Universal Remote Control



    If you are like most Americans, you have a plethora of remote controls scattered across your living room or home theater room.  Every time someone visits your place, you have to give the tutorial on how to change the channel.  While it makes perfect sense to you, the reason why it takes three different remote controls to accomplish the task leaves your guests baffled. Enter the universal remote control.  The universal remote control is almost a must for those who have a full home theater system.  Simplifying the complicated world of home theater isn't always possible but with a universal remote control that power is put into the palm of your hand.  Literally.

Universal Remote Control

How Universal Remote Controls Work

    How can universal remote controls be "universal"?  All remote controls use a protocol or code in order to interface with their devices.  The protocols are different for different manufacturers and the various home theater components they produce.  A universal remote control comes preprogrammed with a multitude of these protocols for various devices.  This allows you to control any device that has its protocol stored in the remote control.
    The universal remote controls is also "universal" because it is basic.  The functions it is able to activate are the ones that are primary to all devices of a certain type.  Such functions include a play button for DVD/CD players, channel up/down for televisions, etc.  Since it needs to be compatible with a wide array of devices from various manufacturers, special functions such as joy sticks for DVD players are left off.  If some of the home theater components you own have functions you just can not live without, look into getting a learning remote control.  The features they offer are light years ahead of anything a universal remote control can do for you.

Choosing a Universal Remote Control

    You can find universal remote controls everywhere from home theater specialty shops to the grocery store.  Universal remote controls even come with some components of your home theater system such as receivers, televisions and DVD players.  When choosing an aftermarket universal remote control, you need to know exactly which devices you want it to interface with.  While the grocery store remote controls will work with basic devices like televisions and DVD players, you will need to go to a place that specializes in home theater in order to find one that will work with your receiver.  Take note of the range of the remote as well; farther is better.  Backlit buttons are excellent.  Rather than trying to find specific buttons in the dark, backlit buttons will allow you to see the functions you need.  Also look at the button layout.  Does it make sense?  Are they clearly labeled and organized?

Universal Remote Control: Final Thoughts

    Universal remote controls are almost a necessity for you home theater.  More often than not, this is the method you will use to interact with your home theater components.  Choose wisely.  Do not go for the cheap grocery store models because you get what you pay for.  Make sure that the universal remote you purchase is one of quality that will suit your needs.
    If you are, in fact, in the market for a new univeral remote control, check out the Universal Unifier URC-200 at Abt Electronics.  Not only is it capable of controlling 10 different components, it is also preprogrammed with the protocols for over 2,000 home theater products.  The buttons are backlit and there is even an option for sending RF signals.  The RF signals will allow you to control devices from different rooms in your house.  This requires additional equipmentbut it is something to think about if you have a large home or listen to your system from different rooms of your home.