Universal Remote Guide Category:
Universal remote is something we use to combine several remote controls we use into a single one. The most common appliances in the living room are sound system, TV, video players and etc. When you are watching TV or listen to songs, walking to the system itself just to calibrate the channel and volume is just a frustration. Moreover the volume you re experiencing right in front of the TV isn’t necessary the same as that when you are on couch. That’s why remote controls are used to do the job.
Today, some of us are having well over 10 of remote controllable appliances in the house. And the mess itself is made by the placing of remote control. Sometimes, you can’t even figure out which remote is for what. Cut the clutter on your coffee table now with a universal remote! You can program the remote itself to sync with your machines and just control everything in your house with just a single remote control.
How do you choose the best universal remote for yourself? Do you need one that’s just for living room? Or do you need one which is for the entire house? Low end universal remotes offer controls up to 3 or 5 devices only, while high end ones could offer up to 15.
The connectivity technology of a remote control aren’t usually just the common infrared and RF, some models offers control through more modern ways like Bluetooth and WLAN. You can even control your personal computer, desktop and notebook alike, with a universal remote. Some of the remotes are equipped with an operating system. With that you can actually connect and control your PC remotely.
You can do your tasks with a time lag with the timer feature, like recording or downloading a movie. The macro feature also enables you to program several task to be performed together or accordingly with a single button. You can macro everything with just some creativity. For instance, you can set a 2 hours delay for downloading or recording a movie and set your Bluetooth alarm clock to wake up when it’s completed, then switch on the sound system and play the movie the moment you wake up.
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by Sue on November 27, 2009
1. Functionality – basic or advanced?
Decide for yourself first whether you want a universal remote that can do only the basic functions such as power on and off, play, stop, pause, etc; or one that can perform all the advanced functions included in the original remote controls.
If you rarely even use the advanced function buttons on the original remotes, then you might as well get a basic universal remote control that is cheaper.
2. Control range
Don’t feel like getting up and going into the next room to switch off that air-cond? Get a universal remote with radio frequency that can navigate through partitions! A good model is the Logitech Harmony 1000 Advanced Universal Remote.
These are more advanced universal remotes and cost more, of course. If you’re getting this type of universal remote, make sure it can control a good number of devices, or you might as well invest in two standard universal remotes and keep one in each room.
3. Users
Who will be using the universal remote more? Different people like different kinds of universal remotes.
Seniors would prefer larger and maybe back-lit or illuminated buttons that are easier to see. People who’re not so good at devices would like simple and basic buttons just to let them control many devices with one remote control.
Techies like advanced technologies that allow them more flexibility in functions. For instance, an Xbox junkie like me would love this Logitech Harmony Xbox 360 Remote.
4. Rechargeable battery and dock?
I strongly advise you to buy a universal remote that doesn’t need you to configure devices all over again when you change the battery. What a waste of time! If the universal remote cannot keep the configurations when the battery is taken out, then you’d better check if it has a rechargeable battery and dock.
Some people would like a dock because it keeps the universal remote in place and you don’t have to look around for it. Logitech Harmony 880 Advanced Universal Remote Control comes with one.
5. Number of devices
Count the number of devices you want to control with the universal remote, add a rough number of devices you may add to your home in the future, then get the universal remote that can control so many devices.
This will make sure you’re really getting that ONE remote control for all devices. If you’re frequently updating your home devices, get a learning universal remote like this Sony RM-VL600 8-Device Universal Learning Remote.
6. Types of devices
Are you using common brands of devices at home? Universal remotes come with a listing of codes for many brands and models of devices in its manual, but if you’re using some unknown or rare brand of device, you may have to search for the code on your own.
You can avoid some trouble by checking what types and brands of devices the universal remote can control. A good universal remote for home theater system is the Logitech Harmony 890 Advanced Universal Remote Control, while the Logitech Harmony 880 Advanced Universal Remote Control is compatible with most systems.
Go to my Best Universal Remote main page or blog for more tips and universal remote reviews.
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by Sue on October 16, 2009
Excited about the fact that you just got your new universal remote, but only to realise that you have no idea how or where to start? Or is the user manual guide just too thick and long winded? Read on to pick up some useful tips on how to use a universal remote and breeze your way through the process.
Here are the main steps:
1. Connect your universal remote to your computer
Universal remotes usually come with a USB cable. Use the cable to connect your remote to your computer.
2. Install software
If an installation CD comes with your remote, just pop in the CD and install the software. However, if the remote doesn’t come with one, just visit the company’s website and download the software’s latest version.
