Remote backlight - turn off or disable - how?

[illm]

Hey hey!

Just got my first PCH, an A-200 model with the silver remote. First impressions are above good, but there are some niggly bits I need to fix to reach inner peace.

I'm very - VERY - sensitive to both sound and light, and besides the obvious fan noise - I'm gonna swap the A200 case for a silent one later on - I discovered that the remote has a REALLY bright backlight that almost blinds me when it shines up.

So I naturally started looking for a "backlight off"-button on the remote, but there was no such thing.

Then I went googling/searching here for an answer, but only found posts of people happy with the backlight (what's WRONG with you people!? ) and nothing concerning modding it/opening it/etc.


Long story short:

Unless I'm wrong and have overlooked something - I apparently need to disable the backlight the hard way. Before breaking open the remote, I just wanted to see if anyone else had done this, and so could give me hints on how it's held together.

I loosened the only screw I could find, but the remote kept itself firmly together. I probably just have to snap it open by using a little force, but I don't want to dent it too much on the outside.

Advice please!

[VelvetPaw]

Yeah, I just tried to open the RF remote for my C-200 and I hate to admit it, the screw is rather useless here.. lol... You will have to use some force to open yours.. a dent or two while trying to open it prolly won't be easy to prevent...

But here's the result of opening my remote (I suspect, that the IR remote looks very similar, as the RF module should easily be replaced by an IR diode)



In order to open the body, angle a screw driver the way I did on image #1.. there are quite a few noses to release, but I trust you can do it.
As with every casing, the plastic is rather soft, therefore dents are rather impossible to prevent...

On image #3 I marked the places where the LEDs could be on your remote (D4 however was not soldered in on my remote for some reason). Note that the RF remote's LEDs are amber and not white and not so bright (I also have an IR remote for my C-200 but I put it in the basement.. lol), they would be so much easier on your eyes..

Now it's up to your soldering skills.. I hope you can solder SMD LEDs, and you have a soldering iron with a pointy tip..

[Dave_D]

Does he really need to use solder?

I think he can first try using a felt pen to blacken the LEDs.

[cheaper_popcorn]

Here's another suggestion: you could try to find an A100 or A110 remote, they work fine to control the A200, and they don't have backlight, just a tiny bit of fluorescent light (which is kind of useless as it is rather weak). Then again maybe you suffer from complete allergy to light (but if so, how would you be able to watch movies in a dark room in the first place?) in which case it would not be an option. Just thought I'd throw it out there for consideration.

[VelvetPaw]

(10-06-2010 11:54 AM)Dave_D Wrote:  Does he really need to use solder?

I think he can first try using a felt pen to blacken the LEDs.

Yeah, that may work, too, but I thought it more of a mod.. you know.. you could like use green or red LEDs..

[illm]

Wow VelvetPaw! Fantastic! Great photos!

I'll try this as soon as I get home. Not sure I will go the soldering route at first, but rather covering them either with a black marker or some black tape. We'll see.

Luckily I do have soldering skills, but I don't want to risk breaking anything unless necessary. Backlight can be good, but on this remote it's just to fricking bright. Plus it flickers when I press/hold buttons. Too bad about the almost unavoidable dents as well. I'll try with a plastic tool first and hope for the best.

My impression of this community was also something that drove me towards getting a PCH.

Many thanks, and lets hope Google indexes this page for everyone else to find.

[a user name]

I use my A200 remote with Sanyo Eneloop recharchable batteries and the backlight is pretty dark compared to using normal batteries. (especially some days after charging) Maybe that´s worth a shot.

[VelvetPaw]

(10-06-2010 01:06 PM)illm Wrote:  Wow VelvetPaw! Fantastic! Great photos!

I'll try this as soon as I get home. Not sure I will go the soldering route at first, but rather covering them either with a black marker or some black tape. We'll see.

Luckily I do have soldering skills, but I don't want to risk breaking anything unless necessary. Backlight can be good, but on this remote it's just to fricking bright. Plus it flickers when I press/hold buttons. Too bad about the almost unavoidable dents as well. I'll try with a plastic tool first and hope for the best.

My impression of this community was also something that drove me towards getting a PCH.

Many thanks, and lets hope Google indexes this page for everyone else to find.

Yeah, I have the flickering as well.. must be the white LEDs plus the IR one draining a lot power from the batteries.. (more than the amber LEDs with the RF module anyway, as they won't flicker)
Just make sure it's a strong plastic tool... you will need some force to get it open...

[dc11ab]

Some plastic tool similar to the iphone openers?
http://www.dealsishop.com/case-opener.html