Not realistic in the real world. Unfortunately, our gene pool is so jacked up that A LOT of my client's "just don't get it". Sad but true.

I take it your clients have never operated an A/V device before?

I'm tempted to go through my remote drawer, but I can't really think of a device I've used that has transport controls and doesn't use the standard symbols.

I would say that half off my clients do not know which buttons perform which tasks. The lettering on the 900 is GREAT! Again URC listened to us!

Hmmmm, another reason I don't really care for the mx 900 and up series, I like a high tech remote NOT a high tech remote for dummies.

Those symbols have been around as long as I can remember, 99% of every cassette deck, VCR, CD, DVD, DVR and even answering machines have these symbols. Like I said if someone does not know what they mean, they really should learn them.

Seems CI's meet a whole different breed of people, I don't think I ever met a person that did not know these symbols that was over the age of 8 and under the age of 75.

Does it really matter whether it has the symbols or not if the client can be taught what happens when the button is pushed?

What does SKIP + mean to the same person who cannot understand >>| ??

Both have to be taught to the client as to what their use is and many times the use on a universal remote control is different in different devices.

Both the word and the symbol can mean - move to next track, or move to next chapter, or skip forward 30 seconds, or move to the next day, or WHATEVER is programmed to that key.

In the end, the client/consumer needs to have been exposed to A/V equipment at some point in their life or learn a least a modicum of information about their new equipment and the controller in order to operate it.

Yes, the CI makes it as easy and fool-proof as possible, but the client needs to put forth a little effort to learn a bit about what he just bought if he/she wants to get maximum enjoyment from the whole thing.

IMHO.

Rich Guy,

I program remotes every day and I can tell you I met plenty of people that don't think off >> as Fast Forward.

They're probably the same people who only want to know where the power and the channel up/down buttons are.

GregoriusM nailed it, it hardly matters what the symbols are, if the customer has so little experience with A/V equipment they don't know the stop, pause, FF, and rewind symbols ... there's going to be a lot of things they'll need to be taught (or learn) if they want to actually take advantage of their fancy equipment.

Now if they'd rather pay someone to tell them what a button does then to ask a child, ask a friend, or *gasp* pick up a product manual ...

RTFM??? Are you crazy Jon??? ;-)

I was only reffering to PLAY STOP PAUSE. Yes SKIP sadly is a little harder.

Well put

Yes, to concur, I have met a tragic amount of people who don't know what those symbols mean. When I first started doing graphics, I used only symbols in my MX3000 and such, and a lot of those old installs, I've had to go back and add labels to. People don't know, don't care, and don't want to learn. So they pay me to change labels for them.

Of course, the whole idea of a hard button remote is that you can use it without seeing the buttons...

If that were true, then we wouldn't need labels or symbols on the buttons at all! ;-)

Ever hear of touch typing? *winks*

In the dark ages when they taught touch typing, they'd use a typewriter with no labels on the keys.

So yes, they could remove the labels, but I doubt people want to do typing drills on their remotes for 20 hours before using it, so ... probably best to leave 'em on. :)

Pun intended?

Sure. People HAD to learn to type without seeing the keys in the dark ages. THERE WAS NO LIGHT, silly! ;-)

Seriously, even on a primarily button-based remote control, you still need the labels until you are familiar enough with it to use it "sight unseen", and you definitely need the labels for those who don't use "your" remote on a regular basis.