I’ve got an older Memorex television (it says it’s a MT2271 Series A if that means anything to anyone). Last week a foster dog helpfully ate the remote for it, as well as the satellite remote. I found an older satellite remote, which is also supposed to act like a universal remote i.e. I should be able to use it to raise the volume on the TV, mute etc. However it is not working with the TV, it does work with the satellite system. I bough a cheap universal remote which will also not work with the TV.
I don’t mind getting up to change the volume, but the unfortunate thing is the TV remote had an option, I think it was called Auxiliary, you pressed it twice, and that was the mode the TV had to be in to use the DVD player. You can hold down the volume keys on the front of it to get into a menu, but there is no Aux option.
I finally bought the LOTR TTT extended version, so as you can well imagine I am anxious to get this TV functioning. 
Anyone had any ideas? Should I try a more expensive universal remote (the other one was supposed to work with Memorex TVs)? I worry that because it didn’t work with it, and neither did the satellite remote; there might be something wrong with this TV. But the original remote worked fine, so next question, can you buy replacement remotes? I couldn’t find anything in google (well I did find one site that claimed to sell them, but it looked nothing like the remote I had before)
Have you tried kicking the dog? You just might hit the right button if you do it enough.
Not to state the obvious, but “universal” remotes need to be programmed with a code telling it which TV or other device is being used. Usually they’ll come with a list of device manufacturers and a listing of codes next to each. You’ll look up the manufacturer of your TV and sequentially try each code in the list next to until you find the one that works. Most can also be made to cycle through every available code one at a time, to try to find one that may not be listed, should normal programming fail. If you post the make and model numbers of the remotes you have, I can try to find programming instructions for you.
Note that many universal remotes may not work on TVs or other devices manufactured prior to about 1990 or so.
I’d say you’re screwed. About the only option you have now is to contact the manufacturer and see if you can get a new remote from them. Of course you might be better off to go ahead and get a new TV.
KidCharlemagne that is an excellent idea, unfortunately he has moved on to his new home. I suppose I could phone the new owners, and be vague about why I wanted to borrow him…
Q.E.D. many thanks, the satellite remote is a Motorola IRC-423, it is about 4 years old. I tried using the codes from the satellite remote I had, but maybe that was the problem, different codes for different remotes? The TV is a bit newer, 2 years old. I don’t have the universal remote; I returned it.
P_T_ I wish I could afford a new TV!
Not at all. Even if the OEM remote is unavailable and universal remotes won’t work, at the very worst he’ll only need to purchase a device called an RF modulator. This takes the baseband audio/video signal and modulates an RF signal on channel 3 or 4, which can then be fed to the TV just like a cable or antenna connection. These are available from anywhere from about $10 to $20 at electronics stores.
If the TV is only two years old, you should be able to find a universal remote that will work for it. Now, to get to Aux, it may be tricky but the first thing I’d try is going to channel 00. That will work most of the time. If that doesn’t, I don’t know.
Incidentally, I found the PDF manual for your TV, not that it will help any in this particular case. But here it is for future reference.
Yes, different remotes will use different codes. I’ll see what I can find for your Motorola remote.
The MT2271 TV is not all that old. The universal remote should operate it. Review the operating instructions for setting up the universal remote. It’s easy to screw up the sequence.
Memorex only made a few TV’s and they were probably OEMed by someone else, so the least expensive UR’s might not have them listed in the built in code set databank. Better (more expensive) universal remotes generally have more comprehensive code sets built in. Try buying one of the fancier 25- 35 models at Circuit City.
QED"s idea of letting the thing cycle might be useful as it might hit on the code set used by the real manuf.
I’ve been unable to find any information on the specific remote, however, I did find a manual for a Motorla universal remote here. If you’re lucky, they used the same chipset, as engineers are wont to do whenever possible, so the codes listed may also work on your remote.
I hit the Motorola website for that remote. No luck on that specific model but I found these two:
Both have codes for Memorex TVs and I’m betting they are similar remotes to the one you have.
P_T has the right idea. They do have extra remotes at the manufacturers’. I know this because last fall I bought a tv. It’s a lovely tv. The remote it came with was possessed, however. You’d press 3 and it would change to channel 14. You’d press the up button, it’d change to channel 3. You’d press the CC button, it’d go to a settings menu for something else. After speaking to one of their great tech people, who said “wow, it really shouldn’t be doing that” they mailed me a replacement, free of charge.
Now, I’m sure that since your remote problems fall into the “user damage” catogory that they’d charge you a nomial fee, but they’re more than likely to have remotes to sell you if the TV is still being made, which it probably is if it’s only a couple of years old. Much cheaper than buying a new tv at any rate, and possibly cheaper than buying another universal remote too not to mention less guesswork at figuring it out. See if they have a webpage, they might even have online tech support like Magnavox does.
Beat me by 4 minutes. :smack:
BTW that “aux” input switching feature you’re referring to is usually labeled on URs as “TV/VCR”. Even the cheapest UR should have this feature.
Wow, thanks everyone for your help. The PDF file had a link for Memorex’s website, which I hadn’t been able to find at all through google. You can buy the remotes online through them for only $19.95 US. So now I have some incentive to pay down my VISA so I can order one.
You guys are amazing!