Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Mike Ellis
TDR MEMBER
HELP! I am searching for a simple-to-use DVD player for my parents, and so far I have had zero luck figuring out how to set things up so they don't have to diddle with remotes switching inputs to get video to the screen.
They are in their 60's and extremely techno-phobic, with relatively poor eyesight to boot. We have them set up with a bigscreen TV that is friendly to their eyes, and they have DirecTV satellite, but the remote controls on the TV and satellite just frustrate them to death. I got them a universal remote, but having satellite and TV controlled from one remote is about all they can handle. When we got them a DVD player and VCR and threw them into the mix, it turned out to be more than they could stand. So the DVD player and VCR go unused, and they are unable to watch their favorite movies and shows anymore.
I thought surely there must be SOMETHING out there that was as easy to use as the old cable system they had that played through channel 3 of the TV. They had their VCR in line with it, and if you poked in a tape and hit play, presto here's the movie on the screen.
Any ideas how I can implement a similarly easy-to-use DVD/VCR setup for them now? Maybe a kid-friendly DVD player or an automatic switcher or something? Even something like a universal remote with bigger buttons would be a big improvement for them. Any and all ideas gratefully accepted... .
They are in their 60's and extremely techno-phobic, with relatively poor eyesight to boot. We have them set up with a bigscreen TV that is friendly to their eyes, and they have DirecTV satellite, but the remote controls on the TV and satellite just frustrate them to death. I got them a universal remote, but having satellite and TV controlled from one remote is about all they can handle. When we got them a DVD player and VCR and threw them into the mix, it turned out to be more than they could stand. So the DVD player and VCR go unused, and they are unable to watch their favorite movies and shows anymore.
I thought surely there must be SOMETHING out there that was as easy to use as the old cable system they had that played through channel 3 of the TV. They had their VCR in line with it, and if you poked in a tape and hit play, presto here's the movie on the screen.
Any ideas how I can implement a similarly easy-to-use DVD/VCR setup for them now? Maybe a kid-friendly DVD player or an automatic switcher or something? Even something like a universal remote with bigger buttons would be a big improvement for them. Any and all ideas gratefully accepted... .
