Re: Easytouch 35 IR/X10 remote - opinions?

["garygfx" <garygfx@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Ian,

Thanks for your review, much appreciated. I've taken the plunge and=20
ordered one. The point of the macro feature is to issue commands to=20
several devices at once (e.g. turn on TV, sat, and switch hi-fi to=20
AUX), so if the IR beam is narrow it will struggle to reach devices=20
that aren't literally sitting on top of each other. Interesting.=20
Maybe I'll need a row of Powermid IR extenders! ;-)

My X10 RF receiver is downstairs (I'm upstairs mostly) so I'm hoping=20
it's close enough. I wonder what users will do if they owned a VCR=20
and a PVR and maybe a DVD-R too. All-in-1 remotes need to be pretty=20
flexible to keep up with AV kit!

Thanks again,
Gary.


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--- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx, ian.bird@c... wrote:
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> Hi Gary
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> I bought one from these guys a couple of days ago. Ordered over=20
the Web and
> after asking a question it arrived next day as promised. There=20
were no
> batteries included so I raided my stocks of triple A and we were=20
off. I
> have only had it for two days and have not looked at macros yet and
> probably won't as I don't need them.
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> IR
> The touchscreen has a nice blue backlight but the icons are pre-
set and you
> choose the most appropriate for your application (not always=20
easy). I have
> a Sony TV and Sony DVD where I use the supplied configuration=20
without
> problems. There are a couple of functions for the TV that I have=20
learnt
> onto spare keys but nothing major. I also have a DigiFusion hard=20
disk
> recorder which was more of a challenge. For a start I had to learn=20
all the
> keys as it was not supported out of the box. I then had to span the
> functions of the recorder over the VCR and Cable functions as=20
there is no
> support for the coloured keys as in Teletext. The recorder uses=20
these a lot
> e.g. press green to record etc. This has proven the biggest=20
challenge and I
> have a cheat sheet selotaped to the back for when I forget.
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> When using the IR you have to keep your finger on the button just=20
a smidge
> longer than is natural but this is no big deal once you are used=20
to it. It
> is also quite directional as in you have to point it quite=20
accurately. Not
> as good as my Sony remotes (any vague direction will do) but=20
better than
> the DigiFusion remote (which should be sold with telescopic=20
sights) and
> perfectly useable if all the kit is in one place. Again not as=20
powerful as
> a Pronto which is amazing.
> Finally there is no backlight on the rubber keys making it tricky=20
to use in
> the dark. I'll probably get better at this over time though.
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> X10
> This works but is limited to one house code. The strength is not=20
brilliant
> and if the receiver is in another room you may have problems. Mine=20
is a
> juggle and it works when sitting in the sofa but not when I am in=20
front of
> the TV about 10 feet further away. The receiver is in the hall.
>=20
> Conclusion.
> Works well enough for me with some quirks and a cheat sheet and=20
pretty good
> value for money. It would not pass SWMBO approval as it is not=20
intuitive
> enough (i.e. blindingly obvious). No Pronto replacement but I=20
don't knock
> it off the arm of the chair like I do my Pronto as it is narrower=20
so horses
> for courses.
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> You pays your money and takes your chances.
>=20
> Ian
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> ---------+---------------------------->
>                     "garygfx"
>                     <garygfx@y...
>                     m>
>
>                     13/12/2004 14:36
>                     Please respond to
>                     ukha_d
>
> ---------+---------------------------->
>   >----------------------------------------------------------------
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>          To:=20=20=20=20=20=20=20
ukha_d@xxxxxxx                                              =
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>          cc:       (bcc: Ian=20
Bird/CV/Novartis)                                                   =
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>          Subject:  [ukha_d] Easytouch 35 IR/X10 remote -=20
opinions?                                                           =
=20

>   >----------------------------------------------------------------
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> I noticed this remote is on offer for =A330+vat:
> http://www.simplyautomate.co.uk/productDisplay.asp?prodId=3D4524
>=20
> Has anyone got one and can you recommend it? I already have all-in-
1
> remotes that do RF and X10 (but not Sky) but the Easytouch looks
> useful because of the programmable touchscreen keys.
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> Is it any good? (I can't afford a Pronto!). I like the idea of
> macros so I can turn on/off lots of devices with one keypress. The
> manual suggests X10 cannot be included in a macro - is that true?
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> Thanks,
> Gary.