Had enough of that pile of remotes cluttering your coffee table? It's time to replace them all with one full-featured, multi-component home theater remote that does everything. But with so many choices available, how do you choose one that's right for you? That decision depends on how you want it to work and what you want it to do. Although each remote we offer has its own individual strengths and features, most fall under one of three major categories: preprogrammed remotes, learning remotes, and hybrid models offering both preprogrammed and learning operation.

Preprogrammed Remotes

Designed for easy and quick setup, preprogrammed remotes are programmed at the factory to operate most TVs, DVD players, VCRs, cable boxes and satellite receivers in North America. The only programming you'll have to do is to enter a short numeric code that corresponds to the brand of each device you own. Most preprogrammed remotes come with a code chart that makes looking up brands easy. Most major manufacturers use the same IR command set year after year, so chances are good that the Sony TV you bought in 1998 will have the same signals as the Sony TVs of 2005, 2007, etc. Because these remotes are preprogrammed for virtually all A/V devices, the only drawback is that sometimes they're not programmed for some of the less common functions of your original remotes, like the VCR timer, picture-in-picture, or the DVD "change angle" function. If you don't use some of these less common functions, then preprogrammed is definitely the way to go. Examples of preprogrammed remotes include:

5-in-1 RF/IR Remote	The Big Remote	Universal Keychain Remote
Universal 6 Device Battery Free Remote	Football Universal TV Remote

Learning Remotes

As the name implies, learning remotes learn signals from your existing remote controls. The primary advantage of learning remotes is that you don't have to worry if your equipment code is not in the preprogrammed library, so these remotes are ideal for such situations as when your equipment is new or not commonly available. A learning remote is also recommended if you want to teach the remote codes for non-A/V equipment, like remote-controlled drapes or X10/IR interfaces. Although these remotes take a little more time to set up than preprogrammed remotes, they can easily be taught some of the functions that are difficult to access from preprogrammed remotes, like the VCR timer, picture-in-picture, or the DVD "change angle" function. And since learning remotes learn codes one button at a time, you can teach any command to any key. So if you don't like the location of a particular function on your remote, you can easily teach it to another key. Since learning remotes learn codes for the original remotes, you don't want to choose learn-only remotes if you're replacing a remote that's lost or broken. Examples of learning remotes include:

MX-850 Orion IR/RF PC Program Remote	Osiris RF Remote Control	Backlit Learning Remote Control
51-Button Harmony Remote	15-Device Harmony 676 Sport Remote	Harmony Media Center Remote
	Omega MX-650 IR/RF Remote

Hybrid Remotes

For the ultimate in ease, choose a hybrid remote that combines preprogrammed codes AND learning functions. These remotes offer the best of both worlds. Setup takes much less time than learn-only remotes, yet you still have the flexibility to teach the hybrid remote advanced commands; it can also be taught commands for the equipment you buy in the future. Examples of hybrid remotes include:

Sony Programmable LCD Touchscreen Remote	Sony Universal Learning Remote w/ Macros	Home Theater Master MX-500 Remote	Sony Fully Editable Touchscreen Remote Control	Harmony 880 Advanced Universal Remote
TSR/500 Touchscreen Remote Control	iPronto Home Control Panel	Kameleon 8-in-1 Remote	Home Theater Master 8-in-1 Pre-programmed & Learning Remote	Sony 5-Component Universal Learning Remote

To see Smarthome's complete line of remote controls, click here.

Advanced Options

If you're one of those techno-junkies who are ready to take A/V control to the next level, consider one of our advanced IR control systems that allow you to turn any PC or X10 system into a full-featured remote control. Examples include: Ocelot Modular Home Control System Leopard Touchscreen Home Controller Global Cach� (Network IR Control)