3. Register an account on the website
Usually, after getting the software of program installed, you would be prompted to register yourself on the company’s website. It’s a simple task and won’t take much of your time.
4. Configure devices to your remote
More than often, a database which has quite a vast coverage on a wide variety of devices for you to choose from is provided. Just identify the company, model, and the type of your device to determine the code which will then be used to configure your remote.
Nevertheless, if you can’t find your device from the database, you just have to answer a few questions related to your device and a code will be provided for the configuration.
5. Manually configure button functions
There are times when certain buttons on your original remote cannot be found on the universal remote. Don’t panic, it is actually quite easy especially if your universal remote is a learning remote. Place the both remotes so that both of them are touching at the infrared source.
Push the learn button on the universal remote and select the destination button on the universal remote. Then press and hold on to the button on the original remote that you want the universal remote to learn. When it is done, (usually indicated by a blink of light) just try it out on your device!
The best learning remote is the Sony RM-VL600 8-Device Universal Learning Remote, which I strongly recommend for those who often update their home system.
6. Troubleshooting
If you were to encounter any problems at all when using the universal remote, there would most probably be a ‘Help’ button available. Work your way through, it is always easily solved since the questions and tips provided are closely related to the problem you are facing.
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by Sue on September 22, 2009
Universal remotes have proved to be useful and it had brought the meaning of convenient navigation of devices to a whole new level. Though it makes things incredibly easier when you combine all your remotes into a single one, it might just be a major problem when you encounter a glitch or when your universal remote seems to cease functioning properly.
Here are a few handy tips in aiding you to troubleshoot what might be causing your universal remote to not function normally:
Is your device joint to a working power socket?
Check to make sure that the device you were having problem with, is actually connected to a running power supply. It might sound silly now, but you’d be amazed at how often this first step proves to be a charm.
Battery’s condition
For universal remotes which require batteries, check if you have them installed correctly. Also, batteries which display corroded traces might just be the culprit. If your universal remote boasts a rechargeable battery, double check its battery status and see if there’s enough juice. A remote running low in battery life may not function efficiently.
Have a clear path between the universal remote and device
Move the universal remote closer to the targeted electronic device, preferably within 20 feet (about 6 metres) and be sure to aim squarely. Take away anything which might come in between the infrared ray. Be it a plastic covering the universal remote, or a cloth draped over the device, these may hinder the remote’s functions.
Disable remote’s locking feature
Try switching off the universal remote’s key lock of parental lock properties. More than often, they can be the contributing factors as to why the remote is not functioning.
Check if the remote’s infrared is working
You will need a camera phone or a digital camera for this. Aim the infrared source of the universal remote towards the camera lens. Observe via the digital viewer as you push all the buttons on the remote. You should be able to get a flicker of light from the infrared source while looking through the digital viewer, if the remote is functional. In the event that all buttons pass this test, either your device needs to be looked at or the remote requires a reprogram.
Manual and codes
The last resort would be to refer to the universal remote’s user manual. Ensure that the remote is configured correctly to the device. Also, make certain that the device code registered in the remote is the right one.
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Hi welcome to my blog of best universal remote!
Why Universal Remote?
Do you have separate remotes for your TV, DVD player, home theater system, music system and satellite TV? If so, you probably find that having so many remotes control can easily become a major hassle. Too many remotes, too many things laying on the table and I get confuse with all this remote controls too!
Thanks to the better technology, all these problems can be solved with a universal remote control. Having just one remote control for everything is a blessing from heaven!
Universal Remote Control
A universal remote is a single controller which operates all your television entertainment units – TV, DVD player, home theater system and etc. It’s a great convention but it’s might take sometime to set up, personally I think it’s worth the effort.
You can feed and program the different command codes of all your devices into one universal remote control and use it to control all their functions.
There are many different varieties of universal remote controls ranging from the basic model that can be found at the local discount store that is only able to control a set number of devices to the more advanced models that can allow you to control virtually any number of devices in your home.
But basically, to make things easy to understand different type of remote contorl, there is manual remote control, touch screen remote control ( one touch and advance program ) and learning remote control.
Manual, Touch-Screen and Learning Universal Remote Control
Manuals accompanying universal remotes usually list the codes of different brands. And the most advance one is the touch screen universal remote control that can almost handle any devices.
Another wonderful invention is the learning remote, which automatically absorbs and stores the codes of all the remote control and uses them to control any devices.
Well, now you know better about universal remote, for the next following week, I hope I have time to post more review about universal remote and recommend the best universal remote for your home system.
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