Remote Controls

A living room coffee table doesn’t have just one, but an arsenal of remote controls. There’s one for the cable box, the TV, the stereo system, and even for the home lighting system. Though often underrated, these electronic accessories are truly indispensable. And whether you admit it or not, we know you can’t live without them.

Nikolai Tesla invented the remote control in the 1800s. He named his fledging system as ‘tele automaton’. Shortly after this breakthrough, Leonardo Torres used wireless telegraph transmitters. It first controlled a tricycle and then an engine-powered boat. Consequently, a few consumer gadgets such as model aeroplanes and garage door openers arrived in the 1930s and 40s. Other related products followed soon. Today, you’ll find remote controls of several types and styles in the market. Are you looking for something specific? We will help you make the right choice that suits your requirements and budget. So, read on.

Types of remote controls to have in your home

The remote controller has changed the way we experience convenience. No wonder, it is one of the most essential devices in every modern home today. And the best part is, it keeps evolving according to our needs. As a result, you’ll find more than a hundred types of remotes in the market today. From the ones that control your AC to the ones that switch your TV and light on, you can have them all. However, that doesn’t mean you have to buy every single type of remote you come across. The following are some of the common ones that you can consider investing in.

Universal remotes

An excellent entertainment centre set up in the living room is a must for many individuals. But, what good will it do if you have to keep going back and forth to switch on your TV? If you have had enough of such messy and annoying situation, it is time that you get yourself a universal remote controller. Essentially, a universal remote control isn’t any different from other remotes you have at home. But it is considered unique because it is capable enough to store codes for various devices. In other words, it is a simple gizmo that uses infrared light to transmit information to a built-in receiver. The programmable memory in this remote allows it to transmit various codes to communicate with a specific number of gadgets.

Programmable remote controls

Learning remotes and pre-programmed remotes are the two main varieties of universal remotes. These programmable remote controls allow you to develop macros. Macros are sequential codes that multitask. So, say you want to watch a movie on a DVD. The macro codes give you the convenience of programming the remote in such a way that switches on your TV, DVD player, and receiver. That’s why it is called a learning remote. However, to program this, you need to first set the receiver to the appropriate source and output modes. Then start the DVD in the tray. You can do all this using one single button. Quite cool, isn’t it?

Smart TV remotes

Technology has evolved to such an extent that you don’t need to have a specific remote for every device. A single, smart remote is enough to control multiple smart home devices. It is basically the same thing as a universal remote control. The main difference is that the smart remote control is more than just for the TV. It can typically control four to five devices in your home. It does this by including a range of infrared sensors and radios for commanding the TV, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi for connected devices. Smart remotes may also have display screens onboard. The screen adapts depending on which device you are controlling. With such a feature, you can toss out all other remotes and adorn your coffee table with just this one.

Radio wireless remote control

Controlling gadgets from far away is fun! This is precisely what a radio remote control does. It is used to control distant objects using a variety of radio signals. So, how does it work? Well, this remote device transmits radio signals. In fact, it follows a complementary method compared to the infrared remote controls. That’s why a wireless remote control is mainly used in burglar alarms, gate openers, industrial automation systems, and more. However, the most common application of this remote is in burglar alarms in cars and motorcycles. This electronic accessory is expensive but has the farthest control distance.