This is the one thing that every manufacture did that really pisses me off

[@jeremiefaucher-goulet3365]

Makes me wish there was an archive online of IR codes. Just like we do for manuals, floppies, CDs, etc. People would just contribute by recording patterns for each button of their OEM remote.

[@dougbrowning82]

There is an outfit out of Florida that does custom remotes to replace lost or broken OEM units. You just input the make and model of the device the remote is for, and the site finds the appropriate remote for you to order. I believe it's called Electronic Adventures, or something like that.

[@andrew_koala2974]

There is one problem here also - and that is such that many 'House Label brands - and even the more common low cost brands use one of the five TV manufacturers in CHINA - where a particular device - such as a TV will have the same model number and appearance - yet use a different motherboard and a different RC { Remote Control } with totally different CODES. So even when one purchases a replacement RC for a specific model device -- there is no guarantee that the RC will function correctly with that device --- and for those that are not aware of this - it leads them to false assumption that the RC is in some way faulty. Either the RC will not control the device -or- the buttons have functions that do not correspond to the label. ^^ With the lower price devices it is advisable to purchase a RC that has pre-programmed codes of various devices ( though NOT all devices are represented) -or- purchase a ' RC ' that can be user-programmed by reading the codes off of the original RC. I have a few boxes full of Remote Controls - either found by the roadside among dumped household goods placed there for Local Government collection - during clean-up days -or- RC's that were found at Trash-&-Treasure markets and Garage Sales. Useful for technicians -- However cataloging and storing the RC's and then searching for them when needed - is often time-consuming ---- something that common people fail to understand the complexity of it and time-resources that have a value.

[@jeremiefaucher-goulet3365]

@@andrew_koala2974 That's a difficulty, not a problem. That just increases the number of remotes that will need to be recorded. A simple analogy: Think of universal remotes that have you try multiple codes for the same brand until you find one that works. And yes sometimes none works. No database is ever complete and absolutely exhaustive. It takes time to gather data.

[@So1]

The closet thing i could really think of is zaza remote

[@winstonsmith478]

GE Backlit Universal Remote Control model 48843 $10.46 shipped. Easily programmed for a device via a huge table of multidigit numeric codes in a Device type/brand table. Bought one because I couldn't stand the tiny and badly arranged remote for my new Blu-ray player.

[@hugh007]

I've checked for functioning IR remotes by pointing them at my cellphone camera lens. The image should blink when a button is pushed.

[@EastAngliaUK]

yep I do this

[@Dis_Dude_Ben]

I just look at the sensor when there’s a faint or dim red light which I can see.

[@MrChrisRP]

Extremely surprised the batteries leaked after you said you used the remote, "about a month ago." DIdn't expect that one! I am at that point in the video. Now, I am waiting to discover what you are going to show and tell about the "planned obsolescence" angle of things. Very cool video so far.

[@12voltvids]

Both of them still were showing a charge on the volt meter.

[@speedyboishan87]

​@@12voltvidsHi i have a Panasonic VCR i repaired the tapes in SP and LP were playing back fine, now tapes in SP mode the picture is garbled tapes in LP playback fine, cleaned the heads no difference what could be the issue, Thnx

[@12voltvids]

@@speedyboishan87 sp and lp/slp use different heads. Could be a worn out sp head.

[@speedyboishan87]

@@12voltvids is that fixable a worn SP head i have replaced the heads and they playback SP, LP, EP tapes back fine.

[@utubeuser1024]

This happens more often than you think. If I get a remote control/mouse/clock/other low power device with alkaline batteries in it, I'll IMMEDIATELY bin them and replace them with my trusty Eneloops. I've been using Eneloop batteries since 2008 and NOT ONE of them has EVER leaked.

[@airplaneengine]

I use inexpensive rechargeable NiCd and NiMH solar light AA batteries in my remotes. Less likely to leak, and with the remotes being low drain, the batteries typically last well over a year before they need to be recharged, even factoring self-discharge. The solar light NiCd batteries I'm using are getting old (must be 12-15 years old) and are starting to self-discharge faster, I don't see those in stores much anymore, it's all NiMH now. The rechargeable AAA batteries I'm using are Ikea "LADDA" NiMH's, they last a long time and have very low self-discharge rates.

[@12voltvids]

We have Dollarama here they sell sunbeam branded nimh AA cell. 3.00 for a 4 pack is a pretty good deal. They last a long time in remotes.

[@KAPTKipper]

This is why I loved my Harmony remote, that they now longer make. Even my old S4 had a universal IR app and the hardware IR

[@Shadepariah]

The Sofabaton U1 has been a good success for me.

