Aug 08
I managed to get my hands on the award winning (for design and performance) One For All Kameleon 5 remote control.
It's designed to take the place of your infrared remote controls for your TV, VCR, satellite, cable converter, media centres, AMP & TUN (audio systems), laser disc player, digital audio tape, cassette recorders and DVD players.
It also has the ability to control your light switches too by further purchasing the One For All Light Control(TM) Starter Kit HC-8300 (which we didn't for the purposes of this review)
So, did it do what it was supposed to do I hear you cry? Well, it did the TV and satellite system with ease. The instruction manual was a synch (well I never) though we couldn't find the code for the Naim DVD player or get the Bang and Olufsen surround sound system linked in immediately either.
Naturally I looked up customer services. You have the option to call them (at a whopping 50p a minute charge), or email. So I went all-out and did both.
Firstly their automated phone system didn't recognise the device I had so I couldn't proceed. Clearly I thought it was my error until I tried another three times and thought otherwise (grrrr!).
Nevertheless upon emailing my dilemma to their customer services department I had a customer services representative call me in a flash. She apologised for the telephone automated service error and assured me it would be fixed by the end of the week. She was also very courteous, helpful, patient (thankfully) and knowledgeable, and proceeded to help me directly over the phone.
What did I like about the remote?
The remote control is robust looking, larger than your average remote control (small dainty handed people may require the use of both hands to operate it), has lovely illuminated touch panel display screen which can be motion activated and is framed in brushed aluminium. There is also an unusual curved ridge which runs down the underside of the control which conveniently stops it from falling between the sofa cushions (though somehow I don't think this was designed for that intention) but it's an added bonus.
As mentioned above it was relatively easy to set up for a couple of the devices even though it seems to have added to my remote control collection rather than significantly reduce it because I'm unable to link it into all my systems and all their functions.
For the systems/functions I can operate through the remote it's easy to run because I know how I've set it up. I know where I've put my 'Learning' features (which means you can copy almost any function of your current remote across to a chosen key on the Kameleon 5) but it does mean my boyfriend and guests don't and it certainly won't be obvious to them... (please see 'Annoyances' below)
The Kameleon 5 also has an easy-to-use Macro feature which allows you activate several commands with the press of a button. For example you may want to switch off your TV, DVD, satellite and audio system all in on go as you head to bed or leave the house which is handy.
What Annoyances did I have?
With all this funky technology it's still necessary for me to remember where I am saving my Learning keys which unless I use them regularly I may forget. I showed the remote control to my boyfriend who didn't take to it. He too missed the usual function buttons on the original remotes which were missing on this one, (including an "off" or "Power Off" button displayed for your using your TV - which seems crazy to me and should be there as standard). He also had trouble remembering where I had placed the 'Learning' features (as he would have placed them elsewhere if he was programming the remote, naturally. So that's my guests twiddling-their-fingers and scratching their heads too then).
I'm still unable to link in my surround sound system as this may use extended frequencies which the Kameleon 5 is not adapted for, and my Naim DVD player is still not responding to the remote to which I need to speak to customer services about again.
Ultimately I'd like to be able to type in abbreviations or choose icons for buttons which are blank so that I can match them to the Learning keys as this would go a long way to making the device make more sense to more than just one user.
With all this said, this is the sort of gadget device I'll keep my eye on because when they iron out these wrinkles it will be great as a present to myself and my friends. The other good news is that this device can be upgraded via phone or internet so as technology advances and new home entertainment brands enter the market place this impressive looking remote shouldn't become obsolete.
Available online and from for around £35.