Comments on: Remotes for Dummies http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/03/02/remotes-for-dummies/ Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:20:27 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Eric B http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/03/02/remotes-for-dummies/comment-page-1/#comment-49516 Eric B Fri, 06 Mar 2009 02:42:18 +0000 http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/03/02/remotes-for-dummies/#comment-49516 So often I've thought about a functional yet simple remote for grand/parents (programmable by someone technical for their particular setup) -- biggest problem being setting the correct input for all the g'd set top boxes; even cable now requires them (and its own remote; Comcast recently made their own "digital switch" last month that requires a separate box in their city; no more TV tuner function at all). I want a remote wherein one can push "Cable TV", and it turns on the TV (or leaves on), sets Ch.3 or other input, and ensures that Channel/Volume/other buttons now only control the cable box and not the TV (otherwise getting static). Even masking off the remote buttons above, it's too easy for things to get "out-of-sync". I haven't been able to think up a universal remote sequence that ensure all the correct settings, as most TVs just have a "toggle power" / "switch-input-to-the-next-one" instead of separate "power-tv-on" / "switch-to-input-2" / "power-tv-off" commands -- grr... Every 6mo visit entails illustrative & laminated direction cards and training (which is quickly lost) to navigate cable/satellite, DVD, and VCR functions (all entailing using different remotes or a single remote which must be put into different modes for each step: press TV button, press power, press 3, press enter, press Cable, press power, press channel or volume; press power, press TV, press power --- if you get static, press TV button, press 3, press enter, press Cable, press channel ...) Why the $#@! is there an "eject" button on the DVD remote ?? -e So often I’ve thought about a functional yet simple remote for grand/parents (programmable by someone technical for their particular setup) — biggest problem being setting the correct input for all the g’d set top boxes; even cable now requires them (and its own remote; Comcast recently made their own “digital switch” last month that requires a separate box in their city; no more TV tuner function at all).

I want a remote wherein one can push “Cable TV”, and it turns on the TV (or leaves on), sets Ch.3 or other input, and ensures that Channel/Volume/other buttons now only control the cable box and not the TV (otherwise getting static). Even masking off the remote buttons above, it’s too easy for things to get “out-of-sync”. I haven’t been able to think up a universal remote sequence that ensure all the correct settings, as most TVs just have a “toggle power” / “switch-input-to-the-next-one” instead of separate “power-tv-on” / “switch-to-input-2″ / “power-tv-off” commands — grr…

Every 6mo visit entails illustrative & laminated direction cards and training (which is quickly lost) to navigate cable/satellite, DVD, and VCR functions (all entailing using different remotes or a single remote which must be put into different modes for each step: press TV button, press power, press 3, press enter, press Cable, press power, press channel or volume; press power, press TV, press power — if you get static, press TV button, press 3, press enter, press Cable, press channel …)

Why the $#@! is there an “eject” button on the DVD remote ??

-e

]]> By: Yossef http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/03/02/remotes-for-dummies/comment-page-1/#comment-49351 Yossef Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:13:57 +0000 http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/03/02/remotes-for-dummies/#comment-49351 Also, I meant the remote on the left, the TV remote. I was so excited about pointing out how to do this better that I temporarily forgot how to tell left from right. Also, I meant the remote on the left, the TV remote. I was so excited about pointing out how to do this better that I temporarily forgot how to tell left from right.

]]> By: Yossef http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/03/02/remotes-for-dummies/comment-page-1/#comment-49350 Yossef Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:13:00 +0000 http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/03/02/remotes-for-dummies/#comment-49350 I think I used to have that remote on the right. If both of these remotes are needed to operate one system (as I assume is the case, since one remote controls the TV and volume and the other controls the channels), this could be taken one step further by getting a universal remote or *something* to control both what gets played and how loud it will be, then applying this same treatment to that one remote. Seriously, people. I think I used to have that remote on the right.

If both of these remotes are needed to operate one system (as I assume is the case, since one remote controls the TV and volume and the other controls the channels), this could be taken one step further by getting a universal remote or *something* to control both what gets played and how loud it will be, then applying this same treatment to that one remote.

Seriously, people.

]]> By: links for 2009-03-04 : Maitri’s VatulBlog http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/03/02/remotes-for-dummies/comment-page-1/#comment-49314 links for 2009-03-04 : Maitri’s VatulBlog Wed, 04 Mar 2009 23:01:54 +0000 http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/03/02/remotes-for-dummies/#comment-49314 [...] Remotes For Dummies Simple and effective. Forget my parents, I need this done to my Cox cable remote. (tags: tv technology lifehacks funny) [...] [...] Remotes For Dummies Simple and effective. Forget my parents, I need this done to my Cox cable remote. (tags: tv technology lifehacks funny) [...]

]]> By: Suzanne Shifflett http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/03/02/remotes-for-dummies/comment-page-1/#comment-49269 Suzanne Shifflett Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:39:53 +0000 http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/03/02/remotes-for-dummies/#comment-49269 It should be more like, Brain off. Mute for commercials. The # of adult channels. A pouch for a condom. It should be more like, Brain off. Mute for commercials. The # of adult channels. A pouch for a condom.

]]> By: BobK http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/03/02/remotes-for-dummies/comment-page-1/#comment-49238 BobK Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:18:58 +0000 http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/03/02/remotes-for-dummies/#comment-49238 I'm planning on buying a cheap universal remote for Mom and crazygluing all the dangerous buttons and coloring them black. I’m planning on buying a cheap universal remote for Mom and crazygluing all the dangerous buttons and coloring them black.

]]> By: isiah http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/03/02/remotes-for-dummies/comment-page-1/#comment-49152 isiah Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:47:17 +0000 http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/03/02/remotes-for-dummies/#comment-49152 utterly brillant! utterly brillant!

]]> By: Damon http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/03/02/remotes-for-dummies/comment-page-1/#comment-49141 Damon Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:15:43 +0000 http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/03/02/remotes-for-dummies/#comment-49141 I've taken this one to the next level - sort of... I took the remotes at home, grabbed a sharp exacto blade, and sliced off all the buttons I don't need or want flush with the surface of the remote. They are all still there if I want to use them, but it keeps me from hitting them accidentally... I’ve taken this one to the next level – sort of… I took the remotes at home, grabbed a sharp exacto blade, and sliced off all the buttons I don’t need or want flush with the surface of the remote. They are all still there if I want to use them, but it keeps me from hitting them accidentally…

]]> By: Jonco http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/03/02/remotes-for-dummies/comment-page-1/#comment-49129 Jonco Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:29:43 +0000 http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/03/02/remotes-for-dummies/#comment-49129 It really is much more practical that people realize. It really is much more practical that people realize.

]]> By: Christopher http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/03/02/remotes-for-dummies/comment-page-1/#comment-49123 Christopher Tue, 03 Mar 2009 20:55:30 +0000 http://bitsandpieces.us/2009/03/02/remotes-for-dummies/#comment-49123 that one on the right is the same as the original xbox remote, no? http://www.activewin.com/reviews/xbox/hardware/dvd_remote/dvd.jpg that one on the right is the same as the original xbox remote, no?
http://www.activewin.com/reviews/xbox/hardware/dvd_remote/dvd.jpg

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