Radio Shack 15-1994 Remote Controls

Radio Shack 15-1994 Remote Controls 

DESCRIPTION

Universal 6 in 1 Remote with programming, macros

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 18  
[Feb 17, 2003]
CAGRI
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Size, backlight

Weakness:

None

I bought this remote surprisingly expensive, radioshack's price overseas price policy is unbelievable as they sell say an SPL meter for $20, almost half the list price, but this remote is vice versa. Anyway, even for $60 I'd paid, this remote is excellent value. Its size is just fine, fits and fills the hand. Back lighting is very convenient. It doesn't support my Kenwood receiver although there are codes in the manual (both in the official and in the one at hifi-remote.com), but it supports my Loewe TV. I have no complaints with 2 remotes though; after having used 5 for a long time and I will replace the Kenwood anyway. This is a great product, very easy to setup, I have a 200 disc changer with lots of function buttons on its remote and I did't need to program a single smart key, every key has a match on 1994 already. Highly recommended.

Similar Products Used:

None

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 02, 2001]
Barry
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Feel, Size, Backlight, Unbelievable programming ability

Weakness:

I wish Aux2 was labeled DVD. (No DVD label key)

This remote is simply amazing. I think everybody should at least evaluate this model if they are looking to purchase a universal. I think the reason many people avoid is because it is a radioshack piece. I know guys, when your equipment consists of sony screens, marantz sources, and nad amplification it just doesn't seem right to add something from radioshack. Please do not fall into this trap. This remote may not work for everybody. (Some people have had problems with there receivers and had to get the JP1 upgrade which adds another $30 bucks, but most will not have to) If you need a touchscreen then look towards another remote. However, if you want to truly throw away your other remotes buy this. I have a setup consisting of a Yamaha RX-V795 receiver, a Sony 27V45 television, a Sony Dvp-s530d DVD, a Marantz CC-3000(steal sounds great, extremely good cd-r cd-rw playback, indicates if a cd has been finalized or not) and a Nad C-340 integrated. I had these boxes programmed in minutes. I have not had to use a smartkey yet. All of the functions of my remotes are now on this remote. Between remotecentral.com and hifi-remote.com you can make this remote do anything. If you have problem with some your equipment make the JP1. BTW, a lot of people have had problems with Yamaha receivers because there remotes have a discrete on and off. Well, I know that the RX-V795, V995, and V2095 have another code that there remote does'nt know that will allow one button to power off/on. Hey wouldn't you know when you put in the default code on the 15-1994 it does it automatically. Who would of thought that I would have ever been able to do this. As you can see I have had a good experience with this remote. BTW, my other remotes are collecting dust.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha Remotes, Marantz Remotes

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 05, 2001]
Philip
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Great Price for what you're getting, Backlit display, very flexible in terms of components, good feel

Weakness:

A couple of the mode names could have been different

I was contemplating a universal remote because it can be very stressful for my wife with all the different remotes for our system. Only problem was that I didn't want to spend over $100 since my wife, my baby, and myself need sustenance. But a friend of mine introduced me to the Radio Shack and I figured for $30, it was worth a shot. What a great find!!!!! I've got it now where no matter what we did last time with our system (watch DVD, watch SAT, watch VCR), 1 button takes care of everything and puts everything in the right mood. My wife loves me more for it since I'm not on to her anymore about making sure this was in this mode, etc.. I love you sweetie!!! :-D

If I could change one thing, I would change AUX 2 to DVD since that was kind of a bit of programming issue to get DVD to function well. I ended up putting it on the CD button since my DVD is my CD player as well.

