October 2007
Universal remote controls
Advice on buying one device to control all your home-entertainment gear
As the number of components in your living room increases, so does the number of remotes. If you'll pardon the bad pun, the
problem is getting out of hand and it's time to take control. A universal remote combines many if not all of the commands
of multiple remotes into one device, regardless of the component brand.
Chances are you already own at least one universal remote, though you might not be taking advantage of its universality. If you own a recent TV set or other home-entertainment device, it's likely that its remote is capable of controlling at least some functions of other devices, including a TV, cable set-top box, home-theater receiver, and possibly a CD or DVD player and more.
Try those remotes out as universal models before you buy another remote. If one of them comes close to your needs, you might not need to go shopping. If none do, you'll at least have a better idea of what you want from your new remote.
Here's advice on buying a stand-alone universal remote, including details on some models we've noted in our research but haven't tested.
WHAT'S AVAILABLE
Universal remotes vary in sophistication, from basic units for about $10 that can control just a few devices to luxury models with touch-screen and radio frequency (RF) transmitters. Most fall into one of three categories: device based, learning, or activity based.
Device-based remotes. These lower-priced remotes rely on your entering a code for each device you want to control, usually from a list of the codes for the brand, until you find one that controls the device. One example of such a remote is the One for All URC 4110, about $10, which can control four devices, including TV, VCR, DVD player, and cable or satellite box.
Learning remotes. If device-based remotes you've tried don't control your equipment properly, a learning remote can fill in the missing functions. These remotes can be "taught" how to operate even a component's more obscure functions but you'll need to have the remotes from those components on hand to do the teaching. Learning remotes can also create macros--sometimes called activity buttons--which allow a single button press to perform multiple commands, such as turning on your TV, cable box and A/V receiver simultaneously. An example is the One for All URC 8910, about $25, which can store macros and control eight devices. Some learning remotes also connect to your computer via USB, so you can download programming from the manufacturers' Web sites.
Pricier models have LCD screens, some of which are back lighted for better viewing in dim light. One such remote is the Universal Remote Control MX-500, about $75, which can control 10 devices and has three dedicated macro buttons in addition to the ones you can create. In addition to learning, it has device-based programming, with a more than 1,000 code library.
Activity-based remotes. Setting up macros on a learning remote can be mind-numbing. In addition to storing a larger number of macros, activity-based remotes create the macros automatically during setup. You tell the remote what you want to do and the components with which to do it, and it figures out the command sequence. At this level, you'll also find units with radio frequency (RF) transmitters. Unlike infrared (IR) remotes, RF remotes can beam commands through walls and furniture. An RF remote sends a signal to a receiver, which sends a signal to an RF-to-IR transmitter, also called an extender. The transmitter then sends signals to IR flashers, or emitters, you affix to your components.
Logitech's Harmony series consists of a range of activity-based remotes, all of which offer Web-based programming. Prices range from about $100 to $500. The $130 Harmony Advanced Universal Remote for Xbox 360 adds control of the Xbox, including the X, Y, A, and B buttons. The $250 Harmony 880 has a large color LCD, back lighted customizable buttons, and can control 15 devices, including TiVo. It also has a charging station. The $400 Harmony 890 adds RF functionality, the RF extender, and four dual-IR emitters are included.
The Rolls-Royces of universal remotes have color LCD touch-screens. Though they are the easiest to use, they are pricey. The Harmony 1000 Advanced Universal Remote, for example, is listed at $500 on the company's Web site. It has a 3.5-inch color touch-screen, can control 15 components, and has a charging station. But it lacks RF capability.
HOW TO CHOOSE
First consider a device-based remote. They're the least-expensive option and are generally simpler to set up than the other types--providing your gear can be activated using codes. Be sure you can return the remote in the event that none of the codes do the trick.
Look for downloadable codes, especially for programming newer gear. With very new components, there's a higher chance that the remote won't be able to take control with the codes it has in memory or that you enter from the manual. Look for a device that can download codes from the Internet because codes for brand-new equipment might not be preprogrammed into a device. That downloading option can also be a timesaver if you have a lot of components that you want to control from the device.
If codes don't program your devices, consider a learning remote. The remote will probably cost more than a device-based model but it will allow you to program even devices that have not responded to codes.
Pay special attention to video recorders. If you have a DVD recorder or DVR such as TiVo, make sure that the remote you choose can control those devices. They can be tricky and not all remotes can handle them. Home-theater owners should look for a remote that lets the volume and channel buttons control other devices, such as receiver and cable-box.
Go to an activity-based remote mostly for convenience in changing or adding components. These priciest of remotes make it easiest to integrate a new or replacement component into the remote's programming. They also offer the widest choice of models with RF capability, essential if you want to control devices that are behind walls or doors. Some also offer the ultimate ease of use--at ultimate prices--through touch-screen capability.
