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User reviews for the Denon Aktis RC-8000 from Denon Electronics.
Ratings
Reviews
MSRP (USD)
Average: 2.90/5.00 Median: 2.67/5.00
43
$449
The Denon Aktis RC-8000 is a touchscreen learning remote control with multi-direction joystick. It features an optional RF basestation, high-resolution backlit screen, control of up to 23 components and a USB port for PC connectivity.
The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.
Review 15 made on Friday December 22, 2000 at 1:59 AM.
Strengths:
RF Recharger base Hard Buttons USB Port
Weaknesses:
Large Hard to see screen Heavy Touch screen too insensitive Battery cover keeps popping off USB cover won't stay put
Review:
But, where is the software? Talk about rushing to market!!!
This remote could be pretty good if: I could create custom screens, it would learn my Pioneer Pro160 commands, program the joystick, change the duration of the command sent by one push of a button, use the USB port (Where's the software!?)
Otherwise, right now, it sucks.
Good example of how the lack of a few simple things can blow a potentially great product.
The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.
Review 14 made on Sunday December 17, 2000 at 8:32 PM.
Strengths:
Lots of functionality, RF capability, comes free with Denon 5800.
Weaknesses:
Current firmware makes it a lemon. Also, would benefit from the ability to explicitly create a "dashboard" screen of buttons, instead of always switching between devices for frequently used functions.
Review:
Pressing joystick no longer brings up the component menu, so it is stuck on the component it is on. Pressing the reset button and removing the batteries for hours has no effect. Prior reviews show I'm not the first to have this happen. While it has a USB port "for firmware upgrading", I would say it needs it and needs it now. Just happy it came with the receiver and I didn't pay for it "directly".
The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.
Review 13 made on Thursday November 30, 2000 at 3:46 PM.
Strengths:
RF capabilities, although not currently being used Programmable 'Hard Buttons' at the bottom of the unit The ability to control and program multiple components Large touch screen
Weaknesses:
Poor contrast adjustment and retention Sensitivity of touch screen No software available yet; makes programming tedious Most remotes had to be learned Poor manual Not much support from Denon
Review:
After programming and using the remote for a couple of weeks, there are a few problems I have encountered. After learning the remote from my Sony receiver, I found that certain commands do not work when programmed as a macro, even though they work from the remote page that was programmed. I will probably find there will be other components which will have a similar problem, once I program them. This kind of defeats paying the extra money for this unit. I also found that the contrast and backlighting was not the greatest in certain lighting and did not always retain their settings. I was constantly making adjustments, especially when I was programming the labels. Another problem I had was with the touch screen. At times, I had to enter the button two or three times before the function would take, even though I heard the audible 'beep' each time, indicating the button was pressed. Overall, I think Denon is on the right track, but I think they have a few things to work out. Once software is available, this may make this remote much better (we hope). For now, I will be taking the one I have back for a replacement, in hopes that I have a faulty unit, but I kind of think the issues I have are because of design flaws.
Quality:
Features:
Value:
Written by Cam Branch from Richmond, VA, USA (Installer).
The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.
Review 12 made on Wednesday November 8, 2000 at 11:24 PM.
Strengths:
-RF capability with base station. -Preprogrammed for most commonly available components. -Ties into any IR repeater system with base unit. -Additional IR codes can be readily added to preprogrammed component files to address functions not already present. -Can be taught codes for non preprogrammed components. -With Denon's AVR-5800 gives direct control for 3 seperate zone outputs. 3 different sources can be played in 3 different rooms at the same time. -Does not have easily accessable macros. (Yes this is a strength) -Can be set up without a computer. -Did I say RF capable?
Weaknesses:
-Not 100% intuitive. -Programming custom button names can be a bit tedious. (gets easier the more times you do it) -Manual could be better. -No software (not a real problem since the software will be available soon).
Review:
- I would like to say that this remote is not one that you can just sit down and use. It has to be learned (in much the same way that you had to learn how to use your new equipment when you first got it). This can take some time.....Speaking of time..... This is for the man with 3 doctorates Taking 3 days to learn a remote is much less time consuming than the time required to earn 3 doctorates (Unless you were a child Genious who blew through college at 10 years old). It also takes more than 3 days to learn how to use a computer with a windows type operating system, and the software (when available) will take some time to learn and get comfortable with
-I do Crestron remote systems and wish to state that the few hours it takes to set up the Actis is much less time consuming than the many hours that it takes to PROPERLY set up a Crestron system. (A complicated, Home theatre only, system can take up to a week or more)
ON TO MACROS. -Unless your remote system knows the power status of the components in your AV system then when you initiate a macro some components may operate out of sync with the rest of the system. Example: Lets say that you have a macro that turns on: the TV, the DVD player, an external 5.1 decoder, and your AV receiver. ---When the above mentioned macro is ---sent, if the TV and the AV receiver ---are already on, they will be sent ---their power toggles and be turned off ---(unless they have seperate power on ---and off commands) These are called "dumb macros" (as in no power status), and are not suitable for every system or every user.
Overall a well designed remote and a really great bonus piece included with the AVR-5800. (the 5800 also comes with the charger base as standard equipment)
The reviewer has used this remote control for 3-6 months.
Review 11 made on Wednesday November 8, 2000 at 3:29 PM.
Strengths:
Well, it's very rugged - I'm worriedly unafraid of dropping it, or for that matter throwing it against the wall (which I've been tempted to do many times. I'm also very impressed with the RF communication to the base station...A+ there!
Weaknesses:
Not customizable enough and not intuitive enough to navigate.
Review:
Well, I design touchscreen interfaces for AV systems for a living, and I'll tell you that this is little more than a very pretty universal remote. No automatic macros (multiple commands are stored on a separate page as the devices you are controlling) make it pretty costly for such little functionality. Also, you are locked into the design of each page, so you can't remove un-needed buttons, or for that matter make often used buttons larger or more outstanding. Could have been a winner (especially when you add it's RF ability, which is outstanding).
The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.
Review 10 made on Thursday November 2, 2000 at 9:28 PM.
Strengths:
It is well built.
Weaknesses:
I have three doctorates and can't work the remote. I don't have three days to learn how.
Review:
A bunch or crap unless they come up with some easy to use software. I am sorry I bought it right now... maybe this will change... Right now, I wouldn't pay ten cents for one.... much less ten dollars.
AND, note, there is no way to get any support from Denon... at least from their web site. They should be embarassed not to support folks who pay hundreds of dollars for these things.
The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.
Review 9 made on Wednesday October 18, 2000 at 9:29 AM.
Strengths:
Strong IR signal RF capable
Weaknesses:
-contrast on LCD screen -lack of software -slow funtion between components
Review:
I just wanted to drop in and mention that I've spent quite a bit of time programming the new remote. The first 8000 lasted 10 Days. When learning commands from other remotes, then moving the buttons between screens the remote locked up. The batteries were removed the reset button tried with no luck. I returned it to my local dealer and was given a new one. Since there is no software for this remote yet I lost about 10-15 hrs of setup time.
I then proceeded to program the new remote the evening I picked it up. After about 2 hrs I was moving buttons from one screen to the next and the 8000 locked up again!!!
If anyone has any suggestions or idea's let me know. I will be trying to get a third remote today if possible.
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