Well, I toyed with the unit for a few hours. I decided that it is not worth the cost for me. For the blind community it is a novelty item however for someone who is paralyzed it could be a God Send. After I set it up for my TV and cable box I had some fun playing. I programmed a few voice commands to turn to CNN, NBC, CBS, ABC and cowboy - Encore West. Then all I had to say was surfboard and power to turn the TV on or off. Then surfboard and cowboy or one of the other voice commands to change to that channel. Now the real test came when I wanted to change the TV source. There was a shifted button that had the TV's remote commands but without feedback it was difficult but not impossible to change. While playing with this I took the Comcast remote and Karen also took one. I found out that there is a button on the Comcast remote that will take me directly to the menu spot and will toggle through the settings. By placing a DVD in the player and starting I could use this button to find where it was playing on the TV. Then again by using the same button I could get back to the cable box input. Although Surfboard could be programmed to do that and also be programmed to start, stop and pause the DVD for me it is not worth the cost. Also one big problem that I had was when I accidentally started recording a program on the cable box. I had no way to know that I actually started the recording process and could not stop it without sighted assistance. Now if there was talking feedback from the TV and cable box that in conjunction with Surfboard would be fantastic. I don't think that the TV and cable box manufactures would ever bother doing that. I did have a little fun with it and Karen threatened to hide it. She was watching something and I said Surfboard power and the TV turned off. She didn't miss anything since she was watching a previously recorded program and just rewound it a minute or so. I was very disappointed to learn after ordering that it requires a special battery charger. To obtain the charger I would have to pay an additional $5.00 plus $7.00 shipping. Since it does require a non standard charger I personally think it should have been included. I also don't think that my mother could program it. She has some of the problems of first loosing sight. She can not dial a telephone by touch. She must take the time to look at each button. I also think that she is too soft spoken so that Surfboard will not hear her. ----- Original Message ----- From: Ray Boyce To: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2008 2:58 PM Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Voice Operated Learning Remote Control
Using technology so advanced that it has been used in interplanetary space probes, Innotech's Voice Operated Remote Control Technology uses the sound of your voice to control your TV, VCR, Cable Box, Satellite, and Home Theater. The Voice Operated Remote Control converts spoken words into remote control signals using Innotech's acclaimed remote control infrared code library. Able to recognize over fifty commands in any language Innotech's Voice Operated Remote Controls are so automated they can perform complex multi-step operations from a single word and even surf the channels while you just lean back and watch! $45.95 Innotech Systems Inc Overview x10 Features . Full Universal Remote Control . Operates with voice or keys . Learning Remote . Includes Charge Base Station . Includes Innotech's acclaimed Infrared Code Library for TVs, VCRs, Cable boxes, Satellite receivers, DVD, and audio components . Control up to four devices (TV, VCR/DVD, Cable/DSS, AUX) . User -Trained Voice Recognition . Language and accent independent . Map any voice command to any button . Train up to 54 voice commands . Easy Set-Up . Friendly "Voice Prompts" talk you through the set-up process . Simple training process combines macros and voce commands . Handy "Auto-Search" feature finds the right code for your entertainment device . Four independent "Personalities" . Every family member has their own personal voice commands and favorite channels . Powerful Macro capability . A single voice command can send multiple button presses . Multi-String Macros send out different button sequences on subsequent commands . Up to 24 macros . Favorite Channel Selection . Channel Scan for Hands Free Surfing . Non-Volatile Memory retains set-up information, even with the battery removed . Priority Press TM simplifies commands and reduces button presses . Fast Volume for rapid voice-controlled volume changes . Note: "Hands-Free" IR Remoted Control for paraplegics is best accomplished using the Sptifire IR Remote Control interfaced with the Voice Activation Software residing on the user's PC. . Invoca requires (4) AA alkaline batteries Covering over 98% of the world's home entertainment systems, the Innotech IR Code Library includes codes for well over 5,000 TV, VCR, satellite, audio, home theater and cable box models -- more than available from any other source. And the library is constantly enhanced as new consumer products are brought to market. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
