Any ideas - i need a remote - preferable no LCD screen - that would be good for older people. You know, big button and not to many of them. I need to control a 30" lcd, DVD and VCR. Thats it.

There is no remote without an LCD screen that is good for old people. Doesn't exist. Sorry, but that's my honest opinion.

Trying to sell ANYTHING but a Crestron or AMX system to most old people is *almost* always nothing but a nightmare. IMO :-).

Most learning remotes will probably be fine here. even though there are a lot of unwanted butons, it only takes a little while for the user to develop a tactile feel for the buttons required to control his or her equipment. I agree that there is definitely a need for a large button, kind of remote for people with vision impairment. They make phones with buttons that are an inch square for dialing. why not a remote

It DOES exist, I sold one off our rack the other day, but I didn't pay attention to the manufacturer, but it was big, the buttons were big, like 1" by 1" each! and they were backlit. (Basic universal remote with one big row of function keys on top. I know exactly what you are looking for. Ill get back with you soon. Hang tight.
[Link: seniorshops.com]

I've had the best luck with the SL9000 for my older clients.

But it's become more than a bit outdated, and won't even learn the codes for a LOT of newer devices.

Maybe the Harmony?

What is wrong with either Philips or Marantz remotes?
If you know what you are doing with these, just program larger buttons. Most "older" clients aren't looking for all the buttons, they just want to be able to turn things on, ch+/- vol +/- and the very basic functions.

That remote loses the IR codes if the batteries go dead and isn't even capable of macros. It may have big buttons, but that's about it :-).

Yes! That's the remote I was thinking of too. I also can't remember the name, but it's senior citzen friendly, forsure. It is a very basic remote, with the functionallity of any other $10 remote. Questron or AMX would be more flexable.

Questron

I am on a Questron to find a remote for these elederly folks.

Lol, okay, I can't splell worth sh*t. I'm really tired.

I have found that RF remotes are a requirement for old people.

It doesn't matter how many times you yell them to point the SOB at the TV when hitting the 'power up' button, then still won't do it.

Maybe a 'Weemote' for them... heh

I hope you don't "yell" at our beloved seniors! ATTENTION SENIORS THAT READ THIS THREAD: The y is right next to the t on your keyboard. Check it out before you take offense.

There is no segment of the population that is struggling more with technology than our seniors. Most of them, being depression era adults or children, would have a heart attack on the spot if we told them what a good remote control costs.

Find that darn large button thingy.

I don't think that's necessarily the case. Even the older clients will typically point the remote at the TV when they want it to turn on.

If you have a DVD, VCR, Satellite or Cable box and you use a tabletop IR receiver mounted on top of the TV, you'll usually get the job done for them. Between that and a good strong remote, there should be no problems.

Even with the old SL-9000 I would "dumb it down" by inserting codes that did nothing on most of the buttons, so the user could't make some silly mistake.

Freedy, That remote looks a lot better than the phone my great Aunt used to have. great link!!

For my 2 cents I'll recommend the Niles Intellicontrol. Its BIG, Its RF, Its Programmable, ok it has small Menu and Guide buttons, but you can always program them on something else if you really need to. Let's face it, the majority of the time it's turn it on, change the channel or press play and change the volume. And you can use the extra buttons for the stations they watch the most.