From Issue #3 , Page #40 | By John Brandon

Don’t scramble to find the right remote when one device can help you click through everything in the house.

Losing the remote is not really a problem anymore. The new dilemma is having too many remotes. These days, it takes six just to enable surround-sound or turn on the plasma. Time to put that power into one handheld.

A universal remote works with several electronics devices at once, controlling everything from HDTV to track lighting, and they're designed for everyday home use (read: you won't need an engineering degree to use one). "Having a great entertainment solution and not being able to operate it easily is frustrating," says Marcus Rabinowitz, custom design specialist for Tweeter Home Entertainment Group. "With a custom-programmed universal remote, anyone in the household can enjoy their investment."

Highly Useable

Of course, entertainment should be simple. A universal remote helps reduce complexity and focuses on the experience rather than the technology. According to usability guru Don Norman from the Nielsen Norman Group, consumers don't think about controlling each specific device in their home; they just want to watch a movie or listen to music. "Life does not revolve around devices, it revolves around activities," says Norman.

In the past, universal remotes required that you type in a series of codes to find a match. Recently, universal remotes have become much more usable. The Harmony Remote, for example, connects directly to your computer using a USB cable. The install software runs on the Web. During setup, just type in model numbers for your various electronics.

A universal remote puts entertainment choices in one place, letting you control the total experience. "At the touch of one button, you can power on your entire home entertainment system and start using it," says Tracy Lopriore, product marketing manager at Philips. The Philips Pronto line of universal remotes, which range in price from about $199 to $1,699, all feature a touchscreen panel and provide 256 levels of device control. For example, with the iPronto remote, you can program one button so that it enables surround-sound on your home theater system, dims the lights to 20 percent brightness, and adjusts the brightness on your HDTV.

Tech Choices

There are two major wireless technologies commonly found on universal remotes: infrared (IR) and radio frequency (RF). Just about every type of remote supports IR, which transmits a focused energy beam about 15 feet across the room. Remotes such as the RadioShack Kameleon (part number 15-2133, $59.99) provide two IR diodes on the tip for a wider-coverage area, so you don't have to point the remote toward your electronics gear. "An IR signal bathes the room with infrared to eliminate any concerns with line-of-sight connections," says Nathan Papadopulos, marketing communications manager for Logitech Harmony Remote.

The second common technology, RF, transmits a stronger signal at a greater distance (about 30 feet) and casts a wider beam. In fact, some companies, such as Universal Remote Control, Inc., have developed products that transmit signals from room to room using a combination of IR and RF technologies. "Our remotes feature IR technology so that an end-user can use their remote in a traditional manner," says Scott Wellington, a marketing manager at Universal Remote Control, Inc. "But if they'd rather locate their equipment in another room—inside a cabinet or on a different floor—they can purchase the optional Expander (MRF-100) RF receiver that will instantly receive and transfer commands to A/V equipment located in one or several different locations throughout the home."

In general, IR remotes are more compatible and work with a greater number of home-electronics equipment, even those manufactured 20 years ago. A remote such as the Philips Pronto Neo can even "learn" older IR signals. Just point the older remote at the Pronto Neo (set in Learn mode), and program buttons accordingly. While some remotes scan through common codes to find a match, the Pronto actually reads the specific IR code for the consumer electronics device you're trying to control.

Universal Electronics, the company behind the RadioShack Kameleon remote, is another innovator on the forefront of IR technology. Their products use "step and search" technology to learn IR signals, or you can look up codes in an extensive user's manual as well. "You can control any number of devices including cable set-top boxes, older VCRs, personal video recorders, and first generation DVD players," says Ramzi Ammari, VP of product and program development at Universal Electronics.

A third wireless remote technology is on the horizon. Computer users have already taken to the 802.11b (Wi-Fi) radio-frequency protocol, mostly due to the greater coverage area and faster transmission speeds. Philips just released the iPronto universal remote, which uses 802.11b and supports Web browsing and automated Internet-delivered TV scheduling. The catch is that most consumer electronics do not support 802.11b, so Wi-Fi may not replace IR for several years.

Quality Conscious

There are several levels of "ultimate" for remote techology. At the low end, a universal remote such as the entry-level One For All URC-6131 typically controls just a few devices (in this case, six), and doesn't provide IR learning modes, "activity-centric" control, or an LCD viewing screen. Still, at only $19.99, the URC 6131 does reduce clutter just as easily as a more expensive remote. According to Ammari, about 85 percent of all universal remotes sell for under $20 and support only five or six devices, but that meets the needs of most consumers.

In the mid-range, remotes such as the Philips Pronto Neo ($199) support as many as 13 devices, use two IR diodes for better wireless transmissions, and provide an RS-232 connection for downloading updated brand information from your PC. These mid-range devices typically offer backlit screens, more buttons to program (some with as many as 50 A/V functions), and touchscreen programming. However, while you can control your Lutron or Vantage lighting system, many of the $200 universal remotes will only turn the lights on or off; they don't support light scheduling or multiple dim modes.

For those functions, you can step up to a higher-end remote, such as the Philips iPronto or a custom-installed system from Crestron or AMX, which provides one-touch integration between a home theater, lighting system, home security, and much more. The price point for these universal remotes usually start at about $1,000 and support multiple signal learning modes, both IR and RF, and home automation systems running over 802.11b or 802.11g. For those who have invested in a 60-inch HDTV and top-end surround-sound system, a more expensive universal remote makes sense.

Whatever level you choose, a universal remote simplifies home entertainment. Stop thinking about technology—just enjoy it!

By John Brandon