Accept you ever lost the remote to your TV? Unless yous're some kind of magician, the answer is likely a resounding "yeah." Anybody misplaces remotes, and that'due south where universal remote controls come into play. These devices can exist programmed to work with almost any type of TV, DVD histrion, cablevision box, or other dwelling theater and restore the convenience you lost.

They are particularly helpful if you purchase a CRT. If you're looking for suggestions for a universal remote, the Philips Universal Remote is one of the most affordable and easiest to use. Don't panic at the thought of programming a universal remote, either – it just takes a few minutes to practice and absolutely no technical skill.

How to Setup and Program a Universal Remote Control

At that place are multiple ways to program a universal remote, but the two most common are direct code entry and auto lawmaking search.

Before you lot begin, make sure the remote has fresh batteries and that the Boob tube is plugged in. The programming process tin can take several minutes to complete, but you want no interruptions during this fourth dimension. If the bespeak between the TV and the remote is lost, you'll have to start from the starting time.

Something else to bear in mind is that not all universal remotes utilize the aforementioned programming methods. While this guide is a generalized commodity for how to program a remote, refer to the specific instructions that come up with your brand of remote.

A Note On Remote Types

Every brand of universal remote is different. Some volition accept a series of buttons for specific devices like a DVR, while others will have more generalized buttons like Television set, STR, and AUD. A niggling-known fact is that it doesn't matter which button you apply – any device can be linked to whatsoever button.

If you lot desire to command a Blu-Ray actor but you don't have the corresponding button on your remote, merely pick a device button. Write information technology downwards and so y'all don't forget after on.

How to Plan a Universal Remote Through Direct Code Entry

Direct Code Entry is the almost recommended method for programming a universal remote. Information technology relies on an included Code Listing for specific devices, although this same list can be found online based on the brand of your remote.

  1. If yous accept the included documentation for your universal remote, await at the codes for your specific brand of TV or device. If you don't have the documentation, look online for a lawmaking list.
  2. Printing and agree the Setup push button on your remote until the red light turns on.
  1. Press the button on your remote for the type of device you want to control, whether a Goggle box or a fix-top box. The red light will plough on and remain on.
  1. Use the numbers on your remote to enter the first of the four-digit codes listed on your code listing. The red low-cal on your remote will turn off later y'all've entered the final digit.
  1. After you've entered the final digit, point your remote at your device and examination whether it controls the device similar you lot expect. If information technology doesn't, echo steps two through four. After you lot discover a code that works for one device, repeat all of the to a higher place steps as many times as needed for each device you want the remote to control.

Not every code in the code list will control every aspect of your device. For case, one code might turn a TV on and off and change the aqueduct, only it won't command the book. If y'all observe a code that just controls part of a device, keep testing codes until you detect i that works for every aspect – then write that code down for safekeeping.

How to Program a Universal Remote Through Machine Code Search

Automobile code search is probably the easiest programming method, as information technology requires the least amount of input on your part. It searches an internal database and tries code afterwards code until it finds one that works. The previously-mentioned Philips Universal Remote uses automobile code search, and programming it goes like this:

  1. Plough on the TV or device you desire to sync the remote with.
  2. Press the Setup button until the red low-cal on the remote activates.
  1. Press the push button on the remote that corresponds to the device you're trying to program; for the sake of the case, we'll say TV. The ruddy calorie-free will blink one time and remain on.
  1. Bespeak the remote at your Television receiver and and so press and release the Power button on the remote. The scarlet lite will blink several times and so remain on once it has finished transmitting codes.
  1. If your Tv turned off, manually press the power push button on the Television receiver itself. If non, repeat steps four and five.
  2. Point the remote at the Telly and press the Volume Up button. This will resend the first 10 codes from footstep four. If the TV turns off, it ways you've institute a code that works for it. If non, press the Volume Up button to test the other codes, allowing roughly three seconds between presses. Repeat this until you notice the correct lawmaking.
  1. Press the Power button on the remote to turn your TV back on, then test the other buttons on the remote to make sure everything works every bit it should. If a button doesn't work, get dorsum to stride two.

Note that motorcar code search volition only work with a device that has an on/off push button. If your Television set doesn't have manual control features (or they are broken), and then you'll demand to use Directly Code Entry instead.

What Are the Near Mutual Universal Remotes?

If you begin to search for universal remotes, you'll shortly discover that every brand from Magnavox to Sanyo produces them. Keep in mind that yous do not demand to match the brand of your universal remote to your TV.

Information technology doesn't matter if you take a Sylvania Tv set and an Orion remote – as long equally the remote is a programmable universal device, it will work with almost anything. However, the most common types of universal remotes are from the brands RCA, Philips, and – if you want to invest in a more expensive option – Logitech.

RCA provides the Remote Code Finder website, a database that makes it easy to enter the revision model of your remote, the make name, and the device type, and easily find a list of codes.

If you want to control more than modern TVs (and fifty-fifty streaming services like Apple Television receiver), consider the Logitech Harmony. This is a high-end universal remote that can command a vast number of devices.