Ease of use, Built-in & PC software, Roller wheel, Good size of list IR codes

Weak backlight, Can't change button shapes

I just bought the TC1000 controller about a week ago, and i'm very impresed with it. I only have two problems with it.

First, the backlight is weak. It's hard too see while using with good lighting and with the light off I have to angle it in ways so I can see it better. However, It it fantastic in low light.

Second, You can't change the shape of the buttons to each function. With all the buttons the same shape and size I have to read the screen longer when using it. It would be easier and faster to look at the shapes associated with its function. This would allow you to read the screen less and watch your program. I would hope that with the next software upgrade Microsoft & HK would consider these issues.

That being said, This is a great controller. It's so easy to use, that I only had to use the manual once to find out how to adjust the contrast. From there it was a piece of cake. The built-in software walks you through each and every step. There is no way that you can mess up the setup of the TC1000. The PC software allows you to create custom macros with unlimited steps. You can add or remove buttons as you need them. In the activities key(PC software), it lets you place the buttons that you want in the layout that you want and you can lable it. This means you can have an activity labled "Daddy's Favorites" for yourself and "Mommy's Favorates" for your spouse. That kind of customizing is good when you have family members not familier with your settings.

The roller wheel is nice also. it's used to change channels on your TV and VCR and also change preset stations on your reciever/tuner. On the home menu it's used to select a device, activity or macro. Just roll to the desired device, activity or macro and push the wheel to select it.

The TC1000 has a nice size library of IR codes. It works well with all of my equipment, including my Denon reciever which the remote had to learn (no built-in IR code for it), and did so with no problem whatsoever. It works at 120khz and the range is 23 feet.

All in all, i'm very happy with the TC1000. It's a soild controller with a bright future (watch out Pronto). I purchased mine at J and R Music World in New York City for $239. Their web site is JANDR.COM. I use Lithium AA batteries with it, up to 1 year with them.

With the right upgrades this remote could not be matched. Until then, 4****. I would recommend this controller. Very nice!

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Factory issued garbage...

Easy to setup!

Somewhat big and heavy...

I was somewhat skeptical at first but after only a few days of using it I wouldn't want to give it back for anything! My wife loves it and it has replaced 5 indiv. remotes!

Cons:
-somewhat heavy/clumsy
-if using the backlight it goes through a set of batteries in about sixs months
-needs to be pointed directly at target
-not cheap!

Pros:
-easy to program
-great software that lets you do *everything* (macros etc.!)
-OK readibility in the dark (with backlight on)
-wide range of compatibility (all my devices worked, only RF and some ultra high-end IR stuff doesn't)
-solid build (it has survived numerous drops on the floor - those darn kids :)
-if pointed right at the source fairly large range

Overall I'd give it 4 out of 5, if they come up with a little charging station that I can rest it in and make it a little lighter I'd give it a 5!

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Philips Pronto

Avoid this product. I have had it for some time now, and agree with many of the complaints mentioned in other reviews.

- Very big, bulky, bad ergonomics.
- Weak signal
- Bad touchscreen
- Low battery life
- Programming is sporadic. Occasionally functions disappear.

If you want to persist in buying this, I will sell you mine, cheap.

Got this remote refurbished from Harman Kardon site for $98.
Can not beat this kind of deal therefore why complain :)
The remote rules nut just for the price but also for the power it offers.
I had two other friends of mine buy the same remote for the same price and they are ver happy with it.
After a month or so it feels like an extension of your fingers, second nature I would say.

So far the best for the money.
If you are interested keep on watching the Kardon site for their refurbished remotes. They look like new and they are waranted for a year just like the new ones.

