Take any given home entertainment setup, and the chances are it's awash with two things - tangles of power cables, hopefully hidden, and a plethora of remote controls, all too easily lost, broken or fought over by several family members. The appeal of a having one remote to control everything is clear, and can be a simple solution for maintaining family harmony. Crest's TCP6 Platinum Universal Remote Control isn't the fanciest remote, and if you're after a great deal of functionality you will find it falling short in several areas. Having said that, if you just want a simple remote replacement tool for a medium-range home theatre setup, the TCP6 could be just the solution you're looking for.
At only AU$99, you can't expect too much in the design department. The TCP6 is big, chunky, and its button layout, while a touch eyecatching, isn't the most pleasant to look at. The topmost buttons switch between the various control choices on offer - by default TV, VCR, Satellite/Cable, CD, Audio and DVD player, although it's possible to change any category into any other category if you've got multiple devices. The limit of only six devices in total is absolute, however; if your remotes number more than that, or you want complicated macro programming, you'll need to look to a more featured remote such as the Harmony SST-659. Underneath the top set of buttons are a standard array of number keys and control buttons that vary their function depending on the units they're controlling. At the very base of the remote are six programmable function buttons, used for duplicating features not found in the inbuilt profiles of the TCP6. If you're using the TCP6 in a darkened home theatre room, a button controls the lurid red backlighting, giving you ten seconds to confirm button presses and switch things around.
Setting up the TCP to work with your home entertainment gear is a little more fiddly than with many remotes; you've got to identify the maker of each of your components and then match that up with the supplied code booklet. Most manufacturers have multiple codes, and it's a matter of trial and error as to which one will work, and to what level it will work. Our test setup consisted of a older Sony TV, VHS deck and Sound System, a Foxtel Cable TV set top box and a Philips DVD Player. If your equipment maker isn't listed, you can undergo a trial and error approach to setting the code, but the manual notes that this may involve up to 150 reiterations of a button pressing sequence. We were glad our test gear worked from the supplied codes - mostly.
We say mostly because the Philips DVD player, in particular, proved elusive in actual function. The power button, for example, would switch the player off - but not on. In theory, that's what the six programmable buttons are for. Programming in an unsupported button is a matter of pointing the original remote at the TCP6 and getting it to pick up the transmitted signal, which it should then be able to send out to the gear you want to control. That worked fine for setting some audio switching on our Sony gear, but the Philips DVD player's power button proved elusive. It's also a pity that while it supports switching around the programmable buttons and even changing the uppermost function buttons, there's no way to program other, less useful buttons for each circumstance. The play button for DVDs and VHS tapes, for example, is in the middle of a set of buttons that only works for teletext functions - and very little else.
Crest offers support over the phone for its products, but for a unit that's just crying out to have a Web-enabled library of control codes, it's puzzling to think that the company would prefer users to call up each and every time. Ultimately you can definitely do more with more high-end remotes such as the Harmony SST-659 and Home Theatre Master MX-500, but if your needs are simpler, or you just want the one remote to rule them all, the TCP6 is a solid buy.
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kappa
13/10/2008, 07:17 AM
rating
8/10
What has happened to the www.crestonline.biz website?
I cant get through! Have they gone out of business?
I am trying to program my HD set top box to work with it, anyone got any clues as to how to program the remote?
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janene king
03/08/2008, 07:23 PM
rating
9/10
I have a crest universal remote that I've had a couple of years now but I have lost the booklet to tell me how to tune it to our old TV, is it possible that anyone out there can give me the number for a Transonic TV. Thanks
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dvd players
28/05/2008, 08:52 PM
rating
8/10
Simple and easy to use. Attractive and stylish design. Light weight remote control. I want to buy now this universal remote control because its very cheap.
Pros: Simple and easy to use.
Very cheap.
Cons: Nothing special.
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Ben
04/01/2008, 09:14 AM
rating
8/10
Janis: Manuals in PDF format are available at http://www.crestonline.biz/support
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Janis Stanton
04/05/2007, 08:39 PM
rating
6/10
We have moved house and I cannot find my instruction book. Would it be possible for you to email me one. I orginally bought the product from Harvey Normans and we have moved to Alice Springs where they do not have a store.
Pros: Very good, no more looking for 3 different remotes
Cons: Buttons at bottom bit fiddly
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19/10/2005, 08:37 PM
Better Now On Market
This unit has been around for too long. My unit lasted 18 months before it first went back for repair and has been back again recently.
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CrestRemoteFan
14/10/2005, 08:33 PM
Simply Fantastic
This remote I've had for a few years now & I was ecstatic that I was able to use it for my newly installed Foxtel Digital IQ Box using codes in the original Crest provided manual. With it's learning features I was able to add the few extra features not automatically set. This one remote does my Digital Foxtel IQ, TV, DVD, VCR & Stereo - Excellent quality & great value
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Thomas
07/12/2004, 05:03 PM
Great!
I purchased the 6 device remote as it is the only one out of the range that controls audio. It did not have the code for my home theatre system so I called the product support line and they were very helpful. I posted the remote back to them and they sent it back a few days later, all upgraded (apprently the load it up via a pin where the batteries are kept) and ready to go for all my toys. I would recomend this product to anyone.
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mathew
09/08/2004, 11:32 AM
Its Programmable from PC
I got one of these for x-mas, as a DIY person, I found customising for a few devices painfull.
It has a 6 pin connecter in the batter compartment.
Lookup JP1 Remotes on the internet, build a cable, download software and properly customise it..
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