A universal remote is a remote control that can be programmed to operate various brands of one or more types of consumer electronics devices. They are a smart way to consolidate the operation and management of your home entertainment system into a single, convenient controller. They are also a quick solution if you lose or damage one of your other remotes, unless you don't mind shuttling between your couch and TV every time you want to change the channel.

Types of Universal Remotes

You can purchase different universal remotes that vary in price and features. Remotes at the low end of the market will control you TV and DVD player but won't be able to control such things as your satellite TV or even your PC. Higher end remotes enable you to program new codes in to the remote, meaning that you can control almost any unit that comes with a remote control.

Codes for Universal Remotes

Codes typically come with the remote and the user selects the codes that corresponds to the electronic device that is to be controlled.

Just about every universal remote includes preprogrammed codes for a broad range of manufacturers. In addition to preprogrammed codes, remotes with learning capabilities are able to copy the signals of your old remotes, thus "learning" the proper signal to send to your A/V gear.

Program the Remote

However, someone -- or something -- has to tell it what brands of entertainment gear you have so it knows what codes to use.

Unfortunately, programing a universal remote can be challenging at time, especially if you are not born with the technical gene. However, remotes are becoming more and more user friendly, and the effort you put in to programing your remote will be worth it once it is completed.

If you chose manual programming then typically in the remote's instruction book is a list of codes for different manufacturers. You can get remotes where the programming can be done in your PC and downloaded to the remote. While using a universal remote programming solution can seem daunting at first, you'll find that it ultimately makes your use of electronic devices much easier, as well as future proof.

Conclusion

Universal remotes are a great way to make your life easier if you have so many different remotes that you don't know which one is which. They also make a great gift for technical minded individuals.