To determine the number of devices your remote can control, simply locate and count the device buttons. They are usually located in one or two rows near the top of the remote and are labeled as: tv, dvd, strm, aux, aud, b-ray, cbl, sat, etc. There are two ways to program a universal remote: direct code entry and automatic code-search. Step 2: Click on the appropriate link below to find device codes and step-by-step programming information for direct code entry: GE Universal Remotes Philips Universal Remotes Step 3: Follow either the instruction manual that came with your remote or the online step-by-step instructions found at the links noted in Step 2.
Automatic Code Search Some universal remotes are equipped with an automatic code-search function that searches through all the codes stored in the remote and locates the best code for your device. This issue is most commonly caused by bad batteries. Even brand-new batteries can sometimes have issues, so try a different set of batteries and see if the light starts behaving correctly. What you are experiencing is called partial code functionality. To locate it, try reprogramming the device using each of the other codes from the code list or try using the automatic code-search method.
Step 3: Sit back and let your TV handle the rest. These buttons, as seen on this Philips Elite 6-Device Backlit Universal Remote , perform various commands depending on the device being controlled. For example, you can program a macro that turns on both your TV and satellite dish with a single press of a button.
The instruction manual that comes with your universal remote will contain a list of macro functions for your remote that can be programmed or downloaded from the universal remote developer's Web site. Now that we've surveyed the introductory issues pertaining to universal remotes, we'll take a look at some of their advantages and disadvantages in the next section. If the prospect of punching in all those commands and setting up all the macros is too daunting, there are professional installers that will program your universal remote for you.
But be warned, the price can be pretty steep [source: InstallerNet ]. While universal remotes have their advantages -- remote consolidation, macro commands, glow-in-the-dark features -- they can also be a real chore to set up.
Before you purchase a universal remote, you may want to examine what you hope to get out of the purchase. Are you looking to simplify your remote control programming but don't know where to start? If so, you may not want to buy a complicated remote with lots of features that can be accessed only by scrolling through multiple menu options. A simple, inexpensive multibrand remote could be a good choice for you.
On the other hand, if money isn't an issue, you could pay an installer to program your high-end, top-of-the-line universal remote. But if you're looking for a universal remote that can operate all of your electronics' complex functions, a basic universal remote likely won't cut it. You may want to opt for a higher-end model with the capacity to store a great deal of programming.
But beware of feature overload -- unless you know that you'll use all the functions on your remote, choose one that has only the features you need. Be sure to keep your original remotes after you've switched to your universal remote. This way you can do more programming later, and if you lose your universal remote, you may need to begin the reprogramming process all over again. Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close.
Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Household Appliances. How Universal Remotes Work. Universal Remote Technology Universal remotes fall into two categories: multibrand and learning.
Smartphones as Universal Remotes. Types of Universal Remotes PC-programmable remotes allow you to type in the model numbers of your electronic devices and program how you want to use the remote. Tips for programming your learning universal remote. When sending an IR programming command from your manufacturer's remote to your universal remote, press down on the sending remote button until the command is received.
Experiment with how far apart you can space the transmitting manufacturer's remote and the receiving universal remote. As we mentioned, the URC can only control IR-based equipment, so it needs to have line-of-sight with all your gear. Nor does it support Wi-Fi—based smart-home devices, which is not at all surprising for a remote in this price range. Yes, there is a free One For All setup app for iOS and Android, and yes, it pairs with the remote via Bluetooth and lets you add your devices by inputting the manufacturer name and model number or testing different codes.
Thankfully, the printed instructions are thorough. This process is more labor-intensive than what SofaBaton offers through its setup app. It also means you can fix commands instantly, without even having to reach for your phone to launch an app.
Unlike the SofaBaton, which can be set up to control different systems around your home, the URC lets you assign only one TV device, one set-top box, one gaming console, and so forth. This one is really meant to control a single system, which is fair given its low asking price. Finally, the One For All setup app does have one helpful feature: a remote finder. We tested two popular large-button remotes: the Flipper and the EasyMote. We like that it hides the number pad behind a slide-down panel, to keep the main remote design as simple as possible.
But thanks to the mom of a Wirecutter colleague I also was able to get them in the hands of a few residents at a senior living center who were in need of a new remote.
We all preferred the Flipper over the EasyMote. They found it very easy to set up it took about one minute , and they thought the instructions were easy to understand.
And it controlled their two devices perfectly. I like that the Flipper gives you three ways to program the remote versus only two for the EasyMote to help ensure compatibility. Sure, you can disable sleep mode on your phone.
You might still find these remotes in stock for a while, but no new models are being manufactured. Though each remote had its flaws, the Harmony line was still a step above the competition in how many features you got for the price and how much easier the remotes were to program for people with complicated home theater systems. We plan to support our Harmony community and new Harmony customers, which includes access to our software and apps to set up and manage your remotes.
We also plan to continue to update the platform and add devices to our Harmony database. Customer and warranty support will continue to be offered. The remote is a sleek, stripped-down design with important buttons like home, microphone, volume, back, menu, and more but no backlighting. Setup is easy, and the system reliably controlled our gear without having any major problems.
It also works with Alexa and Google Assistant for hands-free voice control. Plus, adding an interface on top of your sources can slow down some processes like voice search. The Sevenhugs Smart Remote U was a mixed bag for us. It can control up to 20 IR devices, has a rechargeable battery, and has Spotify and Sonos support built in. And it controlled all of our devices correctly.
Unfortunately, a couple of big issues hold this one back. The remote has no physical buttons, and both the touchscreen and the virtual buttons on it are very small. We had to look away from the TV often to make sure we carefully pressed the right button, and still we often launched the wrong command.
If the remote itself had a better physical design to justify the price, we might recommend it as an upgrade pick. Universal Remote Control the company used to offer a variety of good DIY remotes, but it now focuses on the professional-installation market. Like the Flipper , the EasyMote is a large-button remote designed for people with vision, memory, or confusion issues.
We appreciated the bright, green backlighting which you can turn off and the wrist rope. But I noted that the instructions had smaller print, so they might be harder to read. Finally, the EasyMote offers only two ways to program in your devices a quick code search or learning the IR from your device remotes. She has been a writer, editor, and reviewer in the consumer electronics industry for 20 years, and previously served as the executive editor of Home Theater Magazine and the managing editor of HomeTheaterReview.
Our pick. Budget pick. Everything we recommend.
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