed (which they call "mode"). I'm fairly good with electronics (servicing industrial electronics is my business) and took me a good year before I could make basic settings without looking it up.

Most of the features can't be done from the device and must be done via the remote control which is cryptic. It has way too many buttons, even for a combo unity, and has tiny labels that can't be read in a darkened room. If you hit a wrong button, sometimes it is impossible to figure out how to return the device to normal use without digging out the manual again. My manual is well worn and has many notes scribbled in it now.

One problem is that when you are using the timer, you have to turn the device off and on with a button other than the ON/OFF button. If your lovely wife comes in and used ON/OFF, it disables the timer, and must be reset again with the special non-ON/OFF button.

It is a real shame that such a fine device from a good manufacturer has such a poor user interface. A better designed remote would completely change the usability.


Wrong newsgroup. This is a test equipment newsgroup. You want
news:sci.electronics.repair.



Michael... Careful you posted your reply to the wrong groups too!g


No. I added the proper group.



I had to read that twice before I realized what you meant... g So you
added SER to help the OP out. Sure left me confused!


Get used to it. It will happen more and more as you age.

--
You can't fix stupid. You can't even put a Band-Aid™ on it, because it's
Teflon coated.

Thanks, William. Any idea where to get a programmable remote?

"William Sommerwerck" wrote in message ...
The problem, Guv Bob, is not so much in the remote control, but in the
unit's firmware, which requires such confusing operation. Many products are
designed with no concern whatever as to how people actually use them.

The only thing I can suggest is to buy a remote control that can be
programmed with IR sequences from your existing remote, AND supports macros.
You should then be able to create one-button commands.

On 3/30/2011 8:07 PM, Michael A. Terrell wrote:

PeterD wrote:

On 3/29/2011 8:25 AM, Michael A. Terrell wrote:

PeterD wrote:

On 3/28/2011 1:56 PM, Michael A. Terrell wrote:

Guv Bob wrote:

I have had this DVD/VCR combo unit for over 3 years now, and would like to find out if anyone has found a 3rd party remote control that can be used with it, or if the factory has a remote with upgraded software.

The device is top quality and the manual is excellent, but the remote is so complicated and non-intuitive that if you don't use it every day, you have to go back to the manual, even after this long time.

The manual does leave out some basic steps -- like how to set the record speed (which they call "mode"). I'm fairly good with electronics (servicing industrial electronics is my business) and took me a good year before I could make basic settings without looking it up.

Most of the features can't be done from the device and must be done via the remote control which is cryptic. It has way too many buttons, even for a combo unity, and has tiny labels that can't be read in a darkened room. If you hit a wrong button, sometimes it is impossible to figure out how to return the device to normal use without digging out the manual again. My manual is well worn and has many notes scribbled in it now.

One problem is that when you are using the timer, you have to turn the device off and on with a button other than the ON/OFF button. If your lovely wife comes in and used ON/OFF, it disables the timer, and must be reset again with the special non-ON/OFF button.

It is a real shame that such a fine device from a good manufacturer has such a poor user interface. A better designed remote would completely change the usability.


Wrong newsgroup. This is a test equipment newsgroup. You want
news:sci.electronics.repair.



Michael... Careful you posted your reply to the wrong groups too!g


No. I added the proper group.



I had to read that twice before I realized what you meant...g So you
added SER to help the OP out. Sure left me confused!


Get used to it. It will happen more and more as you age.


Damn, not what I wanted to hear!

--
I'm never going to grow up.

On 3/31/2011 5:55 AM, Guv Bob wrote:
Thanks, William. Any idea where to get a programmable remote?

"William wrote in message ...
The problem, Guv Bob, is not so much in the remote control, but in the
unit's firmware, which requires such confusing operation. Many products are
designed with no concern whatever as to how people actually use them.

The only thing I can suggest is to buy a remote control that can be
programmed with IR sequences from your existing remote, AND supports macros.
You should then be able to create one-button commands.



Believe it or not, I've found them more often in 'outlet' or 'job lot'
stores than anywhere else.

--
I'm never going to grow up.

PeterD wrote:

On 3/30/2011 8:07 PM, Michael A. Terrell wrote:

PeterD wrote:

On 3/29/2011 8:25 AM, Michael A. Terrell wrote:

PeterD wrote:

On 3/28/2011 1:56 PM, Michael A. Terrell wrote:

Guv Bob wrote:

I have had this DVD/VCR combo unit for over 3 years now, and would like to find out if anyone has found a 3rd party remote control that can be used with it, or if the factory has a remote with upgraded software.

The device is top quality and the manual is excellent, but the remote is so complicated and non-intuitive that if you don't use it every day, you have to go back to the manual, even after this long time.

The manual does leave out some basic steps -- like how to set the record speed (which they call "mode"). I'm fairly good with electronics (servicing industrial electronics is my business) and took me a good year before I could make basic settings without looking it up.

Most of the features can't be done from the device and must be done via the remote control which is cryptic. It has way too many buttons, even for a combo unity, and has tiny labels that can't be read in a darkened room. If you hit a wrong button, sometimes it is impossible to figure out how to return the device to normal use without digging out the manual again. My manual is well worn and has many notes scribbled in it now.

One problem is that when you are using the timer, you have to turn the device off and on with a button other than the ON/OFF button. If your lovely wife comes in and used ON/OFF, it disables the timer, and must be reset again with the special non-ON/OFF button.

It is a real shame that such a fine device from a good manufacturer has such a poor user interface. A better designed remote would completely change the usability.


Wrong newsgroup. This is a test equipment newsgroup. You want
news:sci.electronics.repair.



Michael... Careful you posted your reply to the wrong groups too!g


No. I added the proper group.



I had to read that twice before I realized what you meant...g So you
added SER to help the OP out. Sure left me confused!


Get used to it. It will happen more and more as you age.


Damn, not what I wanted to hear!


Me, either. The VA put me on Insulin and Terazosin today. Like Art
Linkletter used to say, "Old age isn't for sissies!"


--
You can't fix stupid. You can't even put a Band-Aid™ on it, because it's
Teflon coated.