Clearing Remote Control Clutter

I just got a nice coffee table for my living room for only $59.95. Well, I didn't really buy a coffee table, but I did free one up by replacing six of my remote controls with a single universal remote.

So what's the big deal? Universal remote controls, which can be programmed to control TVs, VCRs, audio systems and other home entertainment devices, have been around for years. In fact, you can get them for as little as $10. But this one, from Radio Shack, is pretty unique, especially for the price

Radio Shack's 6-in-1 Audio/Video Touchscreen Remote Control has been nicknamed the "Kameleon" because of its versatility and ability to change its appearance depending on what device you are using it to control.

Like other universal remote controls, its manual comes with codes associated with most brands of home entertainment devices that come with infrared remote controls. So, if you have a Sony TV, you punch in 0000. If you have a JVC VCR, you'll use 0067, and so on. In addition to TVs and VCRs, there are codes for DVD players, satellite receivers, cable converters, home theater systems, audio receivers, CD players and even audio amplifiers. To my delight, the remote also works with the TiVo personal video recorder.

Unlike most remotes, there are no fixed buttons. When you're not using the unit, all you see is a big blue screen with nothing on it. But when you pick it up or touch the screen it immediately lights up with onscreen buttons that correspond to whatever remote control you're emulating. So, when it's in the TV mode, you see "buttons" for the channels, volume, channel up and down and all the other usual options. As soon as you press the VCR button the display changes and you're presented with play, rewind and other typical VCR options.

One of the frustrations of most universal remotes is that they tend not to have buttons for some special features, so even though you can use them to turn the device on and off, adjust volume and change channels, for example, you might not be able to adjust the contrast or invoke some other special feature of the unit.

That's not the case with the Kameleon. Because it is able to display only those functions that you need, the designers of the remote didn't have to economize on buttons. When you're in the DVD mode you get all the controls you'd expect to find on a DVD player. If there are too many commands to fit on the screen (as is the case with the TiVo), you can press the "Screen" button to go to a secondary screen.

The device also has a menu key that actually brings up the menu on all the devices I tested it with. Other special keys include a "Fav scan" key in TV mode that lets you use the remote to scan through three channels of your choice.

If you have a device that's not listed in the manual or if you have functions that aren't on the remote, you can put the device into "learn mode" and then aim your original remote at the Radio Shack remote so that it learns those commands. You can also create macros, which invoke multiple commands so that, for example, with a single key press you could turn on your TV, DVD player and amplifier, adjust the volume and even tune into your favorite station.

Although sold under the Radio Shack brand, the device was actually designed by Universal Electronics, a Cypress, California, company that maintains the database of control codes for thousands of wireless remote controls.

The Radio Shack model is one of several touch-screen remotes, but it has some unique qualities. Most other touch-screen remotes have an LCD (liquid crystal display) that changes depending on what you're controlling. The Radio Shack model instead has what I guess you'd call soft-keys that, unlike an LCD screen, actually give you a bit of tactile feedback.

The device is a bit large (9.38 by 2.79 by .69 inches) and somewhat awkward to hold in your hand. Also, the screen goes blank after a few seconds to save energy. I like saving battery life, but it can be a bit annoying. Another problem with the remote is that it makes a faint buzzing sound. I can only hear it when I put it up to my ear, but my wife says she can hear it even when it's on the table (I guess I need to have my ears checked). I thought it was just my unit, but a colleague of mine has the same problem with his.

But I also have a couple of kudos for Radio Shack. Instead of a cheap plastic latch, the battery is secured by a screw so you don't have to worry about it coming out. The device has a strong signal so you can use it in a large room and - best of all - Radio Shack has the user manual on its Web site, so if you lose your manual, you'll still be able to look up a code if you get a new TV, DVD player or other device.

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By Larry Magid