Customer Reviews

One For All URC 9960 Kameleon 8-Device Upgradeable Universal Remote Control

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(16)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

I own the RadioShack branded incarnation of this remote, after having previously bought and returned the older 6-in-one Kameleon. I have also read through tons of manuals for different AfO/RadioShack and other models, before finding that this is really the only one that will suffice for me.

That said, while some things were improved in this 8-in-1 Kameleon (over the 6-in-1 and other All-for-One models), some things also got worse.

The good:

* You can send "raw"/advanced IR codes (000 - 255) to your devices, and thus be able to control features not enabled by default. In some cases, you may be able to control the device in ways the original remote could not! For instance, you can send a discrete ON (code 022) or OFF (code 026) signal to nearly all Panasonic devices; or switch the input channel directly to e.g. Video 3, or "AUX", rather than repeated "TV/Video" keypresses. This is very useful for macro programming. You can even assign such advanced codes to particular keys, if you don't use them for anything else. For a list of various advanced codes, check out "http://www.hifi-remote.com/".

* You can program 5 macros, on keys M1 - M4, and on the "Power" key. For instance, if you have a home theatre system, you can program M1 to switch your HDTV to your cable/satellite video input, your home theatre to the cable/satellite audio input, and leave your remote in the "Home Theatre" mode. Similarly, assign M2 to DVD video in on the TV, DVD mode on your home theatre, etc...

* The ability to download new codes over the telephone is really, really cool. As shipped, this remote did not support my HTiB (a Panasonic HT-SC810V), but after a call to RadioShack customer support I now have this supported as well.

The not-so-good:
* The Power macro only works while the remote is in "System" mode. Otherwise, it controls power only to the selected device, e.g. your TV or your DVD player. So to turn on/off your entire system, you need to press "System", then "Power" -- if you forget to do so, you will find that the various devices are "out of sync", and you need to toggle power for individual devices. (This is unlike the 6-in-1 Kameleon, where the "Power" macro worked regardless of what mode the remote was in. In fact, the 6-in-1 would allow you to program a macro on nearly any key, not just M1-M4 + powerd).

* I simply don't like the soft keys. I wish AfO had any models with similar functionality in a regular push-button remote. Models like the 8811 come close, but no cigar without the ability to program a macro on the power key.

* I had a very difficult time trying to "learn" functions from my original remote. It simply would not accept the code very easily. That's OK, I'd rather add the function by way of assigning the appropriate advanced code to the keys, as this eats less memory, and is more versatile. (For instance, "learned" funtions cannot be copied to other keys via the Keymover feature).

* The tilt switch does not work all that great. Sometimes it is too sensitive, turning on the remote after a nearby person breathes - othertimes you have to shake it to turn it on. You can also turn it on by pressing on the pad -- that means another keypress.

Someone else described a way to disable the tilt switch by opening up the remote and physically remove it. That's unneccessary. The manual (at least the RadioShack manual) describes very clearly how to do this programmatically:
- Hold down the "P" (i.e. "Setup") key for 3 seconds, until the IR indicator blinks twice.
- Press "Other"
- Enter the code 9-8-5. The IR indicator blinks four times (to indicate that the switch is off), or twice (to indicate that is on).

After two months of use, I've decided that I like the Kameleon remote quite well. Some of the reasons why:

I like the look and feel. It's ergonomic to hold and light-weight. (5.6 ounces without batteries).

I love the bright backlighting. The buttons are easy to see.

It's laid out in a way that makes sense. Other people have been able to use it without help (except for what the macros do). It's easy to set up.

It doesn't lose the codes when you change the batteries.

The remote has lights that activate when it is working. That way I know if I'm pressing the button properly.

It's upgradeable by telephone.

There is excellent internet support (www.oneforall-int.com/comfiles/index2.html). The "oneforall" web page has a demo that is great. It shows the remote in fantastic detail.

I called tech support. Someone answered within a minute or two, had the needed information, and volunteered to email me more information related to my equipment. They were dedicated to ensuring that I could program any function to the Kameleon remote. I had found a code that would operate an old CD player, but I still didn't have all the functions that the original remote had, such as repeating a song or an entire CD. They had codes to program keys to perform the functions that had existed on the original (now lost!) remote. I was stunned.

I've used a number of different remotes and this one is my favorite. I think the short battery life is due to two things: the bright backlighting and my own tendency to keep the light activated all the time! The backlighting is too nice, much better than other remotes that I've used, and I don't want to give that up. I use rechargeable batteries. I don't think I've captured how really well that I like this remote. Highly recommended.

I've been looking at a lot of universal remotes, and I'm amazed at how lame most of the designs are. Ugly buttons, stupid layouts, wanky control schemes, awkward case shapes. What's wrong with the guys who design this stuff? Yeesh.

