I Still Can't Believe It's Worth It!
Written: Oct 15 '99 (Updated Oct 16 '99)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: It actually lets you easily control your equipment the way you use it! Worth every expensive dollar!
Cons: Channel wheel drags too slowly, can't feel the LCD buttons. EXPENSIVE (but worth it).
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| maxntropy's Full Review: Harman Kardon TC 1000 Take Control Universal Remot... |
If you're like me your home theatre system has three main problems, and they're all remote control oriented. First, your friends make fun of the remote control soup that clutters your coffee table. Second, you have to play the never-ending switching game to get new controllers that kinda destroy the whole "I've got a remote control so I don't have to move" concept. Third, anytime anyone else uses your system you have to spend some time to undo the mistakes they've done pressing the wrong buttons.
I have tried more than a few universal remote controls (ranging anywhere from $20 to $150) in a desperate attempt to alleviate one or more of these problems over the past decade, but to no avail. Until now.
When I found out about the Take Control I was more than a little put-off by the price. However, I decided to order it anyway to prove to myself that I was still trapped in a remote control nightmare since I could always just return it. I fully expected to return it in a day or two.
When you first grab it, you will be impressed. It is a truly solid piece of equipment. If you're like me, tossing the remote onto the couch (and occassionally missing) or dropping it from the couch are fairly common occurances. Trust me, you don't have to worry about it with this hefty beast. Though it is heavier and larger than more traditional remotes, it is nonetheless quite comfortable to use and exceedingly ergonomic.
There are two ways to use the Take Control -- the "virtual" buttons on the LCD screen and the actual physical buttons on the controller itself (including the channel-changing "wheel"). The "virtual" buttons on the LCD are one of the great strengths of the Take Control (and other similar remotes such as the Kenwood and Philips Pronto) as well as one of the great weaknesses. The strength of the LCD buttons is that they can be instantly switched. Thus, you have large buttons with their names actually on them in readable words -- though you may have to switch between a few screens to see all the buttons for some devices. However, the weakness of the virtual buttons is their very lack of physical presence. If you are like me, you like to watch movies and TV with the lights out. While the LCD screen backlighting is excellent and allows you to easily see the buttons in the dark, you have to see the buttons. Consequently, it is pretty-much impossible to use the LCD screen buttons by touch -- unless you have a photographic memory, of course. Admittedly, this is a minor annoyance, but I have gotten used to knowing which buttons were which on my remotes for instant button-pressing and the need to see the screen does slow me down.
The other buttons on the Take Control include the menu button for returning to the "home page screen" anytime you want (a useful feature because, as said above, some devices require multiple screens for all their buttons). There is also a separate (and large) mute button which comes in remarkably handy compared to the small and hard-to-find mute buttons I've been used to, and quite large volume up and down buttons. There is also a light button for turning the backlight on and off. I can understand the engineers' desire to conserve battery life, but so far the AA's have lasted a good long time and the backlight is essential in the dark, so the button never really gets used. The final physical control is the channel changing wheel. This is a truly great idea, but falls a little short in execution. The wheel has a noticeable lag and, therefore, does not led you slide through the channels as it should. Hopefully, this will get corrected in updates/upgrades.
At first I was doubtful about the programming-from-the-computer option. I've had things like "programmable" X-10 controllers and found their computer interface impossible. My assumptions were wrong. Since Microsoft partnered with Harmon Kardon on this device, the computer-based programmability is seriously worth it. In fact, it took an unbelievably short amount of time to program all the devices in my pretty sophisticated set-up. Well within half an hour I had programmed my VCR, DVD, Receiver, CD Jukebox, Tape Player, Cable TV Box, and PIP Television. I did have to resort to programming the remote by using its learning capabilities and shooting the IR beam from one of my device remotes to the Take Control. That also was quick, simple, and painless.
So far it sounds pretty good. But all that is nothing compared to the very best thing about the Take Control.
While like other remote controls, the Take Control can be used on a device-by-device basis; the most amazing feature is its Activity-Based organization. You use the remote like you use your equipment -- by activity! If your system is anything like mine, any one activity requires at least two devices. For example, when I listen to a CD I use the CD player to skip tracks, play, pause, etc... but I need the Receiver to switch to CD mode and to change volume, surround sound, etc...(2 device-based remotes needed) When I watch TV I control the volume with the Receiver, the PIP features through the TV and the channels through the Cable Box (3 device-based remotes needed). When I watch a DVD I must use the Receiver to switch to DVD mode and control volume, the TV to switch from RCA to S-VHS mode, and the DVD to control the play of the movie (3 device-based remotes needed). In a device-based remote I would be switching screens like a maniac (like the up-down-all-around dance I used to perform to switch remotes).
Not with the Take Control. With the Take Control, I simply select "Watch the TV" and all my major functions (volume from the Receiver, channels from the Cable Box, etc...) are right there on one screen. Not only don't you need multiple remote controls, but you don't even have to switch screens for new "virtual buttons! All the functions you need are right there on one activity screen! The physical volume buttons change the Receiver while the physical channel wheel changes the cable box. You will literally not believe how useful this is! Activity-based organization is worth the $350 alone!
The activity-based organization also places the Take Control in a universe of its own vis-a-vis its competitors. Other universal remotes (like the Philips Pronto or the Kenwood) suffer the same problems from "virtual" buttons, but lack the activity-based organization or the Microsoft "Wizard" approach to programming the remote from your computer. In terms of its competitors, the Take Control has no competition.
The universal nature of the Take Control solved my first problem -- 6 or seven remote controls strewn around my family room. The large text buttons and windows-like screens make the Take Control easy enough for anyone to use and understand, thus solving my second problem (girlfriend or visitors changing settings by pressing wrong buttons). Finally, the activity-based organization (as well as its universal nature) solved my final problem -- the dance of the remote switcher.
I never would've believed a remote control would be worth $350. But the entire point of a remote control is to make it painless to control your electronics equipment. I have tried everything (including a $150 "universal" remote control failure), but nothing came close to making controlling my electronics equipment easy (let alone painless).
Until now. The Take Control works. It is, in fact a universal remote CONTROL -- it finally gives you (and your less sophisticated friends) a way to use your equipment easily (though not cheaply).
If you can afford it, do not hesitate. Try it. After all you could return it (though I'm betting you won't).
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
maxntropy
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Member: Max Nelson
Location: Freehold, NJ
Reviews written: 20
Trusted by: 38 members
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