I have an old clunker of a set, a combined TV and VCR that somebody
gave to us, which works well enough so I keep using it. Or it did: For
some reason the remote now only controls the TV and not the VCR: I
press play, rew,, etc and nothing at all happens.

The remote that came with the unit was nort the original remote, but
it worked okay until a couple of days ago when it suddenly stopped
working rigt. Is the problem in the remote, or did something in the
VCR finally give away and died on me?

Ron

The Lady from Philadelphia sez...

"Borrow a friend's universal remote, and set it for this unit. That should
reveal where the problem lies."

Ron wrote:
I have an old clunker of a set, a combined TV and VCR that somebody
gave to us, which works well enough so I keep using it. Or it did: For
some reason the remote now only controls the TV and not the VCR: I
press play, rew,, etc and nothing at all happens.

The remote that came with the unit was nort the original remote, but
it worked okay until a couple of days ago when it suddenly stopped
working rigt. Is the problem in the remote, or did something in the
VCR finally give away and died on me?

Ron

Using a digital camera (iPhone, etc.) to look at the active end of the
IR remote while pressing the buttons. You should see a 'white' LED when
the button is live. Any buttons that don't work won't light the LED...

John :-#)#

--
(Please post followups or tech enquiries to the newsgroup)
John's Jukes Ltd. 2343 Main St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V5T 3C9
Call (604)872-5757 or Fax 872-2010 (Pinballs, Jukes, Video Games)
www.flippers.com
"Old pinballers never die, they just flip out."

On Monday, September 17, 2012 11:13:56 AM UTC-7, Ron wrote:
I have an old clunker of a set, a combined TV and VCR that somebody

gave to us, which works well enough so I keep using it. Or it did: For

some reason the remote now only controls the TV and not the VCR: I

press play, rew,, etc and nothing at all happens.

Usually, those controls do nothing until a tape is inserted. Do the
front-panel buttons still work? If they don't, it's likely the tape-insertion
sensor switch is dirty. Insert and eject several times, it might clear up.

Ron wrote:
I have an old clunker of a set, a combined TV and VCR that somebody
gave to us, which works well enough so I keep using it. Or it did: For
some reason the remote now only controls the TV and not the VCR: I
press play, rew,, etc and nothing at all happens.

The remote that came with the unit was nort the original remote, but
it worked okay until a couple of days ago when it suddenly stopped
working rigt. Is the problem in the remote, or did something in the
VCR finally give away and died on me?

Ron


Have you checked the battery to see if it is weak?

"Ron" wrote in message ...
I have an old clunker of a set, a combined TV and VCR that somebody
gave to us, which works well enough so I keep using it. Or it did: For
some reason the remote now only controls the TV and not the VCR: I
press play, rew,, etc and nothing at all happens.

The remote that came with the unit was nort the original remote, but
it worked okay until a couple of days ago when it suddenly stopped
working rigt. Is the problem in the remote, or did something in the
VCR finally give away and died on me?

Ron

I have the same problem with my VCR/DVD combo unit. I just tonight took the remote apart -- just one screw - pretty simple - maybe yours is also. I removed the rubber piece with buttons and cleaned all the contacts on both the board and the rubber buttons with an eraser. That didn't solve the problem so I started simulated shorting the contacts on the circuit board one at a time with a screwdriver and found that about 1/3 of the switches don't activate, and that the problem was in a circuit somewhere and not bad connections. The only other thing I did was to look at and smell all the other components, but they all looked fine. No wiring diagram, so in my case that's the end of my story.

The good news is that (a) I can still manipulate most of the channels by pressing various combinations of working keys and (b) the keys that work, work really well now that I have cleaned the contacts. LOL!!

Still.... it's not practical, so .... can anyone recommend a good but cheap universal remote?

"Ron" wrote in message
...
I have an old clunker of a set, a combined TV and VCR that somebody
gave to us, which works well enough so I keep using it. Or it did: For
some reason the remote now only controls the TV and not the VCR: I
press play, rew,, etc and nothing at all happens.

