How many remotes does it take?

If you have purchased a number of different electronic components in the past you may already know that each one comes with its own remote control, and you may already have a big collection. You can imagine what it can become if you outfit your home theater with lots of new equipment with even more remotes. You can easily end up with a pile of 10 remote controls or even more. This can become a real nuisance.

For example, just imagine that all you want to do is watch a DVD movie. Typically you would have to pick up the TV remote, turn it on and switch the source to DVD input. Then you need to pick up the Receiver remote, turn it on and switch the input to DVD audio. Then you need to pick up the DVD remote, turn it on and press play. Then if you want to adjust the volume, it’s back to the Receiver remote, etc....

To solve this problem there are lots of special remote controls on the market that can combine all remotes into one.

Multi-brand remotes

These are remotes that are pre-programmed to operate several different brands and types of equipment. These are designed to allow you to control a lot of your equipment from this one remote. The problem is that it may not have all of the infrared codes needed for your particular equipment. So, it may help, but won’t completely solve the problem.

Learning remotes

These remotes can actually learn the infrared codes of your other remotes. So, for example, you can enter a number for your TV brand and it will "learn" the infrared codes of your TV remote. This sounds pretty neat but sometimes there isn’t a code for each piece of your equipment.

A better type of "learning remote" can actually receive the infrared codes from your other remotes by just aiming each remote at it and pressing each button that you want it to learn. It can take a while to send the codes of all of your remote buttons, but once it is set up, this one remote should be able to control all of your equipment. If you are going to get this type of remote, you should have it demonstrated to see how easy it is to use, since the quality and complexity varies quite a bit.

Learning remotes are sometimes sold with Receivers since these often are used as the main switching device for all of you’re A/V inputs and outputs.

One of the better known "programmable" remotes that can learn infrared signals is the "Harmony" made by Logitech. This remote has a good size color screen that displays One-Touch Control: Choose the activity you want to do, not the component you want to turn on. The buttons can be programmed and customized on the remote. It has incredible compatibility: from laser disc to Blu-Ray® disc, find your components in their 175,000-device database.

One of the best features of this type of remote is that it allows you to program single button "macros". These single buttons actually contain a string of automated commands such as: "Turn on TV, Turn on DVD, Turn on Receiver, Set Receiver input to DVD, Set TV input to DVD, and finally Play DVD". See the following link for more information about this remote: http://www.logitech.com and look under "remotes".

2 Way remotes

These are remote controls that (in addition to all of the other things) can upload and display information on the remote’s LCD screen from your equipment. This lets you see information like what radio station you are tuned to or what input is active on your receiver, etc...

HAVi control systems

HAVi (Home Audio Video interoperability) is a standardized technical specification that allows for bi-directional communication between audio, video and other components linked together by "firewire". This allows command and control of all of the components that are linked together including routing of power signals between devices. This is a new standard that is coming, but not many manufacturers have produced it yet.

Mitsubishi has developed an HDTV with this HAVi system where the TV is the primary control device and any firewire enabled component that is plugged into the network of equipment can be controlled from the TV. Since not all components are available with this firewire technology yet, Mitsubishi has added a "NetCommand" system that allows the TV remote to control everything. Once everything is set up, the TV displays onscreen menus for all of your components and lets you choose and control them.

Once the "Netcommand" system is set up, control becomes somewhat automated. So, for example if you select the DVD player from the onscreen display, the TV and Receiver will automatically switch to the correct DVD inputs and the TV remote will now operate the DVD player.

Crestron control systems

Crestron is one example of a "high end" remote control system. Most of their components are designed for commercial installations but they do make a number of system components for home theater use. If you want to get one of the most comprehensive control systems, you should consider this option.

Most of the Crestron components are designed for total home control and automation systems where you want audio and video distributed to several rooms with multiple remote control stations.This will not only control your home theater components, but can also control your lighting, curtains, electric screens, video security systems, and even environmental controls.

They make a number of different Color and B&W LCD touch panels ranging in size from 6" up to 15" that can be customized and recessed into a wall or simply placed on a table. They can be wired or wireless and can have 1 way or 2 way control. These installations usually require a professional and often require a lot of custom wiring in the walls. If you are creating a home theater from the ground up, you should consider their offerings. See the Crestron web site at www.crestron.com.

Remote control link

For a great web site with reviews and a large amount of information on all types of remotes, see:
www.remotecentral.com