Tag: remote control codes

How to Diagnose Problems with DVDs and Blu-Rays

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Sometimes there are playback problems when you put a DVD or Blu-Ray disc into your player and press the play button on the remote control. The disc does not play correctly, skips, or does not play at all. The player may display an error message on the TV screen, such as “disc unplayable” or some other error. This is often a sign there is a problem with either the disc or the player. The following tip can help you diagnose the problem and determine the cause.

  1. Verify the disc is clean. Carefully inspect the bottom of the disc for fingerprints, scratches, and dust. All of these can cause playback problems.
  2. Clean the disc. Using a microfiber cloth and an approved cleaning product, spray the cleaning solution on the cloth and wipe from the center of the disc outwards. Avoid wiping in a circular pattern, as this can further damage the disc.
  3. Check for scratches and cracks. Hold the disc under a bright light and see if light passes through the disc in the location of the scratches. If it does, the disc is cracked and is not playable. If not, use an approved scratch removal product to help remove minor scratches.

After trying these tips, allow the disc to dry, and then try to play it again. If it still does not play, try a different DVD or Blu-ray disc to see if it is just that disc. If the other discs do not play in the player, then the problem is most likely the player.

If you need remote controls for your DVD or Blu-ray player, feel free to contact Replacement Remotes at 1-855-5-REMOTE (1-855-573-6683) for further assistance.

How to Prevent Guests from Stealing Remote Controls and TVs

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Most hotels have switched to flat panel TVs, which make it difficult to keep them secure. Even the remote controls are not safe, as a guest may have a similar model at home and want a free replacement. Fortunately, there are several security options to lock down your TV and remote controls, and prevent guests from stealing them from your guest rooms.

  1. Secure remote controls with security cables. There are small security cables that allow you to secure the remote control to a fixed location within the room, such as the nightstand.
  2. Use flat panel TV security cable lock kits. These kits lock the TV down and have an anti-theft security lock and high strength security cable.
  3. Mount flat panel TVs to the wall using fixed wall mounts. Securing the TV to a fixed wall mount makes it more difficult to remove the TV from the guest room.
  4. Replace standard TV remote controls with hospitality remotes. Hospitality TV and device remotes are generic remote controls with limited functionality. Not only are guests less likely to steal one, they also prevent guests from accessing and making changes to the TV’s settings.

In addition, you can combine these security tips for increased protection of your flat paneled TVs and remote controls. For more information about TV lock kits, remote control security cables, and hospitality device remotes, call Replacement Remotes by phoning 855-573-6683 now.

A Review of the TCL LE58FHDE3010

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With the TCL LE58FHD, there is no need to spend time looking up remote control codes. The remote that comes with this budget TV might look cheap, but it fits well in the hand and works quite well. The 58″ TV works well, too, especially for a very low budget model. This TCL retails for just over $700, which is a bargain price for such a large screen. However, you do miss out on some features, and the picture can be what you expect for the low price and off-label brand. Regardless of the potential picture issues, if you need a big TV for a cheap price, this set is well worth it.

The design of this TV looks very similar to the E-Series from Vizio. It has a very thin bezel, of less than an inch, making it look much slimmer than models from previous years. It is a lot thicker than most other similar TVs, because it lacks the LED edge lighting, instead having a full backlit panel. The stand is black, like the rest of the TV — but it is glass-topped, which makes it almost look better than many high-end models. The remote isn’t too shabby, either, with a shiny finish and few buttons. It’s not crowded, and it feels good in the hand.

Pros:

  • Very cheap for a 58″ TV
  • Black levels are okay
  • Uniform picture
  • Picture packs somewhat of a punch
  • Sound quality is decent for a flat screen
  • Big TV
  • Looks nice
  • Has a nice remote

Cons:

  • Picture lacks detail
  • Inaccurate color
  • Input lag
  • No features
  • Bad video processing

Bottom line:

If you need a decent TV for little money, this TV is it. However, it doesn’t have many features, and playing anything other than movies on it will not have a great picture.

For more information on the good, bad, and the ugly on TVs and their remotes, contact us at Replacement Remotes.

The Sharp LC-UQ17U Promises Too Much and Fails to Deliver

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With the wide assortment of TVs and remotes on the market, finding one that fits your budget and your lifestyle is not easy. Doing ample research before investing in a TV can help ensure that you don’t find yourself stuck with a lemon. For instance: buying a TV with a remote that is so complicated, you need a universal with remote control codes just to operate your new TV! Replacement Remotes is here to help you sort through the madness and find the right TV to meet your needs.

A closer look at the Sharp LC-UQ17U reveals that this LED-backlit LCD TV is not all that it’s cracked up to be. Since 4K technology seems to be the latest rage, but not everyone can afford a 4K TV, Sharp decided to create a television that acts like a 4K TV — and it falls within the $1600 to $2500 price range.

