Paradox Designs

I previously posted about this remote on a bargain watch post, and since then, I have ordered, received, and set up this universal remote. Here are my impressions, tips, tricks, and other information about the remote.

Box

When you first get the remote, you should be impressed with the box. It is a clamshell box, under all that cardboard, but its an easy clamshell to open, just slit along the side with a knife, the packaging doesn’t hug the product like other clamshells. When you get it open, you will find the following:

• Remote: This is what you purchased after all
• 4 AAA batteries: They are a proprietary brand (branded after Universal, the makers of the remote), but under the branding, they are likely Duracell or something similar.
• Printed Manual: Forget folded up fliers or brochures. This comes with a full booklet. The booklet has instructions for doing most programming on the remote, and an extensive list of the codes available. It is in 2 languages, for me English and Spanish, but it may vary depending on where you purchase it from.
• Setup DVD: This isn’t software or anything you need to run before you use the remote. Its an instructional video, designed to help you set up your remote. I found it a little simplistic, but you may find it quite useful

Setup

When you first insert the batteries into the remote, it will display a setup check on its main screen. This takes around 30s to finish, and checks things such as the code libary, the OS, the ir recievers and transmitters, etc. Once this is done, your presented with the default screen. To begin programming, you hold the main and enter buttons. This takes you to the control panel. Since this is a touch screen, you can figure most things out without the manual. For example, to program in a pre-programmed code for a TV, you would hit P-PRO, select which slot on the main page you wanted to be a tv (You dont have to use the default TV one, you could make Audio tv, and it will change the name), then it will ask you what type of device. Select tv. Now your presented with a pane with a number entry field, a save and exit button, and up and down buttons. You can manually punch in a number from the manual with the keypad, or use the up and down buttons to browse the library for that device. If you enter an incompatible number, the remote will not accept it. When you enter a code, the remote transmits a power signal, either turning the device on or off. If it turns on or off, your ready to go.

The code library from Universal is quite large, featuring not only controls for the usual components, but controls for others, such as Lighting systems, Media Center Computers, Xboxs (and Xbox360s), PlayStations, and iPods.

If you dont write down your codes, you can retrieve them from a Recall menu on the remote.