Anyway, when I saw the Kameleon, I decided to give it a try. While I knew it wasn't everything I thought a remote should be, it was one of the better options out there.

Overall, it's been pretty good. It looks cool, it's backlit, feels good in the hand, has a fairly complete set of buttons that aren't too tiny, and seems to kick out a decent signal.

Still, if it were up to me, there are four things I would change about this remote:

1) Physical volume and channel buttons (so you don't have to look at the remote to adjust these two things).

2) Adjustable backlight timing. The default 6-7 seconds is way too short--about the time you find the right button to push, the thing shuts off. 10-12 seconds would be more reasonable.

3) Adjustable backlight sensitivity. The idea of the backlight coming on when you pick up the remote is great; the implemention of that idea on this remote is not so good. If you leave it on the arm of the couch or on top of some magazines, it tends to switch on a lot. I find that putting it on a more solid surface, like an end table, works better. Maybe they should switch to a different kind of sensor (heat? capacitive?) that responds only to being touched rather than to movement.

4) Named input buttons. Right now, I have to hit number keys in order to select the input on my receiver, like 5 for DVD or 3 for Satellite TV. Not very elegant or user friendly.

Those gripes aside, I still think this is one of the better remotes out there for the price.

OK, before I even start to review this remote, let me re-iterate what the manual allows. You can dis-able the tilt switch which admittedly is too sensitive. By holding "setup" to go to programming, then hit "other" and then the magic 985 code. Hit Home to get back to regular mode and Voila! Now you won't set off the glow by breathing near it (yes, the Radio Shack version also does this).

That being done, this remote is great. I needed an all in one remote to control a Panasonic 50" LCD RPTV, a Scientific Atlanta 8000HD high def set top cable box with DVR, a Panasonic 5 disc DVD changer, and a Yamaha Receiver. Codes for all of them exist and for the functions that aren't there, the learning allows you to map buttons. I now have virtually everything at the touch of one remote. True, the macros may be limited compared to other remotes (The Harmony remotes come to mind) but I love the feel, look, and function of this one.
It works at nearly any angle, including 180 degrees opposite the device if there's a wall or couch or yourself to reflect back. Nothing beats sitting on the couch, and aiming at the ceiling and the signal still gets through. Someone stated that holding the volume or channel button down does not repeatedly send the signal. Mines does. Never saw a remote that didn't. You can adjust the length of the glow as well, just check the manual. Some people stated that the glow (default is 8 secs) is too short. You can set it to 4, 8, 12, 16, or 20 secs. All in the manual. You can also adjust the brightness of the glow as well.

The remote is thin, and has a very nice feel on the backside, like a Fountech Airstyle PS2 controller...very comfortable and grippy. The metal trim around the remote is classy and feels great too. It doesn't feel "cheap". The wow factor is high as well, as many people just look at the remote and say..where are the buttons? Once it starts glowing, their eyes light up! Granted, it has almost no tactile feedback (you can "feel" when you actually press something but it's not as tactile as a normal button, and if you were blindfolded, you'd have a tougher time), but I got used to it and pretty much can locate the major "buttons" such as Vol and channel without looking. They're right at start of the curve in the remote's shape and then the d-pad is right in the middle of the curve. (Note: The next gen Kameleon has raised trim around the main functions so you'll likely see that when it arrives in the US however, don't hold your breath as it'll likely be awhile).

4 AAA's give you power and if you disable the tilt switch (motion sensor), then you get just about as much battery life as any other remote. It has a JP1 port..sorta...lacking the pins, it has contacts that you must hold pins against. Makes no difference to me as I don't use it. Bottom line is that I found a great feeling, working, and great looking remote at less than half the cost of a Harmony remote that will control even my HD DVR (just map the buttons with learning). Power users with mucho devices and macro needs may want more but, you pay for that as well with higher priced remotes. Check out the pics I took too. I like it.

This is a brilliant piece of kit.

Some other reviews criticised battery life (use decent NiMh rechargeables) and having to 'shake' it to wake it up (you only have to look at it for this thing to wake up so this isn't a problem - I've yet to miss anything in FF mode except when I haven't been paying attention, and that happened with the original remote as well).

The PVR functionality is excellent - at last something to control my Tivo properly.

Basically it looks cool, works properly and is a fraction of the cost of other products with this level of functionality. Get some rechargeable batteries and give it a couple of weeks to adjust to using a multi device remote and you won't look back!

