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The design engineers for the UC-616 seem to have overlooked some aspects of accepted ergonomics. Although the earlier mentioned vertical taper does provide a wedge fit in your hand, the smooth cover plate is wrapped around the edges of the remote in sharp angles. The back of the remote features no finger ridges, indents or other curvy ergonomic shaping, nor does it have a grippy tactile coating. While the exceptionally light weight of 6 ounces (170 grams, 7.25oz or 205gr with batteries) is good for those with limited arm strength. Still, construction strength is good – I was unable to twist or bend the remote.
An LCD panel for Cubists...
The graphical LCD screen is 1.6 inches wide and 2.8 inches high (4.0cm x 7.1cm) with a diagonal dimension of 3.2 inches (8.1cm), providing a total of 4.5 square inches (11.4cm²) of space. Used portion of the screen is 1.5 inches wide and 2.6 inches wide (3.8cm x 6.6cm). The screen’s dot matrix resolution is a mere 64 by 128 pixels with two colors – similar to the TheaterTouch T2, but on an LCD panel that’s 44% larger. This means several things. First, by only providing two colors it’s possible to create an LCD panel with much higher contrast ratios than those that encompass grayshades. Second, the limited color scheme combined with the low resolution indicates that the screen will have limited customization options, graphically. Finally, the low resolution (46 by 49 DPI) means that users either find the screen easy to read – since pixels are so well defined, or difficult to read – since text is blocky.
Both the screen and hard buttons are backlit by a blue electroluminescent panel. Although described in some early reports as bright, that seems to be something of an exaggeration. It is indeed a pleasant deep blue color, but the only backlit remote I have at this time that the UC-616 appears brighter than is the Harman/Kardon Take Control. The hard buttons are lit by the same EL panel although their brightness varies according to position: the center four manage to appear brighter than the LCD panel, while the outer four are quite a bit dimmer.
At the LCD’s center top is a light sensor, neatly hidden until you activate the backlight where it shows up as a darker smudge. In the remote’s setup menu you can customize the light sensor to automatically come on when there is a small or large decrease in ambient room lighting. The scale goes from 0 through 99, though it’s difficult to see why such a fine range of adjustment is required. You can also force the backlight permanently off, or adjust the amount of time it stays on in five second increments between 5 and 60 seconds. Unfortunately there’s no way to have the backlight come on for as long as the LCD does – or customize how long the LCD itself stays on (25 minutes by default). A separate screen allows customization of the LCD’s contrast level, but as the contrast ratio is already good you’ll find a setting around 3 or 4 out of 8 is adequate.
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