Take Control Remote TC1000 $97

[Fritzo]

<<

<< Looking at the design problems with this remote, the Sony AV-2100 looks to be better and cheaper: E-Cost AV-2100 >>

I have the Sony and I love it! Got it for my birthday from my dad about two years ago. It totally rocks! It controls everything, it's easy to program, and the backlight is plenty bright. I'm sure we must have replaced the batteries at some point, but I honestly can't remember doing it, and we use it every day. You do have to remember to shut it off when you're not using it, though. >>



Yeah....that backlight lights up the whole room! Sony said batteries last about 6-8 weeks, but I get a good 6 months out of mine with daily use.

BTW- You can set the remote to turn off after 90 seconds or so. Check your instructions.

 

[Lucky]

the remotecentral site has a long-ass unified thread on how to fix the various problems with this remote. There are some special AA batteries that put out like 3.6V or something that were a popular suggestion. Just goto their forums and read the thread.

 

[jamesd1343]

if anyone is interested in one of the Radioshack remotes, the RadioShack in New Milford, CT has about 10 in stock. Use your local radioshack to have them sent over to you and buy it locally!

 

[Morpheux]

Does anyone have any of these remotes currently working with their TiVo's?

 

[nealr]

It doesn't work too good in a room with a lot of windows, I prefer a normal button remote.

 

[zapy]

You get 30 days to return this if you don't like it. NO restocking fees, just pay return shipping.

Sounds hot to me. One on order!

 

[Z80]

They should make a cell phone that doubles as a remote control. Mine does just about everything else

 

[Legibus]

:disgust:

Caution!!

If you decide to purchase this remote from OneCall.com (a vendor mentioned in one of the ealier posts in this thread who is selling this same remote for $99), make sure you know all the limitations (and there are plenty in my opinion) of this remote since NO RETURNS are accepted by this vendor under any circumstances (except they will exchange it for another unit if proven to be mechanically defective).

I found this out when I called for a return authorization within one hour from the time I received this remote and tried it out. I think this is a Total Waste of money, even at this so-called deeply discounted price (Condolences to anyone who paid $300 or more for this baby).

The screen is virtually totally un-readabnle-even after adjusted to the highest contrast setting-and non-responsive unlike any similar device I've every used. Plus the built-in codes are very limited and are not current for newer devices. So, without a working original remote to copy from you are SOOL.

By the way, it took 4 screens to use the codes for all of my DTV satellite receiver controls, which makes it so S L O W to change channels etc., you can literally read a novel from start to finish before you can shift thur all the screen-pages to switch to another channel.

Obviously others who have posted above disagree with my evaluation. I'm only posting to save others and caution against buying from OneCall.com unless you have tried this unit before. I would have lost $99 if not for the Amex Blue return protection plan which I had to use to get my money back for returning this item.

 

[psykik]

oh boy mines comin soon and I hope I shouldnt be worried

 

[Kroze]

i was gonna get one

 

[Lucky]

Got mine today. Screen readability is a little poor without the backlight and the IR signal is a little weak-as I expected, but a trip to radio shack should solve those.

Anyone know how to customize what page each button appears on?

 

[Lucky]

Also, mine shipped with software version 1.0. You can get the upgrade to 1.5 here.

 

[xcoldricex]

anyone know of a remote like these that can be used to control computer commands?

 

[JahWren]

If you are one of those people who prefer tactile feedback (as in real buttons that you can feel and press without having to look at the remote) then check out the Home Theater Master MX-500. For about $120 online, it has plenty of programable keys and macro capabilty. The screen part is very readable and the IR range is probably the farthest and strongest of any remote on the market. It has a rating of 4.75/5 on remotecentral. Here's the review:

http://www.remotecentral.com/mx500/index.html

I own two (one for the home theatre and one for the regular tv/stereo/replay/etc). It fits comfortably in my hand and my fingers can almost always find the right button without having to look at the unit.

You'll never get pronto-style flexibility out of a remote like the MX-500, but you'll never get the tactile feedback that a hard-button remote has from a pronto. The MX-500 with 10 soft-keys LCD display is a very functional compromise between the two types of remotes.

 

[Lucky]

<< anyone know of a remote like these that can be used to control computer commands? >>




Sure, you can do it with this one. Get one of those $10 packard bell computer remotes (often seen in FS/FT) and just set this one up to "learn" the commands from the PB remote. I plan on doing this. I've put about three hours so far into customizing it and installing the new software. (Which lets you, for instance, roll the scrollbar up and down for reverse/FF during movies and click to pause, or during normal TV watching, click to popup my cable boxes onscreen TV guide.)

edit: and this is all done through a very simple computer-based program. No need to funk around on the remotes screen doing this.

 

[nealr]

I have one of those packard bell remotes, it don't work..... well, it works, but it doesn't do the commands I set.

