Oh Wow! Incredible - and Less than $80 through Harman on eBay - April 2002
Written: Apr 16 '02 (Updated Jun 12 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Infinitely Programmable, Easy to Use, Powerful, Learns (huge memory), Configuration saved on PC.
Cons: Somewhat awkward to hold, hard to read without using backlight, LCD screen calibration is sensitive.
The Bottom Line: Phenomenal.
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| bucyruss's Full Review: Harman Kardon TC 1000 Take Control Universal Remot... |
This is one of those very rare products that does everything you could ever want, the way you want to do it. Every aspect of this unit is programmable/customizable. The unit has a LCD screen which can hold up to 20 virtual buttons (icons). It also has physical buttons for "main menu, volume up/down, backlight, mute, and a roller ball for channel up/down which also has an integrated Push-switch.
You start off by running a "wizard" which identifies your equipment type and manufacturer and programs those "Devices" into your remote. When this is finished, you can go through the unit-generated default screens and test the functionality of each button. When you identify ones that won't work or don't work correctly, the TC1000 can "learn" from your other remotes. The learning process is very stable and it never failed to learn a single function from my remotes on the first try (unlike some other products out there).
Now you've finished the basic setup. What follows is the true power of the TC1000. Plug the included serial cable into your pc, plug the other end into your TC1000, and run the included CD Rom. A set-up program comes up. With this program you can create "Activities" (user-defined menu screens which can hold up to 20 buttons/icons each). Once you create an activity (as simple as telling it to create a new activity and giving it a name) you can add virtual buttons. A button can be any device, built-in function, macro, or other already existing activity. You can use a macro to create a power button that turns on/off your TV, VCR, and Stereo with the push of a single button. You can combine functions for different devices all on one activity screen, thus producing a "master screen" which has all of your most-used functions. If you need a "page 2" you can create another activity screen (of up to 20 more buttons) and place a button on your main activity screen which brings up the second activity. You can make as many Activities as the memory allows. This can take a little time, much of which determining what is most useful for you. After using it for a couple of days, you might say, "gee, I wish I could do this or that when I'm on this screen". So you add that functionality.
I mentioned that the TC1000 had physical buttons for Channel up/down, Volume, Mute, etc. These buttons are also programmable and can be customized for each different activity screen. Personally, I use the "Push" button integrated into the Roller to bring up my "Main Menu" from most activity screens; very handy.
All of this is accomplished with drag and drop simplicity on your PC. When you are finished, the configuration is saved on your PC so if, for some reason, you loose or break your remote, or if it somehow looses its programming, you can download the configuration from your computer into the TC1000. Just remember when you have finished programming to synchronize your TC1000 with your computer.
User note: I had a heck of a time getting the touch screen to work properly, even after calibrating it. However, after calibrating again (using the small eraser head on a mechanical pencil or Q-Tip), very carefully making sure that I lightly pressed the exact center of the calibration x's, and the center of the "done" button, everything began working flawlessly. If you purchase one of these, you'll understand what I'm talking about and I highly recommend this procedure.
Overall, the more I worked with the included software, the more excited I became. If you are a person who demands perfection, are into gadgets, and looking for the ultimate in hand-held remotes, this unit is absolutely incredible.
Oh, by the way, I purchased my JBL TC1000 through "harmanaudio" on their ebay e-store in April, 2002. They are apparently clearing out thousands of these. Original list is something like $350 and worth every penny. Eighty Dollars .... Oh Wow!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
bucyruss
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Reviews written: 2
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