Comments for One Remote For All

Comment on Grace Digital Wireless Hi-fi Internet Radio Tuner featuring Pandora and NPR (GDI-IRDT200) by Ctwink

Ctwink — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:17:42 +0000

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

Super Radio, Dated Interface, March 25, 2011

Ctwink (Beavercreek, OH USA) -

This review is from: Grace Digital Wireless Hi-fi Internet Radio Tuner featuring Pandora and NPR (GDI-IRDT200) (Electronics)

Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)

The "Grace Digital Wireless Hi-fi Internet Radio Tuner" is one of the best tuners that I have ever seen. The ease of setup and the multiple choices that you have for your listening pleasure (Internet Radio, Pandora, Live365, and others) was honestly quite astonishing to me. With the WiFi I have in my house, I had 5 bars on everything and the radio comes in crystal clear. And the channels! There were so many of them that I had trouble selecting JUST one. It also has a nice bright display that includes a clock (as well as an Alarm setting) and a headphone jack. As far as setup goes, it was as basic as plugging in power and then piping it into an output device (I used my old stereo since its already hooked into the speakers). It's actually a quite attractive system (I guess I like the blue LED display), it is light (maybe too light when you are pushing the buttons on the front) and the profile is quite low - about as tall as your typical high end blu-ray player.

However there is a BIG "but". The User interface system that Grace uses is archaic. It's been awhile, and I'm dating myself here, but I felt like I was programming the clock on my hi-fi that I got in 1980 (that still had an 8-track player in it BTW). All the initial setup uses the Tuner's knob and the frame refresh rate makes the display constantly flash if you scroll faster than say 1 or 2 channels a second. The display only shows a few stations/songs at a time and there is no way to fast forward or go back beyond the simply pushing the forward and back buttons over and over and over again - so you basically have none of the time-saving buttons that we have all come accustomed to in your basic $25 stereo or any car radio built in the last 10 years. And just wait until you want to queue up more than 2 or 3 songs at a time - I think it took me about 2 or 3 minutes to setup music that then only played for maybe 10 min - a huge waste of time - because when you pick a song (or a radio station), the unit goes back to the top of the list for your next selection and NOT to the place where you last selected. So like if I chose a station called "Klassic Kristian" music, scrolling all the way down from "AAA AM" (and going from A to K on the radio takes a LONG TIME), the next time I want to pick a station (mind you w/o turning the tuner off) it is back up at the top at "AAA AM". As you can probably assertain for yourself, I have never gotten out of the "A's" on the internet radio because 1) there are so many stations and 2) it takes so long to scroll down. Which means that I basically use about 10% of it's capability - a huge waste of this unit's vaste potential. After you do the initial setup, there is no interface with the front of the unit - everything is on the remote - so God forbid if you lose that sucker.

So the Pandora and internet radio are really, honestly God sends and this unit plays them with crystal clarity. I really love the look of it and there is a vast potential that I have yet to even tap. However, the interface system is so awful that I rarely bother. I've had it setup in my house for 4 months and I think I've only used it half a dozen times and my kids don't even try - it just takes way too much time. What a crying shame...

(As a caveat, I have read in some of these reviews that you can download an I-Pod app that allows your I-Pod to act as an advanced remote. Although I have not tried it, this would be a huge benefit. However it wouldn't change my rating as 1) not everyone has an I-Pod and 2) you shouldn't have to use a 3rd party device in order to get the darn thing into the 21st century)

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Comment on Grace Digital Wireless Hi-fi Internet Radio Tuner featuring Pandora and NPR (GDI-IRDT200) by D. Couse "darkman1969"

D. Couse "darkman1969" — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:14:14 +0000

47 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

Freaking awesome!, September 22, 2010

D. Couse "darkman1969" (United States) -

This review is from: Grace Digital Wireless Hi-fi Internet Radio Tuner featuring Pandora and NPR (GDI-IRDT200) (Electronics)

Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)

Wow! What a sweet device this is for the even the not so techo-inclined. Installation was a breeze as there were only 2 cables to hook-up: power, and RCA jacks. I piped it into my receiver and hit the power button and bingo! it found my network over it's installed handy dandy wireless network adapter (G). It prompted me for my password, which I entered (by turning the knob, which was kind of a pain) and it connected no problem. You can also wire your connection through the network cable slot in the back, however, no network cable was included.

After that, I chose internet radio and I had choices galore. The real beauty of this device is how you can personalize it. Got a Pandora account? Pipe it through this baby with ease. How about Live365? You can do that too. Want to search the internet radio via genre? No sweat. Absolutely amazing I tell you.

I created my Grace account, added stations online and podcasts and after unplugging the device and plugging back in (yah, they tell you to do that so it updates the streams), my customization was found on the device and away I went.

