Stuck in the dark ages!

July 24, 2006 7:06 PM

I cant program my universal remote

I have this Motorola DCT2500 cable box through adelphia but i no longer have the remote control. I have this Panasonic remote control, model #EUR7603Z10. My problem is i cant find a remote code to program the box into my panasonic remote. please can anyone bring me out of the dark ages?

posted by dieguido to Technology (10 answers total)

If your cable box was produced after the remote, then there's a good chance the remote won't work with your cable box. If the remote was a learning remote, you could teach it using the cable box's remote, but it sounds like that particular one can't learn new codes.

So I think you're out of luck. I've ran into this problem a few times and solved it by getting a learning remote control.
posted by todbot at 7:44 PM on July 24, 2006

You might find your remote codes here
posted by A189Nut at 7:56 PM on July 24, 2006

Response by poster: I didnt think about the fact that the remote is older then the box. i tried the code search function to no avail. Thanks for your help.
posted by dieguido at 8:04 PM on July 24, 2006

Or buy a replacement for $25 here
posted by A189Nut at 8:05 PM on July 24, 2006

Learning remotes are fantastic, though. I picked one up at Kmart for less than $20 a while ago, and it has been the best thing I've done for my TV since getting a DVR.
posted by Rock Steady at 8:11 PM on July 24, 2006

Yes, but if he doesn't have the original, it can't learn? Though presumably a universal remote would have pre-sets for a mass market item like the Motorola anyway?
posted by A189Nut at 9:01 PM on July 24, 2006

The best universal remote I have is made by Logitech. Harmony series remotes have a web site which maintains codes for several devices. As long as you have a PC or MAC with a USB connection everything works as advertised. I now push one button to watch TV which turns on TV, digital cable box, and DVD/VCR (as well as one off button to turn everything off). All the buttons on your three remotes are programmed into this universal remote! I've added my home stereo in a box AV system as well as an extra DVD player. So this single universal remote now replaces five remotes! It has a learning function for devices not featured on the website. It is practically idiot proof since it has a help button to troubleshoot anything that may have gone wrong. I got mine for $39.99 plus shipping on a promotional deal that has since expired.
posted by plokent at 4:05 AM on July 25, 2006

haha, that just cracked me up plokent. i have a harmony and most of the time i want to throw it at things. that could be because i'm not using it properly or haven't set it up right, but often i find its activities/macros end up taking more time to complete than simply finding the old remote and pressing a button. plus the contacts on the charger are flimsy and it beeps (indicating disconnection) whenever anyone walks by it.
posted by Señor Pantalones at 2:04 PM on July 25, 2006

Good point A189Nut. Perhaps you have a friend/neighbor whose remote you can borrow? That reminds me, I always seem to accumulate cable company remotes as I upgrade/change service (I've got no less than 3 Comcast remotes, I think). Maybe ask around your social network to see if someone has a spare. Alternatively, try calling Adelphia and tell them your remote is broken. I bet they'll just mail you a new one without needing to recapture the "busted" one.
posted by Rock Steady at 4:06 PM on July 25, 2006

Señor Pantalones, my Logitech Harmony 628 doesn't require a charger, it only uses 4 AAA batteries. It seems that Amazon has them for sale at $44.88 shipped (cheaper than the Tiger Direct promotion offer). I'm buying another one to control the TV, digital cable box, DVD/VCR, DVD, and LD in my bedroom.
posted by plokent at 7:42 AM on July 26, 2006