GE Control Central RRC600, The Very First Programmable Remote

Picture this: it's 1985, year of the mega-success movie "Back to the Future". Only recently have you purchased your very first VCR, settling on the best quality format: Beta (quality always wins out, right?). Since your television doesn't include a built-in cable converter, you've had to rent one from your cable company - a unit that comes complete with a monolithic remote.

One day when juggling remotes, trying to get everything in sync to play back a rented tape, your mind suddenly resolves into the crystal clear realization that your trendy coffee table has developed a serious case of "remote clutter": three ungainly controls are duking it out for space with your collection of books and magazines! And what about that snazzy new CD player you've been eying? Yet another remote to contend with! What to do?

Picking your way through the September 1985 issue of Popular Mechanics, on page 12 you come across what could very well be the ultimate solution. It's a new product from GE that can "operate virtually any infrared-controlled component from any manufacturer by learning and memorizing its signals" and promises "unity of command over four devices". Sounds perfect!

Fast-forwarding to the future, one might think that GE's 1985 remote control must have been pretty crude, especially considering the fancy ones now available. But remember, it cost $150 at the time - that's $250 today - so you just may be surprised!


Mad scientists have home theaters too...
Back when GE had a research and development department whose task it was to invent nifty cutting-edge thingies (rather than being a catch-all generic brand name, as it is now), that division was busy creating fascinating products left, right and center. Pulling ahead of the original remote control inventor, Zenith, GE may well claim the title of being the inventors of the whole universal remote control category. (The Cloud Nine "CORE" remote control, created by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and frequently considered to be the first fully programmable remote, was more advanced than the GE with macros and timer capabilities, but did not actually ship until 1986. The CORE can still be bought today as Celadon's PIC-200.)

So what exactly is a universal remote? In the general sense I would classify it as "a remote capable of replicating a wide variety of infrared protocols and commands". But I'd also call a true universal "a remote capable of replicating infrared commands as yet unknown". What that means is a true universal remote purchased today will be able to control the next popular electronic trend of the future, something that didn't exist at the time of the remote's manufacture. Put in easier terminology, you could call this "future proofing", something oft promised but rarely delivered.

This boils down to a single solution: learning technology. Current remotes are available in three flavors: preprogrammed, learning, and a combination of the two. Some preprogrammed remotes can have their built-in databases upgraded to include new products as they are released, but the upgrade generally cannot be done by the end user. And even if a code database can be updated, is there any guarantee that an upgrade will be available in a timely manner or that it will include every function for your specific model? For almost all situations, "no".

A simpler, quicker and more complete way to future proof a remote is by including code learning capabilities, where one remote can be taught signals from another. Most manufacturers today include some form of learning in their remotes, though several companies still hold out. Many learning remotes don't even include a preprogrammed database - a testament to this technology's capabilities - but that's not an ideal situation either, since you can't learn signals from a broken or otherwise misplaced remote. Universal remote controls should be able to consolidate as well as complete a collection of remotes.

The GE RRC600 is a learning-only remote and thus has no preprogrammed database. At the time such databases had never been used; an odd situation since I'd figure that adding versatile signal learning capabilities would be a more difficult feat than merely replicating a bunch of pre-captured ones. The RRC600 does include built-in codes for GE products, though that doesn't really count.

Physically, the RRC600 looks like a giant scientific calculator - from the LCD screen at the top to the myriad of rectangular metallic buttons below. In fact I'm convinced that it is based on a calculator and that some secret combination of keys will allow me to compute the maximum decibel level my room can sustain without crumbling.

Although the GE remote's packaging promises to consolidate up to four inconvenient remotes, it in itself almost occupies the physical space of two - but at least it's thin. Its footprint measures 3" wide by 8" long with a maximum thickness of 1.25" (7.6cm by 20.4cm by 3.2cm). Most of that height is created by the battery compartment, which bulges out the bottom near the front of the remote and holds 4 AAA batteries. Subtract that from the equation and the remote is only 0.6" thick overall (1.5cm). The remote weighs 8.1oz with batteries (230 grams), or 6.5oz without (190 grams).

Case ergonomics don't quite meet today's standards. Although there aren't any particularly sharp corners, little attention was paid to how the product would feel in your hand. Placing the battery compartment at the top, while beneficial for the resulting resting angle it creates, causes the RRC600 to be top-heavy when held. The battery compartment cover is a snug, secure fit.

The plastics quality is good with excellent smooth seams between the two clamshell halves, however a moderate amount of lateral case twisting is possible. I only counted one screw, so much of the remote is likely held together by plastic snaps. The back of the remote is made out of a mixture of smooth and matte black plastic, while the front is faced with a grey aluminium faceplate, a popular finish at the time. Four rubber feet on the back keep the remote from sliding around tabletops.