A shout out to my friend who showed me this remote!!! For all you ladies out there, I know that finding a remote is a great quality in a man, but unfortunatly he's married. So please, no e-mails to me to hook you guys up. :-D

Similar Products Used:

All the remotes from all the components

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 16, 2001]
Keith
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Once you get on-line and get the codes, everything is a breeze. Controls absolutely everything on my rack! Also added some features to my current equipment (e.g. adds favorite channel, previous channel etc., to my VCR which is limitted). Backlit

Weakness:

HORRIBLE instruction manual!!! Horrible is likely too weak a word to use. If you get this thing, go to remotecentral.com and find the code pages. Only about 2% of what this remote can do can be found in the manual.
No dedicated DVD button. No direct punch-through to the receiver

Like I say above, great remote once you toss the manual in the garbage and go on-line to get the codes. It now completely controls the following devices:

Sony 27"
Denon AVR-3300
Yamaha CD carosel
Yamaha Tape Deck
Panasonic VCR
Panasonic DVD-A120

The only limitations come from the fact that the manual is a piece of crap and that the puchthrough can't be programmed directly to the receiver. However, with the on-line codes and a little tinkering, it's quite easy to completely re-program the whole remote to serve your needs. Once it's set-up, it's a really great remote especially for the $'s!!!

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 16, 2001]
Steve

Strength:

Attractive, simple lay out, backlighting and cost.

Weakness:

Brutal manual, labelling of input buttons

After looking at the reviews for this product at Remotecentral.com I decided to give it a try. I was getting tired of using 3 different remotes to watch a movie,all of which weren't great, nor backlit. For the price, you can't beat this unit. It is designed using many of the same features as the One for All units. I returned the unit because I couldn't get it to program my DVD player or Laserdisc(delegated to CD)player. Of course, the retail staff weren't too helpful in terms of knowledge of the unit.
Looking closer at the reviews on the user database at remotecentral revealed some hints. I repurchased it and sure enough it easily programmed my Denon receiver, RCA dvd player, Pioneer LD, Panasonic S-VHS VCR and Toshiba TV. I am not planning on copying every remote feature I have but so far it handles the most used features easily. I especially enjoy using it to replace my brutal RCA dvd remote and the backlighting is great. I purchased the extended warranty for three years just in case as I use it a lot and have four youngsters in training to become home theater enthusiasts. Give it a try, if you don't like, return it. I would suggest a visit to the abovementioned site as the manual isn't great.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 09, 2001]
James
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Excellent ergonomics, beautiful keypad backlighting, almost infinite programming flexibility.

Weakness:

Sold by Radio Shack (You've got questions, we've got blank stares.)

I just got a 15-1994 from RS yesterday. Having had the Cinema 7 for several weeks, programming it with a JP1 interface, and getting it set up for my system, I've really enjoyed its capabilities. My wife however, never liked the C7 because she said the buttons were too small and the labels hard to read. After using it for a while, I finally had to agree with her. The buttons are just too small for my fingers and the number-shaped keys felt spongy to me. Even the channel up/down and volume up/down buttons, which I use a lot, just seemed to be poorly located and too small.

Having heard that the 1994 was discontinued, or would soon be, I ran over yesterday to pick one up at my local RS for
$29.95. The manager assured me that it was not discontinued, and he had no indications on his computer that it would be. I carried the 1994 home and much to my delight the JP1 interface was already there, unlike the C7 which I had to solder in.

Using the JP1 cable and IR software, I quickly programmed the 1994 to pretty much match the setup the C7 had provided. This was a snap since I had already done my homework and knew what advanced codes I would be using and how the macros were to be programmed. The 1994 has the 0394 code so it can control my RCA DirecTV receiver much better than the 0566 code in the C7. The 1994 is a much bigger remote, but is just about the exact same size as the RCA universal that came with the DirecTV. However, the size of the keys, the key layout, and especially the backlighting make this remote a joy to use! The large rocker-type volume up/down and channel up/down make channel surfing a pleasure, and the suede like finish and shape of the housing feels good in the hand. The only disadvantages of the 1994 are that I had to fix the volume punch through with the key mover, and there is no DVD key, so I'll have to remember that AUX2 is the DVD. Some might say that it's too big, but I feel the extra size is a good thing because it allows the keys to be larger, and as I said, it's about the same size as the RCA DirecTV remote and my GE DVD remote.