Here is the absolute frosting on the cake...I'm now streaming all of my music from my laptop and external hard drive to this device! Sort by genre, album, album artist, create a queue, you name it, this thing can do it. This kills the Windows Media Center that never worked right with my 360.

Who knew you could have so much fun with a radio??

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Comment on Grace Digital Wireless Hi-fi Internet Radio Tuner featuring Pandora and NPR (GDI-IRDT200) by ice grizzly "Grrrrrr"

ice grizzly "Grrrrrr" — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:20:43 +0000

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

Strong performer, few flaws, September 22, 2010

ice grizzly "Grrrrrr" (Dream Land) -

This review is from: Grace Digital Wireless Hi-fi Internet Radio Tuner featuring Pandora and NPR (GDI-IRDT200) (Electronics)

Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)

It is a very strong performer with lot of features. The team that came up the specs did a wonderful job. Tonnes and tonnes of features. WIFI, Radio, Alarm clock, DLNA music client, Windows network share, headphone output, digital SPDIF and Optical output etc etc. I can't find any thing lacking in terms of connectivity or features. Once I plugged and connected every thing it worked flawless, I didnt hear any noise or jitter. Played well with tough AKG headphones, digital output quality was fantastic. I didnt hear any difference between Audio CD and DLNA streamed media. I use a Bel canto DAC3 as external DAC. Features wise it is top notch. I dont think any one who buys this will miss any thing. It found almost all the radio stations, lot of variety. It has support for high bit rate audio via digital output, in built DAC can only support 16 bit audio.

Now comes the cons. All of them are related to the User Interface, Remotecontrol and LCD screen. The LCD screen is a pre-historic 4 frames/sec refresh screen. If you scroll faster it blinks and is hard to read. The menu system has lot of issues. Every time you hit return it goes back to the start the list. Let's say you have 1000 songs in your folder, you want to play the 500 and 501th song. In IPod you go scroll down choose the 500th song once it is over, you can just go down and choose the 501th song. Here it goes back to 1st, then you have to scroll down again to choose 501th. It get annoying when you want to put more than 10 songs in the queue. You have to scroll down 10 times. The remote control is useless, all the initial configuration like WPA key etc has to be done via the knob. You can't do the initial configuration like setting up WPA via remote control, you have to use the dial and there is no easy way to do DEL or BACKSPACE. Every thing from setting time to WPA key has to be done via the front panel buttons and knobs. There is another annoying bug with media streaming, it skips the first 10 seconds.

There is no pause, next, prev buttons on the front panel. You need to use the remote for that. For scrolling down(which you will do a lot). If not for the user interface annoyance, it will be a 5 start product. Unable to measure jitter as my sound card input didnt work, from what I could hear I sounded flawless. Iam not expecting great things from the inbuilt DAC, it is probably as good as cheap laptop DACs. Use a external DAC or your pre-amp DAC to get the best sound.

I replaced the default wireless duck with a larger 5db antenna, it improved the range a lot. Now I see 5 bars all across on the other side of the house. It is a very strong performer, if you are willing to forgive some of the user interface annoyances.

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Comment on Advanced Universal Remote by Christie Moore

Christie Moore — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:41:23 +0000

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

Looks like regular Harmony One., July 22, 2010

Christie Moore (Seattle, WA USA) -

This review is from: Advanced Universal Remote (Electronics)

This remote looks exactly like the two regular Harmony Ones displayed on the page. I have what I think is a regular one, and I have looked at all the pictures of the two regular ones and this one. They all look exactly the same and the same as mine.
What's up?

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Comment on Logitech Harmony 650 Remote Control (Silver) by Mrs. Night Owl

Mrs. Night Owl — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:18:41 +0000

74 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

Goodbye old remote controls!, March 23, 2010

Mrs. Night Owl -

This review is from: Logitech Harmony 650 Remote (Silver) (Electronics)

Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)

This is a bit of a unique review - 2 parts, from the viewpoints of the non-techie nursing student wife and also the techie husband.

Wife's review:
My husband was excited to get this remote control. It is fancy looking with a metallic pewter finish on top (black on bottom). The buttons are well marked and the screen is just the right brightness - good enough in bright light but doesn't blind you if all the lights are out. Our TV and movie watching setup is complicated - or at least it was. There were all sorts of buttons to push and settings to change before the movie would play and all the home theater speakers would kick in. Now, I just push one button and that's all it takes.

