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...Continued from Page 3.
What can often make the difference on these "strict format" remotes is not making any mistakes during the teaching process. Fortunately, single devices can be completely erased via a tiny [RESET] button hidden in the battery compartment. Although learned codes can't be erased individually from a hard button, the RRC600 does provide a way to easily remove functions from LCD-based buttons. The remote also features non-volatile memory, so commands aren't lost when batteries die.
Other interesting things.
Another unexpected feature on the RRC600 is what essentially amounts to punchthroughs. The remote will automatically punch through the VCR's transport controls into the TV device, or a few of the TV's codes into the VCR device, assuming those buttons don't already contain a learned signal. The odd part is that the TV-to-VCR punchthrough only works with the [MUTE], [LCV] (Last Channel Viewed, AKA "Jump" or "Recall") and [VIDEO] buttons. So mute's there, but not the actual volume controls. Must have been a Friday!
The remote features an auto power off time of 2 minutes, 38 seconds (the manual erroneously states 15 minutes), but will awaken instantly to its last state. A low battery indicator is included. Codes transmit very quickly and devices switch equally as fast, thanks to its fancy "8-bit microcomputer".
There are three infrared emitters on the RRC600 and no signs of additional diodes for code learning, so the same ones must be used for both purposes. Those three emitters proved quite capable, delivering a solid score of 3.0 on our MTFB test (Menacing Thick Fluffy Blanket), with excellent signal dispersion.
The remote came with a 54 page Cerlox-bound manual, printed in two colors. Save for a couple of typos and being a little repetitive, it's clear and easy to understand with full diagrams and numbered instructions. If that's not enough, printed on the back of the remote is everything you ever wanted to know about programming the remote... but were too busy to look up. The RRC600 even includes four AAA batteries - which were in serious danger of leaking by the time I finally got to them!
What was old is new again.
As much as things have improved in remote control ergonomics, capabilities and customization, it's amazing to see how core technologies and concepts have remained essentially the same. The early 90's proved to be almost a "dark age" for remote controls, with cheap preprogrammed-only models all but pushing the more deluxe learning versions out of play. Today, the remote control market offers excellent choice with a wide variety of learning, preprogrammed and combination remotes for almost any taste or need. If you're shopping for a remote I suggest looking at a model that supports code learning. Just think... if you had purchased the RRC900 when it was new, nearly two decades ago, you could still be using it today!
But the truly ironic part of all this is that GE does not currently market a remote control with learning capabilities. C'est la vie!
- Daniel Tonks (Remote Central)
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