[@coyote_den]

@@Shadepariah They have the X1 now that aims to do the same thing as the Harmony Hub. Wifi/BT, IR blasters, integration with all the IoT platforms, etc. Seems far less polished (and rather poorly translated to English) than Logitech but at least they are not discontinued.

[@coyote_den]

No longer made but still fully supported. If you have the Hub (and used ones are available rather cheaply) you can still set up devices/activities and use the smartphone apps or integrate it with home automation platforms. I've had the Harmony Ultimate for years, at this point the remote is half-eaten by my dogs and at one point they completely crunched the hub so I had to replace it, but the setup process still works fine. Recently got it working in Apple's HomeKit using homebridge so I can just tell my phone what I want to do or use automations.

[@angryshoebox]

The cabinet is finished in mid-2000's silver ;-). I'd forgotten about the DVD R/RW + and - formats from back then.

[@83Roboto]

Years ago I picked up a RCA branded DVD recorder. The weird thing about it was that in order to cut costs they put a mono TV tuner in the unit instead of stereo. Which made no sense at all.

[@12voltvids]

Many did that. I have an LG same. Mono tuner. To have MTS they need to pay a royalty to dbx so once the migration to digital was underway I guess they considered that an expense they didn't want as many would be using it with cameras and stuff for archiving. I have a couple of Toshiba units that don't even have a tuner

[@Tomsonic41]

I regularly work with backing up VHS recordings to digital format, and when looking for a VCR I always try to find one that comes with an original remote, or one that I already have a remote for (perhaps the same model as the one that died but the remote still works). The reason is that many VCRs will go into an auto setup mode when first powered up, where it tries to tune in analog channels and set the clock. Without the remote, there's no way to get out of this screen! I currently have two Sanyo VCRs, only one of which has a remote. The remote WILL operate the second VCR so I can get out of the auto setup mode, but I can't do anything like index search, manual tracking adjustment or resetting the tape counter without the proper remote for that VCR.

[@12voltvids]

Very true. Penny pinching manufactures with all the functions on the remote. My old Sony beta I can do everything on the front panel. No remote required.

[@mickeythompson9537]

In the UK, supermarket own-brand batteries leak the least: the supermarkets don't want their name associated with your dead gear. Duracell (the worst) and co don't care; they've got a multi-million-dollar advertising campaign going to tell you they're the best.

[@GGigabiteM]

Same isn't true here in the states unfortunately. I've tried basically all of the local store brands, and if they don't leak, they have stupid low capacity and don't last long. The price difference isn't all that different either between them and the name brands. I've just stopped buying non-rechargeable batteries entirely where I can, and get rechargeables. They're way more expensive, but pay for themselves in just a few recharge cycles and last years. I have some rechargeable batteries that are 5-10 years old and still hold a useful charge and haven't leaked.

[@12voltvids]

I have had great luck with Panasonic batteries. They are one of the largest battery manufactures in the world. Them and LG make the majority of the batteries in electric vehicles. Panasonic makes the cells for Tesla for example. Even the gigafactory uses Panasonic cells.

[@bobsoft]

I stock up on Ikea rechargeable whenever I am in the area of a store. Have many kids toys and other devices that have caused too many surprises when opening up the battery cover.

[@AudioGuyBrian]

I have found Eveready Batteries leak way less than Duracell or Rayovac batteries do. Not sure why, but they are better sealed.

[@nathanmoak1515]

they sure left a lot of room in that box. i wonder if a different model had an extra mechanism. i went through several lite-on computer drives when making dvds. years ago i bought a unit that recorded dvd from vhs. it used +r/rw only and had to be finalized. it is a govideo brand and cost $250. my computer used -r/rw only.

[@12voltvids]

Standard size box so it fits in with other components in the stack.

[@plan7a]

I believe you can access the 'Disc Menu' by going back one from the 'Titles Menu' (the you were on); maybe pressing up or back a few times? Or maybe selecting 'remaining space' title (as opposed to the 'recorded' title) and then pressing OK. Because selecting 'recorded title' should bring up a sub-menu with options for the titles, going back from that should allow access to the 'Disc Menu', with finalize, unfinalize, format, etc. As 'simple' to use as a calculator they aren't. (LOL). You can but try!

[@davidbutler8096]

LOL...Model number, with the C Plus...reminded me of high school. Anybody else watch this whole video and you're still trying figure out the title?

[@12voltvids]

Yes I remember C+ but it was an orange drink with vitamin C. In school I never got c=, my grades were mostly B and A and a few C- on crap like social studies. Could have cared less what happened 200 years ago.

