Switchable universal projector remote control

[DarrenShan]

Unfortunately we have 2 makes of projectors in our school, Casio and Promethean (Badged up Sanyo's) and it's awkward for staff to have 2 remote controls, does anyone know if there is such as thing as a switchable universal projector remote control?

 

We have got some universal projector remote controls as we were unable to purchase some Casio remotes and while you can reprogram this remote from one type to another it's awkward to do, what I would love it the same sort of remote but one that has 2 'modes' so it can be switched from one state to another without having to reprogram it.

 

Does such a thing exist?

[john]

Why not have a fixed wall control panel to help solve this coded for the projector in the room?

[sted]

Why not have a fixed wall control panel to help solve this coded for the projector in the room?

 

or even just tie the remotes to the wall/desk i see no reason why they need to change room and i assume each room only has i projector?

 

as to running universals on 2 just get one that can do tv/pvr/hifi and program the sanyo to say tv and the casio to say stereo

[DarrenShan]

John - I would love to be able to have a fixed wall controller in each room, unfortunately we have over 80 rooms and the costs would be too high, plus there are issues regarding anything being fastened to the wall (political)

 

Sted - That's exactly what I'm talking about but do you know know of a remote that supports this as many of these only have the necessary programming for TV's DVD etc. and not projectors. (I know you can train these remotes but I don't really want to train 180 remotes)

[john]

Logitech Harmony remote may do the job but will have a cost to it

[DarrenShan]

John - Thanks, I'll take a look.

[Achandler]

The issue isn't a technological one, it is a staff issue.

 

Why not leave the remotes in the classrooms like most places do? Sure you have to replace the occasional remote but surely if you are buying everyone a universal remote you are doing that anyway.

[DarrenShan]

Achandler - I totally agree that the problem is a staff one and if staff didn't walk off with other users equipment 'by accident' there would be no issues.

[laserblazer]

The problem I see is that projectors have different functions to televisions etc. so surely all the buttons will be wrong? Assuming you can set it up so that button A is freeze and B is mute, the staff will have to remember which is which. As they probably can't remember their username and password, a hopeless cause. I agree with the"chain the remote to the wall" approach.

[JB7]

Wallis UK - Specialist distributor of Remote Controls, Replacements and LCD/Plasma TV supports.

 

In the past we have used this company a lot, don't use them now as we moved to a new build with new IT infrastructure and all projectors are now the same, you can contact them directly if you are having trouble finding which remote is suitable for your projectors and they even do knock down prices for bulk orders etc

They used to also put some chocolate bars in your order as well <--- deal sealer right there

[DarrenShan]

JamesBanks7 - Thanks for the info, I've emailed them for info.

[soveryapt]

I presume you have either interactive whiteboards or some form of projection surface mounted in the class room (be it actually on the wall, or on a trolley)? In that case, as others have muted, why not have the remotes fastened to these. You could buy some small chain, a couple of small self tapping screws or some sort of adhesive, then you simply chain the remote for the projectors into the room where it can be angled to make sure it works properly and such and isn't too restrictive, but staff would all know where they are kept.

 

If you use the "PC Control" functions of the remotes, and this is a reason why you want them to have their own, buy them all wireless presenter controllers or something instead that they can take around with them and plug in to the various PCs and what not.

 

It just seems a big thing to do to go buying them all a remote that will work all, when it's cheaper to tell the staff no. Ok, they might not like it, but if you think that possibly these remotes are going to cost you, conservatively, £20 each or so, and you say you have 80 projectors, thus I'm guessing probably at least a similar number of staff, that's at least £1600 that could be spent somewhere else.

[p858snake]

How about just remotes left in the room, and something like Curly Cord Security Tether FOR Remote Controls X 10 Bungee Tether | eBay to help prevent them going walk abouts?

[GeekyPete]

If you must give everyone their own remote permanently mark them with a number (not a name, people move on) and keep a register. Talk to your Bursar/SBM tell them how it's costing the school money and gain agreement to charge any replacements to departments. When they come to you for batteries check it really is their remote. If you talk the SBM then you may find that issues of fixing them down might disappear anyway. I'm guessing you have more staff than projectors so your wasting money from the off.

[laserblazer]

Give them all a length of dowelling that will reach the on/off switch.