The Best Universal Remote Control
Replacement Universal Remote Control Features and Benefits
Sep 10, 2008
When it's time to replace a TV or home theater remote due to loss, malfunction, or the desire to combine several remotes into one universal device, the consumer will find a wide variety of choices. Universal remote controls range from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars. What are the differences and how does the consumer decide?
Remotes for Home Entertainment Systems
A typical home theater entertainment system contains multiple components or devices: a high definition TV, a cable or satellite box, an audio/video receiver, a DVD player, a game system, and five to seven speakers.
Each device can be tailored to user preferences by setting options through the remote control. When a remote is lost or malfunctions, a universal replacement is a good alternative.
Universal Remote Control Differences
Remote control devices costing twenty dollars may seem on the surface just as capable and usable as those costing two hundred dollars. Both are called universal, implying usability for any remote control function. Both also claim to replace up to fifteen separate remote controls. What, then, are the differences and how does a consumer decide?
Programming Universal Remotes
There are two approaches taken by manufacturers. The most basic is one for one device-based replacement, where the universal remote replicates each individual remote to be replaced, one at a time. For example, the viewer can operate a TV by first pressing the TV button on the remote, or can turn on cable by pressing the cable button. This process is repeated for each component of the home entertainment system.
A universal remote using this method is pre-programmed to mimic all or nearly all functions of existing popular remote controls. This is the approach of most low cost replacement remotes. They are characterized by a series of buttons labeled, TV, DVD, cable/satellite, etc.
The brand name of the TV or other device to be controlled can be looked up in a user manual and the appropriate code number entered into the universal remote. If the remote to be replaced has been included, the process will work smoothly and the new remote will cover all or most of the functionality desired.
Limitations of Device-Based Remotes
Less popular brands and older brands may not be covered, requiring the consumer to compromise or use a "learning" mode. Some universal remotes will learn the codes of the remote to be replaced, which presumes the older remote is available and functioning.
Another limitation of pre-programmed remotes is that devices manufactured after the universal remote is programmed may not be covered.
Activity Based Universal Remote Controls
High end universal remotes combine device-based replacement with a more user friendly activity-based approach. An activity is a complete sequence of operations, such as turning on a TV, selecting a specific input, turning on a cable/satellite box, selecting its channel, turning on an audio/video receiver, and powering up speakers.
Once this sequence is programmed into a universal remote, the activity of watching TV, including all the steps mentioned above, can be selected with one button. This is much more convenient for the user and eliminates repeating the complexities of setting up each component.
Activity-based programming is accomplished on a computer connected to the Internet. The Internet web site contains the programming codes of thousands of component remotes. A questionnaire run on the computer translates the sequence of operations, for example to watch TV, into a series of remote control codes that turn on and adjust each component of the home entertainment system.
Selecting the Best Universal Remote
Deciding on the best universal remote control involves considering the tradeoffs between cost, flexibility and ease of use. Device based remotes are generally cheaper than activity based, but are not as easy to use.
