 I've often been called a control freak, now that doesn't
mean I drive a volvo through whirlwinds or race around on the top of
buildings relying on my tyres to save me from a squishy end. far from it I'm
quite a conservative control freak, but one who was rapidly running out of
space. for my problem is remote controls or six of them to be exact.
it just happens, I head out to buy another most necessary gadget or item of
electrical beauty to enhance my lifestyle and guess what? it comes with
another remote!
so my bedroom now resembles the control room of Nasa with enough buttons to
run most 3rd world countries and a battery requirement that would equal
their national debt. so something had to give I'd had enough of waking up in
the middle of the night with a terrible pain in my back to discover it was
the video remote wedged where the sun doesn't shine!
enough graphic imagery I hear you cry, so what to do, well the first route
was to investigate what equipment could be amalgamated to reduce the number
of controls, the only real option was to use a laptop with integrated infa
red port hardly a realistic option with having to wait for it to boot up
before changing channel.
so a quick scout around the web brought up a list of possible "all in one"
remote controls, the theory behind this category of device is that most
domestic controls use the same infrared language. yes much to my amazement
there are many flavors, you couldn't expect electronics manufacturers to
standardize anything could you?
ok just a small techie section, most infrared units use the same carrier
frequency of between 38 – 40khz, onto this carrier is laid a binary bit
stream (1’s and 0’s to you and me).
using this system, packets of data can be sent much like a
CD player or any
other digital device. this means that most IR receivers can detect and
decode signals sent by other manufacturers systems but the actual data
requires an electronic key to decode the bit stream, luckily this is not
regarded as top secret and this information is freely available on the web.
For more information on IR technology check out www.us-epanorama.net and
wade through the many techie topics and head for the IR section.
After quickly eliminating most alternatives it was a question of which "one
for all" control to purchase, the obvious choice for any techie is the
Marrantz a dare I say it sexy little number with a backlit touch screen
capable of controlling almost any device from a home cinema to automatic
curtains?
But let's be realistic who can afford £250 for a remote control, not me, so
the aptly named "one for all" was to be my choice. This unit is slightly
larger than your average remote but then when it's replacing multiple units
who cares.
At first it reminded me of a large print book with huge chunky keys for the
main functions but that's what makes this unit so user friendly. The main
section of the unit houses the numeric keypad and a cluster of buttons
including, play, stop, cue and volume. The top section is home to a large
clear backlit display which when considering the complexity of the unit is
absolutely vital.
So we have a nice simple control interface but how does it manage to operate
so many different types of equipment, each device uses a protocol or code
this is normally unique to a manufacturer and then within that code they can
allocate different strains of code to each type or model of device.
The One for all has two main methods for programming devices that you wish
to use with the unit. The first is a list of codes which can be entered into
the control, for example you would select the TV button and using the
"magic" key enter the unique device code. Now assuming you have chosen the
correct code from the booklet your telly's functions will be available
through the handset. But manufacturers are always releasing new units and
even new types of device so they can't be in any booklet. True but these
chaps have thought of that and given you two other ways of entering devices.
The first is use of the magic key to learn a device, firstly you select the
type of device TV / HiFi etc...Then push the magic key, the control now
cycles through the available infa red frequencies and protocols and waiting
for you to tell it when the device powers down. When it finds the correct
combination and the power down occurs you store that protocol as the one to
be used with the TV or HiFi.
Ok so that could take some time but there is a third option, those clever
chappies have built in a modem to allow you to download new codes from their
library which is kept up to date with the latest manufacturers devices. This
is a fairly simple process first you register at the website then using your
normal Internet connection download the required files.
Next place the remote next to your PC's speakers and hit transfer after much
squawking and clicking the data has been transferred. I suppose that makes
this little gadget as future proof as possible.
The unit can cope with most types of device including TV, Video, CD, HiFi,
Satellite and other auxiliary devices, using the custom keys hidden under a
lower flap it is even possible to programme things like automatic curtains
if you know the operating codes.
These keys can also be used to perform macro functions and perhaps create
your own "button of love". Picture the scene your lover arrives at the
bachelor pad, you push one button on the unit and it dims the lights, shuts
the curtains, plays the pre chosen CD at just the right volume level. That's
cool but available on a few other remote controls, what's far more unusual
is the ability to group some functions together, this really comes into it's
own with home cinema where separate speaker controls can be grouped so the
menu direction arrows and can then be used to move the sound balance around
the room.
This unit has obvious benefits for anyone who has built up a collection of
remotes and offers a substantial saving on batteries (the unit takes 2 AA's)
mine has proved to be very reliable and after the initial programming very
simple to use.
One for All units are available from most high street retailers and there is
a comprehensive range which can handle up to 10 devices on one unit, check
out the one for all website which I've listed at the end of this review.
If you like me want to be in control but hate the collection of remotes you
are hoarding the one for all is an excellent cost effective choice, which I
heartily recommend.
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