The Sharp LC-UQ17U is a 1080p TV that features deep blacks and shadow detail, giving it a nice quality display — but that’s about as far as it goes. This TV tries to give you 4K technology, but fails. The Revelation engine, which is supposed to give the display the 4K boost, actually hinders the picture quality at times. It can smudge the finer details and add artifacts during the darker-colored scenes. The pixilation of this TV is often noticeable, which means that you cannot sit too close to the screen — another 4K feature that Sharp fails to deliver.

Finally, the price is just too much for a fake 4K television — if you want true 4K technology, you can probably find it for a comparable price. The Sharp LC-UQ17U is fine, if you don’t mind spending the extra money for 4K technology that isn’t really 4K technology, but if all you want is a decent picture, you can surely find that in a more affordable model.

Be sure to contact us at Replacement Remotes for all your remote control needs, whether it’s for a Sharp TV or another model.

A Step Up from the 8000 Series: Samsung UNF9000 Series

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The Samsung UNF9000 is a 4K TV at a smaller price than their UNS series. Its TV remote is one of the touch-pad clicker models distributed with the Samsung high-end TVs. The TV itself is nice looking, but it does have some drawbacks. The curved base must be situated on a table or stand as wide as it is, or else the TV risks collapse. The thin bezel is silver and very minimalistic, matching the base.

These 4K TVs are future-proof. This means that it can be upgraded, normally for a small price. The One Connect upgrade box attaches to the back of the TV, and a new one could be added in the future, adding more features to the TV. The remote is small, and it features a touch pad. It fits well in the hand, and the Bluetooth technology works wonders. It’s incredibly accurate and nimble, allowing easy navigation of the menus.

Pros:

  • Excellent picture quality and great black levels
  • Accurate color
  • Great video processing
  • Upgradable One Connect box
  • Active 3D technology and four 3D glasses
  • Excellent remote
  • Smart TV, voice and gesture control

Cons:

  • Expensive at $4,000
  • Does not have better features or picture than a high-end LCD/LED HDTV
  • Wide stand
  • Far too little 4K content

Bottom Line:

If you must have a 4K HDTV, this one costs far less than others do. However, it is still expensive compared to LED/LCD models. It does offer a great set of features, but very similar ones to the 8000 series.

For more information on TVs and their great remotes, contact us at Replacement Remotes.

LG OLED 55EA8800: A Truly Flat TV

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The LG OLED EA8800 is one of the first flat OLED TVs, and it offers a high-tech remote control, dubbed the Magic Remote. The TV was showcased at CES 2014 and at the IFA 2013 show in Berlin. The 55-inch comes with a frame, making it look like a painting. It was first released in Europe, and is slowly following in other countries. What makes it unique is the flat screen, because other models have a curved screen, making them somewhat undesirable to some customers.

The Magic Remote has a pointing wheel, similar to a mouse. It can be used to access the menus and to change the settings. You can just point at the screen and click on the mouse-like buttons. The TV also allows gesture and voice control. Share files with the TV using the Smartshare function. It also offers a full range of Smart TV content.

Pros:

  • Voice controls and remote work very well
  • Flat screen OLED TV
  • Energy Star qualification
  • Great audio system
  • Excellent contrast
  • Smartshare allows sharing between devices
  • Theater quality 3D
  • 2D to 3D conversion
  • Skype compatibility

Cons:

  • At just under $9,000, the TV is expensive
  • Only 1080p resolution, no native 4K abilities
  • Not widely available

Bottom Line:

This is an expensive TV with an impressive set of high-tech functions. Since this is the only OLED TV that offers a flat screen, it is worth it to wait for the price to drop some. Once the set drops below $5,000, it would be a worthwhile purchase. At this point in time, it is hard to think of a less expensive TV that offers better features.

For more information on this TV and its remote, contact us at Replacement Remotes.

The 2014 Sharp Aquos Quattron Plus

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This 1080p offering from Sharp is a lot more reasonable in price compared to Samsung’s 4K offering, and it comes in a large size, along with a nifty universal TV remote. For just under $5,000 for the 70-inch, and a little less for the 60-inch, you could have one of your very own. The TV is a Smart TV with active TV technology. In addition to this, the TV is incredibly flat.

It offers up a decent universal remote that allows you to control several different devices with it. Beyond that, the remote is easy to use while scrolling through the apps or when using the web browser. The TV itself looks sleek in the living room and can be wall-mounted, or you can use the stand on an entertainment center. Be wary, as the TV is very heavy and setup takes two people.

