I am out of town on a business trip and I became bored sitting around the hotel room and watching the standard TV. I went to Gamestop and picked up a used GameCube ($30), a Gamecube memory card ($15!), Super Mario Sunshine ($15), Super Smash Brothers Melee ($15) and Metroid Prime ($7)- so for about $82 I had a console and three games to play to pass some time...
Unfortunately, the TV in the room is a Philips 27ST6210/27 and it is locked to disable the aux inputs on the side and back.
I tried a few tricks found via Google to 'unlock' the menu, but with no luck.
I purchased an inexpensive universal remote to try to change the input mode; this was disabled.
I learned of the green Philips Master Remote RC2573GR that has a 'master' and a 'guest' mode to change TV settings- but these run $35 on eBay.
I found one post that suggests the Harmony does have codes for the 'master remote'. I picked up a Harmony 200 remote for $20 from Radio Shack and I will try this when my clothes are done at the laundromat.
Just to be safe, I also purchased a RadioShack 15-2526 RF modulator that will take the composite video and audio from the Gamecube and inject the signal over channel 3 or 4 ($30). If the Harmony does the trick I can return this...
Update: The RF modulator worked, but it is very cumbersome to use as I must also keep a set of needle-nosed pliers to remove the coax cable from the back of the TV. I purchased a generic Philips master remote for $33 and it allows me to re-enable the external ports. Once enabled, there is a new option on the menu from the standard hotel remote to change inputs- and this option appears to stay once renabled (at least for a few week).