The remote that came with the unit was nort the original remote, but
it worked okay until a couple of days ago when it suddenly stopped
working rigt. Is the problem in the remote, or did something in the
VCR finally give away and died on me?

Ron


It's possible that the remote is set to another function, like to control a
tv or other component.

If it were the original vcr remote this would not be the case, since REW, FF
etc would still work.

Mark Z.

On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 23:31:07 -0700, "Guv Bob"
wrote:

"Ron" wrote in message ...
I have an old clunker of a set, a combined TV and VCR that somebody
gave to us, which works well enough so I keep using it. Or it did: For
some reason the remote now only controls the TV and not the VCR: I
press play, rew,, etc and nothing at all happens.

The remote that came with the unit was nort the original remote, but
it worked okay until a couple of days ago when it suddenly stopped
working rigt. Is the problem in the remote, or did something in the
VCR finally give away and died on me?

Ron

I have the same problem with my VCR/DVD combo unit. I just tonight took the remote apart -- just one screw - pretty simple - maybe yours is also. I removed the rubber piece with buttons and cleaned all the contacts on both the board and the rubber buttons with an eraser. That didn't solve the problem so I started simulated shorting the contacts on the circuit board one at a time with a screwdriver and found that about 1/3 of the switches don't activate, and that the problem was in a circuit somewhere and not bad connections. The only other thing I did was to look at and smell all the other components, but they all looked fine. No wiring diagram, so in my case that's the end of my story.

The good news is that (a) I can still manipulate most of the channels by pressing various combinations of working keys and (b) the keys that work, work really well now that I have cleaned the contacts. LOL!!

Still.... it's not practical, so .... can anyone recommend a good but cheap universal remote?


The GE learning remote at Big Lots for under $10 works well plus it has codes for rare units such as a Polk XM receiver. Chuck

chuck wrote:

On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 23:31:07 -0700, "Guv Bob"
wrote:

"Ron" wrote in message ...
I have an old clunker of a set, a combined TV and VCR that somebody
gave to us, which works well enough so I keep using it. Or it did: For
some reason the remote now only controls the TV and not the VCR: I
press play, rew,, etc and nothing at all happens.

The remote that came with the unit was nort the original remote, but
it worked okay until a couple of days ago when it suddenly stopped
working rigt. Is the problem in the remote, or did something in the
VCR finally give away and died on me?

Ron

I have the same problem with my VCR/DVD combo unit. I just tonight took the remote apart -- just one screw - pretty simple - maybe yours is also. I removed the rubber piece with buttons and cleaned all the contacts on both the board and the rubber buttons with an eraser. That didn't solve the problem so I started simulated shorting the contacts on the circuit board one at a time with a screwdriver and found that about 1/3 of the switches don't activate, and that the problem was in a circuit somewhere and not bad connections. The only other thing I did was to look at and smell all the other components, but they all looked fine. No wiring diagram, so in my case that's the end of my story.

The good news is that (a) I can still manipulate most of the channels by pressing various combinations of working keys and (b) the keys that work, work really well now that I have cleaned the contacts. LOL!!

Still.... it's not practical, so .... can anyone recommend a good but cheap universal remote?


The GE learning remote at Big Lots for under $10 works well plus it has codes for rare units such as a Polk XM receiver. Chuck


I have several from Dollar Tree. $1 + sales tax that work with most
sets that I've tried them on.

On Monday, September 17, 2012 11:31:37 PM UTC-7, Guv Bob wrote:
"Ron" wrote in message ...

I have an old clunker of a set, a combined TV and VCR that somebody

gave to us, which works well enough so I keep using it. Or it did: For

some reason the remote now only controls the TV and not the VCR:

so .... can anyone recommend a good but cheap universal remote?

I kinda like some of the X10 remotes (starting at $5 from www.x10.com); these
have RF as well as infrared output, so you can use 'em with radio modules
for non line-of-sight applications, including bridges to control
house lighting and suchlike. Or as a mouse for a computer.

