Sourcing replacement remote controls?

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SickPuppy

38 posts

Geek

#14249 23-Jun-2007 14:56

Hi everyone, I have had a Sony home theatre system for just over two years now. The function button on the remote control does not work (changes the player from DVD to radio to auxiliary inputs). I don’t think it ever has, but its two years down the line, so I figure it is too long for me to go back to the shop and the extended warranty doesn’t cover it.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to where I can go to get a replacement remote control? It’s a Sony DAV-S880 and the remote is a RM-SS880 (It is silver with a transparent blue cover that glows in the dark). I know I could just get a universal remote, but I don’t regard them as being as good, and I would prefer to keep the system as original as possible. I’m sure that I could ring Sony or their local service agent, but get the feeling this will cost me a bundle! Lol So basically are there any other sources anyone knows of? Any help on this is much appreciated- thanks everyone!

(For some reason or another also, my aerial is missing- did I ever get it? I can’t remember- it was installed by the shop, back in the days when I was much more of a newbie and didn’t want to do it myself! Lol I can get a replacement aerial for this from DSE I guess)

(NB no comments please re: extended warranty- it did pay off for me when the optical assembly needed replacing!)

Mutly

250 posts

Master Geek
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#75733 23-Jun-2007 19:13

I managed to source a couple of replacement remotes from pawn shops. I think that people who have had their gear nicked find they have no use for the remotes and sell them to second hand dealers.

This may give an idea of new replacement cost.

I can't brain today. I have the dumb.

wazzab

84 posts

Master Geek
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#76099 27-Jun-2007 11:55

If you look at Spare Parts on the Sony Service website the NZ Agent is below. I had my DAV-S500 remote nicked when my house was burgled and got a replacement thru insurance from these guys - was around $100 I think.

Trade Tech New Zealand Limited
17A William Pickering Drive
Albany
Auckland
Ph: 09 478 2323
Fax: 09 478 4811
Email: sony@tradetech.co.nz
Website: http://www.tradetech.co.nz/sony.php

SickPuppy

38 posts

Geek

#76384 30-Jun-2007 16:54

Thanks for your replies, I tried getting a firm to price a replacement, but they haven't gotten back to me. I will check a few second hand shops and trademe, and in the meantime give the avenues you've provided a try. Thanks for your help, and if anyone has any other ideas or suggestions, let me know! Cheers!

Regs

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Snowflake

#76427 30-Jun-2007 23:43

SickPuppy: Thanks for your replies, I tried getting a firm to price a replacement, but they haven't gotten back to me. I will check a few second hand shops and trademe, and in the meantime give the avenues you've provided a try. Thanks for your help, and if anyone has any other ideas or suggestions, let me know! Cheers!

if you have to spend money on a replacement remote then why not look at getting a more functional universal remote like the one-4-all or harmony remotes. these remotes can be programmed to control a lot of different devices, some have learning function and "macro" functions. The macros are quite cool i.e. "play dvd" button which switches on the tv, changes to AV channel, sets the volume, switched on dvd player and opens tray... You can keep this sort of remote for your next system too -...

Sales Engineer
Snowflake
www.snowflake.com

about.me/nzregs
Twitter: @nzregs

richms

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#76434 1-Jul-2007 01:51

If you can get the remote open, you might find that the conductive blackness on the bottom of the button has come off.

I'm still trying to find something to put on there to replace it since I always have problems with that coming off on the frequently used buttons

Richard rich.ms

SickPuppy

38 posts

Geek

#76499 1-Jul-2007 19:13

Yeah, apparently it is graphite, and a soft graphite pencil can be used- check my posting in the PC World forum- only problem I have is that it get inside it, I have to pry off a transparent plastic covering, so wish me luck! Cheers for the heads up though :D

HP

Shop now for HP laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

richms

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#76501 1-Jul-2007 19:34

I tried a pencil, it rubbed onto the circuitboard after about a week and made it constantly think the button was down.

Its looking worse then ever from all my openings of it, so I think its time to get a replacement tv remote, at the moment I use a universal one for the channel and volume buttons (the only dead ones) and the origional remote to do all the things that are not on the universal one.

and have you even tried for a replacement on the extended warranty?

Richard rich.ms

SickPuppy

38 posts

Geek

#76763 3-Jul-2007 17:58

richms: I tried a pencil, it rubbed onto the circuitboard after about a week and made it constantly think the button was down.

and have you even tried for a replacement on the extended warranty?

Warranty replacement was the first thing I tried, as outlined in my OP- not covered in the warranty. I had a crack at opening it last night, but fear I'll break something- no screws, clips very hard to get at and don't even know if they will enable me to get at them.

Will attempt repair of remote, replacement from secondhand shops/ trademe/ ebay, then purchase of new unit I guess.

It is not essential, just annoying, so I can wait. :D

richms

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#76766 3-Jul-2007 18:08

Have you made more noise to them about the remote? They will tell you that things are not covered and most people just accept it at that and move along. If you make noise and start to demand a refund on the whole unit as its not fit for purpose etc etc, they will then see that the quickest way to make the problem go away is to give you a new remote. I had a hell of a time when I had fuzzy picture in the corner of a CRT I bought with an extended warranty, first tech said its normal, i called again got another tech who said its designed that way, 3rd time I got it replaced with a newer model. Would have cost them heaps since I got the first as an end of line at a cheap price.

Richard rich.ms

SickPuppy

38 posts

Geek

#76817 3-Jul-2007 22:51

I could try that avenue, but fact is that the warranty quite specifically excludes remote controls from being covered. I have owned the system for pretty much bang on two and a half years, but it was in storage at the shop for three months of that, so it has been in use by me for two and a quarter years.

Having said that, my friend has had her unit for over four years without anything going wrong with it, so maybe I should give the retailer a call...

richms

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#76819 3-Jul-2007 23:17

Exclusions on the warranty don't affect your rights under the consumer guarantees act, so you should be fine.

Richard rich.ms