This is the best home theater addition you could own! After trying several 'unviersal' remotes I had pretty much given up on finding one that works for less than $100.
I have yet to find a remote that works with my Denon DVD player - but this wasn't a problem with this remote as I simply 'learned' the commands.
The macros work great - one button and the tv turns on, amp turns on and switches to DVD digital, DVD player turns on and plays!

Don't confuse this with the Kameleon at Radio Shack - this one is FAR FAR superior!!! (This has more (and more useful) screens for each device, and the Radio Shack wouldn't even learn commands for my DVD player.)

Battery life is short with NiCD's but fine (5 weeks of frequent use) with NiMH's. Haven't bothered trying Alkaline batteries.

Only downside is that it can be a little difficult to see in bright sunlight (but just changing the angle a bit works).

I'm buying one for everyone in my family - I love love love it!

I have had remotes from this company before and they have worked fairly well with my mostly Sony system and my Comcast Motorola Digital cable box. This remote however is 10x better.
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One of the better points about this remote is a home theater setting which allows you to set the default system for volume, another for channel, and even another for play/ff/rev. In home theater mode my sound is handled by the reciever, my channel by the cable box, and I still have full Guide functions on cable.

There is a PVR sub menu for tivo type systems but I have not used it. This remote worked great with my system and I would have given it a 5 if the sony reciever had a little better coverage of the functions on it. I pointed the old remote at this one for one or two functions I was not getting but even that went well.

You will have to work through the manaual a bit to set everything. I gave myself 2 hours and that included most of the programming.

We got this remote, thinking it would solve our issues with trying to work everything INCLUDING the DirecTv boxes. At first, after upgrading via the phone we got it to work ( almost 5 days after getting it) and it worked for about 1 month. Then wham.....It was a battery hog from day 1 (3 sets in that 1st month alone) then it refused to turn off the lights. It went to using 4 batteries every 1.5 weeks to 4 in 3 days. Now, even with a new set of batteries, we can't get the remote to work more than 1 hour before it goes haywire. I really, REALLY don't recommend this remote. Bad thing is that we bought one for a close friend (her's eats batteries to but only the POWER button does work anymore) and one for my Father's B-Day. Save your money for a better remote.

I purchased this remote from Amazon.com 4 months ago and although happy with the look and functionality of it, I too was disappointed with the tilt function lighting up the remote every time I breathed too heavily. (I know this sounds like an exaggeration, but believe me, it is not...) I read the many reviews here and attempted to disable the remote with the "9-8-5" code that some reviews mentioned, but it did not work with mine. The manual I have made no mention of the ability to turn off the tilt/vibration function or of a way to change the illumination timer in the set-up. I contacted All-in-One via their website and asked for help. They emailed me back that there is NO WAY to disable or alter the motion sensor on my particular model and suggested I place the remote on a cushion or pillow to help reduce vibration. (Still didn't do much to stop the sensor from turning the device on every few seconds. Thus resulting in a need to change the 4AAA batteries on average of once a week...) In addition, there is no tactile feel to the surface pad, so you have to look at the remote every time you use it. A major drawback...

Today, I noticed that an amazon.com user has posted pictures of his remote on this product page and the last one shows the back of his box which states "Latest Features Include : Ability to deactivate the tilt switch (motion sensor)" Obviously, this function was not included in some older models (or non Radio Shack models) The bottom line is there is no way of telling which model you may get shipped from Amazon.com if they don't update their product page with new info stating that the new model is the one they're selling. They may have older models in stock and you may get one that lacks the motion option like I did. (The PDF product manual on this page does not mention the ability to turn off or alter the sensor.)

Otherwise, this is a cool little remote and I almost feel it's worth buying 16 AAA batteries a month just to be able to use it, but the fact you can't "feel" the buttons would keep me from purchasing again. The cost savings on batteries with the optional motion feature makes the newer version the only way to go.

Found a fix for this expensive Kameleon 8 URC 9960 remote control with the blue Pelikon illuminated buttons. The remotes works fine but these guys screwed the wake up portion of it... the thing turns on with minor vibrations, i.e. walking near it, so it drains the batteries real fast... like 4 AAA's gone every 2 weeks without even using the friggen thing.

Pissed me off so I tore it apart and found this fix: Remove the batteries, remove the 2 screws underneath. Carefully pry off the black plastic part from the front aluminum bezel (yes its hard to do). On the back in the middle of the PCB on the side is a small metal box soldered to the PCB and just below it is R34, a SMT (surface mount) resistor... desolder and remove it. The resistor is a 1 Meg Ohm pullup resistor for the vibration sensor (that metal box). Remove R34 and you are done reassemble your remote.

Vibrations will no longer turn the remote on. To turn the remote on just press any button... the first time you press a button the thing just wakes up / lights up and doesn't do anything until you press another button.

Cheers