My dad is 88 years old and always has trouble controlling the TV and FIOS DVR in my home theater setup. I have instructed him many times in the use of the FIOS controller. The only three buttons that he needs are the TV, STB (Set top Box) and Power.

He constantly gets confused and tries to used the TV or STB button as the power and finally gives up when he cannot get both device on at the same time.

The other problem he has is the size of the buttons. I have looked at several jumbo button controllers but most of them are still overly complex in that they control 4 to 8 devices and there are too many buttons. In addition, none of the controllers do not list the Motorola 6400 series DVR as one of their Code options.

What would be most desirable is a programmable large button controller with only
1) Power - programmed to turn on the TV (leaving the STB on all the time)
2) Channel +/- Programmed to the STB
3) Volume +/- Programmed to the TV
4) Large Numbers for changing channels

I cannot find any controller that will meet this minmal requirement. They all seem to want to control all devices with no regard to what the senior citizen really needs.

Hi Ken,

I agree, this is a daunting problem. The standard large button remotes don't really simplify things for seniors. The closest thing I've found to what you need is this.

http://www.remotecentral.com/weemote/index5.htm

http://shop.weemote.com/weemote-Sr.-TV-Remote-for-Adults/M/B0010S49OY.htm?traffic_src=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle

I've never tried one, but it looks like it has the features you want.

Jonathan

http://cgi.ebay.com/JUMBO-UNIVERSAL-REMOTE-8-in-1-CONTROL-NIB_W0QQitemZ360080084199QQcmdZViewItem
or

http://www.jackstoolshed.com/index/page/product/product_id/200/product_name/GIANT+8-+Device+Universal+Remote+Control+-+The+One+You+Can%27t+Lose!


I don't know anything about either of them, but I have seen a similar one in a gag gift store, that they used to control their CD player/radio and TV. Also they are inexpensive. There are others if you search for "giant remote control" or something along those lines. Most are very similar to the ones above. :p

My dad is 88 years old and always has trouble controlling the TV and FIOS DVR in my home theater setup. I have instructed him many times in the use of the FIOS controller. The only three buttons that he needs are the TV, STB (Set top Box) and Power.

He constantly gets confused and tries to used the TV or STB button as the power and finally gives up when he cannot get both device on at the same time.

The other problem he has is the size of the buttons. I have looked at several jumbo button controllers but most of them are still overly complex in that they control 4 to 8 devices and there are too many buttons. In addition, none of the controllers do not list the Motorola 6400 series DVR as one of their Code options.

What would be most desirable is a programmable large button controller with only
1) Power - programmed to turn on the TV (leaving the STB on all the time)
2) Channel +/- Programmed to the STB
3) Volume +/- Programmed to the TV
4) Large Numbers for changing channels

I cannot find any controller that will meet this minmal requirement. They all seem to want to control all devices with no regard to what the senior citizen really needs.

Ken, I suggest getting for your father the Sony Rm-vl600 (http://www.remotecentral.com/vl600/index.html), yes its a 8-in-1 remote, but fully learning remote. You take one of the devices and program as you wish. Once its to your liking, you can clone it to each of the other 7 devices, making a 8-in-1 device remote, just one device remote. I suggest you program a tv code to the tv device which isn't yours, so none of the keys will work any of your devices initially, then just teach to keys you wish to.

My father is 86, I have him using the Sony rm-vl710 (http://www.remotecentral.com/vl710/index.html) long discontinued, but programmed the same way.

I know it is expensive, but I would look at a Harmony One. It has a decent size touch screen with pictures, ie., "Watch TV", "Watch DVD", "Watch Cable"...

The buttons are large compared to other remotes, and it is easy to navigate. I have two of them along with two Harmony 550's, which would just drive your dad crazy as the buttons are to small even for me. I wish I would have bought two more Harmony Ones, as does my near blind wife.:D

My 88 year old mom uses a Sony RM-EZ4 (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665252462&tab=Features). Large buttons and easy to use.