Hi there.

I just bought a Nicetex Learning Remote Control NE-362. ([Link: b2s.com]). It's pissing me off. I don't know if anyone has this remote but I thought perhaps the problems I'm having are similar to other universal learning remotes.

I programmed my VCR and it works brilliantly. No problems there. However, when it comes to the TV ([Link: lge.com.au]) it won't work right. It has problems doing the same thing twice, right after each other. For example, I teach it to mute. The NE-362 tells me it has successfully programmed it in. I press mute on it and the TV mutes. Fine. But when I press mute again it won't unmute. I have to press something else THEN press mute to get it to mute. You might not think this isn't a big deal, but when you also apply that to not being able to press channel up twice, go to the second AV Input or bring up and take down Picture-in-Picture without having to tediously press another random button inbetween, it really annoys me. Has anyone had a similar problem?

Also of note, I have tried repeatedly teaching the RC the same commands, taken it away from the TV source, and even taught a secondary normal (not learning) universal RC my LG TV commands and then used that to teach the NE-362. The same problem: it won't do two things consecutively. The problem, I suppose, is that either the controller won't send two of the same IR commands right after each other (why the HELL not?) or the TV won't accept the same IR command right after each other (which it does for the original remote control and that other universal I tried, and the NE-362 is obviously just emulating the signal sent from these controllers, so I don't get that either). Can anyone relate to these symptoms or tell me why the hell such a stupid thing is happening?

I blew my budget on this RC and I don't know if the shop will accept a refund. So I really want to work out how to over come this problem and why it's happening in the first place. Is this Nicetext RC simply incompatible with my brand TV? Is there interference? Or is this some kind of advanced LG locking system to prevent third party remotes from cooperating with their television?

Thanks for anyone who can provide insight for me.
Cheers. Ed.

see if they'll take it back, and get a Home Theater Master MX-500 instead

http://www.hometheatermaster.com

It could be the protocol that the LG TV uses. I have a Philips TV and I have the same problem. It's due to the Philips RC-5 protocol which (if I'm correct) sends two different codes each time something is pressed. Try learning the MUTE command on 2 different keys. Press one key to MUTE and then press the other. If I am correct and it works like my remote, the second key should unMUTE it. I know this doesn't help you much, but it'll at least track down the problem.

I have a JP1 capable remote, so I was able to observe the learned signals and program in the correct ones so that it was all working.

I suggest getting rid of the remote if it doesn't do what you want, and there is no user support online for it. Either get the HTM remote or one of the cheap JP1-able remotes from RS. Heaps of people have them, and thus you'll be able to get the assistance you require.