[Electronics-Talk] Spectrum 110 Cable Box Remote

Tue Nov 13 22:39:55 UTC 2018

Thanks for this comprehensive description of the Spectrum 110 remote.  Does 
it have a separate power button to turn the TV on /off without also turning 
the box on/off?  I don't like turning both devices on and off at the same 
time because in my experience, if you don't aim the remote exactly right, 
you could turn off the box without turning off the TV or vice versa.  Having 
a button to turn off the box separately but not one for turning off the TV 
is asinine because when you turn off the box, you do not really turn it off 
because it is still using power just as if it was on, so you might as well 
keep it on all the time, which is what I do now.  The only way to really 
turn off the box is to unplug it.  And I don't like the location of the 
input source button between the two power buttons, because if you have 
fumble fingers like me, you could accidently hit this button by mistake 
instead of the right power button to turn off the box and TV, and then the 
next time you try to turn them on, you won't hear anything because you 
inadvertently changed the input from cable box to something else, and you 
would then need sighted help to restore things to normal.  Very bad design. 
For me, the poor location of the input source button and the absence of a 
separate TV power button are deal breakers, and so I'll just stick with my 
non-accessible box for now.  At least I can control the box and TV 
separately, and can't accidently screw up the input source.
Gerald

-----Original Message----- 
From: Christopher Gilland via Electronics-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2018 4:54 PM
To: Peter Donahue via Electronics-Talk
Cc: Christopher Gilland
Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Spectrum 110 Cable Box Remote

Gerald,

I did a little research, and determined that I own both the Spectrum
110, as well as the Spectrum 210 boxes. The only difference between the
two is that the 110 doesn't offer DVR, whereas the 210 does. Both
remotes are totally the same, and so are the actual boxes. That said, on
to your question about the remote.

I guess, honestly, this is a bit of a subjective question.
Realistically, the buttons don't entirely all seem to have different
shapes to them, however, they are incredibly tactile in my opinion, and
are super super easy to locate/identify. Your menu button is very very
big and is directly below your arrow keys which are arranged in a
circular pattern almost like a D-Pad. It kind a reminds me a bit of the
shape of a diamond. It's very obvious.

If it will help, I'll describe below the entire remote.

On your remote, at the very top left and top right are two buttons. Yes,
there is a smaller round button between the two upper left and right
buttons, but I'm not covering that smaller button quite yet for a very
very good reason that you'll understand shortly.

The top left button is power. This only will power on/off the cable box,
but nothing else.

The top right button is all power. Once configured to have the remote be
programmed/pared to your TV, which by the way, a technition very very
easily could do for you, this button will then power off everything. So
you press it, your box, and your TV both would turn off and on together.
This is the button, once all is proprerly programmed that I would
recommend using for your power.

The reason I did not cover that smaller button is because in between
these two buttons, straight virtically aligned down the remote are
starting with that smaller button, 4 buttons. So in other words, if you
find that small button in between the power and all power, then slide
your finger straight down, there are 3 more buttons right below. So
those 4 buttons including the smaller one kind of make a vertical stack,
if you wanna think of it that way.

I wanted to approach it that way, as this is how my mother tought the
remote to me, and I found doing it this way made things very very
logical. So, the top most button, that's the smaller one between the
power and all power is the input source button.

Basically, what happens is, when the remote is pared correctly to your
TV, you can press this button multiple times to cycle through the
different input sources like HDMI1, HDMI2, TV/Coaxial, etc on your
television which the box is connected to. Note that Guide Narration
won't read this menu so, it may be a slight bit tricky unless you have a
Samsung smart TV, or something as well with built in speech. If you do,
then you're in business. Normally, you'd probably not often need to mess
with this button if you were planning to just watch TV. This would only
come into play if you have things also connected like an Apple TV, a
Roku, a DVD/Blueray player, etc. Even then, there are totally accessible
ways of getting around this without the use of the input button. If
anyone wants to know more about that, just ask.

In this little virtical button strip I'm mentioning, just below the
input button is the search button. This will bring up a keyboard where
you can arrow up and down as well as left and right to find the letter
you need to insert, then hit select/OK, to insert the character. This
lets you search anything basically in the guide. So, TV shows, movies,
acter/actrices, channel names, pretty much anything. Thing of it like a
spotlight search for your cable box. Just a little teaser. I can't go
into much, being I'm on the Spectrum accessibility private beta testing
team, but I'll at least as a teaser tell you this, being it's publicly
been announced, so I don't think I'm breaking any NDA to say this.
Realize though, no reps would have yet been trained on this, so I can't
guarantee that all reps you speak to are gonna know about it. There is
however a voice command controled remote in the works. I haven't seen it
personally, but from what I understand, you'll hit a button, then speak
your search, or whatever command you want, such as A&E, and it   would
tune there. Or you could say, cancel DVR series: Friends. Whatever. For
now though, you gotta type, or navigate the guide. Both of which are
extremely easy to do.

If anyone wants, I'd be happy to make an audio demo of the search feature.

Just below the search button is the DVR button. This will be on both
remotes, the non-DVR, and the DVR boxes. On the 110's that don't have
DVR ability, I'm not entirely sure what would happen if pushed. I can
find out if anyone's curious, but I've honestly not tried. My guess is,
you'd get an error on the screen. You'd not fowel anything up though. It
just wouldn't do anything. If however you do! have DVR, then this will
take you into the DVR screen whereby you can browse your recordings, etc.

Finally the last button in this group right before sliding down again
and hitting the arrow keys, is the play/pause key.

