Sima SUR-20 LCD Touchscreen Remote Control
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- Type: Universal Learning
- Universal Remote Control Type: Learning
- Broadcasting Type: IR
- Applicable Devices: TV, VCR, DVD Player, Cable\Satellite Receiver, Amplifiers, Tape Deck, CD Player, Tuner, Receiver
- Devices Controlled: 8
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Excellent Universal Remote, Especially for the Low Price
Pros
Full LCD button pad (no mechanical buttons), backlight, easy to configure.
Cons
Does not handle double-entry of buttons well (like "6" and "6").
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
You really cannot go wrong with this universal remote. It is cheaper than most, yet does a great job with very nice features.
This is an excellent universal remote control. It can literally control any device that uses an infrared remote, especially if you still have the original remote to "teach" it.
Unlike a lot of universal remotes, this one has no mechanical buttons and instead uses a touch-screen (think: Palm Pilot that controls your electronics). Although you end up with greasy fingerprints all over your remote screen, this button strategy is a good one because it allows you the choice of multiple different button labels (or you can just leave some of them blank and remember what they are) instead of being stuck with the manufacturer's mechanical button configuration and limited remote support.
In addition to having a list (by manufacturer) of remote configurations that you can select by entering a two digit code, you can also teach this universal remote to imitate (even duplicate) the buttons on your existing remote. The configuration of the remote is VERY easy to do, but be realistic -- if you are the type that is intimidated by the 7 buttons on the front panel of your VCR, then there is not a universal remote made for you and you should not buy this one (or any). If you can use a computer, touchtone phone, or your other remote controls, then you can not only use this one but easily configure it as well.
This remote is rumored to eat batteries quickly, so you may want to invest in a set of rechargeable NiMH batteries for it. Do not worry if the batteries die in it, because you have not lost your configurations. The configuration information is written to a type of memory similar to that used in digital cameras. Just because you lose power from your batteries dying or take the batteries out does not mean you have lost your information. One of the reasons it probably eats batteries quickly is because it does have a full-screen backlight. There is a feature for adjusting the time-out delay on the backlight (when it automatically shuts off during inactivity), so it might save your batteries to reduce this delay time to the lowest setting.
I am using my SUR-20 to control my modern TV, VCR, DVD player, surround sound amplifier, and I control the tuner (radio) on the amplifier through a separately configured screen. I have compromised NOTHING -- I have all the buttons that I use on the original remotes installed in the configurations on the SUR-20. Most of them (with the exception of only one or two buttons total being blank) are appropriately labeled. If you are using this remote and you cannot get the right labels for the buttons you are attempting to program, then you need to use a different strategy. Just go through the remote, check out all the different buttons labels, and then figure out the best way to duplicate your original remote's functions.
I have had some problems with this remote not accepting double-entries of buttons. Meaning, if I want to go to channel "66", it balks at the second six and I have press another button before the second "6". This workaround has worked well for me, and I just press the "ENTER" button or "UP" or "DOWN" arrows or some other button that will not do anything except under certain circumstances prior to pressing the second "6". Some of my electronics are picky about how directly I have to point the remote, but all of these work the same way with their own original remote. I have a large family room and can operate all of the electronics from across the room.
I remember when this remote was $150. It can now be found new for around $60 and used (via eBay, etc.) for as low as $30. I bought mine slightly used from eBay for $39, and having messed around with it for about a week now, I have to say that I would pay a lot more for it.
Unlike a lot of universal remotes, this one has no mechanical buttons and instead uses a touch-screen (think: Palm Pilot that controls your electronics). Although you end up with greasy fingerprints all over your remote screen, this button strategy is a good one because it allows you the choice of multiple different button labels (or you can just leave some of them blank and remember what they are) instead of being stuck with the manufacturer's mechanical button configuration and limited remote support.
In addition to having a list (by manufacturer) of remote configurations that you can select by entering a two digit code, you can also teach this universal remote to imitate (even duplicate) the buttons on your existing remote. The configuration of the remote is VERY easy to do, but be realistic -- if you are the type that is intimidated by the 7 buttons on the front panel of your VCR, then there is not a universal remote made for you and you should not buy this one (or any). If you can use a computer, touchtone phone, or your other remote controls, then you can not only use this one but easily configure it as well.
This remote is rumored to eat batteries quickly, so you may want to invest in a set of rechargeable NiMH batteries for it. Do not worry if the batteries die in it, because you have not lost your configurations. The configuration information is written to a type of memory similar to that used in digital cameras. Just because you lose power from your batteries dying or take the batteries out does not mean you have lost your information. One of the reasons it probably eats batteries quickly is because it does have a full-screen backlight. There is a feature for adjusting the time-out delay on the backlight (when it automatically shuts off during inactivity), so it might save your batteries to reduce this delay time to the lowest setting.
I am using my SUR-20 to control my modern TV, VCR, DVD player, surround sound amplifier, and I control the tuner (radio) on the amplifier through a separately configured screen. I have compromised NOTHING -- I have all the buttons that I use on the original remotes installed in the configurations on the SUR-20. Most of them (with the exception of only one or two buttons total being blank) are appropriately labeled. If you are using this remote and you cannot get the right labels for the buttons you are attempting to program, then you need to use a different strategy. Just go through the remote, check out all the different buttons labels, and then figure out the best way to duplicate your original remote's functions.
I have had some problems with this remote not accepting double-entries of buttons. Meaning, if I want to go to channel "66", it balks at the second six and I have press another button before the second "6". This workaround has worked well for me, and I just press the "ENTER" button or "UP" or "DOWN" arrows or some other button that will not do anything except under certain circumstances prior to pressing the second "6". Some of my electronics are picky about how directly I have to point the remote, but all of these work the same way with their own original remote. I have a large family room and can operate all of the electronics from across the room.
I remember when this remote was $150. It can now be found new for around $60 and used (via eBay, etc.) for as low as $30. I bought mine slightly used from eBay for $39, and having messed around with it for about a week now, I have to say that I would pay a lot more for it.