[@TempestPilot-kv3hn]

Good thing you have skills to repair !

[@garbleduser]

Doesn't the MyHarmony PC software allow button customization? There are a bunch of buttons available in the software for my amp that are not installed on my remote by default. I had to manually assign some of the functions I needed..

[@12voltvids]

Need original remote to learn them. I may have a line on an original. Don't know if it's the right one. If I can acquire it I will test.

[@Marco-id9in]

Hi, i have a sony slv-d930 dvd-vcr combo, image of vhs in playback is shacky in about lower half of image and a smaller part on top. Heads are clean. Any ideas what's the cause? Thanks

[@12voltvids]

Have you checked the alignment of the tape guides?

[@JerryEricsson]

I found an old Motorola AM radio that took 4 D cells that had leaked. Damn D cells are getting spendy considering they are made for flashlights of old. So I cleaned it up, hooked it to my power-supply and it worked great on 5 volts. So I had some batteries from an old cell phone that broke and I replaced, I added a little charger, just glued it to the battery then hooked a little boost board that boosted the 3.4 volts up to 5 and the radio works pretty good for local stations, however the boost converter puts out some high frequency noise that the antenna picks up very well and sounds horrid on the radio. I am thinking that I will put the converter into an aluminum case that I have about the right size and perhaps that will quiet it down. Alternately I am considering adding another 3.4 volt cell and running it through a 7806 to drop it down to the proper voltage. Could be that the radio might run on 8 volts but I would be afraid of blowing some old part with the over voltage. Perhaps a couple of diodes in line to drop it down would do the job as well.

[@12voltvids]

Just get a 4 AA holder and wire that in then you can run 4 AA NiMh or alkaline.

[@MIK33EY]

I had to chuck out my Apple Magic Trackpad because of Energizer batteries leaking - the batteries that Apple supplied in the box. I didn’t know they were leaking until the day the trackpad stopped working and I tried removing the batteries only to find that they had leaked and fused themselves inside the compartment. How it was still working up till then has baffled me.

[@12voltvids]

In the old days batteries didn't leak till they were long dead. Now they least when they have 90% charge so they are still working as they are doing their job ruining the device.

[@elektron2kim666]

There was a lot of ding-nots to prevent recording except a few signals from the beginning. It's horrific as a subject.

[@12voltvids]

Only a few signals here were protected from recording and signals that could not be recorded to dvd-r could be recorded to DVD ram, DVD-rw in VR more and DVD +rw just the write once were blocked.

[@philipandrew1626]

USB data recovery can sometimes be achieved by running a software tool like SpinRite on Level 2 recovery.

[@12voltvids]

Some times but video files are usually corrupt enough that they won't play.

[@sinanb3692]

A shame that batteries still leak. I have a remote from a VCR from 1987 and the batteries inside were the first pair of batteries and they didn't leak at all after 35 years inside the remote!

[@12voltvids]

New batteries are made to be recycled and are pretty thin.

[@t0nito]

A phone with an IR blaster does wonders.

[@rennethjarrett4580]

Ah the need for the right remote to access the functions, yes that is a issue. Most people that have cable TV or a dish and a universal remote will loose or throw out their original remotes or park them in a drawer and then the batteries rot them out, when they need them for some operation, they are dead.. I partly blame our society, a throw it away society, and the universal remote MFG's to do it all, but really it is maybe all but really with many limitations. The CD door/drawer getting stuck is often a old belt that has a stiff loop in it from setting in one position for too long. Replace the door/drawer belt and the problem should be gone. The other problem I have found with the ones with a built in 5 channel sound system is that the cooling is not enough and the sound amp chips burn out. Add another laptop cooling system under the unit and be sure it is open enough to breath and it should not die, or find a better cooling solution for that area inside the unit..

[@hussssshie]

i had a IEKEI dvd growing up pretty similar to this, i believe the same firmware. i lost the remote and one day i started pushing keys in combinations with the 4 buttons it had (play, stop, rew, fwd) and found a way to even access and navigate the menus. either way all these dvd were complete junk in more ways than one i dont think its worth saving them at all

[@videogamepolak0]

wow lol yeah i remember the + vs - disc types, i have one of these recorded units and it only does one not both

[@soctechtv]

Great skills thank you for sharing

[@41bonus]

I have an old 8mm sony tape recorder I've been wanting to view my old 8mm tapes but the play back is weird... do you have a website? Do you repair for costumers?