 

[straubs]

The sony av2100 is really quite impressive. I thought it might be too big also until I used it. I could actually use it with one hand, pretty close to a normal remote. The volume/channels are right near the edge so you can hit them with your thumb on your right hand. I programmed a whole device MANUALLY in less than a minute. Every single button. slick!

 

[Octunar99]

I just got mine in. Let me say...IT KICKS @SS!! Sorry for that outburst. I paid $100 for an RCA touch screen at Best Buy a couple of weeks ago and it is going back tomorrow. With this remote I can now use my PIP on my JVC TV that I have never been able to use since I never had the original remote. I have only had the remote a couple of hours and I now have a macro that turns on all my AV equipment and selects the right device and etc..whoo hoo. OK now i'm gushing. You can make custom buttons and label them...very cool.

Anyway, great deal. If you do get one you wont regret it.

--Bill

 

[mspkeith]

Decisions....Decisions....

The Take Control TC1000 for $97 or the Sony RM-AV2100 for $95
The Take Control is $250 off of the MSRP but I'm not sure that means it's better or just overpriced.
Any opinions would be appreciated cause I'm tired of fumbling around with 6 different remotes.
TIA

Keith

 

[realmojo]

You can save the $10 on the upgrade CD and download the software update from RemoteCentral.

 

[kp1126]

Whats the MSRP on the Pronto? I've seen the Pronto go for $350 since it first came out, so that $350 MSRP on the TakeControl might be B.S.

 

[DAKn2]

I was looking for an all purpose remote for some time. Based on what I had read, I was leaning toward a Pronto or a Harmon Kardon/Microsoft Take Control, but the cost was stopping me in my tracks. When I came across the $97 Take Control Remote deal (through the Tech Bargains link - $102 shipped), I couldn?t pass it up, especially since it?s through Harmon Audio which has a 30 day return policy ? so if it didn?t cut the mustard, I?m just out the shipping.

Anyway, I?ve received it and have to say that I like it. At first I was extremely concerned about the cons listed on several posts at remotecentral.com; I was prepared to swap out the IR LEDs, but the weak LCD fix (larger batteries with a major battery compartment modification) just seemed too messy. The unit I received was the JBL version and had already been upgraded to the version 1.5.065 software.

As for the complaint?s I?ve read about, here?s my take on them ?

· Week IR - My sitting position is 23 feet away from all of my equipment, and all of my equipment is behind a set of smoked glass doors. The remote has absolutely no problem controlling my Dish Network satellite receiver, new HK A/V receiver (which, interestingly enough, the canned codes in the remote didn?t work), Panasonic DVD player, Sony VCR or Mitsubishi projection TV. Granted I do need to point the remote in the direction of the equipment, but I had to with the remotes this replaced, so this is nothing new. Perhaps at a closer range you don?t need to be directional, but I?m not at a closer range.
· Dim LCD - The LCD is definitely nothing to brag about, but it is adequate; not the brightest display I?ve ever seen, and yes it?d be nice if it was indeed brighter, however it?s easily on par with any of the three Palm PDA?s that I?ve owned, and probably better than the m505 I have now. It?s adequate in daylighgt, and just plain
· Button to transmit lag long - I honestly can?t say that the ?lag? between pressing the remote LCD buttons is anything excessive, perhaps a ½ second delay at most. The scroll wheel has virtually no lag as far as I can tell; surfing is a breeze.
· LCD screen timeout a pain ? It can be, but then just set the time out option for a longer duration - What?s the issue here?


Other comments -
The software is easy to understand (and it better be ? there aren?t any instructions (which I?d just leave in the box anyway)), and the remote?s learning process is the best I?ve experienced and I?ve owned several ?learning? remotes.

Cons-
No it isn?t a perfect unit, but unless you design one yourself, you?re not going to find one. Things that tend to be a pain:
· I can?t seem to customize the location (text yes, location no) of the buttons; if there?s a way to do this, I?d like to know.
· You do have to go through multiple screens to view all the buttons for a devices, but this is a problem with almost any display remote.
· It?s definitely a physically larger remote; not uncomfortable in one hand, but something you need to get used to.


All in all it looks like it?ll be a keeper.

 

[Southerncentralrain]

I just received a ProntoPro TSU6000 last week. It retails right at $1,000. I thought that I would never say this but I think it will be well worth the money after I program it (may take a few weeks). This is only if AV is a hobby to you. I have waited about 8 months before I made the purchase looking for the right price. If you would ever consider buying one of these I think now is the time. There are a few sellers on Ebay that are having price wars (It is the craziest thing that I have seen in a while). It is a great opportunity to get a good price on the best remote out there. I have seen them for less than $650 Buy It Now.

I bought mine from Alpha2Data (ebay ID)(real name = Bruce). He provides unbelievable service so far including 30 day DOA guarantee and after the sell service (look at his feedback). I promise I have no relation or no benefit from anybody buying from him. I am just impressed with the price and service that I have received. (You will get a lot of people say that about him at remotecontrolcentral.com). Just my 2 cents (or 100,000 cents in this case).

SCR