Tag: remotes

New Amazon 4K Fire TV

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Amazon has made some major improvement to its Fire TV box, as well as the TV remote control that comes with it. With more storage space, less latency, better streaming, and Alexa, the new Amazon 4K Fire will turn your living room into a voice-controlled entertainment powerhouse.

Alexa

Amazon offered voice control with the original Fire TV, but Alexa wasn’t a part of the remote. Now, you can do interesting tasks like uploading music, but you can also expect much more in the future. Soon, Alexa will be able to reorder items from Amazon.com for you and perform things like simple searches for specific movies so that you literally don’t have to lift a finger to get the entertainment you want.

Better Technology

Naturally, a new system means better technology. That’s better technology to the tune of a 64-bit quad core processor that outputs 4K ultra HD video. You may have to upgrade your television and individual viewing items to 4K ultra HD, but that will be the standard in the future, and you’ll be one step ahead. You can also store more on your Fire TV with 8 gigabytes of internal storage and an option to add up to 120 more with an SD card.

You can expect faster playback, with a better viewing quality. Since the remote control has 20{8c8ae2a71b30a2d8c6f534038a85ab39be2a915945a2526b1de25039d71b9e11} less latency, you can also expect a more responsive controller. In short, everything is faster and clearer, and you can have more of it. Even Apple doesn’t offer some of the features found with the Fire, and you can upgrade your Fire Stick to get some of these new features as well.

Get in the Habit of Cleaning Remote Controls

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During flu and cold season, one way everyone in the home gets sick is by touching the remote control. You cough or sneeze, and then cover your mouth with your hand while watching your favorite program. Then you touch the TV remote, without remembering to wash your hands, and now the germs are partying on the remote control. Next, your child picks up the remote to turn on a cartoon or movie, and rubs his or her eyes. Now, this little person is at risk of getting sick, too.

With cold and flu season just around the corner, it is important to get into the habit of cleaning remote controls on a weekly basis.

  1. Remove the batteries and replace the battery cover.
  2. Clean around the buttons with a cotton swab. Dip the swap in rubbing alcohol and gently clean the small cracks and crevices around the buttons and sides of the remote.
  3. Use a soft cloth to clean the rest of the remote. Lightly dampen the cloth in rubbing alcohol, wipe the remote control down, and allow it to air dry.
  4. Wipe the remote control and buttons with an antibacterial wipe. Allow them to air dry.
  5. Replace the batteries.

Never submerse a remote control in water, pour rubbing alcohol on it, or spray cleaning products directly onto it. The liquid can get inside the remote, and cause the device to short-circuit and stop working. For more serious problems, like sticky soft drink spills and non-working remotes, you will need to order a new remote control. You can obtain new TV and device remotes for all makes and models by contacting Replacement Remotes at -855-5-REMOTE (1-855-573-6683).

3 Unnecessary TV Technology Features

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With so many TVs on the market, and new technology being uncovered every year, it can be tough to decide which technologies you need — and which ones you can live without. You have to choose between different display qualities, different remotes, and a bunch of other features that you may not understand or ever even use. Here are three of the latest advancements in TV technology today that haven’t quite lived up to their expectations, so you can leave them behind without a second thought.

  • 3D technology — There was a lot of hype about 3D televisions, but each one has failed to be everything it was cracked up to be. Sure, it sounds fun at first, but the reality is that it is a wasted feature because it is rarely used. So, unless you absolutely have to have it, mark it off the list of requirements.
  • Screen curvature — Curved screens have promised to be the greatest in display quality, but, thus far, they have under-delivered. The display isn’t much different than a flat panel and, in some instances, the picture gets a bit distorted. It’s much safer to stick with the tried-and-true flat panel TVs.
  • Voice control — This is one more feature that promised the world — and has yet to truly deliver. Pushing remote buttons is always going to be the first choice of most viewers, instead of trying to remember the right command or gesture to get the TV to respond.

Contact us today at Replacement Remotes to learn more about the latest in TV technology, and let us help you find a quality replacement for your remote.

Things to Consider Before Buying a New Television

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Before you invest thousands of dollars in TVs and remotes, you need to understand what you are paying for. You will pay for the name brand, of course, and you will also pay for the technology. Technology is great, but if you really don’t need certain features, there is no reason to pay for them.

There are lots of reasons why you should buy a TV that costs less than others. If you are only looking for something to watch your shows on, then there is no need to pay for fancy features. For instance, 3D televisions sound good, but since there isn’t a lot of 3D content available, is it really a feature you cannot live without?

