The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.
Review 6 made on Wednesday January 15, 2003 at 11:46 AM.
Strengths:
vast library of ir codes, learning capabilities, seperate playback controls, lcd screen, price
Weaknesses:
dismal memory capacity
Review:
I like this remote because can do 90% of what I need. My only gripe is the memory capacity. My reciever is not one of the supported products and I have to learn all the functions from the original remote. I haven't even gotten half way through and I already got the memory full error. In addition, there is no easy way to delete a learned key. I tried doing the ir delete for a function as the manual says but it doesnt work. I essentially have to do a reset and start over. Memory is cheap and I don't know why they couldn't install a bigger chip. This is the only thing that holds it back from being a great remote but for 29 bucks you can't expect to have everything.
The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.
Review 5 made on Monday January 13, 2003 at 8:28 PM.
Strengths:
none
Weaknesses:
Huge Doesn't work with Echostar 4700 or JVC Receiver RX 800V. Memory filled after Learning ONE stupid remote. What a lame device. Computer interface sucks. Should be USB and included the cable.
Review:
As i sit here I hold in my hand the Radio Shack 15-1903 that I bought 15 years ago. It worked for about 10 years before my new equipment had frequencies it could not learn. So I thought radio shack could solve this annoying problem of 6 remotes on my table. Not ! The search continues.
The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.
Review 4 made on Thursday January 9, 2003 at 3:25 PM.
Strengths:
Easy to set-up: had 5 components programmed in about 10 minutes!
Weaknesses:
I wish it had dedicated macro buttons. Also, learning the input selections for my Yamaha receiver was a problematic.
Review:
This is a great remote at a great price! Very user friendly with nice features like key mapping that allow you to control more than one component while in a different component is selected. For example, you can program it so the vol up/down button controls your receiver even while your in DVD mode. Backlight display works fine and LCD is readable but not ideal. Have not used the JP-1 computer interface yet.
It is also comfortable to hold and use. . I've used the Pronto but found it difficult to set-up, uncomfortable to hold and use, and too expensive for what you get.
For $29.95 this remote does 99% of what I want and everything I NEED! Finally I now have all my remotes stuffed in a drawer!
The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.
Review 3 made on Sunday December 29, 2002 at 6:55 PM.
Strengths:
Very good quality case, finish, buttons, and overall feel. Easily programmed...learned everything I tried to teach it. Compatible with JP1. Very good backlighting. Great manual...much better than normal Radio Shack manuals.
Weaknesses:
Only a few that I could find...the Exit could not be programmed by IR LEARN, though the manual says it can. It kept exiting from setup when ever pushed as the destination button for a learn or macro procedure. It has a relatively small internal memory, so if you have lots of buttons you want to program you'll probably see "MEM FULL" quicker than you'd like. JP1 will eliminate this problem. Backlighting will only stay on 3 seconds...could stand to be a bit longer, or be user configurable.
Review:
I purchased the RS-2116 to serve a dual purpose...primarily as an advanced codes input device for my MX-500 master remote for the home theater center, and also as a remote for the components in our bedroom. I'll have to say right up front that for the money ($30) this is one sweet remote. It would never replace my MX-500, but for its intended purpose it's great! Much better than its OFA URC-8910 counterpart (my other choice here).
The RS-2116 controls up to eight devices and easily identified all of the components I use it with (Sony Wega 24, Panasonic VCR, Sony DVD, Motorola Digital Cable Converter). Surprisingly, when in any of these modes all the corresponding buttons appear to work just fine...color me very impressed!
This is also a great remote for learning advance codes and transferring them to the MX-500, and in this role appears to be better suited for the task the the RS-2104. The RS-2104 would not learn the discrete codes for VIDEO INPUT modes on my Sony XBR36800, but the RS-2116 breezed through them without a problem.
As usual, the ergonomics of this remote follow its predecessors in terms of being better than their OFA counterparts. I'm not a huge fan of an all black remote with all black buttons, but that is merely a personal preference. With the good backlighting this does not pose a problem.
Bottom line is if you're looking for a learning remote with great backlighting, JP1 compatibility and good ergonomics, the RS-2116 is just the ticket.
The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.
Review 1 made on Monday November 18, 2002 at 10:32 AM.
Strengths:
Easy to Program. Well written Manual. Has ability to learn other remote functions. Incredible Price of $29.99
Weaknesses:
This is a large size remote. limited number of keys. uses basic functions of replaced remotes.
Review:
Hi, I'm John and like most people here, I am a huge fan of audio and the new DVD video format. Like most people, I purchased a Universal Remote to simplify interfacing with my 8+ device Audio/Video System. I shopped around and compared about 20-different remotes (some costing over $200.00!), and selected the the Radio-Shack 15-2116 Universal Learning Remote.