[@12voltvids]

I do repairs. No web site. Email is in about tab

[@41bonus]

@12voltvids I couldn't find it! Is it possible you could write it down here? I just seen your paypal and patreon

[@12voltvids]

@@41bonus doesn't show on phone. Need to use browser. It is there. I don't put in comments to stop web crawlers from spamming.

[@chad2787]

Those USB flash drives, especially the cheap ones, suffer from bit rot if not periodically powered up. The internal controller periodically refreshes the cells. If this is not done regularly, the cells in flash chip lose their charge, corrupting the data. I've had good luck over the years with the Sandisk USB drives. The hold time should be several years but I've seen the cheapies start losing dara in a matter of months.

[@zx8401ztv]

My friend had a lite On unit, it worked well.. then 5 years later it just stopped dead!. No obvious reason, all the typical faults were not present.

[@w8lvradio]

Which size variac do you use and recommend? 73 DE W8LV BILL

[@12voltvids]

Whatever you need. Mine is 500 watts I believe.

[@stangaloski4208]

I just trashed a $300 thermostat because energizer batteries leaked all over the circuit board.

[@CT-vm4gf]

I’ve replaced all alkaline batteries with rechargeables from IKEA to save any more expensive electronics being destroyed.

[@12voltvids]

All these modern batteries leak, usually when they are still working. China crap.

[@catsbyondrepair]

​@@12voltvids never seen one battery leak

[@12voltvids]

@@catsbyondrepair i have new batteries still sealed in the package with a use by 2028 date that are leaking.

[@Elektrotechniker]

@@12voltvidsyou should get Varta Batteries, I have never had one leak on me! Give them a try!

[@mrjsv4935]

After watching this video, went and inspected all my remote controller batteries, no leaks this time. Only one of them have Energizer batteries, but I've had prematurely leaking batteries from other brands as well. I just wonder how the remote controllers are always missing, or maybe people give away the device itself, but keep the remote controller, and sell it, knowing how important it is in order to actually use the device?

[@12voltvids]

Remote worth more than device to someone desperate to find one to replace the one the dog ate.

[@donbest5024]

New tvs are impossible to use without remote,found a few tvs on side of road,works perfectly,no remote.Only function on tvs is power button and channel up down.

[@uvisionproductions]

Sorry to bother you I looked all over KZbin and couldn't find a video with this issue on a Sony J-3 betacam deck. The tape busted in the machine and there is an alarm and it will not let me eject the tape is still seated in the machine but I'm not sure how to manually raise the tape up and then be able to take the tape out

[@Synthematix]

Well they probably thought people that used remote controls would be too lazy to get of their chairs and press buttons on the front of the unit

[@Synthematix]

And yes, these companies are there to make money like any other, not a shocker really

[@MrPlain_]

I've had a packet of duracel batteries leak in the packet before expiry, I hold them to their warranty now and get my money back directly from these dodgy battery manufacturers

[@EdgarsLS]

At least you get a nice VFD out of it.

[@markmarkofkane8167]

I use the same solution(s) to clean battery contacts.

[@XMguy]

Why I don’t like devices where all functionality can’t be accessed on the device itself.

[@12voltvids]

Don't we all.

[@StuffJason437]

So much wasted space inside that machine too!.

[@12voltvids]

To be fair they are made a certain size so they fit with other components. If they were dinky little boxes nobody would buy them.

[@dnhman1]

"I'm avoiding the woman"......🤣 Thanks Dave

[@12voltvids]

She calls and leaves me messages. A few years ago she called and said she could not play the USB stick and brought it back. I stood there in the driveway with my laptop plugged it in and it played fine. She said it wouldn't play on her computer and at that time i suggested makkng a physical copy only 5.00 for each disk so she had a backup. She again declined. I have not gotten the USB stick back to try to read it again because her messages have been rather rude. I showed her the viseo playing when she picked it up and then about 2 years later when she said it would play i played it for her with vlc suggested her computer was the problem (these were standard .mp4 files) and offered to make a disk backup for her on the spot if she wanted to wait or she could come back. Said she no longer has any way to play disks so they would do her no good. She actually gave me all her old blank DVDs that she said she had no use for as they tossed everything that could play a disk including a disk that had her daughter's wedding on it which I just tossed. Hope she backed that up. Have had it with this Karen. Gave me a spindle of 100 disks and about 60 had stuff on them just garbage like TV shows and crap that went straight into the bin.

[@ianforfun1]

Remote dependency is a problem for sure. I hate it and will not take anything in for repair without one of these cheap modern rubbish items that work until the guarantee runs out.

[@MrChrisRP]

Is that the MPEG chip, the big one, right behind the drive? Just wondering.

