How Do Universal Remote Controls Work?

The Basics

Universal Remote Controls are devices that are designed to operate multiple electronic devices from different manufacturers simultaneously. A Universal Remote can be convenient if you have a TV from one manufacturer, a DVD player from another, and a surround sound system from another. Instead of using three different remotes to operate the devices, a Universal Remote can operate all three.

Numerical Codes

Universal Remote Controls are able to control many different devices due to their ability to use many different numerical codes. Every device you purchase has a manufacturer specific numerical code. These codes allow the remote controls provided by the manufacturer to instantly control the device. The numerical code from a Sony device is different from the numerical code from a Samsung device, for example. These codes simply represent the infrared frequency at which the control operates.

Multiple Devices

As you cannot reprogram a regular remote control, your Sony remote will only control your Sony devices. A Universal Remote Control allows you to program several different numerical codes, allowing you to control many different devices from the same remote. Some Universal Remote Controls will operate as few as three different devices, while more expensive models can operate as many as 15 different devices.

References

• What is a Universal Remote Control?