Universal Remote
Controls
A typical home theater has many
components such
as Tv, DVR, DVD
player, Receiver, Cable box, Video
game system, lighting controls just to
name a few. Each of these components has
their own remote control. Trying to keep
track of each of these remotes is enough to
give even the most organized home theater
enthusiast a headache. Universal remote
controls are a welcome solution.
Benefits of universal remote controls:
- Are you tired of losing the remotes in
the recliner cushions?
- Do you feel like you need a college
degree in electronics to figure out how to
get your system turned on and set up
properly?
- Do you want a system where all members
of your family can get the home theater set
up with a few simple clicks?
- Are you fed up with buying
batteries in bulk just so you can keep your
remote controls powered?
- Is your home theater decor cluttered by
multiple remotes of multiple shapes, sizes
and colors?
Universal remote controls will help solve
all of these problems. With one
convenient handheld device you can control all
of your components in your home theater with
ease.
A universal remote will allow you
to create activities or macros that will
automate the process of setting up your
theater. For example set up a command for
watching a DVD that will turn on the tv, set it
to the proper input, turn on the DVD player,
turn on the Receiver and set it to the proper
DVD input and even dim the lights to the proper
viewing levels all at the touch of a
button.
Universal remote controls - my personal
experience and
recommendation.
Universal remote
codes
Universal remote controls allow custom codes
to be entered in to the remote in order to
control each of your components.
Universal remote codes can also sometimes be
programmed entirely through the computer and
input into your remote through a usb
connection.
Questions to consider before shopping
for Universal remote controls.
- Cost - You can go to the local discount
store and find a Universal remote for under
$20, but be aware of the limitations of
these remotes. Many times they will
allow you to simplify a few tasks for a few
components, but many of these will not
adequately resolve the needs of the home
theater owner. Universal remote
controls typically will range in price from
close to $100 to several hundred dollars
for the advanced models.
- How many devices do you need to
control? If you just need to control
two or three devices an entry level remote
should be sufficient, however many of
today's home theaters have multiple
components and automated
controls.
- Do you need your remote to learn
functions of other remotes or can all of
the codes be programmed in to the
remote? Do you want to manually input
the universal remote codes or do you
want the codes programmed through computer
software?
- Do you want LCD touchscreen
functionality? Hard buttons are
convenient, but LCD screens allow you to
label new, customized functions on
your screen as well as add a bit of a
sophisticated wow factor to your
system.
- What kind of backlighting do you need
for the remote?
- Determine the look and feel that you
would like the remote to have. A
small, sleek remote may match the decor of
your theater, but make sure that the remote
is big enough so that you can easily access
the buttons. Make sure the
remote feels ergonomically
correct.
Recommended universal remote
controls
There are many remotes to choose from.
I would recommend one of
Logitech Harmony Remotes or one of the
Universal Remote Control models.
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