Magnavox ZV450MW8A Remote Control Fix?

Guv Bob

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Mar 27, 2011, 6:04:24 PM3/27/11

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I have had this DVD/VCR combo unit for over 3 years now, and would like to find out if anyone has found a 3rd party remote control that can be used with it, or if the factory has a remote with upgraded software.

The device is top quality and the manual is excellent, but the remote is so complicated and non-intuitive that if you don't use it every day, you have to go back to the manual, even after this long time.

The manual does leave out some basic steps -- like how to set the record speed (which they call "mode"). I'm fairly good with electronics (servicing industrial electronics is my business) and took me a good year before I could make basic settings without looking it up.

Most of the features can't be done from the device and must be done via the remote control which is cryptic. It has way too many buttons, even for a combo unity, and has tiny labels that can't be read in a darkened room. If you hit a wrong button, sometimes it is impossible to figure out how to return the device to normal use without digging out the manual again. My manual is well worn and has many notes scribbled in it now.

One problem is that when you are using the timer, you have to turn the device off and on with a button other than the ON/OFF button. If your lovely wife comes in and used ON/OFF, it disables the timer, and must be reset again with the special non-ON/OFF button.

It is a real shame that such a fine device from a good manufacturer has such a poor user interface. A better designed remote would completely change the usability.

Bob

Franc Zabkar

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Mar 27, 2011, 5:16:52 PM3/27/11

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On Sun, 27 Mar 2011 14:04:24 -0800, "Guv Bob"
<guvbo...@YAHOOOOOOOOEY.com> put finger to keyboard and composed:

>It is a real shame that such a fine device from a good manufacturer ...

FYI, it's made by Funai:
http://www.funai-corp.com/6pdf/om/ZV450MW8A.pdf

- Franc Zabkar
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Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

Michael A. Terrell

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Mar 28, 2011, 1:56:49 PM3/28/11

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Wrong newsgroup. This is a test equipment newsgroup. You want
news:sci.electronics.repair.

--
You can't fix stupid. You can't even put a Band-Aid™ on it, because it's
Teflon coated.

PeterD

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Mar 29, 2011, 7:28:43 AM3/29/11

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Michael... Careful you posted your reply to the wrong groups too! <g>

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I'm never going to grow up.

Michael A. Terrell

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Mar 29, 2011, 8:25:18 AM3/29/11

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No. I added the proper group.

William Sommerwerck

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Mar 29, 2011, 9:25:49 AM3/29/11

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The problem, Guv Bob, is not so much in the remote control, but in the
unit's firmware, which requires such confusing operation. Many products are
designed with no concern whatever as to how people actually use them.

The only thing I can suggest is to buy a remote control that can be
programmed with IR sequences from your existing remote, AND supports macros.
You should then be able to create one-button commands.

PeterD

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Mar 30, 2011, 7:58:49 AM3/30/11

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I had to read that twice before I realized what you meant... <g> So you
added SER to help the OP out. Sure left me confused!

Michael A. Terrell

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Mar 30, 2011, 8:07:49 PM3/30/11

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Get used to it. It will happen more and more as you age. :(

Guv Bob

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Mar 31, 2011, 5:55:23 AM3/31/11

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Thanks, William. Any idea where to get a programmable remote?

"William Sommerwerck" <grizzle...@comcast.net> wrote in message news:imsmkn$5e0$1...@dont-email.me...

Guv Bob

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Mar 31, 2011, 5:57:33 AM3/31/11

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Thanks, Franc. Very interesting.

"Franc Zabkar" <fza...@iinternode.on.net> wrote in message news:h7avo6lho9a5kn8ef...@4ax.com...

PeterD

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Mar 31, 2011, 7:44:02 AM3/31/11

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Damn, not what I wanted to hear!

PeterD

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Mar 31, 2011, 7:44:41 AM3/31/11

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Believe it or not, I've found them more often in 'outlet' or 'job lot'
stores than anywhere else.

Michael A. Terrell

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Mar 31, 2011, 7:06:24 PM3/31/11

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Me, either. The VA put me on Insulin and Terazosin today. Like Art
Linkletter used to say, "Old age isn't for sissies!"