Ease of use, assignable tactile buttons, macros, Take Control Editor

display is hard to read without back light on

I have had this remote for a long while now. Aside from the display requiring the backlight (hey it's there for a reason, use it) this remote has been awesome. As one reviewer put it, the Macros make life so much simpler for my wife and visitors. They simply choose what they want and presto everything is ready. I like the barrel due to the mulitple functionality (all assignable). I use the up/down rolling for channels and pressing for PIP. (works awesome) I use the pressing for pause in both VCR and DVD. Very handy to get pause without having to pick up remote. I have not ever had software issues and I am not sure how much I would recommend "dropping it several times". This device is not cheap so be more careful. I do not drop my DVD player and it was cheaper. (bought remote year ago or more) I say go for it, it is very impressive to others that see it and it truly is handy. 5 stars all the way.

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marantz, generic

Ability to manipulate screens and mix component controls on 1 screen. Also, macro creation.

1.Eats batteries, 2.Contrast on unlit screen cannot be brought up to acceptable brightness for non-lit usage. 3. screen sensitivity to touch is poor--ended up using a PalmPilot wand, which worked great. 4. Software incompatible with many PC's without turning videao acceleration off or down almost all the way--caused OS to lock up repeatedly. 5.fragile and unable to sustain several drops without breaking. 6. screen too small to have adequate number of buttons visible at one time. 7. Major control buttons are below screen--since remote is large and heavy, makes one-hand operation almost impossible. 8. Maximum time screen displays is 60 seconds before turn-off, making programming of components or VCR annoying because of necessity of constantly turning screen back on. 9. Programming capability of unit limited--many complex commands not learnable.

Unit is too expensive for what it is and does. I love the idea of it, but this unit suffers in execution. If the screen were as bright, or as sensitive, or as controllable as a PalmPilot, I wouldn't be negative on the unit. This was my 3rd unit--the first two were defective-and this one failed after 2 years of use. Other than the weaknesses I outlined above, the primary failing of the unit is a lack of screen brightness. You end up using the backlight in a lit room, and this EATS batteries.
In general, this will be a great remote IF they improve it immensely--and worth every penny. But as it now stands, save your money and buy another universal remote.
Don Pensack
don@supergo.com

Similar Products Used:

Universal s9000 Theater Remote.

Ease of programing, PC interface, Flexibility, it learns anything

A little large, screen lighting is barely acceptable

After reading alot of the reviews here I was alittle reluctant to purchase the unit, however I saw enough benefits with the PC interface, a mix of a few hard buttons (and the neat roller) and touch screen. I must clarify that I purchase the JBL TC1000 which I later found out is the same as the HK TC1000, made by the same company with the same program although as far as I can tell much less $ than the HK.

So you can get some idea of what it can control,my system is as follows:

Chiro C -800 preamp with external DTS, 5.1 processor
Nakamichi CD player
Nakamichi cassette player
Pioneer DVD
RCA VHS
Philips TV
B&K sonata amps mains
Marantz monobocks for the center, and rears
PSB Stratus Gold mains, PSB center and rears
M&K sub (with remote capability)


The remote comes preprogrammed with alot of different manufactures and models however with the exception of the TV the unit had to learn all the codes from my remotes. All where easily learned by the unit. This combination of preprogramed codes and the ability to learn easily is a big plus.

The programing part gives you the ability in <1 hour to control all your units. Where this thing really shines is the interface with your PC. With the codes learned and the PC program installed I was able to change the look, control buttons, where they appeared on the screen, what functions would be controlled by the hard keys or the touch screen and generate macros so my wife could use the system (by the way a very high wife and kid acceptance factor - before I could show them how to use it they were already masters before I showed them a thing!)

After using the unit for alittle over a month I can still say I went from 7 remotes to the one - TC1000. Unless I want the advanced features of the individual remotes we have used the TC1000. (Think about it though, how many times do you need to calibrate your system, I only do this once or twice a year and certainly after adding any new component, these features I did not "learn" into the remote)

Where the unit is weak is not in its ability, flexibility or control ability it is is the strength of the signal and backlighting.

