A quality rca universal remote can make the rest of your electronic remote controls redundant, as long as you're aware of which features it should include. Buy the wrong type or model and all of the reasons you bought the URC for in the first place will be pointless, if you still need to cling on to one of more of your old remotes.
In this article we'll explain how the new controllers work and which features you want on your model.
Basically every remote control uses special codes which control the infra-red signal between the remote and the electronic item. Universal remotes utilise these codes so that they too can control the electronic items just as the manufacturers' model would do. It can be how the URC's gather these codes that make them useful or useless.
To get the most out of your new URC it really needs to have the capacity to control hundreds if not thousands of electronic pieces of equipment, after all, that is the main reason why you'd buy the controller, so this is the most important feature.
There are three ways in which a URC harvests these codes; via a built-in database, by encompassing a learning function or having a Wi-Fi facility/CD/DVD disk setup sequence.
Realistically, all universal controllers should have a decent sized database built-in, as this allows you to start using the remote straightaway. The database should be fairly exhaustive and include thousands of brands and associated models. If the list is somewhat small, the usability of the remote could be called into question very quickly.
Instead of having a large internal database, some URC's have a learning facility which basically enables them to learn any new codes for devices. This can usually be done quick and easily by pointing the existing remote at the new URC and pressing the stated buttons from the manual to record the signal. If a URC doesn't incorporate either of these two functions, then the remote will quickly become useless if it isn't already.
If the controller fails in the first two options, which is unlikely, but nevertheless a possibility, there is a third option. Using a WI-Fi connection or disks included with the product, you can access the online database for the controller and download updated codes for new electronic devices this way. IF the codes are installed via disk, this could cost extra money, but it's not something we've come across yet.
All of the above features are incredibly important for the future of your new URC. If you can't make the device future-proof, then it will quickly lose the ability to control newly released electronic items.
Two further things to research before you buy are ergonomics and the user interface (UI). You want to buy a model that you'll feel comfortable holding, after all, remote controls get some serious usage and should be easy to grasp.
The user interface of most URC's is a small LED screen that displays the different items of equipment being controlled and allows you to flick between them with a touch of the screen or button. Some interfaces are better than others and display bigger graphics making them easier to read and use.
To wrap things up in this article we'll just say a quick word on useful extras that can take the rca universal remote from being good to being great. Does the URC include a dock with which to stand and charge the device? Are the keys powered by backlights? Two simple factors that can greatly improve performance and enjoyment.
In this article we'll explain how the new controllers work and which features you want on your model.
Basically every remote control uses special codes which control the infra-red signal between the remote and the electronic item. Universal remotes utilise these codes so that they too can control the electronic items just as the manufacturers' model would do. It can be how the URC's gather these codes that make them useful or useless.
To get the most out of your new URC it really needs to have the capacity to control hundreds if not thousands of electronic pieces of equipment, after all, that is the main reason why you'd buy the controller, so this is the most important feature.
There are three ways in which a URC harvests these codes; via a built-in database, by encompassing a learning function or having a Wi-Fi facility/CD/DVD disk setup sequence.
Realistically, all universal controllers should have a decent sized database built-in, as this allows you to start using the remote straightaway. The database should be fairly exhaustive and include thousands of brands and associated models. If the list is somewhat small, the usability of the remote could be called into question very quickly.
Instead of having a large internal database, some URC's have a learning facility which basically enables them to learn any new codes for devices. This can usually be done quick and easily by pointing the existing remote at the new URC and pressing the stated buttons from the manual to record the signal. If a URC doesn't incorporate either of these two functions, then the remote will quickly become useless if it isn't already.
If the controller fails in the first two options, which is unlikely, but nevertheless a possibility, there is a third option. Using a WI-Fi connection or disks included with the product, you can access the online database for the controller and download updated codes for new electronic devices this way. IF the codes are installed via disk, this could cost extra money, but it's not something we've come across yet.
All of the above features are incredibly important for the future of your new URC. If you can't make the device future-proof, then it will quickly lose the ability to control newly released electronic items.
Two further things to research before you buy are ergonomics and the user interface (UI). You want to buy a model that you'll feel comfortable holding, after all, remote controls get some serious usage and should be easy to grasp.
The user interface of most URC's is a small LED screen that displays the different items of equipment being controlled and allows you to flick between them with a touch of the screen or button. Some interfaces are better than others and display bigger graphics making them easier to read and use.
To wrap things up in this article we'll just say a quick word on useful extras that can take the rca universal remote from being good to being great. Does the URC include a dock with which to stand and charge the device? Are the keys powered by backlights? Two simple factors that can greatly improve performance and enjoyment.
About the Author:
We trust this article has given you an insight into universal remotes, which is what we discuss in detail at RCA Universal Remote Controls. If you'd like further advice about universal remotes, please visit our website by clicking here.
No comments:
Post a Comment