Carrie Sucharski

Homework 1: Interface Analysis

Sunday, January 19, 2003

HITACHI TV Remote Control

The interface of my HITACHI TV remote is easy to understand and navigate. It is divided up into 3 sections: signal output, TV/VCR, and programming. The signal output area allows the user to select what they would like the TV remote to control: the TV, the VCR, or the cable box. The TV button-pad area allows the user to adjust the channels and volume. The programming section’s buttons allows for the user to set the TV’s internal clock, program the VCR to record at a certain time, control the TV’s displays, and manage the TV’s color, lighting, and brightness.

All of the buttons are proportional in shape and size, and are formed as circles, ovals, and bars. Above each button is a text label or abbreviation that explains the function. The ‘number pad area’ has numbers on the buttons, rather than above. The text is mostly white and is easily read against the black interface background. A few buttons, however, are labeled with colored text because their functions are more useful and important, and therefore they need to stand out more. These colors apply to the Power and Record buttons/functions. The layout is constant throughout the remote allowing for easy use. The interface does not need to be “learned” and is easily adaptable to the user, allowing him/her to become comfortable with it. Upon pressing each button, there is immediate feedback and function ability. As long as the remote is pointed towards a TV, VCR, or Cable Box, the buttons’ functions will work.

In the VCR sector of the remote, symbols are used to correlate the buttons’ functions with the actions, and the symbols on the VCR to the buttons. The buttons that use symbols and text labels are: Pause ;, Rewind 7, Fast Forward 8, Play 4, Stop g, Record =, Volume up and down tu, and Channel up and down tu. Most of these buttons use an arrow in one form or another; a single arrow pointing up or down, two solid triangles pointing left or right, or a single arrow for Play and a square for Stop.

Overall, I rate this HITACHI TV Remote as excellent, basing my conclusion on its easy user interactivity and organized interface. The remote is small, simple, and includes only the necessary functions needed in order to effectively activate and surf the TV and VCR. This remote allows for easy user interaction because the icons used are universal to America’s technology; the colored text is limited to white, green, and red; buttons are spread out and easy to touch.