A little TV remote help, please

[fine-tune]

I have a couple of full feature (expensive) remotes, but they CANNOT be used in my
bedroom.

I watch TV in bed with the lights off. Two or three times each week I fall asleep with
the remote in my hand. When I awake the remote is under a pillow, blanket, or on
the floor. The drop to the floor isn't much of a fall, but I think you can understand
why I won't risk using an expensive remote!

Right now, I'm using GE 24116 purchased at eBay for $7.99 eight months ago. It has
large buttons, a backlit keypad, and master volume. The master volume is important
because I control the volume of external speakers through my converter. It does not
have master power, sometimes called all power. I'd like to turn the converter and TV
on and off with one button, but 24116 doesn't have that option.

I don't eat in bed, so the keypad is clean. Nevertheless, the buttons are already
failing. The keypad switches frequently fail to make contact. For less than $10.00
I'm not going to pry the case open and clean the contact pads.

I need the backlit keypad and master volume. Is there a similar remote for $25.00 or
less with the master power option? If not, I'll just buy another 24166.

[Janitor Tzap]

fine-tune,

What do you mean by "Converter"?

* - Cable Converter Box.
* - Satellite Converter Box.
* - DTV Converter Box.

There are Programmable Remotes available, but the cost very, depending on the features, and suppliers.

DirecTV sells a Remote that works with their Satellite Converter Box's that also will power on the television,
and the Satellite Converter Box at the same time.

I don't eat in bed, so the keypad is clean. Nevertheless, the buttons are already
failing. The keypad switches frequently fail to make contact. For less than $10.00
I'm not going to pry the case open and clean the contact pads.

Ugh, those stupid rubber carbon buttons.......
We have discussed here in the forums at great length, the causes that make the buttons fail.
{Just do a Forum Search with the Tag line: Clean Remotes.}
Since your GE 24116 Remote cost less than $10, it isn't worth the time to clean it.
So getting a replacement for under $10, makes better sense.
I've seen them at the Family Dollar in a discount bin for $5.
At Thrift Stores for $1 to $3 dollars.
Plus, the last Hamfest I went too, a guy had a box full of remotes, asking $1 each.

Good luck with your hunt.


Signed Janitor Tzap

[fine-tune]

It's a Pace converter from Comcast.

Just "any old remote" from a junk pile is not going to work, Janitor Tzap.

Since all the lights in my bedroom are off, I need that backlit display.

Remember when most TV's had a simple audio output jack? If they didn't,
it was easy to install one because that hot CRT required a lot of empty
space to keep it cool.

There are countless posts on other forums from people who cannot find a
simple way to plug-in their external speakers, because most flatscreens
don't have a 50 cent audio output jack.

The LG TV I purchased for my bedroom didn't have one, so I had to use a
"Y" adapter with my converter box for the external speakers. That's why the
"master volume" feature is so important. There is no other simple way to
control the speaker volume.

Why don't I open my perfect flatscreen and add an audio jack? Have you
seen the innards of a modern flatscreen? Goodluck!

I was hoping to find a lower priced remote with that additional "master power"
feature, but it seems that option is only available with $50.00 and up remotes.

The thought of falling asleep with one of my "super deluxe" remotes crashing to
the floor is unpleasant, to say the least! I guess buying another 24116 is my
only option.

Thanks Janitor Tzap.

[Externet]

One of the discussions is here :
----> http://forum.nutsvolts.com/viewtopic.ph ... ean#p82381

Do not ignore replacing the crystal resonator inside the remote, as after dropping on floor it may be flaky affecting all buttons.

And for my habits, the timer feature is very important. Shuts off the TV after asleep. Do not care if the tuner stays on.

[Janitor Tzap]

It's a Pace converter from Comcast.

Just "any old remote" from a junk pile is not going to work, Janitor Tzap.

I didn't say it would be easy.

I'd do some research on line and look for what model programmable remotes support your TV & Cable Box.
Then see if they have the "One Button" Power ON/OFF ability.
Plus, has the lighted display.
Then go hunting at thrift stores, garage sales, etc for the remotes that fit your criteria.
Here's the Universal Remotes Page from Mat Electronics.
http://matelectronics.com/universal-remotes/
Plus, here's the summer catalog, Page 5 has some RCA Universal Remotes on sale dirt cheap!
https://www.matelectronics.com/content/ ... og144.html

Remember when most TV's had a simple audio output jack? If they didn't,
it was easy to install one because that hot CRT required a lot of empty
space to keep it cool.

There are countless posts on other forums from people who cannot find a
simple way to plug-in their external speakers, because most flatscreens
don't have a 50 cent audio output jack.

The LG TV I purchased for my bedroom didn't have one, so I had to use a
"Y" adapter with my converter box for the external speakers. That's why the
"master volume" feature is so important. There is no other simple way to
control the speaker volume.

Why don't I open my perfect flatscreen and add an audio jack? Have you
seen the innards of a modern flatscreen? Goodluck!

I was hoping to find a lower priced remote with that additional "master power"
feature, but it seems that option is only available with $50.00 and up remotes.

The thought of falling asleep with one of my "super deluxe" remotes crashing to
the floor is unpleasant, to say the least! I guess buying another 24116 is my
only option.

Thanks Janitor Tzap.

Hmmm................
Do you have the Model numbers of the Pace Cable Converter Box and the LG TV.

I'd like to look up the spec's and see what type of connection plugs are on them.

Granted most new Converter Boxes/TV's aren't coming with RCA Jack's on them any more.
Plus, the Boxes have pretty much gotten rid of the RF outputs too.
They've gone to HDMI, for better picture quality, and digital sound.
Or Optical Cable {Toslink} Audio Jacks.



Signed: Janitor Tzap

[haklesup]

if you're renting the converter from Comcast then they generally will exchange your remote for free. Most of their remotes for the full feature boxes are programmable but probably not the little ATSC converter (that does not get premium or HD). I did find that their X1 remote did work with every box I have including the converter and that remote can turn on a program guide not accessible from the one that came with it.

However it sounds like you are not using that one and want a programmable one.

I find that more and more smart phones have IR emitters and Remote control apps, Samsung in particular is very good with this feature set and if you can pick up an older TAB tablet and have WiFi of course for the full feature set.

As for dropping the remote, Think Bead Chain al la pen at the bank.

[CeaSaR]

I've bought a number of universal remotes at, believe it or not, the local Dollar Tree. They are preprogrammed for about a bazillion different devices, and can also go through the "try, reject/accept" routine until you find a code that works with the box.

Just a thought.

CeaSaR