[@12voltvids]

Yes

[@jeremiefaucher-goulet3365]

What amazes me is how empty it looks inside. There's just no need to make these units so big.

[@12voltvids]

Except that is was designed to fit in with other 17" wide component

[@jeremiefaucher-goulet3365]

@@12voltvids I never realized it was much of a standard considering I never had two components exactly the same width. There was always one slightly wider.

[@12voltvids]

@@jeremiefaucher-goulet3365 17" was the standard size. All mine are the same width.

[@YouTube4Rudy]

How did you record CNN since cable is all digital now?

[@DGTelevsionNetwork]

Some places still deliver clear QAM

[@12voltvids]

Cable box has analog outputs

[@cars654]

I try to replace all my remote batteries once a year.

[@12voltvids]

Some don't even last a year.

[@pauldionne2884]

I have better luck with Energizer than Duracell as far as leaking goes.

[@gordonwelcher9598]

How can people trust irreplaceable data to just one device and not even test if it works? At least she kept the 8mm tapes. How often do people lose all their photos when their phone is lost or broken.

[@12voltvids]

You can't fix stupid.

[@EastAngliaUK]

I have one like this but its a sony it has a hdd so you can edit to before putting it onto a disc but it's not a hd one but ok to use on smaller tvs.

[@12voltvids]

I have a Sony too with hdd. Got it for free years ago. Had to spend 80 for the frickin remote for that one.

[@EastAngliaUK]

@@12voltvids f what I have just picked up for free a massive Panasonic 50v20b tv its powered all up no marks on screen.

[@ejonesss]

you should not get copyright strike unless it is a movie you are playing. i doubt that youtube reads blue screens and tv snow. even then if you do get a strike you can always take the video to patreon who does not have the same copyright system and neither does many of the other alternatives. and so what if you are not able to monetize we would be happy and more than willing to pay for patreon to make up for what you lose on youtube.

[@DGTelevsionNetwork]

Real men use Pronto remotes from that era hahaha

[@Ichijoe2112]

Mr. Pandantic here, but @5:55 shouldn't that be MPEG 1, and or 2, instead of MPG? MPEG (Motion Picture Experts Group), not so far removed from that other notorious *peg the Joint Picture Exports Group) Meanwhile MPG seems to suggest Miles per Gallon.

[@12voltvids]

File extensions are limited to 3 characters. Mpg, mp1, mp2, mp3 mp4 mov Avi ect.

[@andrew_koala2974]

CORRECTED TITLE This is the one thing that every manufacturer did that really pisses me off NOT This is the one thing that every manufacture did that really pisses me off ^ manufacturer { noun } not manufacture { verb ) NO thumbs up for you

[@tall_dude1233]

Ok, how is your cellphone bill so cheap?

[@12voltvids]

Simple, no subsidized phones. I get a discount on my phone bill as employee but only my phone otherwise it would be the same as the phone my wife uses. When you supply your own phone and do not fall for the great deal on the latest greatest phone there is room to work with the plan. I did however pay 1200 for my phone 5 years ago and am still using the same phone. Wifes LG died and of course the shop says hey we can get you you a new phone for 80 bucks a month on the "tab" No thanks, whats the cheapest phone you got. Motorola for 240, great I'll take it thanks. Put my sim card in and good to go. What people don't understand is that fancy phone is as much as 2500.00 these days. Even when company is selling it for 500, the balance is paid back over the duration of the term. Used to be 3 years here but people pressured government and they forced companies to reduce the term to 2 years so now phone has to be paid back 1 year sooner, so bills went up. Supply your own phone and there are deals to be had. We both only get 3 gigs a month data which for people that live on their phone is probably not enoough but I have never even gotten close to 3 gigs. Most I ever did in 1 month was 2.1. These are old plans, and grandfathered into the rate plan unless I change plans. Cell stores try like hell to get me to change because they make big commission to sign people up. Know this when you walk in.

[@naanabsoj]

Still $33 for only 3Gb seems expensive compared to prices in Europe.

[@naanabsoj]

@@ACommenterOnKZbin unlimited talk/data would probably set you back €25/month in NL.

[@tall_dude1233]

@@naanabsoj It's cheap for Canada that's for sure.

[@12voltvids]

@@naanabsoj Europe doesn't have the costs to operate and maintain a huge network. Have ant idea how big Canada is? This is what most people don't understand. All these cell sites thousands of them need to be powered and maintained. The 3 gig limit us not a hard cap, it just slows down at 3 gigs to 3g speeds.

[@catsbyondrepair]

YOU JUST VOIDED THE WARRANTY WHAT A BOOB LMFAO