Now, you have something a bit interesting. Easy, don't worry, but a
little interesting. The arrow keys are arranged in what will feel like a
big huge diamond. The top point of the diamond is your up arrow, the
bottom is down, the left point is obviously your left arrow, and the
right side is the right arrow. I know textually describing this sounds
super super super confusing. I assure you though it isn't so! It really
isn't! I promise. When you actually feel it, it's not. Trust me!

Border surrounding these arrow keys are 4 round buttons. So, if you can
imagine this diamond sitting inside of a square made up of 4 buttons,
that is what you have. The upper left most button is guide. Upper right
is Info. This will give you details about a show or series, what channel
you're watching currently, etc. The bottom left of these 4 buttons is
the back key, and the bottom right is exit.

If you locate the down arrow key, then slide your finger straight down
from there, you'll land on a bit round button. This is the menu key,
which by the way, yes. If you have guide Narration turned on, this is
totally 100% accessible.

On that same row with the menu key, just to the left of it is a big
rectangular key. This button used to be called the A key, and I think
even the spectrum guide software still will refer to it as such. I
really really wish they'd change that, as it's been known to really
confuse people. Now, they are calling that button the options key. Think
of this key basically as bringing up your context menu on the computer.
It's kind a like hitting your applications key, or right clicking on an
item.

So, when you're in live TV, if you hit the options button it brings up
your accessibility menu. This is where you can turn on descriptive
video, as well as a few other things. I'll get to that in a second.

On the other side, the right side of that menu button that we discussed
right below the down arrow is the record button.

Again, I don't know what would happen on the 110 boxes without DVR if
you hit it. Probably an error message, but not totally sure. Again, I
can find out if anyone's curious.

Below this starts your numeric keypad. The number 5 is concaved, and is
extremely extremely tactile, and very very unique from all other buttons.

In the extreme bottom center, is 0. There is no star or number sign keys
to the left or right of 0. It's all off in the dead smack bottom center
all by itself.

That's the entire remote.

Is it easy to use? Again, I think that depends on your preception. I
don't do the best with really small or crowded buttons, but for me, this
was extremely extremely easy to learn.

If nothing else, just have a tech come out with the remote and box, and
let you feel it. They don't have to activate the box until you feel like
it is something you can do.

Also, realize that they do offer large button remotes, if that would
help, that do have different shaped buttons. I just don't know what all
functionality like getting to the guide, etc, they'd give you, if anything.

Chris.

On 11/13/2018 01:25 PM, Peter Donahue via Electronics-Talk wrote:
> Good afternoon everyone,
>
> The buttons on the Spectrum 110 Box Remote are marked in very much
> the same way so they're very distinguishable from one-another.
>
> Peter Donahue
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Gerald Levy via Electronics-Talk
> Sent: Tuesday, November 13, 2018 5:42 AM
> To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
> Cc: Gerald Levy
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Spectrum 110 Cable Box
>
>
> Does the remote control that comes with the Spectrum 110 have buttons that
> are easy to identify by size and shape?  ?  Or are the buttons of similar
> shapes and sizes so that they are difficult to distinguish by touch?  My
> current Spectrum remote has buttons of different sizes and shapes and they
> are arranged in a logical layout.  The numeric keys are shaped like the
> numerals themselves, making this a great remote for a blind consumer.  But
> if the buttons on the Spectrum 110 remote are not well differentiated and
> thus difficult to identify by touch, then there would be little point in
> upgrading to this box.
>
> Gerald
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Andy Baracco via Electronics-Talk
> Sent: Monday, November 12, 2018 6:47 PM
> To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
> Cc: Andy Baracco
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Spectrum 110 Cable Box
>
> Sherri,
>
> Just call the Spectrum accessibility line and they'll step you through the
> process.  Within an hour of my call, I was up and running with 2 boxes. 
> You
> may not have that kind of luck as far as speed is concerned, but you will
> get the box.  I am surprised that the existance of the box was not
> publicized more.  I only found out about it when I read Peter's post.  One
> thing to keep in mind is if you already have the Roku that Sectrum 
> provides,
> you will have to give it up if you want the new box.
> Enjoy!
> Andy
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Sherri Brun via Electronics-Talk" <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> To: "'Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances'"
> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: "Sherri Brun" <flmom2006 at gmail.com>
> Sent: Monday, November 12, 2018 3:24 PM
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Spectrum 110 Cable Box
>
>
>> I didn't even know about the existence of this box.  I certainly 
>> appreciate
>> learning about it and will be in touch with Spectrum.
>>
>> Sherri
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of Peter Donahue via Electronics-Talk
>> Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2018 5:51 PM
>> To: 'Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances'
>> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Peter Donahue <pdonahue2 at satx.rr.com>
>> Subject: Re: [Electronics-Talk] Spectrum 110 Cable Box
>>
>> Hello Andy and everyone,
>>
>> Although we had other problems with the Spectrum 110 Box the HDMI
>> Port issue hasn't been one of them. Perhaps your cable company and the TV
>> manufacturer's tech support could help you solve this problem. Otherwise
>> it's a great access solution and will hopefully be improved in the 
>> future.
>> All the best.
>>
>> Peter Donahue
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Electronics-Talk [mailto:electronics-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of Andy Baracco via Electronics-Talk
>> Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2018 2:10 PM
>> To: Discussion of accessible home electronics and appliances
>> Cc: Andy Baracco
>> Subject: [Electronics-Talk] Spectrum 110 Cable Box
>>
>> I recently received the Spectrum 110 talking cable box. It works fine, 
>> but
>> every time i turn the system on the box is set to the wrong input, and I
>> have to reset it to HDMI 1.  Is anyone here using this box and
>> experiencing
>> this issue, and if you have, how did you resolve it?
>>
>> Andy
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