> I'd like to know what you prefer. Cinema6 and 7s have unique shapes
> for each group of buttons. The numbers buttons are shaped like
> numbers. The transport buttons resemble transport symbols, etc.. Some
> remotes have all the buttons the same, with only the printing changing
> to identify the function of the button. I prefer the Cinema6/7
> approach. With some practice, I've gotten to where I can identify what
> button I'm pressing even in complete darkness. Of course, with any
> sort of backlight darkness would not be an issue. What do you prefer,
> and why? Dave

I think the unique number and transport key shapes are the best
approach to RC's (one of 1000 reasons why I hate the ugly Radio Shack
remotes). The best way to operate a remote, light or dark, is by feel
(like a typewriter/computer keyboard), so you teach your fingers where
the preferred buttons are without having to think about looking for
them. If you have to visually identify a button, such as with
buttonless remotes (ie. Pronto, Marantz, Rotel, Sony, etc), or if your
fingers get confused about what's under them, I believe the remote is
seriously flawed. Multiply all the times you have to push a button
with all the times you have to look at the unit to do so, and you'll
have an idea of how much time you're wasting, and that is time in your
life that you will never get back, I'm sorry to say.

I have a Magnavox SmartTalk that actually lets you operate your remote
by talking to it (it has no number keys...), but the One For All
designs are a hell of a lot more practical than this approach. The
OFA's are, from all that I have seen, the best designed remotes on the
market. Of course, I could do a LOT better than them, so they
certainly are not near perfect!

As far as lighting goes, well they can put a vehicle on Mars, maybe
one day some genius will come up with a way to make phosphorous key
stenciling glow well in the dark without having to stick it under a
light first. That would be the best approach. Until then, I do think a
luminescent backlight is a good addition to even a well designed
remote, as long as you can completely turn it off via programming (if
it gets turned off by a key, it will eventually get turned on again
when you don't want, from accidental presses).

And if you don't have a lighted remote like the a/v Producer 8, and
are stuck with the non-lighted Cinema 7 (ie. you're a Canadian who
just found out they don't sell them in Canada...), hey all is not
lost. If you're into souping up your remotes, I'm sure you can always
find some creative way to stick a tiny flashlight, say a itty bitty
widdy teeny weeny tiny winy booklight, at the top of your remote and
click it on when you need the light. Didn't get a clock with your Cin
7 either? Hey no problem. Take the module out of a cheap LCD watch,
stick it on the side. Now you've got an $80 remote for the price of a
$20 remote. Who could ask for anything more?