The RRC600 features 36 completely flat, perfectly rectangular buttons, plus a two-position slide switch (which was used way-back-when with GE's odd television channel programming method, but is of no use now). A total of 33 of those buttons can be used with devices, one being a duplicate button for safety [RECORD], the final two used to change remote functions. The remote's key layout isn't bad - channel and volume buttons are centered nicely and the numeric keypad (although low) is well sized. Missing are, of course, directional menu buttons, since that concept didn't exist when the remote was made.

Buttons are hard plastic, not soft rubber, and have excellent tactile feedback with an agreeably soft "click", but aren't free-floating and are instead fixed to the case on their bottom edge. Thus, when pressed only the front edge of the button can lower. Nothing is backlit or glow-in-the-dark... I guess no one watched television in the dark back then.


The 4-device RRC600 was a top-of-the-line control. Its sibling, the 3-device RRC500, included learning capabilities, but no LCD screen and a much less expensive bill of materials. The LCD screen at the top, which measures 2.5" wide by 1.0" high (6.4cm by 2.6cm), is particularly useful. First, it shows the currently selected device - which is changed via the [SOURCE] hard button. Second, it displays lesser device functions which correspond to three multi-purpose hard buttons position right below the screen.

Think the Home Theater Master MX-500 or Marantz RC2000 were the first remotes to incorporate changeable LCD labels for hard buttons? Not so! Each time the [FUNCTION] button is pressed the LCD screen displays a new secondary label, with up to 8 alphanumeric characters. To the right of the label are three symbols - a circle, an up arrow and a down arrow. These correspond to symbols printed on the three lower hard buttons. If the LCD shows one of those symbols next to the function name, it means the matching hard button will do something.

The number of possible secondary functions varies widely between each of the four devices. For the television there's 23 labels with 32 possible functions, the VCR has 18 labels with 25 functions, the Cable device has only 2 labels with 3 functions, while the Auxiliary device has 22 labels with 27 functions. The remote is smart enough to hide any function that doesn't have an assigned command, so if only 5 out of 32 functions are being used, that's all that'll show during normal use.

Being the very first learning remote, the GE doesn't learn codes exactly the same way as most modern remotes. A recessed switch on the side of the remote, actuated by the ever-practical paper clip, switches between "use" and "learn" modes. Once in "learn" mode the LCD screen begins displaying help prompts: "LEARN MODE / 1 SELECT SOURCE / 2 PRESS ENTER". Simple enough - press the [SOURCE] button until the right device name is shown, then press [ENTER]. The screen now reads "READY", with the text "PRESS MATCHING KEYS" flashing below.

The RRC600's manual indicates that you should place the remote a few inches away from the source, then press and hold both the source key on the original remote and the target key on the GE. After a few seconds the text "RELEASE" flashes, indicating that you should stop holding both keys. Finally, "DO AGAIN" flashes and you must once again press the source remote's button. The manual points out that the remote may ask you to "DO AGAIN" up to three additional times, but in my testing it always worked first try. If all goes well, the text "FUNCTION LEARNED" will flash and the remote's once again ready to learn another key. Of interest, a similar double-learning technique has been in use until very recently on certain remotes.

Some of the memory techniques used on the RRC600 are a bit unusual. For instance, it's mentioned that although any mix of commands from different brands can be stored under a single device, it's more memory efficient to only learn commands from a single brand. I'm not exactly sure why this is the case, but it's possible that the remote stores internal memory-saving references to different code format specifics. The remote captured signals from Sony, Denon, Philips, Hitachi, JVC and Aiwa-branded products without difficulty and I did not run out of memory during testing. Specifications claim that it will learn frequencies from 33 to 70KHz, still a popular range. Memory is dedicated per-device, so if it's exceeded the remote will display "OVERLOAD" and stubbornly refuse to learn any further.

What can often make the difference on these "strict format" remotes is not making any mistakes during the teaching process. Fortunately, single devices can be completely erased via a tiny [RESET] button hidden in the battery compartment. Although learned codes can't be erased individually from a hard button, the RRC600 does provide a way to easily remove functions from LCD-based buttons. The remote also features non-volatile memory, so commands aren't lost when batteries die.

Another unexpected feature on the RRC600 is what essentially amounts to punchthroughs. The remote will automatically punch through the VCR's transport controls into the TV device, or a few of the TV's codes into the VCR device, assuming those buttons don't already contain a learned signal. The odd part is that the TV-to-VCR punchthrough only works with the [MUTE], [LCV] (Last Channel Viewed, AKA "Jump" or "Recall") and [VIDEO] buttons. So mute's there, but not the actual volume controls. Must have been a Friday!

The remote features an auto power off time of 2 minutes, 38 seconds (the manual erroneously states 15 minutes), but will awaken instantly to its last state. A low battery indicator is included. Codes transmit very quickly and devices switch equally as fast, thanks to its fancy "8-bit microcomputer".

