SALT REMOTE ~
A Remote That Should Have Come With Apple TV
(Please note that Google’s BlogSpot, the provider we use to publish this monthly column, has changed the allowable format style. So, if the column’s format looks a bit strange it’s due to Google and BlogSpot, not THE GADGETEER.)
BOB SKIDMORE
CORRESPONDENT
© 2021 BOB SKIDMORE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
In a previous column I reported on the included remote for the Apple TV 4K/HD device. As mention in the article the remote that Apple supplies with this product leaves a lot to be desired. They added a track pad feature that mimics what you find on many laptops. While useful on a laptop it is very clumsy operationally on a remote. This is the case with the one supplied with Apple TV. SALT by TW Electronics has manufactured what I would consider to be a giant leap forward in making the Apple TV remote experience much easier and efficient. It even can control your TV and comes preprogrammed for most Samsung flat screens. You will immediately notice that the control buttons are similar to those found on traditional remotes. Let’s take a look.
(1) Power on/off: With this button, you can turn your TV on and off. A long press of this button, more than two seconds, allows you to switch off the Apple TV only, unless the CEC is activated. In that case your TV will be turned off as well. (CEC is short for HDMI Consumer Electronics Control and is an HDMI feature many TVs and peripherals have. This feature makes your devices work better together, but is often disabled by default.) (2) MENU: This button is used to activate hidden options of a page. It also allows you to return to the previous screen. Furthermore, you can use this button to turn on your Apple TV when it is off. A long press on the MENU button allows you to return to the Apple TV home screen. (3) NAVIGATION ARROWS: With the four navigation arrows, you can navigate through the screens and select the icons of the services you want to utilize. The top arrow activates the channel carrousel. They are all sorted by category, and you will also find your favorite selections. The down arrow activates the player’s option menu when you watch TV so you can access advanced features such as info, controls and audio. (4) OK: The OK button confirms the entry in the menu corresponding to the icon on which the cursor is pointing. (5) P a/v: These buttons allow you to switch to the upper or lower program when the user is watching a live TV program. If the program is not live, you will have to confirm that you desire to return to live TV before switching. (6) VOLUME: Volume up/down allows you to increase or decrease your TV’s volume. (7) MUTE: Mutes the sound of your TV. By pressing again you can reinstate the sound. (8) FAST FORWARD: This button allows you fast-forward a program not on live TV. A second press will accelerate the forwarding. A third press will return to normal play mode. You can also return to the play mode by pressing the play button. (9) FAST REWIND: This button allows you to rewind a program. A second press will accelerate the rewinding. A third press will return to the normal playback mode. You can also return to normal play mode by pressing the play button. (10) SKIP FORWARD. Permits you to skip part of the program by jumping forward. (11) SKIP BACK: Allows you to skip part of the program by jumping backwards. (12) PAUSE PLAY: Allows you to interrupt a program. Pressing it again will resume the program from where you paused it. (13) STOP: Allows you to stop a running program.
As you can quickly see the Swiss made SALT remote runs circles around the Apple one! Its ease of operation puts you back in direct control without the use of your finger attempting to properly track, or depress what functions you wish to activate. I should mention that while I tested the SALT model of this style remote other brands are out there and some may have slightly different buttons and configurations, but work in much the simplistic same manner.
GADGETEER’s RATING: ★★★★★
MSRP: $65.00
For more information go to: https://amzn.to/2JFfr1b
Graphic credits: Google Images
Bob Skidmore is a freelance writer, who may be contacted at bob.thegadgeteer.skidmore@gmail.com, or followed at twitter.com/bskidmore for the latest gadget industry news. He does not represent, or endorse any of the products he reviews and his opinions are solely his points of view and not those of the manufacturer, or any legal resource. The manufacturer generally supplies products and press releases at no cost for the articles and no other compensation is received. THE GADGETEER is highly selective as to products he feels worthy of review so as not to waste the reader’s time, thus the reason for many superior ratings.
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