Tag: Remote Controls

History of the Remote Control

A Brief History of the Remote Control

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The first remote controls can be traced back to the late 1800s. In the UK, Oliver Lodge developed a device that moved a beam of light in reaction to an electromagnetic wave. In 1896, William Preece and Guglielmo Marconi, both skilled in radio frequencies, created a remote that could make a bell ring simply by pushing a button.

Here in the U.S., scientist and inventor Nikola Tesla filed a patent in 1898 for his very one device, he called “Method of an Apparatus for Controlling Mechanism of Moving Vehicle or Vehicles.” He demonstrated that he could wirelessly control a radio-controlled boat.

From here, the use of remotes continued to develop, but, initially, for military purposes to control planes and submarines, as well as missiles. It was not until the later part of the 1930s that Philco invented remotes for their radios, which became the first consumer remote.

History of the Remote Control

Who Invented the TV Remote Control?

The first TV remote control was invented in 1950 by Zenith. Zenith’s Eugene Polly invented the first wireless remote control in 1955. Since that time, remotes have undergone several changes, with the first major update in the 1970s to add many of the buttons, features, and options we enjoy today, which also paved the way for the creation of the universal remote in the 1980s.

Over the past 3 decades, remotes have continued to evolve alongside technology. Today, you can find remotes with light-up buttons, smartphone app integration, Bluetooth support, and more.

If you need a new remote control or universal remote, please feel free to contact ReplacementRemotes.com at 1-855-5-REMOTE (1-855-573-6683) today!

Family watching Television together

Balancing TV Watching in the Family

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Among a family’s entertainment options, TV watching is often at the top of the list. Balancing the diverse options on the family’s TV can seem challenging, with so many choices from recordings on the DVR to streaming movies over the internet or playing games on apps on your smart TV.

Family watching Television together

To help make sure everyone gets to enjoy their favorites and to help prevent fighting over who gets to control the TV remote, we recommend the following tips:

  1. Limit viewing to two hours each evening after dinner.
  2. While watching TV, put away all other electronic devices, including smartphones.
  3. Allow each family member to choose the movie, programs, or games on a different night of the week.
  4. Make the weekend’s family movie nights, complete with popcorn.
  5. Never leave the TV on as background noise.
  6. Use TV watching as a reward for completing homework assignments and chores around the house.
  7. If you allow your children to watch an hour of afternoon kids’ shows, sit down and watch a few episodes with them to make sure they are age appropriate.
  8. Remember to use parental controls to block inappropriate channels.

After watching TV for the evening, shut the TV off and make this quiet time, with no electronic devices to help your kids fall asleep faster and easier. If you need a new remote control for your TV or other entertainment devices, remember to call ReplacementRemotes.com at 1-855-5-REMOTE (1-855-573-6683) for help selecting the right remote for your devices.

Universal Remotes Versus Factory Replacements

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If you need to replace a TV remote control or other remote that is part of your home entertainment system, you have one of two options: a factory replacement or a universal replacement. To help you determine which one will meet your needs, consider the following:

Factory Replacements

  • Only works with one particular device, but does control all of the features and options.
  • May work with other devices, but only if they are the same brand and, often, only provides limited functions, like turning the device on or off.
  • You may need two, three, or even more separate remotes to control all of your devices.

Universal Remotes

Universal Replacements

  • Easy to control all of the features and options, not on just one but multiple devices.
  • Eliminates the need to have numerous remotes lying around.
  • A wide array of options and choices from basic to advanced learning models.
  • Could include additional features not on a factory replacement, like light-up buttons.

In addition, some universal replacements offer forward-compatibility if you upgrade to a new TV or surround sound system and can be “taught” the various controls and functions of the new device.

In the end, it is really about your own personal preferences, so either choice is acceptable. You can find both factory and universal replacements for your TV and other devices, here at ReplacementRemotes.com. Feel free to browse our selections online or contact us at 1-855-5-REMOTE (1-855-573-6683) for further assistance in choosing the right replacement for your devices.

get togethers

Spring Gathering Checklist

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There are all sorts of different checklists you can use when planning parties and get-togethers in the springtime, from checklists of things to do, to lists of cleaning chores, to lists of things to check that are functioning correctly, like these following items.

