HCI Devices Pros and Cons - Remote Control

The HCI device I have chosen to discuss is the universal remote control device for tvs, dvds, video, and entertainment centers.  There are a several manufacturers of a universal remote control device but they all offer similar functionality.  I will cover the following topics on the pros and con:  usability; universality; usefulness.

PROS:
Usability - the remote I have is usable but I definitely do not use all of the functionality it offers. It has many buttons I never use.  I primarily use the on/off button which is a big button at the top, the device selector (tv versus satellite), channel up and down, volume up and down and the numbers to specify a channel.  Occassionally I will use the menu or guide button which is very small and sometimes hard to find.  Having one device for multiple electronics eliminates clutter and confusion and improves usability because it makes it more efficient.


Universality - the universal remotes are very flexible and allow programming for most major brands of tvs, dvds and other electronic devices making is convenient to replace lost or broken remotes without having to order proprietary devices specific to certain models of electronics.

Usefulness:  It turns the TV on and off, adjusts the volume, changes the channels and changes the device inputs.
 
CONS:
Usability - the remote has too many buttons making it hard to find the "high use" buttons.  When batteries die or the batteries fall out of the remote, the remote must be reprogrammed. 
 
Universality - Trying to figure out the codes to use for the electronic devices is a trial and error if you have an older model device.


Usefulness: Selecting the remote you need can be trial and error.  Many high level remotes offer elaborate functionality I'm not sure many people utilize all the controls.  My remote does the what I expect - it controls the electronic devices I have programmed into it so not sure there is a CON for usefulness.

Posted by :  Debbie Carter