FEATURES: The Radio Shack (RS from now on...) 15-2116 8-device, universal learning remote is an incredibly good value offered at a very conservative price of $29.99. That is only about $8.00 more than 6-device remotes I have seen at various department stores. Spending $8.00 more gets you backlighting on your keypad (handy for dark home-theaters) and an LCD screen indicating the current active device (handy when you want to make sure you activated the right component). And the ability to control 2 more components when compared to inexpensive 6-device remotes. The construction of the 15-2116 is a good design having an ergonomic form combined with features such as an LCD screen and keypad backlighting. The remote looks good and is relatively comfortable for the hand to operate any key on the pad. the majority of the buttons are large enough to read at a comfortable distance. This remote can control up to 8 A/V components with ease. I do not have a count on the code library, but it is EXTENSIVE (I'm wondering if it is over a thousand codes).
EASE OF USE: Out of the Box, this remote runs on 4AAA batteries (I have been using recheargables with great success). The manual is well written and describes accurately the procedures to program the remote to operate your components. People who have worked with these type of remotes, or are technically inclined will have no trouble setting up the 15-2116.
If this is your first Universal Remote and you are not technically inclined then you might want to sit down and spread out the manual and the remote. You should not have trouble setting this remote up, however you will have to flip back and forth in the manual between the procedure and the code list as you program each of your components. And don't worry, Radio Shack is always there to help you through at 1-800-the-shack.
If your component is not in the preset code list for this remote then you may simply "learn" its functions onto your 15-2116. This is described in the Manual as well.
This remote also offers a Macro function, which is a series of remote operations you can setup and store under one button of the remote. handy for repetitive tasks like turning on/off every component in your system with the touch of one button!
THOUGHTS: As someone with some experience with microcontroller design, I have a hard time wondering how RS is making any money with this device. Using a Microcontroller (which is essentially a single chip computer), there is an extensive amount of programming necessary to recreate the operating functions of various remotes. Programming all the timing issues for various carrier signals is a task I would not take to easily. Cataloguing all of the manufacturers operating codes to essentially recreate their remote operations is another task of considerable size, let alone the added bonus of adding a program to create a macro (a step of remote operations that can be stored under one key).
In what research I have done, it would cost me nearly 6-times as much money to effectively go up to the next level of universal remote controls before I would see any noticeable increase of function and use. And at that level I would be paying for a problem-prone LCD touchscreen which is expensive/impossible to replace.
This remote is not the end-all of remotes as it does have its shortcomings. For example, It usually does not have every function of the remote it replaces (this is not a problem as you can learn any missing functions you feel are important). Keypad names do not reflect their operation under different component operations. and my final fault is the ability of the remote to auto-shutoff as it tries to conserve battery energy. In spite of this the 15-2116 offers something that few remotes can do and that is the ability to connect it to a PC and re-program it (more on this in a bit).
I was fortunate that all of my components had preset codes and setup took about 20 minutes (this was my first universal remote) to have everything programmed and ready to go (no learning was performed).
Finally, Owners of certain types of audio equipment may have some small issues with programming. To elaborate, owners of non-mainstream components such as MINTEK, KLH, or GO VIDEO will probably not find device codes for their equipment. Frustrating as it is, you get what you pay for and audio equipment is no exception. Learning is the only standard option you have, but if your interested and have a love for techy things then read on below:
JP1: Those of you who have the technical saavy and want to unleash the power of this remote will find the JP1 interface a welcome treat. Here lies the ability to connect the remote to your computer which will allow you to go online with the coding that operates your remote and essentially customize it to suit your whims. Although this is not hard to do it may be be far more involved for those who would just as soon use the PC for e-mail and bill-paying and not "talking to their remote".
Earlier I mentioned that this remote essentially has a computer to run its operation. However no computer can operate without a program which is a set of instructions telling the computer what to do. Programs often reside in a place called memory and that is what we have access to via JP1. An incredible group of people whom I hold in high regard has managed to figure out how this remote works which allows them to "tweak" it to their needs. There is a ton of information available from these people and a ton more of work needed to do it and all of it has been done for free as a gift to others who may share their passion.
If this sounds fun to you and you want to know more then listen carefully. These guys/gals are not getting paid for what they are doing. Be polite and read their information thoroughly before bugging them. Too many people start asking questions that they won't understand the answer to unless they have READ the existing information. READ READ READ what they have. Do what the text tells you to do and THEN when you have a problem its time to ask. They are very nice people who will help you when its time to help you. And don't forget to have fun.
Contact the JP1 group and read, read, read their FAQ on how to unleash this remote's power. You can find a start to this information here:
Finally, the information presented here is merely an opinion detailing a single experience to a single device. No warranty, guarantee, validity or credibility pertaining to this information is expressed or implied by the author. Use of this information shall be at your own risk.
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