I'm going to keep the Cinema 7 around for programming, experimentation, and because it knows a lot of codes that the 1994 doesn't. And since it only cost 1/3rd the price of the 1994, what the heck, it makes a good backup. All in all, I'd have to say that the 1994 is a winner, especially if it keeps my wife happy!

Similar Products Used:

One For All Cinema 7 IQ, One For All VCR Pro 4

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
[Feb 08, 2001]
L L
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Great price, ergonomics, good button layout, good button size, smooth casing, low profile look, powerful functions if you know how to use it.

Weakness:

User's manual badly written, but an excellent replacement is available on hifi-remote.com

Most people who use this remote probably don't realize the full potential of this economical and well-designed remote control, and that's due mostly to the badly written user's manual.

Forget the manual. Forget the specs listed on Radio Shack. Read the manual, tips & trick, etc at hifi-remote.com and learn more about this remote. It is much more powerful than what you would have thought. In only a few hours, I was able to transfer buttons from 3 remotes to this unit.

Some features that are not listed on the manual: 1. Macro capability (can be assigned to any buttons), 2.Learning capability can be assigned to buttons other than the 4 smart buttons, 3. Copy button (e.g., enables volume control locked to your receiver, TV/Video switching locked to the TV, toggle receiver effect in all modes, etc), 4. Advanced code programming to access certain features of your device directly, 5. Shift key feature, allowing one key to have dual function under the same device mode.

The layout of the button is very good and intuitive, while the overall shape is ergonomic. The backlight lights up ALL buttons and has a low-glow for comfortable use in a dimmed room.

I have mapped all functional buttons from my Yamaha receiver, Sony Wega and Sony DVD player. All sound effects and setup control on the receiver areaccessible, and on the DVD, all transport controls (including close/open) and player menu (in addition to DVD menu) have been mapped. It appears to have some still memory available (plan your mapping in advance, and you won't waste memory by mistake).

This unit contains similar electronic circuit with the All-For-One Cinema 7 and Cinema 7 IQ (all device codes are identical). For comparison, I first used this unit for a few days along with the RCA RCU810 and AFO Cinema 7. The 15-1994 easily beats those units for ergonomics, usability, and features. I have no doubts that it will also beat other more expensive units.

Button placement and labeling is intuitive. I taught my electronic-shy wife how to use the buttons and she was comfortable with it righ away.

Try this unit for a few days (using the manual in URL above) and you'll love it.

Similar Products Used:

RCA RCU810, All-For-One Cinema 7 IQ

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 20, 2001]
Trun Cated
Casual Listener

Strength:

Controls absolutely everything

Weakness:

Some memory limitations
MUST have jp1 cable and software to make full use

Just wanted to say that any review made before the jp1 cable and software was developed should be discounted to some extent, since virtually every limitation has been overcome. For instance, out of the box, it couldn't control some of the features on my Sony DB930 tuner, but now th 15-1994 controls it with far less effort than the two way remote that came with the tuner.

Similar Products Used:

RCU810

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Aug 16, 2001]
John
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

everything i like the size and holds good in hand.easy to use www.hifi-remote.com go there and be impressed.

Weakness:

i used the auto learn and it wouldent give me the code so i got relearn again in future. the manual didnt tell me about www.hifi-remote.com big help thx guys.

well i think the guys at www.hifiremote.com get 10 stars
hey guys i have remote start on my car can you get it to start my car it would not surprise me radio shack for youre help you get hahahaa

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 21, 2001]
Tim
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Complete control over your devices, once you learn how to program properly. Ergonomically designed. Back-lighting is excellent.

Weakness:

Manual is poorly written.

This unit solved many frustrations for me. I had just purchased a JVC DVD player to replace an old model, and could not get a universal to control all my devices. Once you get the complete set of instructions from www.hifi-remote.com, you are able to quickly program this unit to control all devices.

The unit is easily operated by all household members. I really applaud Radio Shack's external and internal design of the 6 in 1 Remote.

For reference, I am using:
- 27 inch Samsung television (circa 1988)
- VR309 receiver
- Quasar VCR Player
- JVC XV-S45GD

Similar Products Used:

RCA RCU800.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-10 of 18  

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