CRT TVs Remain Popular Overseas

Believe it or not, LCD and LED televisions don’t dominate new television sales worldwide, as a strong international market remains for traditional cathode ray tube televisions and related components like remote controls.

While the CRT TV has been supplanted in the U.S. by LCD and LED televisions, with CRT sets increasingly ending up in landfills or being recycled for components, overseas markets still have a demand for old-style sets.

Worldwide, sales of CRT sets peaked in the mid-2000s, with about 130 million units sold in 2005. Since then, sales have declined to about 90 million, but analysts predict sales to remain steady for years to come.

The CRT sets are mostly manufactured in Asia and are very inexpensive, compared to more costly LCD and LED sets. For many people in developing nations, a CRT television is the first luxury item they buy once they obtain a little disposable income.

One positive impact of the developing world’s demand for CRT sets is that it creates demand for recycled components, from American CRT sets being discarded by homes upgrading to more modern devices. E-waste is a growing environmental concern, and finding ways to keep electronics out of landfills is a key priority for environmental advocates.

ReplacementRemotes.com sells new and refurbished remote control devices for a wide variety of electronic devices. In addition to remotes, the company also provides TV stands, accessories, replacement product manuals, lights, and much more. The company also operates a repair service for certain devices. To learn more, contact 1-877-671-7173.

Eco-Friendly Recycling for CRT TVs

Electronic waste is a huge problem as more devices hit the market, and as cycles of obsolescence grow shorter because companies are more quickly introducing the latest and greatest gadgets and gizmos. Responsible electronics owners who care about the environment will want to find eco-friendly ways to dispose of old remote controls, gaming consoles, and CRT TVs.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than 704 million cathode ray televisions were sold in the U.S. since 1980. As LCD and LED televisions have supplanted these sets, millions of these televisions are ending up in landfills, creating environmental hazards because of their components and taking up space. Recycling these televisions is better for the environment, as it prevents them from ending up in landfills or being illegally dumped. Also, reclaiming the materials from these televisions reduces the need to produce more raw materials for electronics.

Many electronics stores and dealers offer recycling programs for old remote controls, mobile phones, televisions, and other devices. Inquiring with your local retailer can help you find an e-waste recycling program. Also, local recycling companies may also be able to help CRT TV owners who want to responsibly dispose of their old sets.

When taking an old set for recycling, make inquiries as to whether the company recycles the devices or stockpiles them, as stockpiling of old CRT TVs by recyclers who don’t want to bear the cost of recycling these devices has become a problem in recent years.

ReplacementRemotes.com sells new and refurbished remote control devices for a wide variety of electronic devices. In addition to remotes, the company also provides TV stands, accessories, replacement product manuals, lights, and much more. The company also operates a repair service for certain devices. To learn more, contact 1-877-671-7173.

New Features of Updated Apple TV

The updated Apple TV is making use of some of the features that many Apple users already love, like having Siri help find information for them. One of the best parts of the upgraded version is that the TV remote isn’t the only device that can connect wirelessly to the box.

Bring on the Bluetooth

Bluetooth users will be happy to hear that the new Apple TV supports Bluetooth so that they can connect new devices to it. For instance, when parents get tired of hearing the video game blasting, those Bluetooth headphones are going to come in pretty handy. On the other hand, when the parents aren’t home, why not connect a wireless speaker and turn the room into a virtual reality zone?

Night Mode

Speaking of volume, Night Mode is a new feature that is going to put an end to late night frustrations. When the rest of the house is trying to sleep, but you want to watch a movie, Night Mode lets you turn down the background noise so you can still hear what’s being said, but you aren’t overwhelming the house with the background sounds.

Accessibility

Apple TV takes accessibility to a whole other level with the ability to reduce motion, and add audio descriptions and bold text, as well as being able to increase the contrast. All of these features come together to make viewing easier for those who struggle with it.

Siri

As convenient as a remote control may be, the potential benefits of Siri are what will really set Apple TV apart from the competition. For now, you can do basic things with Siri, but Apple is constantly looking at ways to upgrade the software technology, now that the updated Apple TV has completely revamped hardware.

Remote Control Theft Prevention Tips for Hotel Owners

Loss and theft of items such as slippers, towels, silverware, and electronic devices such as remote controls cause significant monetary losses and quite a bit of frustration for hotel owners each year.

According to the Los Angeles Times, theft from hotels is a common occurrence. Most guests don’t even consider taking things from their rooms to be wrong. A recent survey of hotel guests found that 61 percent of respondents swiped toiletries, 18 percent stole towels, 14 percent took ashtrays, and 2 percent swiped bathmats and bathrobes from their rooms.

