"Advanced DVD Functions" Still Comes Short

Note: This review is on the newest version (should we call it the 2005 vintage?). This vintage has only one set of arrow keys. And on the bottom it only says “Philips Universal”, not “Philips Magnavox”. Philips has at least three versions of this universal remote, all with the same model number. I am not sure if there are any differences in terms of functionality. Very confusing.

Setup
The remote can control 4 devices, TV, VCR, DVD and Satellite. To program the remote is a little cumbersome. You need to first find the brand of your device in a list (included in the package, on a separate sheet), and find the three-digit code, and punch it in. Some brands of device have multiple codes listed. You may need to try all of them. Maybe only one will work; maybe one will work better than others. In my case, for my Panasonic DVD player, 5 numbers were listed. I have tried 3, all worked, but differently. That was kind of weird.

Non-existing Web Support
You might think, naively as I did, that since this Universal Remote has the brand name of Philips, you can find supporting documents on the web. WRONG! I went to the Philips website. I even went to the site that is dedicated to universal remote controls (www.urc.philips.com). This remote control is nowhere to be found in their website. Therefore if you want a digital copy of the manual (either for archiving, or for a peek before opening the package), you will have to go to Amazon.com.

Missing Functionality
I bought the Philips Universal Remote because I lost my DVD player remote. And what attracted me is that line on the package saying "Advanced DVD Functions". The Universal Remote works with my DVD player, but there are a couple of missing functions. The first one is the disk selection. My DVD player (Panasonic DVD-F65) has 5 disks. There is no way to select which disk to play on this universal remote. I have to go to the DVD player front panel to do that, which defeats the purpose of having a remote. Another important missing function is the audio channel selection. In a lot of Asian VCD disks, the two sound channels (Left and Right) are used to record two different languages. And if you play it with both on, it will be quite a mess. Audio selection is a must for playing these disks. However the Philips Universal Remote cannot do that.

Because of these missing functions, I am returning the Universal Remote back to Circuit City. I am going to order the original remote from Panasonic.

The idea of universal remote started before the DVD players. So I can understand that they are a little slow in catching on this whole NEW idea of DVD functions. That is, I can understand it if it were 5 years ago. But now it is becoming frustrating that most of the universal remotes still don't get the DVD players right, even after putting in efforts to include the "advanced DVD functions". Maybe they should find a guy on the street who actually uses DVD players to join the design team!!

General Functionality
Enough picking on this remote! Overall, it is a decent universal remote. It uses two AAA batteries, which is much lighter than two AAs on some other remotes. The keys have good feel, not too hard, not too sticky. And the key arrangement, in this 2005 vintage, is more logical. The device list was very comprehensive, and as other reviewers pointed out, is better than competition. And the setup hassle, well, it is only a one time deal and is not that bad. To be fair, if you are not using a multi-disk DVD player, it might work just fine. I love the idea of having a single remote for everything. That will eliminate all those fuss of tracking down the missing remote under the couch. Too bad that the DVD functionality is not complete and I have to give it a pass on this otherwise fine piece.