"whit3rd" wrote in message ...
On Monday, September 17, 2012 11:31:37 PM UTC-7, Guv Bob wrote:
"Ron" wrote in message ...

I have an old clunker of a set, a combined TV and VCR that somebody

gave to us, which works well enough so I keep using it. Or it did: For

some reason the remote now only controls the TV and not the VCR:

so .... can anyone recommend a good but cheap universal remote?

I kinda like some of the X10 remotes (starting at $5 from www.x10.com); these
have RF as well as infrared output, so you can use 'em with radio modules
for non line-of-sight applications, including bridges to control
house lighting and suchlike. Or as a mouse for a computer.

Thanks fellers! I'm off to (in this order) 99-cents store, Big Lots & KFC.

I can't knock the Magnavox on quality of recording, but the remote make it look bad.

My impartial review of this remote.... Impossible to use the remote without studying the manual each time. Many common features are not intuitive -- like having 2 different ways to turn it on and off, depending on whether your timer is set or not.

Also, if you have the timer set and are watching something at the time, it will just sit there and let you miss recording it. No warning on the screen, etc. Then when you turn it off, it pops up and starts recording.

Besides the programming and poor quality hardware, the remote's buttons are all lined up, equally spaced apart and most are the same size, so you have to look at it even just to change channels. The markings identifying the buttons are also so small and hard to read, and I've got normal eyesight. Also, you can't hit a button and find out the time.

Summary..... Designed by someone who doesn't watch TV.

On Sep 18, 8:01*pm, "Guv Bob"
wrote:
"whit3rd" wrote in ...
On Monday, September 17, 2012 11:31:37 PM UTC-7, Guv Bob wrote:
"Ron" wrote in ...

I have an old clunker of a set, a combined TV and VCR that somebody

gave to us, which works well enough so I keep using it. Or it did: For

some reason the remote now only controls the TV and not the VCR:

*so .... can anyone recommend a good but cheap universal remote?

I kinda like some of the X10 remotes (starting at $5 fromwww.x10.com);these
have RF as well as infrared output, so you can use 'em with radio modules
for non line-of-sight applications, including bridges to control
house lighting and suchlike. *Or as a mouse for a computer.

Thanks fellers! * I'm off to (in this order) 99-cents store, Big Lots & KFC.

I can't knock the Magnavox on quality of recording, but the remote make it look bad.

My impartial review of this remote.... Impossible to use the remote without studying the manual each time. *Many common features are not intuitive -- like having 2 different ways to turn it on and off, depending on whether your timer is set or not.

Also, if you have the timer set and are watching something at the time, it will just sit there and let you miss recording it. *No warning on the screen, etc. *Then when you turn it off, it pops up and starts recording.

Besides the programming and poor quality hardware, the remote's buttons are all lined up, equally spaced apart and most are the same size, so you have to look at it even just to change channels. *The markings identifying the buttons are also so small and hard to read, and I've got normal eyesight. *Also, you can't hit a button and find out the time.

Summary..... * Designed by someone who doesn't watch TV.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

No, designed by someone who doesn't use remotes.

"hr(bob) " wrote in message ...
On Sep 18, 8:01 pm, "Guv Bob"
wrote:
"whit3rd" wrote in ...
On Monday, September 17, 2012 11:31:37 PM UTC-7, Guv Bob wrote:
"Ron" wrote in ...

I have an old clunker of a set, a combined TV and VCR that somebody

gave to us, which works well enough so I keep using it. Or it did: For

some reason the remote now only controls the TV and not the VCR:

so .... can anyone recommend a good but cheap universal remote?

I kinda like some of the X10 remotes (starting at $5 fromwww.x10.com);these
have RF as well as infrared output, so you can use 'em with radio modules
for non line-of-sight applications, including bridges to control
house lighting and suchlike. Or as a mouse for a computer.

Thanks fellers! I'm off to (in this order) 99-cents store, Big Lots & KFC.