Although it seems innocent, hotel thefts cost the industry more than $100 million per year.

While hotel owners may not be able to halt the theft of towels and toiletries, they can stop guests from stealing remote controls to hotel televisions. A simple method of securing hotel remotes is equipping them with security cables. Strong security cables such as the Anderic Universal Remote Security Cable can help hotel owners greatly reduce remote control thefts.

The great thing about universal remotes is that they work with a wide variety of televisions, making them ideal for use in hotels where there’s a need for interchangeability and replacement. The adaptability of Universal remotes also makes them a target for thieves. Security cables make thievery much more difficult.

Replacementremotes.com sells new and refurbished remote control devices for a wide variety of electronic devices. In addition to remotes, we also provide TV stands, accessories, replacement product manuals, lights, and much more.  We also operates a repair service for certain devices. To learn more, contact 1-877-671-7173.

Motion-Sensitive Apple TV Control Rumored To Be In Development

As usual, the latest Apple media event is drawing intense speculation concerning the tech giant’s latest offerings, including rumors of a revolutionary new remote control for the Apple TV.

Industry insiders say that the new remote for the Apple TV could include a motion-sensitive remote control that has a touchpad, a few buttons, and multi-axis sensors. The new remote is also said to include an integrated microphone, which will allow Apple TV users to access Siri, Apple’s personal assistant program.

Incorporation of touchpads into the Apple TV remote would make the device better suited for casual gaming purposes. The casual gaming market is huge, and providing users with an avenue to access their favorite games would give the Apple TV a significant advantage over competing products.

The incorporation of Siri into the Apple TV remote would make search and other functions much more convenient for Apple TV users, allowing them to verbally initiate searches instead of having to type in desired search items.

The Apple TV is a digital media player that gives users access to a variety of different sources of content. Users of Apple TV can use it to play movies and music from Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and a variety of other Internet sources.

Replacementremotes.com sells new and refurbished remote control devices for a wide variety of electronic devices. In addition to remotes, the company also provides TV stands, accessories, replacement product manuals, lights, and much more. The company also operates a repair service for certain devices. To learn more, contact 1-877-671-7173.

Get in the Habit of Cleaning Remote Controls

During flu and cold season, one way everyone in the home gets sick is by touching the remote control. You cough or sneeze, and then cover your mouth with your hand while watching your favorite program. Then you touch the TV remote, without remembering to wash your hands, and now the germs are partying on the remote control. Next, your child picks up the remote to turn on a cartoon or movie, and rubs his or her eyes. Now, this little person is at risk of getting sick, too.

With cold and flu season just around the corner, it is important to get into the habit of cleaning remote controls on a weekly basis.

  1. Remove the batteries and replace the battery cover.
  2. Clean around the buttons with a cotton swab. Dip the swap in rubbing alcohol and gently clean the small cracks and crevices around the buttons and sides of the remote.
  3. Use a soft cloth to clean the rest of the remote. Lightly dampen the cloth in rubbing alcohol, wipe the remote control down, and allow it to air dry.
  4. Wipe the remote control and buttons with an antibacterial wipe. Allow them to air dry.
  5. Replace the batteries.

Never submerse a remote control in water, pour rubbing alcohol on it, or spray cleaning products directly onto it. The liquid can get inside the remote, and cause the device to short-circuit and stop working. For more serious problems, like sticky soft drink spills and non-working remotes, you will need to order a new remote control. You can obtain new TV and device remotes for all makes and models by contacting Replacement Remotes at -855-5-REMOTE (1-855-573-6683).

Sony to Release Combination TV Remote Control and Speaker Device in Japan

The Japanese market is one full of unique and original entertainment devices and concepts. Among the latest is a combination TV remote control and speaker device developed by Sony. Sony intends to release the new product in late September 2015 in Japan for a price of $166 U.S. dollars. The device combines a remote speaker with a TV remote on top, along with a speaker volume control knob.

While the device might seem a bit too far-fetched, consider the benefits of the device. Users will be able to bring the sound from the TVs, to them, just about anywhere in their home. Instead of having to blast the TV volume, the speaker can be placed in front of the user on an end table or night stand. The device is perfect for smaller homes with children. People get to enjoy their favorite programs and not worry about waking up their kids.

For those who like preparing meals while watching cooking shows, there is no reason to move the TV into the kitchen. If all you need are the step-by-step instructions, you can bring the device into the kitchen to listen, and follow along to prepare the dish. Additionally, the device is perfect for people who like listening to the news and weather while they get ready for work, and who do not have time to sit in front of the TV.