When I say one button, I mean it. There are some deep maroon colored buttons toward the very front/top of the remote that are the key features. The ones we've put to use are 1) watch TV, 2) watch a movie, and 3) listen to music. How do these work? You have to go on the internet to Logitech's website and program this remote control (it comes with a USB cord that you can use). On the website, you pick your models of TV, DVD, tuner, etc. There are over 5000 in their library, so they claim everyone should be able to find a match to their equipment. The Logitech site prompts you to answer any questions about settings that may need to be turned on or changed in order to watch TV or movies. You don't have to figure it out - just answer the questions. From that initial programming, the remote knows what to do. The quick start guide (which my husband usually skips) was short and helpful so maybe people will actually use it. Dimensions: 9"x 2.5", with an ergonomic rounding at the base.
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Husband's review:
I love gadgets (cameras, computers, blackberry, etc.) so getting an opportunity to own and review a high-tech remote control was a real treat. The Harmony 650 is an advanced, sleek, easy-to-use remote control that lives up to its premium price tag. Are there cheaper products on the market that can consolidate the 5 remote controls sitting on your coffee table? Yes, but not with the technological sophistication of the Harmony 650. In short, I am a fan and would recommend to both geeks and techno-phoebes

What I like:
*Light weight.
*Ergonomic. The device is heavier/thicker in the back and thinner in the front.
*Easy to set up and program. Once the device is connected to the computer, Logitech's device software takes you to a virtual homepage where you can adjust any setting.
*Updates via USB computer connection (firmware, programming).
*One-touch operation (called Activity). For example, if I press "Watch a Movie" the TV and DVD player turn on and play (it even changes from TV to HDMI) automatically.
*You can program custom Activities.
*Motion activated. The device's color screen turns on when I move it and goes to sleep when I set it down.

Conclusion:
I am upset with myself for not acquiring a high-tech remote control a long time ago. I used to have 5 remotes on my ottoman but now there is only the Harmony 650. I will never go back to having more than one remote control. If you are in the market for a "smart" remote then stop hesitating and buy this one because you will love it.

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Comment on Logitech Harmony 650 Remote Control (Silver) by Marty Gillis

Marty Gillis — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:16:17 +0000

319 of 324 people found the following review helpful:

Improved Design, but limited to only 5 devices., March 22, 2010

Marty Gillis (Los Angeles, CA USA) -

This review is from: Logitech Harmony 650 Remote (Silver) (Electronics)

Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)

First of all, I would give this remote 4 and 1/2 stars if I could, but 4 or 5 were my only options.

The Harmony 650 remote seems to be a scaled back version of the Harmony One. The main differences are no touchscreen , no rechargeable battery and the 650 can only hold 5 devices in memory. If this isn't too limiting, then read on. Also, if you consider yourself even mildly computer illiterate, perhaps another type of universal remote would serve your needs better. Most of the complaints about Logitech remotes revolve around people's difficulty getting their software to work. (it works, you just need to learn it)

With this remote you can control 5 different devices in any combination you need. You set up 'Activities' based on what you want the remote to control, such as "Watch TV" and the Harmony 650 will control all the functions for your TV, Cable Box or DVR , Amp, etc. (or CD player, or Blu Ray, or... well, you get the idea)

What's in the box? You get the remote of course, plus a quick start guide, two AA batteries and the included micro 'B' USB cable you connect to your computer to program and update the remote settings using software you must download first from Harmony's website.

You DO require a computer and reasonable internet connection to initially set up and use this remote. Once it is set up you are good to go, but over time you will find other things you will wish to customize and then another trip to your computer will become necessary. Also, if you at first have trouble getting things to work the way you want, you will be making quite a few trips to your computer to sort it all out. Do not worry, mastering the software does take a bit of time, more for some, less for others. The point is, it DOES work and once you crack it, it is a piece of cake to operate.

You can customize all of the buttons' functions for each device and each activity so your most needed commands are a quick button press away and exactly where YOU want them to be. Once you wrap your head around the concept you will see all the possibilities this system offers and just how cool it actually is.

Also, not relying on a rechargeable battery can actually be a good thing. My Harmony One requires a very expensive battery and a functioning charging cradle and adapter to keep working. I have had all 3 go out on me over time and these items are not easily had without some wait time, rendering the remote useless. The 650 however runs on just two everyday AA batteries and that really makes all the difference. I do not know if it retains the programming when you change them but it is easy enough to just re synch it with the software settings you made on your computer so that shouldn't be an issue. I bought a Harmony 550 for a backup (it uses AAA) and now wish I could have got the 650 instead as I prefer it.

The build quality seems pretty good, but not near as good as the the Harmony One. It's a bit on the 'plasticky' side, but the keys themselves are a vast improvement over the ones on the 550, at least in layout. The keys are laid out almost exactly the same as the 'One' which is nice and I had no trouble using it immediately after programming. In particular, the layout lends itself to easy DVR use and DVD/Blu Ray transport controls. Everything is right where I think it should be. Good going Logitech!

The Color screen is nice enough to look at, but a 1 color display could stuff have done the job for me. Apparently you can load in favorite channel icons for customized channel selection and they display nicely on the screen. For me that is just a gimmick I don't need. I took the time to program all of them on my Harmony One and I never use them at all. Still, if you want to impress your friends , the color screen is very nice to look at.

