Universal remote
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A universal remote is a remote control that can be programmed to operate various brands of one or more types of consumer electronics devices. Low-end universal remotes can only control a set number of devices determined by their manufacturer, while mid- and high-end universal remotes allow the user to program in new controls codes to the remote. Many remotes sold with various electronic devices include universal remote capabilities for other types of device, which allow the remote to control other devices beyond the device it came with. For example, a VCR remote may be programmed to operate various brands of televisions. Because programming a universal remote can be a fairly complex procedure, it is most often performed by technically-minded individuals, although non-technical users can often operate the remote after it has been programmed.
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[edit] Types
[edit] Device based
Most universal remotes sold today are device based. When using this type of remote the user presses a button associated with the desired device to control and then uses the remaining buttons to control that single device. To start controlling another device the user presses a different device button and the remote then starts sending command to the new device. Typical mode buttons on this type of remote might be labeled "TV", "DVD", "Receiver", etc. An example of a device based remote is the Home Theater Master line of remotes.
[edit] Activity based
Some universal remotes work on the concept of activities. Instead of the user controlling each device individually they instead focus on the 'activity' that they want to perform. For example they might want to 'Watch a Movie', 'Listen to Music', or 'Watch TV' When a particular activity is selected the universal remote may send out the necessary command to various devices to turn on and to configure device to accomplish the desired activity. For example selecting a 'Watch a movie' activity 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 remotes is the Logitech Harmony line of remotes.
[edit] History
Steve Wozniak of Apple fame founded a new venture called CL 9 and brought the first programmable universal remote control CORE to market in 1987.
[edit] Signals
Some high end universal remotes can also send all commands via RF to a base station and then send IR to those devices that need it from the base. This removes the line of sight requirements normally needed by IR only remotes.
[edit] Upgradable and Learning Remotes
Some universal remotes 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. Some lower end universal remotes accomplish this by allowing audible signals to be sent over a telephone to a receiver on the remote. If the remote 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.
Fancier models allow codes to upgraded by connecting the remote to a personal computer. A group of hackers discovered that universal remotes made by UEI and sold under the One For All, Radio Shack, and other brands can be reprogrammed by means of an interface called JP1.
IR learning remotes can learn the code for any button on many other IR remote controls. This functionality allows the remote to learn functions not supported by default for a particular device. A drawback of this approach is that the learning remote needs a functioning teaching remote. Also, some entertainment equipment manufacturers use pulse frequencies that are higher than what the learning remote can detect and store in its memory.
[edit] Special features
Special features found on some universal remotes are:
- Macro programming, allowing the user to program command sequences to be sent with one button press
- LCD to display status information
- Programmable soft keys, allowing user-defined functions and macros
- IR code learning, allowing the remote to be programmed to control new devices not already in its code list
- PC configuration, allowing the remote to be connected to a computer for easy setup
- Some universal remotes have the ability to also make phone calls replacing your home phone in that room.
[edit] Touch-Screen remotes
These remotes feature an LCD screen that can be either monochrome or full color. The 'buttons' are actually images on the screen which, when touched, will send IR signals out to control devices. Some models have multiple screens that are accessed through buttons on the touch-screen and other models have a combination of the touch-screen and "hard" (traditional) buttons.
Some models of the touch-screen remotes are programmed using a graphical interface program on a PC, which allows the user to customize the screens, backgrounds, buttons and even the 'actions' the buttons perform. The 'project' that is created is then downloaded into the remote through a USB cable or, in the most recent models, wirelessly.
The very newest touch-screen remotes include wireless signals, using UPnP, to allow signals to locations much farther than the usual range (approximately 20' ) of IR.
