Fed up with finding the remotes of each of your electronic devices, then a universal remote control comes as an easy answer. In general a universal remote is a remote control that can be easily programmed to operate various brands and one or more types of electronics devices such as TV, music system, Air-conditioners and many other devices. Typically, the low-end universal remote controls can only control a set number of devices pre defined by their manufacturer, while the mid- and high-end universal remote controls allow the user to program in new controls codes to the remote for controlling a number of other devices. With the increasing use of the universal remote controls many remotes sold with various electronic devices include universal remote capabilities for other types of device, which allow the remote to control other devices apart from the device it came with.
The universal remote controls can be broadly classified in two types like
Device Based Universal Remote Controls
Most universal remote controls that are sold today are device based and they are quite popular. The use of the device-based remote control is simple and the user has to press a button associated with the desired device to control and then uses the remaining buttons to control that single device. Controlling other devices is also simple as the remote control identifies the other devices when the user presses a different device button and then the remote starts sending command to the new device. An example of a device-based remote is the Home Theater Master line of remotes.
Activity Based Remote Control
These types of the universal remote controls are programmed to work on the concept of activities and not on the devices. In this instead of controlling each device individually the user can instead focus on the activity that they want to perform. For instance the user might want to watch a movie, or listen some music, or just watch TV. It is when a particular activity is selected the universal remote control may send out the necessary signals and commands to various necessary devices in to turn on and to configure device to accomplish the desired activity. For instance selecting an activity like watch a movie the universal remote control might turn on the TV, configure the TV to the DVD video input, turn on the amplifier, configure the amplifier to the DVD audio input, turn on the DVD player, and start the DVD playing. One of the most popular activity based remote controls is the Logitech Harmony line of remotes.
The journey with the universal remote control just doesn't stops there, but can continue with the up gradations that are required with the changing electronic devices. That is why many universal remote controls allow the code lists programmed into the remote to be updated to support new brands or models of devices not currently supported by the remote. Interestingly the lower end universal remote controls accomplish this by allowing audible signals to be sent over a telephone to a receiver on the remote. This is applicable when the user calls customer service, an operator can have the caller place the remote next to the phone's speaker and then send a signal over the telephone to upgrade the remote for any requested new brand of model of supported device type.
Programmable Universal Remote Control
Universal remote control is the one which could be programmed in such a way that it controls huge variety or kinds of components. They are available in various forms ranging from the basic ones to the lower priced models which could be located at the discount stores locally and which are capable of controlling only a few number of devices to the advanced model universal remote controls which can enable the user to control virtually many devices and also allow to set up macros or preset activities.
Some might wonder why there is a great need for buying a universal remote control when the components have their own remote controls; some of the reasons for having a universal remote control are given below:
Main reason for using universal remote control is for its ease of use. There are many electronic devices which have difficult settings and configuration that only technically savvy persons can control them, but the universal remote controls available these days, enable the persons to input the devices they have via computer program or programming codes. Once the initial setup is done, the user can intuitively work in controlling all his components easily.
Moreover, many of the mid range and high refuge universal remotes enable the users to program macros or activities that with just the touch of a button many components can be activated automatically. For instance, when an universal remote button is hit, a DVD player or Television turns on and sets itself to the right input, bass shaker can be turned on, lights can be dimmed to view the video properly, all just in a single touch of a remote button.
When a household has various remote controls for various devices, there is a great chance of losing one or many remote controls. This loss is more in case if the household has many kids. Incase of possessing a universal remote control, it can be kept and maintained safely.
Universal remote controls also help in cutting down the number of batteries used in case of many remote controls. This not only saves the user from spending more money on them, but also saves the environment from the hazards of using more and more batteries.
Universal remote controls are very intelligent as they are driven by sophisticated and complex software. With their help, even a whole electrical wiring system of a home can be connected to them wirelessly. Once done, the user can reset or set the security alarm, transfer digital photos to the television set, direct MP3 music to the home theater speakers and so on. Any thing and every thing would be possible and that too at the wish of the user without straining his nerves.
Both Anand Dongre & Russ Snapper are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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