RC User Reviews: Radio Shack 15-2116 LCD Remote Control (3)

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User reviews for the Radio Shack 15-2116 LCD from Radio Shack.

Ratings	Reviews	MSRP (USD)
Average: 4.14/5.00 Median: 4.67/5.00	27	$29

An eight device learning remote control with an LCD display for ease-of-use. Features button backlighting, clock and macros.

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Now viewing user reviews page 3 of 4 for
the Radio Shack 15-2116 LCD remote.

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Written by Mark Moros from Pomona, CA, USA.

The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 13 made on Thursday April 10, 2003 at 2:11 AM.

Strengths:

-Comfortable
-Sturdy
-Great Backlight
-Layout

Weaknesses:

-Built in IR Codes
-Heavy
-Backlight
-LCD

Review:

The remote is great for $30, I've tried all the "cool" touchscreen remote's and I just can't get a good feel for them.

While it is comfy, rubberized, and generally a great remote it does have a few faults for me. I can't get it to work with my brand new Sony A/V receiver, I could learn the functions and it gave me some functionality, but not as much as I would had hoped.

The backlight, while it looks great, needs to be switched on/off it would be nice if it was automatic (I may try and put a photosens. switch in.

Once I get the JP1 cable, I'll update this to let you know if it helps with the IR codes.

One thing I can say about RS is they are patient, I returned 3 different remotes in one day and the girl behind the counter didn't blink an eye, she took each remote back with a smile. RS seems to finally be improving their cust. service.

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Written by bebe from MD.

The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 12 made on Wednesday April 2, 2003 at 11:44 PM.

Strengths:

easy to set up, works with my Mintek DVD, learning feature works well.

Weaknesses:

no dedicated macro keys, some commonly used buttons (mute, last) are too small, manual doesn't explain some features adequately.

Review:

I am a urc newbie. Prior to this one, I tried a Sony rm-vl900. It wouldn't do the menu on my Philips vcr & wouldn't learn my Mintek dvd. Tried a philips learning remote that wouldn't learn anything.

The RS remote works well with my philips vcr & tv, my mintek dvd and my panasonic receiver. It learned a few additional commands on my receiver & vcr with no problem. I don't use all the features on any of my devices, but it works very nicely on the basic features that I do use.

I used some unused buttons (pip, freeze, swap) to program some macros. The macro feature is nice, but you really need dedicated keys for it to be truly useful. I don't regard this as a big deal, but if macros are important to you, you might prefer the One 4 All 8910.

The unmodified remote works fine for me. I do not have any need for the JP-1 interface and cannot comment on it.

However, if I had it to do again, I would buy the One For All 8910, which is made by the same company but offers more features, such as 3 dedicated macro buttons. It lists for about $15 more, but you can get it for about the same price as the RS on the Internet. I don't think I would spend $15 more for it, however, as the RS does everything I want.

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Written by Michael from New York, NY, USA.

The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 11 made on Sunday March 30, 2003 at 11:56 PM.

Strengths:

JP1 Connector, Solid construction

Weaknesses:

Cryptic manual. Some aspects of setup (like remapping) can be tedious.

Review:

I bought this yesterday after reading these reviews. I was looking for a good remote to control 7 components, but wanted something that could survive being sat on and thrown around. This unit seems able to take any abuse, and at $29 it was worth a try.

By itself the unit limited by its small memory, and the inability to teach the "Power" button; once it's connected to PC with a JP11 cable and the software posted on the Yahoo JP11 forum (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jp1), however, these limitations are gone. I build a JP11 cable and was able to cram all my remotes in the unit, and still have plenty of memory left over for macros.

I also like the fact that if anything ever happens to this remote, I can get another one for $29, restore my saved settings, and be up and running in minutes.

Overall, a good value out of the box, and an amazing value for anyone willing to hack a bit.

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Written by hurst from Pennsylvania.

The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 10 made on Monday February 24, 2003 at 2:35 PM.

Strengths:

JP1 capable, Price, feel, good backlighting, relatively easy to program, displays current code being used for a given device, built in clock, learns other remote signals exactly as transmitted, allows user to transfer controls like volume to modes like VCR or SAT.

Weaknesses:

Available only at Radio Shack(pushy and knowledgeless salesmen), won't transfer volume controls exactly as learned to other modes.

Review:

I purchased this remote after using this forum to decide on a quality piece for my home theater system. The JP1 connector gives this remote great flexability, one of the reasons for purchasing it. After purchasing this remote I discovered how good it was right out of the box. I assumed I would have to utilize the JP1 connector to get it to work properly on my Samsung TV, I was wrong. Most of my Samsung options worked with the given code and the rest including the unusual pulsing signal for volume control it was able to learn. I currently have RCA brand DSS receiver, VCR, DVD player and A/V receiver. The remote was able to work all of them with the provided codes and learned the rest of the features it didn't control. I was pleased with the similar layout to my DSS remote which made it easier to get comfortable with and did not need to learn any of the DSS features. Each button corresponded with the DSS remote. Currently, I have learned about 20 functions and have not reached memory limit. Backlighting provides great contrast when activated which actually makes it usefull and not just a battery waster.
Overall, I think that this remote is perfect if you have devices already in the code list. You can then use the learn feature as a supplement to add controls that the provided codes do not give you. I can finally put all my other remotes into storage.

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Written by Dano from NY.

The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 9 made on Monday February 10, 2003 at 1:00 PM.

Strengths:

Good quality in fit, feel, and finish. Not normally a fan of RS equipment, but this is an outstanding value. Don't spend a hundred+ bucks before you check this one out, you can always return it.