If you are a gamer and need lots of HDMI ports, you may think you need a TV that offers four or five ports. However, you can instead buy a cheaper TV and purchase an HDMI switch to ensure that you have plenty of ports for your devices.

Yes, there is some amazing technology out there right now — 4K, 3D, etc. But when you really think about it, do you have to have it all? Take streaming — you can spend a lot of money on a TV with a Smart suite that includes streaming apps. Or, you can spend less on a TV, and buy a plug-in device, such as a Roku. Then you will have all the streaming capabilities you need, and you will have saved hundreds of dollars.

To learn more about the latest in TV technology, and for all of your remote needs, contact us today at Replacement Remotes.

The Best Remote of 2014 from Samsung

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When you are shopping for a new TV, one of the key features that is often overlooked is the remote. The fact is that remotes are where it is at in TVs. You can have the best TV on the market, but if the remote makes it hard to use, you may not enjoy the television at all. Looking back on 2014, it is easy to see which style remote was the best — the Samsung Smart Remote.

  • Featuring motion technology, this remote operates much like the popular Wii gaming system controller. Instead of using buttons to navigate through menus and windows, all you have to do is move the remote. This moves the pointer to exactly the location you need.
  • This remote also has a streamlined design. It is small, rounded, and fits well in the palm of your hand. Samsung did remove some buttons to ensure that the remote kept its small and handy appearance. However, you can still access the functions of the missing buttons — you just have to access them through the on-screen menus.
  • The Samsung remote is ideal for someone looking to watch some movies or shows without operating a bunch of devices at the same time. While this isn’t the ideal remote for universally controlling all of your electronic devices, if your needs are easy to meet, this can work. In other words, if simplicity is your middle name, then this remote is for you.

To learn more about remotes and to order your next replacement, contact us today at Replacement Remotes.

Samsung and LG Offering the Latest in TV Technology

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If you thought 2015 was just going to have the same type of TVs and remotes as 2014, think again. In fact, think bendable televisions. 2014 might have been “all about the curve,” but 2015 is going to bring something more. LG and Samsung will soon be offering bendable TVs — that’s right; TVs that bend. This will give you the option of either watching your favorite movie on a flat screen or watching it on a curved screen.

The secret lies in the ever-evolving technology. The glass of television screens can now be made so thin that, if you bend them, they don’t break. Add a specialized motor, and you have a TV that bends at your will. So, is this a must-have option? Well, it depends on your tastes. If you have been a fan of curved televisions, you may want this kind of TV. It helps keep your options open. If you don’t care for the curve, then, of course, you will want to stick with your faithful flat screen.

Is the curve worth it? Manufacturers claim that it allows you to see the display at an equal distance at all points. It is also a great selling point because it makes for a beautiful design sitting up on your TV stand. So, the bottom line is that the choice will be yours. Of course, you can expect to pay a pretty penny for new technology, so if bendable TVs are successful, you may want to wait a while before investing. Hopefully by then, the prices will have gotten lower. To learn more about your latest options in televisions, contact us today at Replacement Remotes.

The Sony XBR-65X950B

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Sony is known for fine things, and this HDTV is one of the brand’s finest. Because this 4K TV is recently released, it retails for $7,000. That is a lot of dough to just hand over, but if you want a top of the line TV and the latest technology, this is what you have to be willing to pay. This TV features full array LED backlighting and multi-zone local dimming, which gives it the deepest possible black levels for a non-plasma HDTV. Along with the deep black levels, the TV features excellent contrast and screen uniformity.

This XBR-line TV is massive; so much so, that you need a very large stand for it. Instead of a stand, like smaller HDTVs, it comes with triangular legs that go on the very ends of the bezel. Even with the funky legs, it looks great perched on the stand. The bezel is thicker than other models, but this set is all screen, regardless of the bezel. The included high quality remote gives the user full access to all the features this TV has to offer.

Pros:

  • Excellent contrast
  • Deep black levels
  • 4K upscaling
  • Fully featured Smart TV suite

Cons:

  • Webcam does not function well
  • Extremely large and cumbersome
  • Color requires initial adjustment

Bottom line:

If you have the money, this is an excellent TV set. You get a full set of features and 4K resolution for about the average price for this size of TV.

For more information about the best and worst TVs and remotes, contact us at Replacement Remotes.

