Denon RC-995 Electroluminescent (EL) Universal Remote Control

Pros

• Automatic wake/sleep mode that works really well
• Super easy learning remote functions and presets
• Punch-through support for programmed/learned functions
• Adjustable backlight time
• Lighted volume and channel keys

Cons

• Very difficult to see display in sunlight (even at brightest setting)
• Hard to push Coleco Vision style functions keys
• Limited function control of manufacturers' equipment

Denon employed a very similar retro styled remote from the AVR-3805 . It features an Electroluminescent display which is essentially the same technology employed by LCD backlights. Electroluminescence is simply light (radiant energy) created by an electrical field that does not result in heat. In fact, ELDs could be thought of as inefficient capacitors that lose energy in the form of light. Current ELD life expectancy is around 100,000 hours at 75% of original luminance - that's probably longer than you will use this receiver!

The luminous blue color of the buttons is merely the backlight being allowed through the insulating surface that covers the remote's functions. Each function, or button, has its own parent EL area and the EL backlight is configured so as to allow different buttons to become lit when certain modes are engaged. The remote feels big in your hand, and indeed it is over 9" long and nearly 3" wide at its top and bottom. There is no real ergonomic shape to the remote, except for a slight taper around the midsection. The physical buttons available on the remote are channel up/down, volume, channel select/enter and a 4-way cursor/menu control button. I am not a particular fan of LCD-style remotes, and the Denon RC-995 shares the same downfalls in that it commands your attention in order to use functions not related to volume or channels. For example, want to record/watch a show on DVR, change the display mode of your HDTV, or bring up the guide on your cable box? With the EL remote, you have to look at the screen after the backlight comes on, and select the correct function. A tactile button-based remote allows you to simply navigate by feel to your more commonly-used functions.

Source Switching

Pay attention to the source buttons or they may throw you. At first glance you'll wonder how on earth your fingers will select between the amp and tuner buttons (perhaps a plastic pointer stick commonly used at shopping checkouts with LCD touch panels would be appropriate.) I couldn't help but have flashbacks of my childhood gaming days playing on systems such as Intellivision and Colecovision, remembering my frustrations the flat panel keypads evoked at the time, probably one of the reasons I gave up gaming long ago.

In actuality, the source buttons "toggle" between two or more devices each time they are pressed. Pressing VCR/12 activates VCR1 on the first press, and the screen visually references VCR2 if pressed again. The same is true for ZONE2/ZONE3, CD/CDR, DVD/DVDR, TV/DBS/CABLE, AMP/TUNER, and TAPE MD. All in all, the remote control enables easy control over all equipment once you program it, which is an easy process - one of the more straightforward methods I've seen. Controlling unusual functions such as the variable "aspect ratio" on my Sony 51WS-500 HDTV means you'll have to assign a function to whichever available button you can find. This problem isn't unique to EL remotes- it also exists on remotes with physical buttons. Going back to my earlier statement, however, at least with an LCD remote you can customize the display.

Alas an added and much needed feature absent on the AVR-3805 remote control is a "Video Select" option which is also found on the front of the AVR-5805 receiver. This feature allows you to select a different video source while listening to the current audio signal. This function effectively allows the user to do things such as listen to a DVD or CD while you browse the web on an H TP C (assuming you connect all video through the Denon's switching video inputs.) I was glad to see this option on both the remote and front panel display. As I previously mentioned, the SRC On/Off buttons on the LCD panel below the main on/off push button power is an excellent feature and safety precaution. This allows you to turn off the main zone to prevent users of other zones of messing up your primary settings. This is a very useful and thoughtful feature that I am sure many users will be thanking Denon for when they configure the AVR-5805 as a full multi-zone controller.

The remote is not perfect, but in defense of Denon, they are not in the remote control business. In addition there are great cost effective solutions from companies such as Harmony or Universal Remote that will get the job done - and then some. Anyone plopping down 6000 clams on a product of this caliber can probably afford to spend $200-$500 on a good remote control. Hey, it's a much better investment than battery powered exotic cables (with exception to the Audioholics GLOB Cable of course) :)