HOW DO UNIVERSAL REMOTES WORK?

In the old days, we only had a remote control for the television. It was the product of the space age, a short-range ultrasonic remote control the changed the channels, the volume and controlled the set's power. In the 80's, we got remote controls with infrared technology (Ir) for VCRs, Laser Disc players, and cable boxes. In the 90's, CD players, stereo receivers, and many other electronic devices all had remote controls. Today, the remote controls are 'out of control'. Some of us still have remote controls for things we don't even own any more!

Welcome of the age of convenience. Universal remote controls have arrived so that your family can use one remote control for all the home entertainment devices. You can take the original remotes, store them away, and use just one remote to control everything, including the lights!

Universal remotes have the ability to reproduce the same signals that the original remotes produced. They do this by one of two methods, they can be Pre-programmed or Learning. Some remotes have both abilities where there is a basic set of commands pre-learned and the ability to learn commands that are not already stored.

Pre-Programmed Remotes

Pre-Learned remote controls have been programmed to work with major brands of televisions, VCR, cable boxes, and other devices. These remote controls will control between four and 12 different devices. Before investing in one of these, make sure it supports the devices you need controlling. Some remote controls only do the basic devices (TV, VCR, Cable); others will do those plus audio gear, (Amp, CD player, Cassette). They are all pre-learned with codes for the major manufactures that market their products in North America. The good news is that most of the manufactures used the same Ir command set year after year. This means the remote that controls a Sony TV made in 1996 will most likely still control Sony TVs made in now. Engineers like to reuse existing technology so the VCR you buy next year will most likely be in the remote's library now.

Setting up a pre-learned remote is simple. Included with the remote will be a "Code Table" like the one below:

VCR Codes		Cable Boxes
Emerson	016,067, 014	General Instrument	0011, 0476
GE	039, 000, 017	Jerrold	0003, 0012, 0014, 0011,0015, 0476
Hitachi:	040, 013	Pioneer	0144, 0023, 0753
Sharp	164, 101	Scientific Atlanta	0008, 0017, 0477
Toshiba	017	Tocom	0012, 0013
Quasar	083,107	Zenith	0000, 0525

Start by putting the remote into the programming mode and enter the setup code number into the keypad. Then, try to control the device with the universal remote, if it does not work, continue to enter codes for that manufacture until one controls the device.

Nearly all these remote controls also have a scan function where the remote will go through all its codes until the device reacts (usually the remote will turn off the power.) Once it finds the code for the device, it will be permanently stored in its memory. Most of the pre-learned remote controls on our web site have the owner's manuals on line if you want to check for a setup code.

Limitations of Pre-Programmed Remotes

While these remote controls are the lesser expensive of the two types, they do have some drawbacks. The one we often hear about is the lack of functions. Most pre-programmed remote control only operate the basic functions. On a TV, it controls the changing of the channels, volume, and power. It rarely has some of the more esoteric functions like picture in picture, input selection, or access to the setup screens. On VCR's, it may only control the tape transport functions, power, and tuner functions. Setting up the VCR to record a timer function is best left to the original remote control. Another problem is they only control major audio/vide devices, like TV, VCR's and other popular AV devices. For example, they lack setup codes for unusual devices like our Caller ID TV Messenger, Remote Control Drapes, and Mini-Blinds to name a few. Additionally, for new types of audio and video equipment, like DVD players, pre-programmed remotes may be completely without any programming.

Novelty Remotes

One of our more popular lines of pre-programmed remotes are the ones that come in different shapes. For sci-fi fans, we have the Star Trek Phaser Remote. This unit is instantly recognizable and produce authentic sounds when the buttons are pressed. From remotes with Big Buttons to remotes you wear as a Wrist Watch, we have it all. For the remotes that make sounds, we have recorded WAVe files that can be played back on your computer. Look for this icon on the web page.

Learning Remotes

Because of limitations of pre-learned remote controls, learning remote controls have become increasing popular in recent years. Like the name implies, these remote controls learn signals from the existing remote control. If you have lost your original remote or your dog has chewed it up, then you may want to look at a remote that has both learning and is pre-programmed.

These remote take more time to set up since you must teach the signals to the new remote control. Generally, you put the learning remote into the programming mode, press a key on it that you want it to learn, then press a corresponding key on the teaching remote control. You will have the flexibility of teaching the learning remote only the signals you want it to learn. All of them have memory that won't be lost when the batteries get weak (and you change the batteries soon after the message appears that the batteries need changing).

A new generation of remotes has recently appeared. Remote controls with LCD screens started showing up in 1998 and they have been a big hit. These remotes will change their screen's button labels when you changed devices to be controlled. If the remote was in the TV mode it showed one set of button labels, switch over to control the amp and a different set of button labels appeared. See the different screen these two models can produce:

Touchscreen  Learning IR  Remote	Sony 12-Device Universal Remote

While those two remotes are really cool, some newer ones will blow you away. With some of our newest and coolest remotes, you can edit the screen to include graphics like network logos, change the buttons size and name, or draw maps of your home's lighting. Some use a computer program that allows the users to set up the screens and then download the setup into the remote control. Disconnect the computer and you are ready to be the master of you home's audio and video system. Here are the remotes that will make your home theater the envy of all your friends.

Pronto Touchscreen Remote	Home Theater Master MX-500 Remote

Next time I'll talk about controlling your lights with your new remote control and some cool things you can do with them.

updated 6/28/05