The High-End Samsung UNHU8550 Series

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As with only high-end Samsung TVs, the UNHU8550 series comes with two remotes for better viewing pleasure. This 4K TV model is of the high-end price range, from $6,000 to $9,000. For the price, this HDTV has an excellent picture. Surprisingly, the price for this TV is much less than some other brands’ offerings on the 4K market. It has a flat screen, versus the strange, curved screens that several other brands have introduced. This Samsung TV also features the OneConnect upgrade path, which means that it is somewhat future-proof.

The HU8550 is very minimalistic in nature. It has a low-profile stand that makes it look like it is hovering over the entertainment console. The base is brushed metal, and the TV features a barely-there thin black bezel. With the bezel being so thin, the TV appears to be all screen, which is a very good feature. It comes with Samsung’s standard wand-style remote, but it also includes the updated motion control pod remote. This little clicker fits in the palm of the hand and allows fluid use of the motion control.

Pros:

  • Excellent picture quality
  • Deep black levels
  • Accurate color
  • Offers the best connectivity yet for 2014 TVs
  • Excellent remote
  • Many extras, including Smart TV

Cons:

  • Very expensive TV
  • Advantages of 4K resolution is unknown

Bottom Line:

If you have to have a 4K TV and cannot wait until next year, this is a solid model, and it offers a lower price than some. It has a great picture quality, but, with little 4K content on the market, whether or not it is worth the money is questionable.

For more information about newer TVs and their remotes, contact us at Replacement Remotes.

The Panasonic TC-L65WT600: Ultra HDTV

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This ultra HDTV comes with 4K resolution, two remotes (a standard remote and a magic remote with touch control and voice control), and a large price tag of $5,000. This is a lot of money to spend on just one TV. It is one of the few 4K TVs that is compliant with the new HDMI 2.0. The input it accepts is 60 frames a second, which is super-fast. Its picture quality is pretty decent, as well as other attributes of the picture and color. The TV does come with many extras, too.

The TV’s design is a mishmash of glass on metal. The sides of the TV are brushed silver and plastic, which is supposed to mimic glass. The stand is a barely-there silver band that looks like it can barely hold the weight of the TV. However, it does so gracefully, but still leaves more to be desired — such as the ability to swivel. The remotes that come with this TV are similar to others that come in only high-end designs. One is a touchpad that has Bluetooth and a microphone for voice searches. The second remote is a standard remote with backlighting and all the buttons you could ever ask for.

Pros:

  • HDMI 2.0 compliant
  • Good picture quality
  • Accurate color and deep black levels
  • Great bright room image
  • Interesting design and stand
  • Excellent remotes
  • 3D and 3D glasses (2 pairs)
  • Voice interaction and camera
  • Smart TV suite

Cons:

  • Poor value for price
  • Local dimming causes washout

Bottom Line:

This is a great TV, but, for the price, it is not worth it. For $5,000, you can find a much better TV at 1080p resolution that works much better and which has a great picture.

For more great information about this TV and other similar models, contact us at Replacement Remotes.

A Review of the Panasonic TC-LE60 Series LCD HDTV

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Over the past couple of years, Panasonic has been making strides with their HDTVs and included remotes. The TC-LE60 series is an example of a good value mid-range LED LCD HDTV with a cost of about $2,500 for a 60-inch model. It is one of the better LCD models to come from the company so well-known for plasma TVs. It offers a pretty decent picture at an aggressive price with a good set of features.

The design of this HDTV is very similar to that of other Panasonic TVs. It comes with a very thin black bezel with a glossy finish. Its stand is pretty generic, and it does not include the ability to swivel. However, the HDTV is still attractive. It will also easily fit in with most types of decor. It has a very thin profile for an HDTV. The remote is standard for Panasonic. The layout is very logical, but some of the buttons are either too big or too small, making it easy to hit the wrong buttons. Another downside is the lack of any backlighting in the remote.

Pros:

  • Affordable price
  • Very deep black levels for a LED LCD HDTV
  • Excellent bright room performance
  • Good video processing
  • True 120Hz processing
  • Minimalist styling
  • Excellent Smart TV content

Cons:

  • Very poor sound quality
  • Bad angle viewing
  • Poor picture uniformity

Bottom Line:

For a mid-range LED LCD HDTV, Panasonic offers a good price for this model when compared to the features and decent picture quality. This HDTV offers one of the best values available at this price point for LED LCD model.

For more information about Panasonic TVs and remotes, contact us at Replacement Remotes.