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A touch of color.
The rubber key membrane is moulded with four different colors of plastic: green, white, blue and grey, which helps separate the different command sections from each other. Button labelling is also done in four colors: black, white, red and yellow. Although the RM-V202 has the same labels as the other models, it replaces the red and yellow text with black. It should be noted that past history has shown that the button label silkscreen printing has the tendency to start wearing off relatively quickly on oft-used keys.
As the RM-V402 and RM-V302 support audio receivers, the numeric keypads on these models have various input names printed on the case above each key. When controlling a receiver, inputs are assigned to those keys instead of numbers. Other small touches complement the design: sculpted depressions for the volume and channel buttons, case bevelling around the menu controls, and horizontal lines embossed below the device selection keys and above the transport controls. Most of the buttons are gently domed on top with a soft and supple feel. Tactile response is light, yet adequate. All models are fully usable with a single hand, although the keys could have been raised further above the case to improve tactile “find by feel”.
Except for the quantity of component selection buttons, the RM-V402 and RM-V302 are identical in every way. The RM-V202, on the other hand, looks identical but is ever-so-slightly different. First, since it controls a smaller number of devices and only has one row of device buttons, the layout has been shifted upwards. Second, although the case is the exact same size and shape as the more expensive models, the button layout has been compressed. For instance, the [Volume] and [Channel] buttons are 10% smaller, the digit keys have 30% less space between them and the [Fast Forward] and [Rewind] keys are 15% narrower. A mysterious change, but it does make the RM-V202 seem somewhat smaller while conversely making the RM-V303 a more attractive model – added incentive to buy a higher model.
Setup – what, you want options?
There are exactly four setup operations that can be performed on the RM-V402. One: enter a code number. Two: reassign a device button to another type of device. Three: change the volume control from “TV/Receiver” to “Receiver”. Four: enter channel macros. Since the RM-V402 has no display or LED status indicators, programming is done blindly.
The first option, entering a code, is accomplished by pressing the [S] and [Power] buttons at the same time. Next, press the device button, enter the first three-digit number matching your brand as found on the code list, followed by the [Enter] key. If the code doesn’t work, repeat the process with the next number. If the code list has somehow disappeared or if no appropriate code is printed, the search feature can be used to explore the entire built-in brand database. Instead of entering a three-digit number, alternately pressing the [Channel Up] and [Power] keys to step through the list and test each code’s “Power” function. When a functional one has been found, press [Enter] to save.
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