Pros:

  • Plays 4K video content
  • Upscales resolution of HD content
  • Low cost for what it offers
  • Smart TV
  • Active 3D technology
  • Great picture quality

Cons:

  • The standard USB are not 2.0, making it slightly outdated
  • Expensive for the average Joe
  • Advertised as a true 4K TV

Bottom Line:

This 1080p TV almost mimics 4K resolution. You won’t be able to tell the difference at all. It does offer many more pixels than most TVs and a very large amount of sub-pixels. What this means for you is a better picture at a lot lower cost than a full 4K resolution TV.

For more information about TVs, remotes, and future technology, contact us at Replacement Remotes.

The Streaming Stick: Streaming TV with a Small Footprint

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For such a small streaming stick, it sure has a large TV remote. All joking aside, the Roku Streaming Stick offers something new and different to the world of streaming TV. This compact device is very small, similar in size to a USB flash drive. It connects to an HDMI port on the back of the TV, making the Roku stick invisible. However, some users report that they have to use an HDMI adapter with the Roku Stick.

The stick retails for $50, $15 more than the Chromecast, manufactured by Google. One of the main differences includes the remote, a better interface, and over 1,200 apps to choose from. The remote is the same one offered with the other Roku devices – simple, yet effective. However, users do question the included Blockbuster shortcut button.

Pros:

  • 1,200 apps to keep you busy
  • Compact, takes up no space
  • Has a great interface
  • Has a real remote, and a remote app for the smartphone
  • Great performance in apps
  • Smartphone control

Cons:

  • Some apps load very slowly
  • Remote lacks popular features from previous Roku boxes, such as the headphone jack
  • The Roku Stick requires power, through a USB port or power adapter, leading to cord clutter
  • Does not work with universal remotes

Bottom Line:

Considering the price of the Roku Stick and what you get with it, the price is worth it. The streaming device does far more good things versus the drawbacks. Even many of the drawbacks are nit-picky, other than the speed issue.

For more information about devices and remotes, contact us at Replacement Remotes.

Try Out the Marantz NR1403 for Simple Surround Sound

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When you think of surround sound systems, you might not consider their remote controls. However, this one component is as important as the features of the audio receiver itself. For a basic audio receiver, the Marantz hits high marks for its ease of use, great remote and low price.

This device is purely no frills, as it does not have advanced features, such as Wi-Fi or smartphone control. With the lack of features, it does make up for it with six HDMI ports and excellent sound quality. The thin profile of the device makes it valuable for saving space in your entertainment center.

Pros:

  • Low-profile
  • Many HDMI ports
  • Excellent sound quality comparable to big budget systems
  • Remote offers all critical buttons without too many extras that are not needed
  • 5.1 channel receiver
  • Three year warranty

Cons:

  • Few features
  • No Wi-Fi or Ethernet
  • No Bluetooth
  • No video inputs
  • No analog video up-conversion

Bottom Line:

Most of the downsides of this device are features that most people would not use or find useful. For the low price point of under $400, there is not much more you can get in an audio receiver. The six HDMI ports alone make this device worth it, as most competitors only offer four. Many audiophiles will rejoice over the fact that this device is not as clunky as others are, and it has a pleasant, minimalistic design. If you are looking for a device with streaming, try something else with internet connectivity and a good interface, such as Apple TV.

For more information on universal remotes for your audio devices, contact us at Replacement Remotes.

The Coby TFDVD

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The Coby TFDVD is a good budget TV for small places. The remotes offered with the TV/DVD combo are surprisingly large and are not at all awkward to hold. Getting back to the TV: it offers a small amount of features that are refreshing to see in an LCD TV that costs less than $300. However, the TV is only 22 inches, which makes it very small compared to a majority of TVs on the market.

For a cheaper LCD TV, the performance and versatility of the Coby TFDVD is excellent and unexpected. It offers a good picture quality and accepts several different DVD formats. It can also play CDs. The playback quality of DVDs is excellent, but it still cannot match that of a Blu-ray disc, which is to be expected. The remote is large, but sits well in the hand. It has a nice curved design, which looks better than most budget TV remotes. On it are the TV and DVD controls, with the playback buttons sitting right in the middle.

Pros:

  • Good picture quality
  • Good sound quality
  • Compatible with several DVD formats
  • SD memory card slot and USB port

Cons:

  • Limited file support with SD and USB
  • Non-swivel stand
  • Low sound when in DVD mode
  • Only 1 HDMI port

Bottom Line:

Overall, this LCD TV offers a good value for a small TV. It works best in small spaces, and its sound competes with larger TVs. It does not offer many features, but for a cheaper TV it does offer a lot. The picture quality is good, too. If you need a smaller TV, this represents a great value for both a TV and DVD player.

For more information on remote controls, contact us at Replacement Remotes.