30863086 The Remarkable DirecTV Remote Control
Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 9:04 pm
THE REMARKABLE DIRECTV REMOTE CONTROL
I recently cancelled my DishNetwork service and signed up with DirectTV. While looking over the various remotes DTV has I was astonished at the quality and value offered, particularly by the two upper end models that are used with their DVR and HD-DVR receivers. First the top-of-the-line model RC65RB. The "R" means it transmits RF as well as IR, and the "B" means it is backlit. It's about the size of a 6131n (a little shorter) and the bottom of the case has that rubberized, velvety feel like the old 15-1994. I have seen a lot of backlit keypads but this one is in a class all by itself in my opinion. The keys are mostly translucent with black legends. The brightness and uniformity of illumination is incredible. I don't know of any remote that has keys as large and easily readible as this one (not counting the big button models for Grandpa). But the nicest thing about the backlighting is that instead of turning it on when you press a key (which is AFTER you need it) or using a hokey tilt switch to turn it on when you pick up the remote, there's a neat little pushbutton on the side of the case that turns it on when you want it. Very convenient, and in a comfortable, logical location where you can feel it. It times out about five seconds after the last key press. Good for battery life.
It is only a four-device remote: the DirecTV receiver, a TV, and two other devices. But you can buy it from DirecTV for just $25 plus tax, and that includes Fedex shipping. How often can you find a backlit remote with built-in RF for that? The non-backlit version sells all over the internet for $5 to $15.
The big problem is, of course, could we figure out a way to program it. It's made by URC, not UEI Audiovox. I've got some spares on order and plan to go inside to see what we're dealing with. For example, some of the inside pictures on file at FCC showed a 6-pad JP1-like pattern on the board. Coincidentally, they use a "981" code to reset factory defaults. They have a ton of device setup codes in the owners' manual, all five digits. It would be interesting if they used a Samsung chip and we could replace it's entire program with one of our own. Many remotes that have an epoxy blob over a chip that is bonded directly to the board also have a square 44-pin pattern for alternatively assembling with a 44-pin chip. It is conceivable that the epoxy could be disolved and the entire chip replaced.
I'm intrigued by the high quality, long range RF transmitter. If we could develop a receiver for it with IR LED outputs it might provide a nice alternative to the URC-9910.
All this got me wondering why we shouldn't look into the possibility of working with some URC remotes now that UEI (Audiovox) has cut back on new developments. Particularly if the DirecTV remote is indicative of their attention to good design and ability to provide quality at a reasonable price. I don't expect we would find JP1.x connectors just waiting for us, but we've dealt with that before. Am I just smoking bananas here, or is this something we should think about?
Tommy
I recently cancelled my DishNetwork service and signed up with DirectTV. While looking over the various remotes DTV has I was astonished at the quality and value offered, particularly by the two upper end models that are used with their DVR and HD-DVR receivers. First the top-of-the-line model RC65RB. The "R" means it transmits RF as well as IR, and the "B" means it is backlit. It's about the size of a 6131n (a little shorter) and the bottom of the case has that rubberized, velvety feel like the old 15-1994. I have seen a lot of backlit keypads but this one is in a class all by itself in my opinion. The keys are mostly translucent with black legends. The brightness and uniformity of illumination is incredible. I don't know of any remote that has keys as large and easily readible as this one (not counting the big button models for Grandpa). But the nicest thing about the backlighting is that instead of turning it on when you press a key (which is AFTER you need it) or using a hokey tilt switch to turn it on when you pick up the remote, there's a neat little pushbutton on the side of the case that turns it on when you want it. Very convenient, and in a comfortable, logical location where you can feel it. It times out about five seconds after the last key press. Good for battery life.
It is only a four-device remote: the DirecTV receiver, a TV, and two other devices. But you can buy it from DirecTV for just $25 plus tax, and that includes Fedex shipping. How often can you find a backlit remote with built-in RF for that? The non-backlit version sells all over the internet for $5 to $15.
The big problem is, of course, could we figure out a way to program it. It's made by URC, not UEI Audiovox. I've got some spares on order and plan to go inside to see what we're dealing with. For example, some of the inside pictures on file at FCC showed a 6-pad JP1-like pattern on the board. Coincidentally, they use a "981" code to reset factory defaults. They have a ton of device setup codes in the owners' manual, all five digits. It would be interesting if they used a Samsung chip and we could replace it's entire program with one of our own. Many remotes that have an epoxy blob over a chip that is bonded directly to the board also have a square 44-pin pattern for alternatively assembling with a 44-pin chip. It is conceivable that the epoxy could be disolved and the entire chip replaced.
I'm intrigued by the high quality, long range RF transmitter. If we could develop a receiver for it with IR LED outputs it might provide a nice alternative to the URC-9910.
All this got me wondering why we shouldn't look into the possibility of working with some URC remotes now that UEI (Audiovox) has cut back on new developments. Particularly if the DirecTV remote is indicative of their attention to good design and ability to provide quality at a reasonable price. I don't expect we would find JP1.x connectors just waiting for us, but we've dealt with that before. Am I just smoking bananas here, or is this something we should think about?
Tommy