  1. Remote Controls – Whether it is for the TV, sound system, or outdoor projection system, you want to make sure all the remote controls work correctly and get new batteries or a replacement remote if they do not.
  2. Home Entertainment Systems – Make sure the TV, stereo, and other connected devices are working correctly and that there are no wiring errors. Also, to keep guests safe, make sure no wires are left running across the floors and are properly bundled and covered.
  3. Indoor/Outdoor Lighting – Check to verify all lights work and there are no burnt-out bulbs that need to be replaced.
  4. Cooking Appliances/Warmers/Grills – If you are preparing food for your guests, make sure all your appliances, warmers, and grills are ready to go.
  5. Pool/Hot Tub Heaters, Filters, and Pumps – If you have a pool and/or hot tub, confirm the heater is working, the filters are cleaned, and the pumps are cycling correctly.

get togethers

  1. Fire Pits/Patio Heaters – For gas appliances, make sure to have plenty of gas tanks on hand, unless they are directly connected to a gas line. For wood burning heaters, clean them out ahead of time and have plenty of dry hardwood available for burning.

By taking the time to make sure all your items are working correctly, you and your guests will have a great time at your spring party! Please feel free to contact ReplacementRemotes.com at 1-855-5-REMOTE (1-855-573-6683) today for replacement remotes and other related accessories.

Modern Remote Controls

Three Exciting Features of Modern Remote Controls

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Remote controls aren’t just clickers, anymore. Today’s modern TV remotes are complex electronic products, capable of much more than just changing channels and adjusting volume.

Modern Remote Controls

The very first remote controls were introduced in the 1950s and were connected to televisions by a wire. Modern remote controls can manage a number of devices and control hundreds of features. Here’s a list of some modern functions of the remote control.

  • Universal remote controls – Universal remotes can work with a variety of electronic devices, regardless of manufacturer. Universal remotes are programmed with command codes from many products, allowing them to work with televisions, DVD players, audio systems, and other devices from a variety of manufacturers.
  • Voice commands – Voice-operated remotes are one of the newest innovations in remote controls. A voice command remote makes it easier to search streaming services and makes navigating the various functions of a remote easier. They’re also great for people with disabilities.
  • Macro commands – Macro commands are a series of commands programmed into the remote in a certain order. By pressing a macro button, the remote will execute these commands. Users employ macro commands to perform routine tasks without them having to press several buttons and scroll through multiple menus.

These are just a few of the great features offered by modern remotes. To learn more about today’s high-tech remote controls, check out ReplacementRemotes.com. An online provider of remote controls and other electronic products, ReplacementRemotes.com offers high-quality universal remotes to the hospitality industry and also stocks lines of consumer remote controls and other devices.

Planning a Holiday Party

Tips for Planning a Holiday Party (Part I)

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With the holiday season starting, getting organized and prepared for your holiday party requires careful planning and execution. The last thing you want is for guests to start arriving on the day or evening of the event and have you still trying to get things completed.

Planning a Holiday Party

ReplacementRemotes.com is pleased to offer planning tips and suggestions in part one of this two-part blog segment to help start planning your party and ensure it is a success!

  1. Decide on a date and time for your party. Most people start planning a month or two in advance.
  2. Pick a holiday theme. Some people like to have guests dress up formally, while others want to keep things casual, or even have guests arrive in their pajamas, like for a Christmas Eve party.
  3. Make a guest list.
  4. Send out invitations and request an RSVP so you know how many people to expect.
  5. Set a spending limit for your guests if you are doing a gift exchange.
  6. Plan your holiday menu. Remember to take into consideration food allergies and have at least a few vegetarian options.
  7. Put up your decorations.
  8. Create a music or video playlist.
  9. Verify at least a week in advance that all remote controls and entertainment center devices are working correctly.
  10. Send out reminders to guests two weeks and one week before the party.

In the next blog segment, we will discuss tips to finalize your party and prepare for your guests’ arrival. If you need universal or TV remote controls to replace nonworking ones, feel free to contact ReplacementRemotes.com at 1-855-5-REMOTE (1-855-573-6683).

movie night entertainment

Provide Your Resort Guests with Movie Night Entertainment Options

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Hotel resort guests today like looking for things to do that get them out of the room, like going to see a movie or spend time in and around the swimming pool after a long day of activities, shopping, and exploring the local area. To help make your guests happy and provide them on-site entertainment options, you should consider hosting outdoor and indoor movie nights.

Outdoor Movie Nights

You can give your guests the best of both worlds by setting up your outdoor movie night next to the pool. While they relax in the pool, they can watch a film on a big screen. You can project the movie onto the side of the building or use a portable, blow-up movie screen. For sound, consider portable, wireless surround sound speakers you can set up around the pool area. If you have a grill area nearby, consider making hotdogs and hamburger you can sell to your guests.