I can't knock the Magnavox on quality of recording, but the remote make it look bad.

My impartial review of this remote.... Impossible to use the remote without studying the manual each time. Many common features are not intuitive -- like having 2 different ways to turn it on and off, depending on whether your timer is set or not.

Also, if you have the timer set and are watching something at the time, it will just sit there and let you miss recording it. No warning on the screen, etc. Then when you turn it off, it pops up and starts recording.

Besides the programming and poor quality hardware, the remote's buttons are all lined up, equally spaced apart and most are the same size, so you have to look at it even just to change channels. The markings identifying the buttons are also so small and hard to read, and I've got normal eyesight. Also, you can't hit a button and find out the time.

Summary..... Designed by someone who doesn't watch TV.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

- No, designed by someone who doesn't use remotes.

LOL! Yes, that's right. Have to say again though - the recording quality is superb. Now that I have spent several years learning the remote, it's been OK.

This is the only DVD recorder I have used -- it require you to "finalize" a disk before it can be viewed on a regular DVD player or computer. Is this normal for current recorders these days?

On Sep 20, 9:53*pm, "Guv Bob"
wrote:
"hr(bob) " wrote in ...

On Sep 18, 8:01 pm, "Guv Bob"
wrote:





"whit3rd" wrote in ...
On Monday, September 17, 2012 11:31:37 PM UTC-7, Guv Bob wrote:
"Ron" wrote in ...

I have an old clunker of a set, a combined TV and VCR that somebody

gave to us, which works well enough so I keep using it. Or it did: For

some reason the remote now only controls the TV and not the VCR:

so .... can anyone recommend a good but cheap universal remote?

I kinda like some of the X10 remotes (starting at $5 fromwww.x10.com);these
have RF as well as infrared output, so you can use 'em with radio modules
for non line-of-sight applications, including bridges to control
house lighting and suchlike. Or as a mouse for a computer.

Thanks fellers! I'm off to (in this order) 99-cents store, Big Lots & KFC.

I can't knock the Magnavox on quality of recording, but the remote make it look bad.

My impartial review of this remote.... Impossible to use the remote without studying the manual each time. Many common features are not intuitive -- like having 2 different ways to turn it on and off, depending on whether your timer is set or not.

Also, if you have the timer set and are watching something at the time, it will just sit there and let you miss recording it. No warning on the screen, etc. Then when you turn it off, it pops up and starts recording.

Besides the programming and poor quality hardware, the remote's buttons are all lined up, equally spaced apart and most are the same size, so you have to look at it even just to change channels. The markings identifying the buttons are also so small and hard to read, and I've got normal eyesight.. Also, you can't hit a button and find out the time.

Summary..... Designed by someone who doesn't watch TV.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

- No, designed by someone who doesn't use remotes.

LOL! *Yes, that's right. * Have to say again though - the recording quality is superb. *Now that I have spent several years learning the remote, it's been OK.

This is the only DVD recorder I have used -- it require you to "finalize" a disk before it can be viewed on a regular DVD player or computer. * Is this normal for current recorders these days?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Yes in my experience.

On Sep 20, 8:53*pm, "Guv Bob"
wrote:
"hr(bob) " wrote in ...

On Sep 18, 8:01 pm, "Guv Bob"
wrote:





"whit3rd" wrote in ...
On Monday, September 17, 2012 11:31:37 PM UTC-7, Guv Bob wrote:
"Ron" wrote in ...

I have an old clunker of a set, a combined TV and VCR that somebody

gave to us, which works well enough so I keep using it. Or it did: For

some reason the remote now only controls the TV and not the VCR:

so .... can anyone recommend a good but cheap universal remote?

I kinda like some of the X10 remotes (starting at $5 fromwww.x10.com);these
have RF as well as infrared output, so you can use 'em with radio modules
for non line-of-sight applications, including bridges to control
house lighting and suchlike. Or as a mouse for a computer.

Thanks fellers! I'm off to (in this order) 99-cents store, Big Lots & KFC.

