Flipper Big Button Universal TV Remote for Seniors, Dementia - Works Both a TV Only or TV & Cable (STB) Set Up - Favorites, IR Devices Spectrum, Xfinity, Samsung, LG, Vizio, [Does not Work Streaming]

I've purchased a number of remotes for my mother, and finally, one she can use, hooray! UNBELIEVABLE, the difference it makes in her mood and outlook, to have some autonomy and control. She is legally blind and has dementia, but even if she were totally blind, she could use it (to listen to the TV). Other remotes presented so many buttons that my mom was overwhelmed by them. This one has only six, and by their placement, it was an easy matter for her to learn their functions.I showed her, made sure she knew where the power button was, learned that one. She was confused when I tried to teach her the other buttons, so I told her: "Mom, you can't do any harm by experimenting. Just play around with it- push a button, and if it doesn't do what you want, try another one, until you find something you like" and that's what she did (I don't know if that sank in or helped, that's what she seemed to do naturally anyway. The important thing, I think, was encouraging her to experiment).The beauty of the design is that the buttons have been pared down to only those that actually do something tangible. If she hits mute, it mutes. Or, the channel is changed, or the volume changes. That's it. So learning is nearly automatic, stimulus-response, no thought processes required. She learned the button's functions in a couple of days, on her own, what a BLESSING.We have a large display clock that shows the time, and she knows what time her favorite shows are on, such as Jeopardy and Judge Judy. I programmed in her favorite channels (takes time and patience, but it was worth it), excluding all the foreign language channels that discombobulate her so, along with ones she never watches, and she just pushes the channel up or channel down button until she sees/hears Judge Judy or whatever.The Flipper's makers seem to have thought of everything. Depending on your situation, you can program the Power button to operate either the TV or the STB [Set Top Box], or both at the same time. The volume and Mute buttons work with the TV, the Channel buttons work with the STB and NOT the TV (on our old universal remote half the time it changed the STB's channel, half the time it changed the TV's channel, taking it off of channel 3, impossible). That's if you're using the Flipper with both an STB and a TV. The flipper also has a TV only mode, if you plan to use it with a TV alone, in which case all the buttons work with the TV.Another thing I specifically wanted to mention is that our Magnavox STB's remote doesn't have a dash (-) or dot (.) button, you tune offset channels by waiting a moment until the dot appears after what you've entered, for example, if you enter 56, you wait a beat, a dot appears after the 56 in the corner of the screen, you can then enter a 2 or 3 or whatever to get 56.2 or 56.3. Obviously, this is challenging enough, even for me (you must be quick), totally impossible for my mom. I wondered how this would work in programming the Flipper. The programming keys on the Flipper remote includes a dash (-) key, and using it accomplished the same thing, worked with our STB! When you push that key, it adds the dot or dash and you can then enter the next digit, immediately. I'm talking about the Flipper's programming buttons, when you're setting up the favorite channels. Once these channels are programmed in, no-one ever needs to worry about this issue again.The biggest issue to note is that although generally the owner's manual for the Flipper is specific and detailed, excellent, clear language, occasionally they leave out a step. As I get older I find it more challenging to do these things, I'm less intuitive and must follow instructions to the letter, so a missed step really screws me up. So, when you're doing this, anywhere where it specifies a number of steps in a procedure, just make sure you repeat them all if needed. For example, when you're entering the code for your TV brand, the owner's manual says if the code doesn't work, try the next one. To do that [AS I REMEMBER- I'm not about to do it again, undo all my hard work to double-check], I believe you need to go back to the 2nd step, "Press and hold TV until the light turns solid" before trying the next code. I may be mistaken about this specific example, just bear this in mind when programming, if what you're doing doesn't seem to be working. There were at least two instances in which I got stuck, and it was because steps needed to be repeated and that wasn't specifically stated.One other issue- at least with our Magnavox box, if you hit channel up or channel down too quickly, before the channel has actually changed, it adds the digits to the digits already entered and the box will return with "invalid channel", showing nothing on the TV screen. So I've explained to my mom to wait between presses, wait until the channel actually changes, before hitting the button again. "Slow down, Mom." That worked.Finally, if you happen to own a Homeworx STB and over-the-air DVR (LOVE IT)- I hoped this remote would work with it, but it didn't, unfortunately. If you have one, you might see the end of my Aug. 7th review of it (link below), for an explanation of how one CAN use the Flipper with a different STB AND the Homeworx unit together (along with a ROKU box, provided you have auxiliary jacks), for folks with cognitive or sensory deficits.The Flipper is the best, fantastic, WHATEVER you use it with, has provided my mom a measure of freedom and autonomy so sorely missed, needed- invaluable. Highest recommendation!Mediasonic HW-150PVR HomeWorx ATSC Digital TV Converter Box with Media Player and Recording PVR Function/HDMI Out (Black)

I bought this for severe dementia dad. This remote is amazing. I highly recommend!!!! I bought a more expensive brand that had favorite buttons but my dad is confused to use those. This remote you not only program the cable box and the tv with simplicity but also you can add the 9 channels of your choice of their favorites to only have with no confusion. This is such a huge plus for our family and my dad’s independence. If you want all the channel access then don’t use the favorites at all and don’t program. We bought 2 and I’m very happy with the product.

I researched many remotes for my parents needs and I really like this remote for it's features and simplicity. It's simple to operate and set up. Getting your loved one to use it might be another story. :)I purchased it for my parents to use as their 100+ button remote was getting more difficult to use and I was tired of troubleshooting it over the phone or running over to their place to fix their 'tv' issue. Typically they were hitting an auxiliary/input button by accident.We are using the Flipper with a Cable Set Top Box and Visio TV now. I entered a code for the STB and that sends the signals for the channel up/down. I entered a code for the TV and that sends the signals for the mute and volume button. I believe the Power button sends a code to the STB and TV at the same time. Beware, you might think you found the proper code at first, but continue to test the setup.I'd recommend spending time .. 30-45 minutes setting it up, testing it and making sure you are 100% sure you have it right. I had it working in 5 minutes, but found out later that I still didn't have the right 'code' for the STB as there were 8 codes for the same vendor.Turns out the codes I needed probably were not included in the long list of codes in the setup instructions. But don't fear, you can either have the Flipper 'learn' or go through another process to find the code. I went through the process they document in the setup instructions to discover the correct codes for your TV and STB. Once I did that process it's been running 100% perfectly reliable since then. My point it just because you think you have the TV code correctly selected for ON/OFF, after more testing, you might find that channel up/down might not work.That all said, my parents still like to use their 100+ button cable remote, but over time as they have more difficultly using it or their memory fades, I believe this will be their 'go to' remote. The main reason they like their old remote it the ability to press the channel numbers and then 'enter' to jump directly to a station... I have both remotes sitting on their stand next to them. I did find my dad using it the other day, so I know he's sees the value in its simplicity. Again, over time, being able to enter the channel number and press enter will become harder to do.

I bought this product for my eldery mother and it was easy to set up and works perfectly. The only problem I have is that the channel preference is difficult to do, but the remote works great.