Consider power issues. On some remotes, dead batteries can mean that you have to reprogram the remote. To be sure to avoid that, look for a remote that has a charging station or uses flash memory like that on a USB thumb drive, which requires no power.
Chances are you already own at least one universal remote, though you might not be taking advantage of its universality. If you own a recent TV set or other home-entertainment device, it's likely that its remote is capable of controlling at least some functions of other devices, including a TV, cable set-top box, home-theater receiver, and possibly a CD or DVD player and more.
Try those remotes out as universal models before you buy another remote. If one of them comes close to your needs, you might not need to go shopping. If none do, you'll at least have a better idea of what you want from your new remote.
Here's advice on buying a stand-alone universal remote, including details on some models we've noted in our research but haven't tested.
WHAT'S AVAILABLE
Universal remotes vary in sophistication, from basic units for about $10 that can control just a few devices to luxury models with touch-screen and radio frequency (RF) transmitters. Most fall into one of three categories: device based, learning, or activity based.
Device-based remotes. These lower-priced remotes rely on your entering a code for each device you want to control, usually from a list of the codes for the brand, until you find one that controls the device. One example of such a remote is the One for All URC 4110, about $10, which can control four devices, including TV, VCR, DVD player, and cable or satellite box.
Learning remotes. If device-based remotes you've tried don't control your equipment properly, a learning remote can fill in the missing functions. These remotes can be "taught" how to operate even a component's more obscure functions but you'll need to have the remotes from those components on hand to do the teaching. Learning remotes can also create macros--sometimes called activity buttons--which allow a single button press to perform multiple commands, such as turning on your TV, cable box and A/V receiver simultaneously. An example is the One for All URC 8910, about $25, which can store macros and control eight devices. Some learning remotes also connect to your computer via USB, so you can download programming from the manufacturers' Web sites.
Pricier models have LCD screens, some of which are back lighted for better viewing in dim light. One such remote is the Universal Remote Control MX-500, about $75, which can control 10 devices and has three dedicated macro buttons in addition to the ones you can create. In addition to learning, it has device-based programming, with a more than 1,000 code library.
Activity-based remotes. Setting up macros on a learning remote can be mind-numbing. In addition to storing a larger number of macros, activity-based remotes create the macros automatically during setup. You tell the remote what you want to do and the components with which to do it, and it figures out the command sequence. At this level, you'll also find units with radio frequency (RF) transmitters. Unlike infrared (IR) remotes, RF remotes can beam commands through walls and furniture. An RF remote sends a signal to a receiver, which sends a signal to an RF-to-IR transmitter, also called an extender. The transmitter then sends signals to IR flashers, or emitters, you affix to your components.
Logitech's Harmony series consists of a range of activity-based remotes, all of which offer Web-based programming. Prices range from about $100 to $500. The $130 Harmony Advanced Universal Remote for Xbox 360 adds control of the Xbox, including the X, Y, A, and B buttons. The $250 Harmony 880 has a large color LCD, back lighted customizable buttons, and can control 15 devices, including TiVo. It also has a charging station. The $400 Harmony 890 adds RF functionality, the RF extender, and four dual-IR emitters are included.
The Rolls-Royces of universal remotes have color LCD touch-screens. Though they are the easiest to use, they are pricey. The Harmony 1000 Advanced Universal Remote, for example, is listed at $500 on the company's Web site. It has a 3.5-inch color touch-screen, can control 15 components, and has a charging station. But it lacks RF capability.
HOW TO CHOOSE
First consider a device-based remote. They're the least-expensive option and are generally simpler to set up than the other types--providing your gear can be activated using codes. Be sure you can return the remote in the event that none of the codes do the trick.
Look for downloadable codes, especially for programming newer gear. With very new components, there's a higher chance that the remote won't be able to take control with the codes it has in memory or that you enter from the manual. Look for a device that can download codes from the Internet because codes for brand-new equipment might not be preprogrammed into a device. That downloading option can also be a timesaver if you have a lot of components that you want to control from the device.
If codes don't program your devices, consider a learning remote. The remote will probably cost more than a device-based model but it will allow you to program even devices that have not responded to codes.
Pay special attention to video recorders. If you have a DVD recorder or DVR such as TiVo, make sure that the remote you choose can control those devices. They can be tricky and not all remotes can handle them. Home-theater owners should look for a remote that lets the volume and channel buttons control other devices, such as receiver and cable-box.
Go to an activity-based remote mostly for convenience in changing or adding components. These priciest of remotes make it easiest to integrate a new or replacement component into the remote's programming. They also offer the widest choice of models with RF capability, essential if you want to control devices that are behind walls or doors. Some also offer the ultimate ease of use--at ultimate prices--through touch-screen capability.
Consider power issues. On some remotes, dead batteries can mean that you have to reprogram the remote. To be sure to avoid that, look for a remote that has a charging station or uses flash memory like that on a USB thumb drive, which requires no power.
