CED VideoDisc and Player Discussion

[Rixrex]

I just picked upa CRK-42A command center remote with 7 visible device buttons and one hidden underneath for the CED players. You can see the info about why that button was hidden here:

http://www.cedmagic.com/misc/tv-movies/tv-movies.html

Anyway, does anyone know how to program the device buttons on this remote, and/or the codes? It's programmable because there's a door to acces the program set buttons.

Or has anyone tried to install the missing button on this remote to operate the CED player hidden button from the front panel?

[Jesse Skeen]

It's actually not programmable- it only works with RCA components. The buttons under the cover are for programming in TV channels and setting the clock. We got an RCA TV with one of these remotes in 1985 but with a JVC VCR because they were better, so we had this big remote with half of the buttons useless. The TV died a long time ago but I think they still have the remote; I have a 400 player coming so if that's missing the remote I'll try to get this one to work.
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Videodisc and stereo sound- there's no better value around!

[Rixrex]

I thought it might be for RCA stuff only but there's an AUX button, so that led me to believe that it is somehow programmable, at least for the auxillary button. There's no other way to use such a button, at least not that I can think of.

I already have a nice 36" RCA TV in a second room, and a RCA VCR, and CED 400 & would like to put an RCA or Proscan LD player there too if I can figure out how to get this remote to accept LD code.

I read up about a little bit later RCA model remote that was programmed by pressing play then pressing and holding the device button while putting in a four number code from a list.

Anyway, it seems to me that there ought to be a way to access the hidden CED button with some sort of rewiring to another button maybe? Or retrofitting a button?

[Rixrex]

Okay, I figured out how to adapt this remote to add the SJT/SKT 400 function.

The remote actually comes apart easily, all small phillips screws and no snap joints to accidentally break. Once you take it apart, you'll see a window for the CED button that is hidden by the thin cover panel. You can cut the window out using sharp Xacto know or similar pointed blade.

Then you have to get an old standard RCA remote from the thrift store fo $1 or so just to get a right-sized button to use. You cut out the button you pick and glue it on the pad with some good rubber cement or contact cement. The put it all together and you have a button for CED function on the remote. You just have to pick a button that has a symbol on it you will always recognize, like a red button or a number 4 button, or whatever.

Alternately, you can use a round dowel, wood or plastic and drill a hole same size in the face plate. Then cut the right length of dowel to match other buttons and glue it in place. Paint it with a little nail polish for whatever color you like. The fact that it's round will make it stand out from the other buttons.

I think these remotes are probably available cheaper than the regular SJT/SKT remotes. I see them for $15 refurbished, but then I also see the CRK35a dimensia remote with the CED button still on it available for just $20 too.

But I still cannot figure out what the auxilliary button is for and how to set it up, any ideas?

[Jesse Skeen]

Until I heard about the hidden button, I thought the "AUX" button WAS for the CED player. There's some controls like "PAGE" which would only be used with a CED player, so odd that they would include those but hide the button to make them work. Though the players were discontinued by the time this remote came out, they would still be making discs for another year.

I think Memorex made the first programmable remote so you could use one remote for everything, but I've never seen one that could really replace all regular remotes. We had the Memorex one and it didn't have enough memory to program a function for every button on it! Pre-programmed ones you can get now always leave at least one important button off- My Pioneer DVD player had a seldom-used button that you could use to change region codes after a player modification, but universal remotes never included that. Most ones now don't even include the Audio, Angle and Subtitle buttons, which for me are essential.
_________________
Videodisc and stereo sound- there's no better value around!

[Rixrex]

Yeah, I hate the system where most stuff is on the remote and very little available on the player if you don't have the remote. It ought to be a law that all functions are available on the device as well as the remote, but then they'd lose all that extra income selling more remotes and universal remotes.

I see countless DVD players at thrift stores, yard sales, swap meets, etc, that won't sell because there's no remote. They practically have to give them away. Everybody says, No remote, no thanks!