Indoor Movie Nights

Convert a conference room into the movie theater for the evening. Play the movie using a laptop computer connected to an HD projector. For the best sound, either use surround sound speakers or tap into your existing sound system. You can also sell freshly popped popcorn, soft drinks, and snacks.

movie night entertainment

To make controlling your outdoor and indoor movie equipment, screens, and sound system easier, consider universal remote controls from ReplacementRemotes.com. Call us at 1-855-5-REMOTE (1-855-573-6683) for further assistance now! We also carry a wide array of hospitality remotes.

Remotes Away from Your Pets

How to Keep Your Remotes Away from Your Pets

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You go to reach for the TV remote and discover it has somehow disappeared from its normal spot on the end table or sofa. You quickly notice small pieces of plastic leading away from the living room and follow the trail, only to discover the remains of the remote sitting next to your pet’s bedding. This is a common scenario if you have dogs.

Remotes Away from Your Pets

For cat owners, on the other hand, it can require having to move furniture to get to a remote control the cat batted up under the sofa or under an end table. Either way, you need to protect your remotes from being lost or destroyed by your pets, using these tips:

  1. Place remotes where pets cannot reach them when they are not being used and whenever you leave the room.
  2. If you catch your pet with the remote, take it away from them, but do not punish them. Rather, give them a toy to play with, instead, and reinforce positive behaviors with treats and praises whenever they play with the toy. Positive reinforcement is easier to learn and retain than negative reinforcement.
  3. For dogs, give them chew toys that are hard, like the plastic on the remote control. If all your dog has are soft toys, their teeth are not being stimulated as they should be, and they will reach for your remote control.

In the event your pet has destroyed, broken, or lost your remote, you can get a new one from ReplacementRemotes.com. Call 1-855-5-REMOTE (1-855-573-6683) or browse our website today!

Decluttering Cables and Cords Behind Your Entertainment Center

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One of the biggest distractions of your state-of-the-art home theater system is all of those unsightly cables and wires that seem to become a big twisted and tangled mess behind your entertainment center. With a little organization, you can get that “cable monster” under control using these tips and suggestions:

  1. Go wireless. From Bluetooth enabled surround sound systems to wireless remote controls, there are several devices you can upgrade to eliminate wired connections.
  2. Detangle bunched-up cables. Disconnect all of the cables and power cords from your devices to detangle them.
  3. Shorten cables to the desire length by wrapping them individually around your hand and using cable ties. The cables only need to be long enough to reach from each end of the connection.
  4. Bunch cables for each device together with cable ties. Use cable ties around cables for individual devices. This will prevent them from getting tangled up with other cables from other devices.
  5. Hide cables under or in cable covers. There are cable covers you can place over or in them that hide them from view and also keep them organized.
  6. Use a direct outlet surge protector. There are surge protectors that plug directly into the wall and do not have a power cord, thus eliminating one cord from behind the entertainment center.

Taking the time to declutter the cords and cables helps get them better organized and prevents future messes behind the entertainment center. For color coded cables, HDMI cables, TV and universal remotes, and other accessories, call ReplacementRemotes.com at 1-855-5-REMOTE (1-855-573-6683).

Entertainment Center

Remote Control Codes

Can Your Smart TV Spy on You?

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With smart TVs becoming more commonplace in homes, the features they provide could be spying on you. If your TV is connected to the Internet, either through Wi-Fi or hardwired to your home network, there are certain features which could be monitoring and reporting data back to the manufacturer about your viewing habits. In addition, if the TV has a built-in video camera and/or microphone, a potential hacker might be able to see and hear what you are doing in your home.

Remote Control Codes

Part of the problem stems from the lack of security features in smart TVs. Even if your TV is connected to the Internet through a secure home network, you have no control over the data sent by the TV after it leaves your home. Unfortunately, many of the networks used by smart TV manufacturers are not that secure, which makes it possible for hackers to obtain the data.

Further, they could hijack the network your TV connects to, and gain access to your TV and any other devices connected through your home network.

The best solution to stop your smart TV from spying on you is to not connect it to the Internet. There are a variety of other devices, like gaming consoles and streaming boxes, that you can connect instead to access your favorite apps. These devices have stronger security features and prevent the TV from transmitting personal data.

You can obtain replacement or universal TV remotes for your smart TV and other devices from ReplacementRemotes.com. Contact us at 1-855-5-REMOTE (1-855-573-6683) today for further assistance.