August 11th, 2009
Remote control overload
From where I’m sitting I can see at least seven remote controls. Maybe it’s just me, and maybe it’s the lateness of the hour, but this seems like an insane number to me.
So, what are they? Well, there’s one for the TV, two DVD players (one upscaler, one that can record), VCR (yep, still have one), PVR, and surround sound system. There’s also a tiny one for the HDMI splitter I have fitted. Oh, and I also have an Logitech Harmony One that duplicates most of the functions of the others. Oh, hang on, I’ve just spotted another one, for my iRobot Roomba.
Loading ...But it gets worse. I’ve piped the TV, DVD, PVR and VCR around the house, and figured out a way to get the IR signal to the relevant device. That means that I’ve got duplicate remotes for several devices in a number of rooms. I hate to think how many remote controls that is in all, and how many batteries this represents. I’m also ignoring several other remote controls that have nothing to do with AV devices. I also hate to think how many perfectly functional remote controls have had to be trashed.
There’s a push for standardization among chargers for devices such as cellphones, and that’s a good thing, but I’m convinced that we need some form of standardization when it comes to remote control devices. Devices such as The Logitech Harmony One are nice, but they’re far from perfect for a number of reasons. Things get particularly annoying when some features of the original remote control aren’t available on the replacement. Incomplete or inconsistent support is sometimes worse than no support at all.
Feels to me like something needs to be done …
Am I the only one buried in remote controls?
Adrian is a technology journalist and author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology. He also runs a popular blog called The PC Doctor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations
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