Weaknesses:

Dedicated macro buttons would be a plus, backlighting could stay on for 10 seconds longer. Manual could have better detail, doesn't cover some funtions.

Review:

I really hate touch screen remotes,( I have had several), but I love their versatility, this is a good meeting in the middle, This unit was very easy to program, even with some of my older equipment, it took me about 10 minutes. And a full 15 steps on one macro is good, very good. I programmed it to control a combo of Sony, Technics, Pioneer, Echostar, Toshiba, and Mitsubishi equipment with ease., First Uni-remote I have used that almost replicated all of the functions of my 8 year old Technics reciever. Good work RS!

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Written by Mike from LA.

The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 8 made on Saturday January 25, 2003 at 11:26 AM.

Strengths:

This remote has a lot to offer for the price

Weaknesses:

Limited memory but it should suffice for 90% of the users.

Review:

Just get this thing and decide for yourself if you need to spend more a lot $$$ to get additonal feaures.

PS.
Super Man has an zx to grind.... don't listen to him. There is no way anyone who is honest could give this remote one star for value. That review should be deleted by the forum's moderator!

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Written by William Wonka from Oshkosh, WI.

The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 7 made on Friday January 17, 2003 at 11:11 PM.

Strengths:

LCD readout for programming and status display; Macro capability; Code learning from other remotes; Backlighting for easy reading in dark areas; Control of up to 8 devices; Favorite channel scan; Volume punch-through; Underside of remote offers some resistance to sliding; Low price ($30); Infrared output from remote is as strong or stronger than that of any of my original remotes.

Weaknesses:

Too little memory unless you program the remote via a PC (but not a Mac) using the JP1 interface (see complete review); Doesn't have any generic function buttons, unlike an earlier model, the Radio Shack 15-1994, but this can be overcome by using the 'P' key as a shift key (see complete review); Remote is thicker and heavier than I'd prefer.

Review:

Your success at programming all desired buttons from your original remotes onto the Radio Shack 15-2116 remote may differ depending on whether you use a PC (Mac not supported) to program it utilizing the JP1 interface. The reason for the difference is the limited amount of memory the remote has. Using the JP1 interface, I was able to get all desired buttons from 4 remotes (TV, VCR, DVD, and receiver) onto the 15-2116 and thus I will be able to put the 4 original remotes in storage! However, if I hadn't used the JP1 interface, I wouldn't have been able to program all desired buttons onto the 15-2116 due to memory limitations. The JP1 PC interface lets you overcome the memory limitations by letting you program new device codes into the remote in a part of the remote's memory reserved for only new device codes. In addition, new device codes are stored in a much more efficient manner than learned buttons. What I ended up doing was use a new device code for each of the 4 original devices. I didn't use any of the pre-programmed device codes supplied with the remote, although basic functionality was available for 3 of my 4 devices, because there wouldn't have been enough memory available for learning the remaining desired buttons onto the remote. I would estimate that there's enough memory available for roughly 25 learned buttons, although your mileage may vary.

Unfortunately, there aren't any generic function buttons available with the 15-2116 remote analogous to the F1 through F10 function keys on a PC; all buttons have a label for a specific purpose but most buttons can be reassigned to any desired button from an original remote.

There is a "shifted" version of most buttons available for an alternate function BUT THIS APPARENTLY ISN'T DOCUMENTED IN THE MANUAL! So here's documentation on this feature, with all due credit to the author of the document on a previous model at http://www.hifi-remote.com/ofa...html?15-1994 (by the way in the following passage when the author refers to the 'Setup' button he's referring to the 'P' button on the 15-2116):

"How To Use The SHIFT button

It is possible to store two commands on one button by using the SHIFT key, the SETUP button acts as a shift key on these remotes. During the process of programming individual buttons, whether by learning or by using advanced codes, if you press SETUP before selecting the button where the command will be assigned, the function will be stored on the shifted version of the button. Then when you wish to use the button, press SETUP before you press the button. Shifted keys can be used for learned commands, commands programmed using advanced codes and for macros.

Using shifted buttons is a very good idea for macros as macros are effective in all device modes. If you program a power macro (ie, one that will either turn everything on, or turn everything off, you might want to program this macro to the shift/POWER button.

NOTE: Shifed numeric keys:
You can program functions to shifted numeric keys using the procedure outlined above, but in order to actually use the shifted function you will need to press the SETUP button twice before pressing the numeric key that holds the shifted function, otherwise the remote thinks you are about to enter an advanced code."

Unfortunately, unlike the earlier discontinued 15-1994 model, you apparently can't use shifted keys for directly learning codes from other remotes. However, you can learn onto an unshifted key and then use the Keymover feature to copy the learned key onto a shifted key. Using shifted keys for macros appears to work without any problems.

Overall, this remote is great for the price if you can get all of your desired buttons from your original remotes programmed onto the 15-2116 remote. I highly recommend using the JP1 interface to conserve memory. The backlight feature is great when you're in a dark area. I would have preferred a lighter and thinner remote, but this isn't a showstopper. The LCD display shows the currently selected device and aids in programming. The infrared beam emitted by the 15-2116 is probably stronger and more widely dispersed than that of most original remotes. I had enough memory left to get probably 1 more remote loaded onto the 15-2116; I used the remaining memory to program 5 useful macros. I heavily used the shifted button feature and wish it would have been documented in the manual. I'm very happy to report that I'll be able to mothball my 4 original remotes!

Further information and all files necessary for JP1 are available at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jp1/. You'll need a recent version of Microsoft Excel for the spreadsheet files needed for JP1. Also, for JP1 you'll need a JP1 cable to inteface to a PC; I ordered my JP1 cable pre-built from http://jp1.filebug.com/ for $20.

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