My main system is about 20' from my listening area. The main system is housed in an oak framed, speaker cloth like fabric. The best control is when the fabric doors are open, it appears that 20' is no problem, when I close the fabric doors the best the unit can transmit is about 10-12'. I think I will have to go with a repeater to use this with my cabinet closed.

The other weakness is in the backlight. Like a Palm Pilot the unit can adjust contrast however the backlight is just plane weak. If you like the visual in a Palm M seris (100, 105 and 125) the TC1000 should be no problem, however if this is not enough consider some other unit. When your eyes are adjusted to the dark when watching a movie the backlight is just ok, during the day forget about it.

Overall a great product, for me a good mix of a few hard buttons and total flexibility in control via the touch screen and the PC interface makes me overlook the weak IR and light issues.

One last issue when it comes to the speed of the unit, my kids use this to surf channels without complaint.

If you do purchase any remotes look at remotecentral web site for great information.

Well done TC1000

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looked at Marantz, Sony and Home theater remotes both touch screen and hard button

Came across this remote in my search for a truly easy to use learning/master remote. One which didn't require me to figure out which of the 98 buttons on the remote do what (depending on which piece of equipment your using) Anyone looking for such an item owes it to themselves to check this product out. The unit was co-developed by Microsoft and Harman Kardon. It uses a touch screen interface to send commands. An infinite number of remotes can be programmed (it also has many pre-programmed) and is very easy to set up. The unit walks you thru all the required steps. If you have a PC a simple connection to a serial port and the supplied Take Control software makes config a snap. That includes device set-up, activity set-up (I.E. Play a CD) and complex macros. All buttons can be renamed/rearranged and relearned as required (as well as new ones added)to each device. Another great feature is that you can learn and set up only the functions you want to control. If you don't need something it won't clutter up the unit interface. You can call any device by it's real name and not have to use some default.
The PC software interface is drag and drop and very well done.
If your frustrated by multiple remotes or bad/confusing learning remotes check this product out.
For features, value and lost aggravation I give it a 5!!!

I purchased this remote with all the blind enthusiasm of a ten year old at an amusement park. Got it home, read the manual, and began programming. 3 months later I still dont have a remote that does aswas advertised. Before you, my reader, wonders if I am somehow technically inept, let me assure you that I have worked in the computer industry for 11 years, so programming VCRs and setting digital clocks dont keep me busy for hours on end. This product first off was advertised as being able to work with any remote (IR based). While I find that it can learn every button, it cannot seem to master learning each button of a remote in total. What I mean is, that each individual button can be learned but when one relies on the remote to duplicate the features of say 35 buttons, invariably one seems to not work. Relearning the button seems to render another inoperable.
The wonderful sales dupe said that you stored your settings on computer. This is only partially true, if you are fortunate to have a device that exactly matches the built in devices, then your codes are stored in some type of ROM. If you happen to have anything newer, you will be forced to learn one button at a time. Its these learned codes that are not stored on your computer.
My system is not so esoteric. Nakamichi DVD, Nak Reciever, Scientific Atlanta cable, 3 year old RCA VCR and a Mitsubishi TV. Not one of these devices has a "built in code" the closest being the Mitsubishi in which half the buttons work, the other half have to be entered.

I cannot in good faith recommend this product to anyone, dont be taken in by the svelt Harman Kardon name, this is a very poorly enginnered product. I could fill your screens with the short commings of this device, but instead I will leave you, kind reader with a stern warning to beware of this product's hype.

Wow after all the luke warm reviews I was a litle worried about the TC1000, but I must say i'm totally empressed with this remote. I just finished up dating the firmware in the remote from the HK web site. I was a little surprised that the codes from my ACT3 was not included with the preprogrammed information, but no problem th TC1000 has to be one of the easiest learning remotes out there.I have completly costomized the the remote in just 2 hours!!!! The PC software makes customizing the remote so easy and fun I'm tempted to program it for my friends system. Th only con I have noticed is the IR signal is very week compared to my Acurus ACT3 ( SL7000) remote. Its just so damn FUN....!!!!