I can't knock the Magnavox on quality of recording, but the remote make it look bad.

My impartial review of this remote.... Impossible to use the remote without studying the manual each time. Many common features are not intuitive -- like having 2 different ways to turn it on and off, depending on whether your timer is set or not.

Also, if you have the timer set and are watching something at the time, it will just sit there and let you miss recording it. No warning on the screen, etc. Then when you turn it off, it pops up and starts recording.

Besides the programming and poor quality hardware, the remote's buttons are all lined up, equally spaced apart and most are the same size, so you have to look at it even just to change channels. The markings identifying the buttons are also so small and hard to read, and I've got normal eyesight.. Also, you can't hit a button and find out the time.

Summary..... Designed by someone who doesn't watch TV.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

- No, designed by someone who doesn't use remotes.

LOL! *Yes, that's right. * Have to say again though - the recording quality is superb. *Now that I have spent several years learning the remote, it's been OK.

This is the only DVD recorder I have used -- it require you to "finalize" a disk before it can be viewed on a regular DVD player or computer. * Is this normal for current recorders these days?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Yes for Philips and their remote hosts a reset button right next to
the pause button so that you can be sure to eject the disk and have to
start all over instead of just going to the crapper for a few
minutes. These remote designers need to be drug out back and shot so
they can't do it again and again and again. I have several Philips,
they are ALL horrible remotes to use, the French are simply insane.
Apex, however is dream come true, intuitive, clever, quick - but no
longer in business.

"Lee" wrote in message ...
On Sep 20, 8:53 pm, "Guv Bob"
wrote:
"hr(bob) " wrote in ...

On Sep 18, 8:01 pm, "Guv Bob"
wrote:





"whit3rd" wrote in ...
On Monday, September 17, 2012 11:31:37 PM UTC-7, Guv Bob wrote:
"Ron" wrote in ...

I have an old clunker of a set, a combined TV and VCR that somebody

gave to us, which works well enough so I keep using it. Or it did: For

some reason the remote now only controls the TV and not the VCR:

so .... can anyone recommend a good but cheap universal remote?

I kinda like some of the X10 remotes (starting at $5 fromwww.x10.com);these
have RF as well as infrared output, so you can use 'em with radio modules
for non line-of-sight applications, including bridges to control
house lighting and suchlike. Or as a mouse for a computer.

Thanks fellers! I'm off to (in this order) 99-cents store, Big Lots & KFC.

I can't knock the Magnavox on quality of recording, but the remote make it look bad.

My impartial review of this remote.... Impossible to use the remote without studying the manual each time. Many common features are not intuitive -- like having 2 different ways to turn it on and off, depending on whether your timer is set or not.

Also, if you have the timer set and are watching something at the time, it will just sit there and let you miss recording it. No warning on the screen, etc. Then when you turn it off, it pops up and starts recording.

Besides the programming and poor quality hardware, the remote's buttons are all lined up, equally spaced apart and most are the same size, so you have to look at it even just to change channels. The markings identifying the buttons are also so small and hard to read, and I've got normal eyesight. Also, you can't hit a button and find out the time.

Summary..... Designed by someone who doesn't watch TV.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

- No, designed by someone who doesn't use remotes.

LOL! Yes, that's right. Have to say again though - the recording quality is superb. Now that I have spent several years learning the remote, it's been OK.

This is the only DVD recorder I have used -- it require you to "finalize" a disk before it can be viewed on a regular DVD player or computer. Is this normal for current recorders these days?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Yes for Philips and their remote hosts a reset button right next to
the pause button so that you can be sure to eject the disk and have to
start all over instead of just going to the crapper for a few
minutes. These remote designers need to be drug out back and shot so
they can't do it again and again and again. I have several Philips,
they are ALL horrible remotes to use, the French are simply insane.
Apex, however is dream come true, intuitive, clever, quick - but no
longer in business.

LOL! I checked the dollar store and Big Lots and both were out of universal remotes. Walmart is next..... will update this later when I find out that works well.