Lost remote, possible to replace with another?

[Garbz]

Hi all

A very non head-fi question but this is the first place I can think of to ask it. My old cdplayer, Harman Kardon HD7500, is missing a remote.

I've seen all sorts of "learning" remotes in electronics stores and was thinking of buying a fancy one for my hifi / tv. I was wondering how these things get programmed? Do I need the original remote to setup these remotes? I'm mainly looking for a solution to replace my CDplayer remote rather then a solution to control my other hifis.

The other option is buying a remote with "pre-programmed" buttons. These normally feature buttons for lots of different equipment. Mainly TV VCR DVD etc. Do Harman Kardon Cdplayers follow a standard for how they are configured? What are my odds that buying a pre-programmed remote will work?

 

[Juergen]

You might find some good info here:

http://www.remotecentral.com/

Did a quick google search:

http://support.radioshack.com/suppor...oc48/48833.htm
and the HD5700 is listed. That's a good sign. Also try

http://www.oneforall-int.com/

 

[Garbz]

That looks really good. I'll have to see if I can find that remote at Tandys in Australia.

 

[tangent]

Quote:

Do I need the original remote to setup these remotes?

As a rule, yes. "Learning" means that you point the original remote at the learning remote, and press buttons to "teach" the learning remote what the IR commands look like. There's amazing variation in IR command sets. (My day job involves IR command sets, so don't argue with me on this point.

)

There are two other ways to get IR codes into a device.

One is that some of the higher end units allow you to download learned codes to a PC. Some people have uploaded their learned codes to the web, so you can get them that way.

The other way is that I've heard of one remote that can be programmed over the phone. You call up a number set up by the remote's manufacturer and work your way through a phone menu tree to find your device. That only works if the remote's manufacturer has your device's IR set on hand.

If you happen to have an older Palm unit, you can turn them into a learning remote with OmniRemote. The main problems with this are the 2-week battery life of a typical Palm unit, and the fact that it doesn't seem to work on the newest OS 5 units. I imagine this would work best with a used Palm V, which is rechargeable and readily available on eBay and such. I seem to recall that there are places to get OmniRemote codes for download online, but it's been a while since I've looked into such things.

 

[Garbz]

Thanks tangent. It seems the only viable option for me is to find a unit with the cdplayer pre-programmed into it. That radioshack one would be good but we don't have radioshacks in Australia. I'll try Tandy anyway since they stock a lot of RadioShack items.

The other unit I was looking at is sold by Electus and thus Jaycar. It boasts a nice 30000 unit pre-programmed catalogue, is 7 in 1, learning functions, and it's also the ugliest remote i've ever seen! But so far found no manual. I'll drop around later this week and see if I can grab a manual.

Other than that I saw a very nice sunbeam remote which might be worth investigating when Christmas bonuses come around.

 

[BradJudy]

I highly recommend the One-for-All brand line already linked. They state that they have the largest library of codes and you can even use your computer to do basic programming of it (although it isn't user friendly and requires a special cable). You can e-mail them and ask if one of their codes covers your CD player. I found that while my H/K AVR-520 wasn't officially listed, the AVR-500 code worked fine. They even had a pre-programmed code for my Dish Network PVR box.

 

[Garbz]

I'm kind of itching to give this sunwave remote a go http://www.remotecentral.com/src3810/index.html. Might then go to Tandy or Jaycar and grab the 7 in 1 remote and then teach the sunwave before I return it.

 

[BradJudy]

If you want a neat remote, try the One-for-all Kameleon. Note that one of the major problems with any touch-screen type remote is that you can't just grab it and hit buttons by how they feel. Next time you use a remote, notice how much of remote use is by feel and not sight. Smooth faced remotes often end up being more difficult to use for this reason.

 

[1racerx]

i worked in the electronic servicing industry for many years.

You will need the original to program a learing remote.

We used to sell a particular brand (no harvey norman stock them too) that had a 1800 number to call if the device was not supported. If that didnt work, then you would post it to them reply paid and they would modify it for you. they were cheap too! $30-$50 and they did multiple devices. The only draw back, you are limited to basic functions, play pause etc.


Try contacting harmon kardon. Some times you will be suprise at the replacement cost from the manufaturer. Sony are ALWAYS prohibitively expensive but sometimes you get a really good price.

I cant remeber where we got harmon kardon from . . . but i cant find out if you want.

Dan

 

[Garbz]

thanks Dan i'll keep that in mind. Frist stop though is the easiest. If the preprogrammed Jaycar remote that i'll test friday does infact work with my cdplayer it's a start. I can use that remote to program a learning remote which suits my tastes a bit more. We'll find out soon enough.

Ordering a remote from Harman Kardon (if they do it) will be the absolute last resort!