While Sony does not currently have plans to release the device in the United States, you can still obtain Sony remote controls for your Sony devices directly from Replacement Remotes. Call 1-855-5-REMOTE (1-855-573-6683) now for further assistance.

How to Eliminate Home Theater Clutter

Setting up your home theater system involves running a variety of different wires and connections from one component to the next. This leads to wire clutter running from every device to the television and/or receiver. Wiring can create an eyesore and distract from the entertainment devices you have assembled into your home theater system. In addition, every device comes with its own remote controls, increasing clutter on your end table.
Getting your home theater clutter under control is not difficult by following these useful tips:

  1. Hide surge protectors behind the entertainment center. You can keep them off the floor by attaching a small shelf to the wall behind the entertainment center.
  2. Use wire ties to bunch wires from each device together. Wire ties also help wires from getting tangled with each other.
  3. Use an HDMI switch to eliminate multiple HDMI cables running to the TV. With a switch, you only need to run one HDMI cable to the TV.
  4. For wall mounted TVs, hide wires by running them through the wall from the baseboard to behind the TV. This gives the appearance of a “wireless” setup. If you cannot drill holes in the wall, bunch them together with wire ties and hide them under a wall mountable wire cover.
  5. Purchase a universal TV remote and program it to control all of your devices. Store the original remotes, with the batteries removed, in a drawer to keep them out of sight.

By taking the time to reorganize your home theater devices, and clean up wire and remote control clutter, you will have an elegant home theater setup. For TV stands, accessories, and universal remote controls, feel free to contact Replacement Remotes at 1-855-5-REMOTE (1-855-573-6683) today.

HD vs. SD

With all the options available in today’s home entertainment market, it’s little wonder that many customers find themselves confused when walking the aisles of their local big box store or perusing televisions, media players, remote controls, and other devices on the Internet.

One point of confusion for many consumers is the high definition television, or HD. Many consumers aren’t sure what HD really is, why they need it, or why it’s worth paying a little more for. The following facts may help consumers get a better grasp of what HD television is, why it’s better than standard definition television, or SD, and how it can enhance their viewing experience.

The main difference between HD and SD televisions are the number of pixels on screen. HD televisions have many more pixels than SD, making them able to show pictures with much greater detail.

The difference between HD and SD is most noticeable on large screen televisions. When you’re watching a movie or television show on a 55-inch television, the difference is like watching television with your glasses on or off. The picture is much crisper and more refined on an HD television.

HD will bring out flaws and imperfections. Because of the enhanced detail, pretty much every nick, zit, scar, or flaw a person has will be easy to see on screen. You may want to use your HD television for watching films and keep an SD set for home movies.

Replacementremotes.com sells new and refurbished remote control devices for a wide variety of electronic devices. In addition to remotes, the company also provides TV stands, accessories, replacement product manuals, lights, and much more. The company also operates a repair service for certain devices. To learn more, contact 1-877-671-7173.

Understanding HD: 720p, 1080i & 1080p

If you’re in the market for a new television, you’re probably going to get hit with a lot of buzzwords that don’t make any sense. 720p, 1080i, 1080p—what does it all mean? Understanding your new devices, whether they are televisions, media players, or remote controls is important to making the right choice.

Here’s a few facts that may help you in selecting from the many television options out there.

720p televisions have fewer pixels than 1080i televisions, but have a quicker frame rate than 1080i televisions. 1080i televisions have a matrix of 1920 by 1080 pixels. 720p televisions have a matrix of 1280 by 720 pixels. 720p televisions have a frame rate of 60 frames per second, and 1080i televisions have a frame rate of just 30 frames per second.

Confused? What this means is that 720p televisions are better at showing pictures with lots of motion, as the quicker frame rate helps make transitions between frames smoother. 1080i televisions offer greater detail, which is good for movies with lots of panoramic shots.

1080p televisions are the best option, but also likely the most expensive. With a 1080p television, you’ll see 60 frames per second at 1920 x 1080 pixels. The television will have double the bandwidth of a 1080i television – about 124 million pixels per second. Also, your television will be able to display any HDTV signal without down converting. For a top-of-the-line television viewing experience, 1080p truly is your best option.

Replacementremotes.com sells new and refurbished remote control devices for a wide variety of electronic devices. In addition to remotes, the company also provides TV stands, accessories, replacement product manuals, lights, and much more. The company also operates a repair service for certain devices. To learn more, contact 1-877-671-7173.