Stealth DC-1 remote ought to be replaced

[genegold]

To me, the Stealth DC-1 remote is an insult, in the 'what were they thinking' category. Why? It's hard to use in a dark or dimly lit room. Unlike all my cheap plastic remotes with bright light-colored text and button tops, this one requires me to stop and look closely at the buttons each time. Sure, a solid unit is a great idea, but it's like all the money went into materials and none into designing readability. What's the deal, Emotiva? I believe you ought to redesign the face and offer purchasers a free replacement, shipping paid both ways.

[GreenKiwi]

It could have improved placement of controls, but I've found that after using it for a while I never have to look at it.

I mean you got two functions, volume and input... How much real pain is there.

[genegold]

If you can't see them, as I just experienced a second ago, it's all guess work. Having to rely on memory is not user-friendly, to say the least. Imagine if all your other appliances, tools and even car(s) had their controls as poorly marked as poorly as these: would you still say, "how much pain is there." Yes, in terms of placement the Mute button ought to be below the volume buttons.

[GreenKiwi]

For me I like the general placement.

I never hit on/off/dim

All the volume controls are grouped together and I can feel the up/down arrows.

And I only have to remember the inputs, and I only use 3 put of the 6.

[garbulky]

I don't think it justifies a free replacement. The remote is functional but an update would be welcome.

- I have hit the on off buttons by mistake a few times.

- The mute button in the middle throws off the most important aspect of the remote: volume control. I keep hitting it or the mute button prevents my large fingers from depressing the volume button.

- The acceleration feature is very useful for volume changes BUT it would be nice if they slowed the speed down a bit. You have to have a fine touch to get the volume approximately where you want it. An improvement over the XDA-2. But now it's just too fast.

I think the best solution would be putting the dim and mute buttons into a place next to the on and off (sideways). That should solve it. There's plenty of room on the remote for the relocation imo.

Now one major change I would like via firmware update is this. Currently there is no way to figure out what volume the unit is at until you press the volume button. Instead the majority of the time it tells you the sample rate. The sample rate IMO should appear briefly when a new song plays but otherwise the volume needs to be in LARGE letters all the time sort of like the emotiva logo on start up. So that it's visible.

[klinemj]

I've only used mine a few times. My DC-1 is controlled by my universal remote, along with the rest of my equipment. The only times I have used it were the few times my Logitech was out of power or I had programmed the Logitech wrong and needed to use the DC-1 remote until I fixed my mistake in the Logitech's programming.

Net, I couldn't care less about the DC-1 remote - or remotes for most equipment for that matter.

Mark

[sahmen]

Jun 22, 2014 11:58:11 GMT -5 klinemj said:

I've only used mine a few times. My DC-1 is controlled by my universal remote, along with the rest of my equipment. The only times I have used it were the few times my Logitech was out of power or I had programmed the Logitech wrong and needed to use the DC-1 remote until I fixed my mistake in the Logitech's programming.

Net, I couldn't care less about the DC-1 remote - or remotes for most equipment for that matter.

Mark

So Mark: How do you normally program the DC-1 into the logitech ultimate?  Does the Ultimate have the codes of it stored on the My Harmony site?  I think the OP has a point, but for reasons other than the one he has stated :  I am currently on my second DC-1 remote in less than a year, and this 2nd one too has recently stopped working.  Since it stopped working, I have changed the batteries it came with, and, following the change, it worked again for exactly one day, and stopped working again...  So far, I am feeling too frustrated about it to call Emo to RMA the unit back in exchange for a third, although I am going to have to do that sooner, rather than later.  The weird thing is that it is the only Emo remote of mine which seems to have this problem... I have no issues with the XDA-2 remote, the USP-1 remote, or any of the Sherbourn remotes (for the CD-1, the Pre-1, or the PT 7030)...  I wonder what gives, with the DC-1 remote.

[klinemj]

I don't have the Ultimate - I have the 700, but I think they all use the same on line software to program the various Logitech remotes. And when I programmed my Logitech, I simply chose the DC-1 as a device. It was in their database and it works just fine (except when I told Logitech's software to choose the wrong input and it didn't go to USB like I meant it to!)

Mark (and it feels nice to reach post #6000 and it not be about the XMC-1!)

[geebo]

Jun 22, 2014 12:11:13 GMT -5 sahmen said:

Jun 22, 2014 11:58:11 GMT -5 klinemj said:

I've only used mine a few times. My DC-1 is controlled by my universal remote, along with the rest of my equipment. The only times I have used it were the few times my Logitech was out of power or I had programmed the Logitech wrong and needed to use the DC-1 remote until I fixed my mistake in the Logitech's programming.

Net, I couldn't care less about the DC-1 remote - or remotes for most equipment for that matter.

Mark

So Mark: How do you normally program the DC-1 into the logitech ultimate?  Does the Ultimate have the codes of it stored on the My Harmony site?  I think the OP has a point, but for reasons other than the one he has stated :  I am currently on my second DC-1 remote in less than a year, and this 2nd one too has recently stopped working.  Since it stopped working, I have changed the batteries it came with, and, following the change, it worked again for exactly one day, and stopped working again...  So far, I am feeling too frustrated about it to call Emo to RMA the unit back in exchange for a third, although I am going to have to do that sooner, rather than later.  The weird thing is that it is the only Emo remote of mine which seems to have this problem... I have no issues with the XDA-2 remote, the USP-1 remote, or any of the Sherbourn remotes (for the CD-1, the Pre-1, or the PT 7030)...  I wonder what gives, with the DC-1 remote.

