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[Take Control] Daniel's H /K Review
This thread has 4 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Friday February 12, 1999 at 15:11
Ken Faris
Historic Forum Post
A very complete review of a very good remote. I have been using this remote for a couple of months and it does grow on you the more you use it. The software installed without a hitch and worked as advertised. At first I overlooked the power of the thumb wheel but soon found out I use the wheel and volume controls almost 100% and use the touch screen very little for daily Home Theater enjoyment. I wish the volume on the speaker was louder, or I could hear better. I would like some more information about how to use this remote to control RF codes I have read about in this forum. I assume this would require a converter box of some kind ?? Daniel, thanks for the forum and your time to learn and objectively review this remote. Some of the comments I read in this forum are done by those who don't wish or unable to understand the power of the TC1000.
OP | Post 2 made on Friday February 12, 1999 at 17:46
Michael Lynch
Historic Forum Post
I recently bought the TC1000, and am disappointed in it, and to an extent, with Dan's review. I was planning on returning the TC1000, but thought I'd wait until I read Dan's review. It's still going back. I guess the clue that the review's goal was to paint the TC1000 in the best possible light was when it covered the design of the TC1000's box. Now that's reaching . I should note that I also have a Pronto, and a Sony AV2000 (which is being sold).

I can understand that Dan feel's he has some type of obligation to H/K to write a good review, since they provided him the TC. That's the only reason I can think of for the nonchalant treatment of some glaring deficiencies.

The most critical deficiency is IR power. One might assume that, "IR signal strength and beam diffusion seems normal and operated my equipment flawlessly from under a blanket..." means the TC1000 is as powerful as the AV2000 or Pronto (the only other remotes reviewed). It is not! Sure, it might be as powerful as a "typical" remote, but for $300, I expect a little more power (actually, a lot more). In fact, I am surprised that Dan wrote that the TC1000 worked from under a blanket at all, since IR does not travel through non-transparent objects. Was it really a blanket, Dan, or some kind of crocheted doily?

If you have a TC1000, and you feel its IR power is adequate, great. But once you see the omni-directional ability of the Pronto, nothing less will suffice.

I won't anger you with any more negative comments (however, the slow-as-molasses wheel is something I definitely don't have the patience for, but I'm digressing). On the positive side, the TC1000's software (both internal and external) does make it considerably easier to get started using the TC1000.


-Mike



OP | Post 3 made on Friday February 12, 1999 at 18:07
Bruce Linker
Historic Forum Post
Daniel wrote...
"One feature that’s missing is the ability to auto-execute a macro that powers the system or changes inputs when you select an activity screen or device."

Hey Daniel, there is a way to do this. You simply create a macro that has all the commands you want want to execute and include with it an activity screen. THEN, put the macro on the main menu. Now when you select this item from the main menu, you will invoke the macro and then go to the acivity screen. Very handy.

Thanks for the great review Daniel.

-Bruce
OP | Post 4 made on Friday February 12, 1999 at 22:20
Daniel Tonks
Historic Forum Post
Michael:

One test I have for IR signal strength is using it under a blanket. Is this blanket dense knitted wool? No. Instead, it's about 3/4" thick fluffy polyester. If you shine a flashlight under it you can see light on the other side, however it is very diffused. My original remotes can not operate any of my equipment under it, however both the Pronto and Take Control can. The AV2000 will work as well, but I have to aim a bit more carefully.

The IR signal strength and diffusion on the Take Control seem normal, in that it's equal in performance to my original remotes. I don't have to aim any more specifically than before. Is it as strong as the Pronto? No. That is exceptional in that you can aim ANYWHERE and it will still work.

One point that too many people are missing is that a big part of IR signals is on the receiving end. I have a generic universal remote that came with my TV on which I learned a JVC VCR and a Aiwa mini-system. When using the Aiwa system I have to pretty much aim right at the unit, however I simply can't miss the JVC VCR, even pointing completely away from the unit. This is not caused by the remote (obviously) but rather by the sensitivity of the receiving end. If you have notibly poor receivers you'll probably need a remote like the Pronto to compensate.

The Take Control does have its flaws, which I did point out. I find the wheel somewhat slow, but it's not like a full second delay. More like 1/4 to 1/3 - not ideal but still managable. Everything considered, there's nothing wrong with the Take Control: it's a fine product, but one that would still benefit from additional refinement.

Bruce:

Thanks. I forgot about that when finishing the review.
OP | Post 5 made on Friday February 12, 1999 at 23:12
Michael Lynch
Historic Forum Post
Dan,

Thanks for being so tempered after my post. To be honest, the message I posted was not the correct version. Generally, when I write something that might come on too strong, I wait and re-read my message before posting--editing if necessary. I did that in this case, but for some reason had trouble posting it. When I finally got through, my original message is the one that got posted, not the "kindler gentler" edited version.

As far as there not being anything wrong with the TC1000, this is technically true. But the TC1000 does not exist in a vacuum, it must be measured against its peers. As an example, if television was just introduced--in black and white--it'd be amazing. If two months later, fully perfected color television was introduced, the old black and white wouldn't have the same appeal, even though there was nothing wrong with it. In a sense, this is how I view the TC1000--I can't accept it anymore than I'd accept a black and white TV.

-Mike



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