There are three infrared emitters on the RRC600 and no signs of additional diodes for code learning, so the same ones must be used for both purposes. Those three emitters proved quite capable, delivering a solid score of 3.0 on our MTFB test (Menacing Thick Fluffy Blanket), with excellent signal dispersion.

The remote came with a 54 page Cerlox-bound manual, printed in two colors. Save for a couple of typos and being a little repetitive, it's clear and easy to understand with full diagrams and numbered instructions. If that's not enough, printed on the back of the remote is everything you ever wanted to know about programming the remote... but were too busy to look up. The RRC600 even includes four AAA batteries - which were in serious danger of leaking by the time I finally got to them!

What was old is new again.
As much as things have improved in remote control ergonomics, capabilities and customization, it's amazing to see how core technologies and concepts have remained essentially the same. The early 90's proved to be almost a "dark age" for remote controls, with cheap preprogrammed-only models all but pushing the more deluxe learning versions out of play. Today, the remote control market offers excellent choice with a wide variety of learning, preprogrammed and combination remotes for almost any taste or need. If you're shopping for a remote I suggest looking at a model that supports code learning. Just think... if you had purchased the RRC900 when it was new, nearly two decades ago, you could still be using it today!

But the truly ironic part of all this is that GE does not currently market a remote control with learning capabilities. C'est la vie!


ORIGINAL SOURCE: ( http://www.remotecentral.com/rrc600/index.html )

This post has been edited by MacGyver on June 20, 2009 07:14 am

as a vintage remote enthusiast, i have a keen interest in this remote. i have an eye on an example with it's manual for cheap, that i'll be getting just as soon as i can afford it next. as a rather attractive unit, (IMO) and it being the very fist of it's kind, i look forward with baited breath to be adding it to my collection, that already includes all of PIONEER's first three programmable remote designs, including the gigantic (and gigantically MSRPed) CU-AV200:


(LEFT TO RIGHT: CU-AV006, CU-AV100, CU-AV200)






(PLEASE NOTE: i do not actually have the CU-AV006, but the CU-SA004, which is nearly identical the 006, save for it's darkish finish. the 006 has traces of silver)


-CU-AV006-



This post has been edited by MacGyver on June 20, 2009 07:44 am

O.K. i just pulled the trigger on a copy of the RRC600 and it's spiral-bound owner's manual, the ONLY one i could find at all on the BAY, in fact. i should have it inside of a week they say. i'll keep you guys posted...

This post has been edited by MacGyver on June 25, 2009 06:49 am

*** this dipstick has been banned ***

This post has been edited by dingus on June 27, 2009 06:49 am

so sorry, but i'll have to report this, as i believe this is considered spam of the worst kind...

Hey Mac, cool thread!

I wouldn't be without a remote for my TV, but I very rarely use one for my stereo. Hands on control is far more satisfying.

This post has been edited by Mark B on June 27, 2009 05:08 pm

yep, Mark, 'fraid i'm a vintage remote-a-holic!!

the CONTROL CENTRAL should be arriving in my mailbox today. if it does not, then i'm gonna start worrying...

This post has been edited by MacGyver on July 02, 2009 07:00 am

it came, yesterday morning! it's in decent shape for being a 25 year old remote! it was a little filthy, especially inside, so i disassembled it and gave it a thorough cleaning:





it cleaned up well, and is in perfect operational condition. an astute eye might have noticed that not only does the instruction label on the rear differ from the NOS reference at the top of the thread, but it also lacks the bright red paint on the POWER button. now, as this example is marked MANUFACTURED: AUGUST, 1985, and the back label sates the remote as an RRC600, while the NOS reference example states an RRC600A, i assume that mine is a first generation copy, while the NOS is a second gen or newer. for one, the reviewer up there states that he can flex the remote in his hand, whilst mine is literally as solid as a rock, an indicator that they used lighter grade plastics on the later production runs. now, back to that POWER button; it actually WAS bright red, or rather, small spots of it were, as it was heavily worn when i received it. when i cleaned it, i soaked the plastic parts in DAWN water, then used Q-tips and rubbing alcahol to clean the deep crevices. well, when i got to the POWER button, the alcahol dissolved off the red paint spots, rendering the button as clean looking as all the others. a happy accident, if i do say so myself!! further, it did not damage the printed POWER legend in the slightest, so no worries there either! finally, the four rubber feet were worn away, so i removed what was left of them, and bummed four of the blue felt guard pads off one of the trays of one of the excess junker six-disc PIONEER CD cartridges i have lying around, which turned out to work excellently:





the i'd love to find an NOS example someday, but, as this remote is VERY rare these days, and i was lucky to obtain the ONLY copy of the remote and it's manual on EBAY, i'll just consider myself lucky to own one at all...





This post has been edited by MacGyver on July 03, 2009 07:59 am

Tanx for sharing. Cool topic, great info and a well done job.

oops, forgot: