calan
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Post by calan on Dec 22, 2010 20:36:22 GMT -5
Hi,
The UMC-1 remote (metal) that came with my unit had had one of its batteries leak, and what looked like some resulting corrosion inside the remote. The remote only functioned intermittently, and I couldn't detect any pattern to its working/not working, so I assume there was some damage from the corrosion that had caused a faulty connection or something. Sometimes the remote would work to turn on the unit, but moments later would not allow me to change the input or volume. Sometimes the remote wouldn't allow me to turn the unit on, but moments later would allow me to change the input or volume.
Emailed Emotiva support and they kindly sent me a new remote (also metal).
Remote seemed to work without a problem when I tried it out yesterday, but today it's not working again, and neither is the old remote.
I can only assume that the problem has not been fixed by getting a new remote, so the problem must be with the UMC-1 itself.
Has anyone had any trouble with the remote? Figured I'd ask here before talking to Emotiva support about shipping the unit back in case it's something I'm doing wrong.
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Post by sciatti on Dec 22, 2010 20:46:13 GMT -5
What I noticed with my remote was that it was very directional and didn't have very good range. Rarely use anymore since
programming my Harmony One. I can control my UMC-1 with the Harmony pointed toward the ceiling while outside on my deck.
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Post by deanej on Dec 22, 2010 21:03:36 GMT -5
I had a UMC-1 for a brief time that had a remote failure such as you describe. I tuned the switch on the back off, then back on. It seemed to reset something.
I later tried feeding IR into the IR IN jack on the back and it worked only intermittently, though the metal remote continued to work after the reset. I returned the UMC-1 at that point.
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jamrock
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Post by jamrock on Dec 22, 2010 21:32:04 GMT -5
I've commented similarly about the metal remote that came with my UMC-1. I spoke with Lonnie yesterday and he promised to look into it. (It would turn on the UMC-1 then stops working).
This evening something even weirder occurred - I turned on the UMC-1, and as usual the remote stopped working afterwards. I kept pressing various buttons and noticed that light on the power button began responding to the signals by blinking.
I then tried to increase the volume as I usually turn the volume down before I turned it off. To my surporise, both the UP vol & DOWN vol buttons were decreasing the volume until the volume read 0.00. That freaked me out. I then manually changed inputs and the remote began to work properly.
I was planning on returning the remote in the new year. But, since the OP already did that with no fix, I am going to spring for the Harmony One and get over it.
jamrock
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ntrain42
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Post by ntrain42 on Dec 22, 2010 22:15:03 GMT -5
That metal remote is nothing but a big paperweight..........
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Post by carbonsummit on Dec 22, 2010 22:45:37 GMT -5
Good to hear the Harmony One works well with the UMC-1. When I bought it I was instantly filled with buyers remorse, "I paid how much for a remote?!?!?" But to be honest its been one of the best HT purchases I've ever made. Just makes everything so much easier.
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Lonnie
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Post by Lonnie on Dec 22, 2010 23:01:17 GMT -5
Well we have been checking on this and can't find an issue unless the batteries are really low. So I would replace the batteries and see if that resolves it. It uses N cell batteries which you can usually find just about anywhere. However, if you can't find them, let me know and I will send you some.  |
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Post by m3adjuster on Dec 23, 2010 11:20:52 GMT -5
What I noticed with my remote was that it was very directional and didn't have very good range. Rarely use anymore since programming my Harmony One. I can control my UMC-1 with the Harmony pointed toward the ceiling while outside on my deck. +1 I find the plastic remote is a little less directional. I have a HE-MAN unviversal I use as well that is much less directional |
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calan
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Post by calan on Dec 24, 2010 3:19:47 GMT -5
Well we have been checking on this and can't find an issue unless the batteries are really low. So I would replace the batteries and see if that resolves it. It uses N cell batteries which you can usually find just about anywhere. However, if you can't find them, let me know and I will send you some. With the original remote, which had leaking (so unusable) batteries, I drove around town to find some N cells. Popped them in and it didn't fix it. But you're right, it does seem like how a remote acts when it's low on batteries. I'll try popping the fresher batteries into the new remote (non-corroded) and see if that helps. Good to know I'm not alone in this issue though. I have been considering getting a universal remote though, so maybe this is just another reason to do so. |
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jamrock
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Post by jamrock on Dec 24, 2010 8:16:35 GMT -5
I hate wasting another $5.99 for the set of N batteries. They are not hard to find in my area. My local Walmart, Publix supermarket & Walgreens pharmacy all carry them (but in very limited quanties). I'm willing to spend this much to see if I can identify a fix for this problem and avoid spending $200.00 for a Harmony One. I only use 4 remotes (including the UMC-R) and I'm not really intimidated or overwhelmed having to use so many.
jamrock
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joeyd
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Post by joeyd on Dec 24, 2010 8:21:00 GMT -5
If you only need to control up to five things, the harmony 650 is only $65 after $10 rebate on Amazon.
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jamrock
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Post by jamrock on Dec 24, 2010 8:40:19 GMT -5
If you only need to control up to five things, the harmony 650 is only $65 after $10 rebate on Amazon. My system will be expanding in the future to include a cable/sat box, a Wii console and/or possibly a play station. I prefer to buy once and forget it. But thanks for the suggestion, your heart is in the right place. ;D However, since my equipment are located behind glass doors, can anyone familiar with this set up advise if there is any problems encountered using the harmony.  In some of the reviews I've been reading about the Harmony, there were comments that since the Harmony One does not use radio frequency, this could present a problem for such setups.  I'm scratching my head on this one as my component remotes which use IR transmission demonstrate no problem getting behind the glass. All comments are welcome!  jamrock |
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Post by moe on Dec 24, 2010 9:15:36 GMT -5
I have two harmony remotes and to be frank, I don't care that much for em'.I always reach for my htm mx500, best remote I've ever had, bought another new on ebay for $50 delivered.With harmony you have to scroll through pages to get to lesser used buttons.I know they are very popular and work as designed, it's just one of those things that is not universally loved, at least not by me or my wife.
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jamrock
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Post by jamrock on Dec 24, 2010 12:44:13 GMT -5
Well, I just replaced the batteries with ones I bought about 15 minutes ago. Same experience. Definitely not a low battery symptom. I've now changed out 3 sets of batteries since receiving the UMC-1 11 days ago! A Harmony One is definitely in my future.  jamrock |
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Post by carbonsummit on Dec 24, 2010 21:13:14 GMT -5
Just got my UMC-1 today and my remote doesn't work with volume either. Thanks God I own a Harmony One already! After more time to play with the remote I'll figure out what does and doesn't work. I found this thread trying to see if there was a setting I needed to turn on and found that maybe the remote just doesn't work.
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Post by carbonsummit on Dec 25, 2010 12:51:18 GMT -5
Just got my UMC-1 today and my remote doesn't work with volume either. Thanks God I own a Harmony One already! After more time to play with the remote I'll figure out what does and doesn't work. I found this thread trying to see if there was a setting I needed to turn on and found that maybe the remote just doesn't work. OK after some time with the unit I think I was pushing the volume up/down button for zone two which is why the volume wasn't working. The remote seems to work fine now so I'm thinking that is what happened. I'll report back if it starts having problems for sure, I just think thats what the problem was because I caught myself using the wrong volume buttons. |
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jamrock
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Post by jamrock on Dec 26, 2010 8:39:08 GMT -5
I seem not able to let this thread to expire. But bear with me. I've noticed a new thing with my remote that seemed repeatable. If I turned the UMC-1 and do nothing else with the remote for several minutes, it seemed to work. But, if I turned the unit on and immediately try to do anything else with it, the remote does not work.
Anyone with an idea of what might be going on here?
jamrock
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calan
Minor Hero
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Post by calan on Dec 26, 2010 17:28:24 GMT -5
I seem not able to let this thread to expire. But bear with me. I've noticed a new thing with my remote that seemed repeatable. If I turned the UMC-1 and do nothing else with the remote for several minutes, it seemed to work. But, if I turned the unit on and immediately try to do anything else with it, the remote does not work. Anyone with an idea of what might be going on here? jamrock I'd say this is what I'm experiencing too. I haven't really recorded the circumstances every time the remote does/doesn't work, but it seems that it is more likely to work if the umc-1 has been on for several minutes than if it is freshly turned on. e.g. rarely (if ever) am I able to change the input right after I turn it on, but after playing videogames for a while, I go to change the input or volume and it works. I'm not saying this is always the case, but that seems to be a pattern. |
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Post by carbonsummit on Dec 27, 2010 11:08:38 GMT -5
Yeah I'd echo the same non-responsive issues that you guys are finding. Also if you don't point it directly at the UMC-1 it doesn't work well at all. My Harmony One works great so once I get the UMC-1 set up the way I like it I'll probably never use the orignal remote all that much.
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jamrock
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Post by jamrock on Dec 27, 2010 17:26:09 GMT -5
Well, I think that I can go official on this now as I have repeated it successfully. To get the remote to work properly, once you use it to turn on the UMC-1, let it alone for about 10-15 mins and it becomes flawless.
Therefore, make sure that you turn off the UMC-1 with the volume at or a little below your normal listening level.
Good luck all.
jamrock
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