Logitech has the code in their database as the Emotiva Stealth DC-1. Even if they didn't, manual learning would be a breeze with the number of buttons on the DC-1's remote.

[sahmen]

Thanks, Mark and George: This is really helpful.

[bootman]

Jun 21, 2014 21:16:52 GMT -5 genegold said:

To me, the Stealth DC-1 remote is an insult, in the 'what were they thinking' category. Why? It's hard to use in a dark or dimly lit room. Unlike all my cheap plastic remotes with bright light-colored text and button tops, this one requires me to stop and look closely at the buttons each time. Sure, a solid unit is a great idea, but it's like all the money went into materials and none into designing readability. What's the deal, Emotiva? I believe you ought to redesign the face and offer purchasers a free replacement, shipping paid both ways.

I have the DC-1 and can find the buttons easily. (and I'm a 50 year old who needs reading glasses)
My advice is to get a universal remote and work with that if you can't memorize the button placements.

[pdaddy]

I am fine with my remote too and I also wonder whether it serves it's original core target audience fine....the record engineer...right? Not likely someone who is same environment as the 2 channel listener. Just sayin'.

[genegold]

So most or all of you in the dark expect a remote to be nothing more than able to work by feel or memory? I wonder how long you'd all be so sanguine if all of our appliances were made like that. And that's quite aside from the order of the top controls, which leaves something to be desired. It's amazing how many people will apologize for crap.

[GreenKiwi]

Sure, I wouldn't expect my gas stove to have controls that were unlabeled or had problems.

And equally, how many people are willing to place undo demands on Emotiva.

I believe you ought to redesign the face and offer purchasers a free replacement, shipping paid both ways.

There are pictures of the remote that make it clear what the remote is and how it looks. If you don't like it, either return or sell it... or find a solution that works for you. Maybe a universal remote... or turn on the lights.

I don't think that people are apologizing for "crap", but rather don't feel that the remote is as you say "crap". While it isn't the most amazing remote ever, I've not mis-hit any keys.

I think that if the tone is changes, people are happy to discuss... and improve.

[dac0964]

Jun 21, 2014 22:00:25 GMT -5 genegold said:

If you can't see them, as I just experienced a second ago, it's all guess work. Having to rely on memory is not user-friendly, to say the least. Imagine if all your other appliances, tools and even car(s) had their controls as poorly marked as poorly as these: would you still say, "how much pain is there." Yes, in terms of placement the Mute button ought to be below the volume buttons.

Totally agree with your sentiments... I often accidentally hit the mute button because of its current placement. Usually mute buttons are no where near the volume buttons. i even prefer my former XDA-2 remote. i like the chrome buttons and the clearer/whiter markings that identifies each button.

[audiobill]

Genegold, I perceive you've got an attitude issue, in all due respects.....

[klinemj]

It's amazing how many people will apologize for crap.

I am certainly not apologizing for it (and in my terms it is not crap). But even if it were backlit and had perfect ergonomics, unless it controlled all by other stuff like my Harmony I would rarely use it. The convenience of a well-executed universal is awesome. And, they are quite inexpensive these days.

Mark

[geebo]

Jun 23, 2014 22:51:30 GMT -5 genegold said:

So most or all of you in the dark expect a remote to be nothing more than able to work by feel or memory? I wonder how long you'd all be so sanguine if all of our appliances were made like that. And that's quite aside from the order of the top controls, which leaves something to be desired. It's amazing how many people will apologize for crap.

Have you tried calling Emotiva and telling they need to redesign the remote? Nobody here on the forum can do that. All we can do is make suggestions about what might help you with your situation and you apparently don't like any of them. So contacting Emotiva should be the next step.

[Jim]

Jun 21, 2014 21:16:52 GMT -5 genegold said:

To me, the Stealth DC-1 remote is an insult, in the 'what were they thinking' category. Why? It's hard to use in a dark or dimly lit room. Unlike all my cheap plastic remotes with bright light-colored text and button tops, this one requires me to stop and look closely at the buttons each time. Sure, a solid unit is a great idea, but it's like all the money went into materials and none into designing readability. What's the deal, Emotiva? I believe you ought to redesign the face and offer purchasers a free replacement, shipping paid both ways.

Perhaps not everybody uses their equipment in the dark. Or perhaps most users remember which button is which.

Maybe Emotiva can make a ADA compliant large button remote that talks to you.

Emotiva is very receptive to customer feedback, but redesigning it and providing it for free, with paid shipping?

If you really don't like the remote, you could just return the DC-1. Emotiva didn't make you buy their product........ Nevermind the fact that the DC-1 is a pro model. Meant for professionals -- most likely not even using the remote.

[monkumonku]

Jun 24, 2014 7:19:38 GMT -5 geebo said:

Jun 23, 2014 22:51:30 GMT -5 genegold said:

So most or all of you in the dark expect a remote to be nothing more than able to work by feel or memory? I wonder how long you'd all be so sanguine if all of our appliances were made like that. And that's quite aside from the order of the top controls, which leaves something to be desired. It's amazing how many people will apologize for crap.

Have you tried calling Emotiva and telling they need to redesign the remote? Nobody here on the forum can do that. All we can do is make suggestions about what might help you with your situation and you apparently don't like any of them. So contacting Emotiva should be the next step.

Either that or start a poll.