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0-centric remote

 Prevent "channel thumb"
  (+3, -2)
(+3, -2) 		  [vote for,
against]

Poor CBS. In order to get to it on some remotes you now have to type "0 0 2", if you don't want to wait the aggravating one and two-thirds seconds for the TV to translate your "2" into "002". Will it be months; a year, perhaps, before you have to type in "0 0 0 2" in order to get to this channel?

It's hard to type "002" when the remote is arranged
1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9
__0_

Especially if the number buttons are towards the bottom of the remote. I suggest that there should be a border of zeros all around the keypad, to make entering any channel a breeze. Like this.
0 0 0 0 0
0 1 2 3 0
0 4 5 6 0
0 7 8 9 0
0 0 0 0 0

The border zeros can be solid bars, if desired. They don't have to be all separate buttons.

Thank you.

—phundug, Jun 23 2003

[link]






       You're welcome. (+)
—Cedar Park, Jun 23 2003
   

       An adept show of end-user empathy. +
—bristolz, Jun 23 2003
   

       Could also be done with a non-mandatory Enter button to terminate the input.
—FarmerJohn, Jun 23 2003
   

       Remotes are big enough already. I like [FJ]s idea, although this would mean reprogramming televisions.
—silverstormer, Jun 23 2003
   

       How 'bout a *00* next to the *0* button in two places: Above the 1-9 layout in addition to below it.
—thumbwax, Jun 23 2003
   

       ...but where would the "Enter" button be placed? If down near the current "0" button it would be just as awkward.   

       Maybe a system where you *hold in* the final button of your selection would work. E.g. "0 *5*", where you hold the 5 in for a half second, would immediately terminate input.
—phundug, Jun 23 2003
   

       All these alternate suggestions (hold button down, use an enter key) assume the device being controlled is to be redesigned. What with universal remotes and all, the idea of surrounding the number pad with 0's is a workaround idea. If you're suggesting alternatives that require re-engineering the [TV/tuner/satellitebox], you might as well suggest that the box read your mind, because it's just about as likely to happen.
—dmalg, Jun 23 2003
   
      
[annotate]
   


 

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