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Overview
I would have not thought to put on a
Calculator wristwatch again in my life. The last Casio Calculator
watch I think I had with 10 years or so. But because this Casio
Calculator watch is also a Universal TV remote I gave it a spin. The
Casio CMD-40 totally has the 80s plastic technology watch look.
Which already is an issue for many to wear this watch. Besides being
a calculator the watch tells the time, features alarm and has a
stopwatch function. The TV and VCR remote function though is the
highlight.
The user interface of the Casio TV Remote watch is actually well
done and intuitive. A long history of making calculator wristwatches
sure helps here I guess. I will only focus on the Universal TV
Remote functionality. The CMD-40 has about 17 TV and VCR companies
preconfigured with codes. The usual companies like Sony, JVC or
Panasonic are listed amongst some lesser known companies. I of
course have a Daewoo TV (yes, I am still saving for a
Panasonic Plasma) for testing that is not listed.
Still, it is useful to try all codes to see if one of them works as
it sets all functions at once for your TV or VCR. The Casio TV
Remote watch makes it easy to try each code sequentially and try the
on/off function to test the code. It did not work for me, so I had
to individually teach the watch the remote codes from my remote
control. Again it is very easy to do that. The TV remote has to be
placed next to the IR sensor of the watch. In LEARN mode and with
activated programming individual buttons on the watch can be
assigned a function from the remote. In a couple of minutes I had
all major functions programmed for my Daewoo TV and my Panasonic HDD
DVD Recorder
DMR-EH50. The Casio CMD40 has a TV and a VCR selector, basically
doubling the functions it can manage.
The programmed functions worked right away. The range of the IR
signal is not very wide, but acceptable.
Ok, but now I am sitting on my sofa and press buttons with my right
hand on buttons on a watch on my left hand. Now just try imagine
this picture... This is just not replacing my old TV remote buy a
long shot. So I wonder what the uses of a TV remote on a wristwatch
could be.
Maybe it is convenient to have it as a second TV remote to switch
off the TV when walking away or switch it on, while on the way to
flap on the Sofa. Pranksters sure also can find uses of the Casio TV
remote watch at public TV sets.
Conclusion
The Casio TV Remote wristwatch really works
technically and Casio did a good job making it usable, but I am not
convinced about the usefulness of it. It is more a "Gag Gadget".
It's 80 retro look of course could appeal to some. And hey, maybe
you do need a calculator on your wrist.
How to Buy
The Casio CMD-40 TV Remote Watch sells
for $58.00 on
Fancylogic (Ships international).
Compare Prices for the Casio CMD-40 in other stores.
Specification
TV/Cable Box remote control
TV/Cable Box: Power on/off, Channel +/-, Volume +/-, direct channel
selection
Learning function: memorizes up to 16 sets of infrared data
8-digit calculator
Constants for addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (x), and
division (/)
1/100 second stopwatch
Measuring capacity: 23:59'59"
Measuring mode: net time, split time, 1st-2nd place times
Daily alarm
Hourly time signal
Auto-calendar
Accuracy: ± 15 seconds per month
Battery: Approx. 15 months on CR2032
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