The 650 has a few buttons that even the Harmony One does not include. Four color coded buttons are located right under up/down toggle and can be programmed for any function and match up nicely with my Oppo Blu Ray player who's own remote includes just such buttons. Speaking of buttons they are nicely back lit. The only downside to the back lighting is the possible effect on battery life. I have not used the remote long enough to know how long the AA's will last with regular use. It does make them very easy to see and it's a nice touch. Speaking of touch, the buttons themselves feel sturdy and with a semi rubbery feel that is a vast improvement over some of their earlier remotes. They work well and are very responsive and I really wish my Harmony One had these particular buttons as they feel superior to the hard plastic you get with the 'One'. I should also mention they are back lit and that really helps while watching is darkened rooms or at night. Unfortunately the only buttons that are NOT back lit are the help and activities buttons and that is a...Read more

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Comment on Duracell DPP-300EP Powerpack 300 with Built-in 300-watt Inverter and 250 PSI Air Compressor, (Pack of 1) by Noname

Noname — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:30:04 +0000

52 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

Has some limitations, August 28, 2009

Noname -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Duracell DPP-300EP Powerpack 300 with Built-in 300-watt Inverter and 250 PSI Air Compressor, (Pack of 1) (Automotive)

COMPRESSOR

I've used this to inflate the tires on my car and it works just as well as my last compressor. There's even a gauge to show what the tire pressure is as I'm inflating.

OUTLETS

I used this on a camping trip to power my vacuum via the 12V DC socket. I also used it to power my ASUS eeepc netbook via the 120V AC socket. That was no problem.

There are two 120V AC sockets, so my husband tried plugging his notebook computer in while I had my netbook in. The fan started blowing as soon as he was plugged in and eventually a loud alarm sounded. I thought it was too much for the battery to have both units plugged in. When my husband tried his notebook in without anything else connected, he got another loud alarm. He has a large, 17" notebook. It was just too much of a strain on the battery. My netbook never got the alarm by itself.

I was camping for three days and I used the battery for a few hours the first two days with my netbook. The last day, the battery read empty, but it still had enough juice to power the vacuum.

FLASHLIGHT

The flashlight uses LED lights. It's bright white light, brighter than the flashlights we had brought with us to the campground. The LED lights are arranged so that the output forms the shape of Mickey Mouse and the light is not even but rather forms rings with light and dark areas, but it was sufficient enough for me to navigate my way through darkness.

JUMPER CABLES

I am happy never to have needed these cables but I'm glad they are there. If I should even use them, I will come back to update the review.

CONCLUSION

I am happy with the performance of this product. Had I been my husband, who wanted to use it for his notebook computer, I wouldn't have been so impressed. It's a great product to keep in the trunk for emergencies. Just keep in mind that the battery does have its limitations.

___________________

UPDATE: I would like to update this to add that I did once use this to try to jumpstart my Honda Oddyssey. To be fair, the Powerpak was not fully charged. In fact, it was only halfway charged, but I had no choice but to try it. It did not jumpstart my car right away. I waited a few minutes and tried once more and it almost did work. The car was revving, and I think it would have worked had I waited a little longer and turned the key. However, my husband was already there with our other car and since he was so cranky, I didn't want to make him wait to try again. The biggest problem with using this as a jump starter is I have to remember to keep recharging it every three months. If I ever get to test it at full power, I will come back to update.

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Comment on Duracell DPP-300EP Powerpack 300 with Built-in 300-watt Inverter and 250 PSI Air Compressor, (Pack of 1) by W. B. Knapp

W. B. Knapp — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:55:30 +0000

68 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

Good unit!, November 9, 2008

W. B. Knapp (San Antonio, TX United States) -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Duracell DPP-300EP Powerpack 300 with Built-in 300-watt Inverter and 250 PSI Air Compressor, (Pack of 1) (Automotive)

I'd purchased a Black & DEcker Starter earlier this year from Amazon and it was a piece of junk. It NEVER worked; left my 16-yr old daughter stranded twice. This Duracell, however, lived up to its reputation: the air compressor is a very nice added bonus. If there is a downside, it is it takes a very long time to recharge (often overnight). It will recharge from the car's cigarette lighter outlet while the car's running, so this is a minor quibble.

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Comment on GM Remote Repair Keyless FOB Fix – Keylessfix Button Repair by missfiveday

missfiveday — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:41:52 +0000

We will take back the battery we just bought and try another new one..none of the buttons work

Comment on GM Remote Repair Keyless FOB Fix – Keylessfix Button Repair by caliahi

caliahi — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:29:04 +0000

Hello I have a 2005 grand caravan SXT that a remote stopped working. I replaced the battery but still no luck. any ideas pelase help
thanks in advance