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Should we start a petition to get TV manufacturers to simplify remote controls for our televisions?

Is it just me or are TV remote controls over complicated, especially for the older generation? My mother suffers from dementia, and really struggles with operating her TV. She has 2 controls; one for the TV operation, and the other for her set top Digital box, which she needs to be able to continue using her TV since the digital switchover. She struggles to comprehend how they both work together, and ends up unable to watch television because it is over complicated.


With our aging population, is it time for us to insist that TV manufactures give us a choice between very simple controls, with a limited number of buttons (on/off, volume, channel choice)??


What do you think?


Created By on 03/09/2012

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SuffolkSilver
3rd Sep 2012 20:58:21
1
Thanks for voting!
It is not just that the controllers are complicated but recently I was visiting a relative and she handed me THREE controllers and I had to learn about all three before I could see the program I wanted ! I am deaf and I never worked out how to turn on the subtitles, so most of the programs went - er - in one ear and out the other ! 😕 😕
SilverSammy
16th Feb 2020 00:36:01
0
Thanks for voting!
Yes. I think that ALL manufacturers of electronic devices should be informed, and realize, that there is a big need, and therefore a big market, for the simplification of all devices and their operations.

For example, I think that "smartphones" became big for three reasons: (1) They are simpler than computers, (2) Folks really like their portability, and (3) Folks really like that the devices themselves are NOT under the authority of their employers, even if their USE in the workplace is, which means that the devices can still be privately used during lunchtime and on breaks.

The solution to the problem is ultimately one of design. Manufacturers should balance a device's SIMPLICITY and RELIABILITY with the device's POWER or ABILITY, because simplicity and reliability are much, much more important for a happy life than most care to admit.
Pendle Witch
9th Dec 2016 19:23:01
0
Thanks for voting!
Couldn't agree more. Everything is becoming so complicated. A handset button that would produce decent sound, when pressed, would be of assistance. All I seem to hear is the background music.
DavidO3
29th May 2016 20:59:44
0
Thanks for voting!
I have a "One for All" remote purchased from Currys.
It controls my TV, Sky+ box and home entertainment centre. It was simple to programme the buttons to each unit and saves messing with multiple controllers
Pendle Witch
8th Nov 2015 20:49:15
0
Thanks for voting!
I also think that Remote Controls could be simplified. I would also like one control for all the appliances.
Munsterlander
4th Aug 2015 14:52:24
0
Thanks for voting!
Yes I think that is a brilliant idea. There seems to eb about 3x the amount of buttons that are actually required to operate the TV. Come to think of it Apple are supposed to be launching TVs soon. Like SERI on their iphones you could simply shout at the TV to change it "BBC 1"..."Make the screen Brighter"....what a great idea! I should contact Apple and sell it to them!!!!
stephaniejabber
12th Nov 2012 10:12:30
1
Thanks for voting!
Mum's 95 and after the digital change over was given a digibox with a remote with tiny buttons and loads of them.After she had managed to change the programming into arabic for the fourth time, I bought her a sony childrens remote. Seven main programable buttons for channels, different shapes, plus volume butttons. Peace has reigned ever since.

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