Tag: remotes

Summer House Party Checklist

Summer House Party Checklist

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As you are preparing to entertain family, friends, and guests in your home this summer, you will want to make a checklist to help keep you on schedule and ensure your parties are a success.

Pre-Party Checklist

  • Verify all Entertainment System Devices and Remotes Are Working
  • Make a Guest List
  • Send Out Invitations and Request an RSVP
  • Decide What Type of Party You Want to Host (i.e., pool party, dinner, brunch, etc.)
  • Decide What Food/Beverages You Are Serving
  • Verify You Have Plenty of Serving Dishes
  • Make a Grocery List
  • Go Shopping
  • Pick Up Decorations
  • Make a Music Playlist
  • Dust, Vacuum, Mop, and Clean

Day-Of Party Checklist

  • Finalize Any Decorating
  • Stock Bathrooms
  • Charge Up Cameras and Smartphones
  • Have Extra Batteries on Hand for Remote Controls
  • Complete All Food/Beverage Prep in the Morning
  • Pick Up Bags of Ice for Coolers and Cold Beverages
  • Set Up Different Trash Bags for Waste and Recyclables

Summer House Party Checklist

Keep in mind, depending on the number of guests and type of event (i.e., 4th of July cookout or a birthday party), the types of foods/beverages you serve and decorations often vary. TIP: If you are not big on decorating, a great way to liven up indoor and outdoor spaces is with some live green plants and fresh flowers!

If you discover your TV and entertainment remotes are not working, you can order new ones from ReplacementRemotes.com or call us at 1-855-5-REMOTE (1-855-573-6683) today to ensure they arrive in time for your summer party!

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.

Watch TV

How to Control Binge Watching and the Amount of Time You Watch TV

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For many people, especially Millennials, it can be rather tempting to curl up on the couch, grab their TV remote controls, and start binge watching their favorite television series. Binge watching has become the new “in-thing” to catch up on shows without having to wait a week or longer in between episodes.

However, binge watching can ruin a series because it can take away from its original appeal. Most shows have several different levels of storytelling:

  • There can be a story for each episode.
  • There can be a story for that particular season.
  • And, sometimes, there even can be an overall developing story for the entire series!

Watch TV

Plus, binge watching can be a major letdown after you finish watching all available episodes. Then, you are forced to wait in anticipation for more new episodes, which, sometimes, are not available until a year later!

By altering your binge-watching habits, you can stretch out your favorite programs longer and get more enjoyment out of them.

  • Watch only one but no more than two episodes at a time.
  • Allow a full day to go by before watching another episode (i.e., every other day).
  • Find more than one series you want to catch up on and alternate between them.
  • Limit the amount of time you binge watch programs each day to that of a full-length feature film—so, no more than two-and-a-half hours a day.

By changing your binge-watching habits, you will discover you get more enjoyment out of your favorite programs and look forward to future episodes. For universal and TV remotes and related accessories, call ReplacementRemotes.com at 1-855-5-REMOTE (1-855-573-6683).

Holiday Party

Tips for Planning a Holiday Party (Part II)

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In the previous blog segment, we discussed tips to help you start planning your holiday party. In this blog segment, we will provide tips you can use during the week leading up to your party.

  1. Using your holiday menu, make a grocery list and go shopping five to seven days before your party.
  2. Clean your house five days before the party. Concentrate on the rooms where guests will have access.
  3. Set up a location where guests can hang up coats, jackets, and put their wet boots and shoes.
  4. Give any rooms a quick cleaning touchup a day or two before.
  5. Start cooking and preparing any food items you can a day or two in advance.

Holiday Party

  1. The day before your party, set up the dining area with plates, glasses, and silverware. For casual gatherings, consider using eco-friendly disposal products to save on cleanup.
  2. Organize home entertainment systems and TV remotes by placing them on top of or in front of the device they control in case your guests want to use them.
  3. The morning of your event, finish cooking and preparing the rest of the food.
  4. A few hours before guests start arriving, start reheating food you prepared in advance, and start setting out any nonperishable food items.
  5. Set out any remaining food about fifteen to thirty minutes before guests arrive.
  6. Relax and have fun at your party!

ReplacementRemotes.com hopes you have enjoyed our holiday party planning tips. If you need remote control codes, remote controls, or other accessories for your electronic devices, call us at 1-855-5-REMOTE (1-855-573-6683) now!

Successful Movie Night

How to Host a Successful Movie Night

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One of the biggest mistakes people make, when hosting a moving night, is inviting friends over and just “winging it” after they arrive. You casually visit while your guests peruse through your movie collection and attempt to try to come to a consensus on what everyone will watch. Taking this approach results in wasted time, disagreements, and potentially unhappy guests.

Successful Movie Night

To ensure everyone has a great time at your movie night, use these tips:

  1. Select the movie yourself to avoid disagreements between your friends. It is okay to get their input about the genre or if there are any recent releases everyone is interested in seeing, but, in the end, you need to decide what is best for the group.
  2. Set a date and time for the movie night. You can create a group event on Facebook to invite people and help them remember when it is.
  3. Inspect your home entertainment center ahead of time. Make sure all wires are plugged in and the surround sound is configured for the type of movie you will watch. Also, remember to verify all of your remotes are working and do not need new batteries.
  4. Stock up on popcorn, candy, and soft drinks. If you plan on having a large group, consider asking everyone to bring something to share.
  5. Enjoy the movie!

If you are unable to locate a remote control or want to simplify your entertainment system setup with a universal remote, contact ReplacementRemotes.com at 1-855-5-REMOTE (1-855-573-6683) today!

TV remote controls

Three Tips for Cord Cutters Who Like Sports

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Cord cutting is getting increasingly popular among consumers who want to ditch the expensive and confining plans offered by traditional cable companies. There is one big drawback to cord cutting, however. It often makes finding live sporting events more difficult.

TV remote controls

Broadcasters and cable companies pay big premiums for exclusive rights to sporting events, so cord cutters often just can’t bring up the big game with their remotes. For cord cutters, there are a few workarounds, however.

  • Antenna – If a big game is being televised by one of the major broadcast networks, you may be able to pick it up by buying a traditional antenna and connecting it to your television. Broadcast airwaves are still free and, if there’s an affiliate nearby, you should be able to pick up their signal on an antenna.
  • Network streaming services – Several networks are jumping on the cord cutting bandwagon by offering their content via streaming service. Find out what network is televising your event and inquire into whether they offer a streaming service.
  • League streaming services – Some professional sports leagues are getting in on the act by streaming their own events. You’ll have to pick up a subscription to these services, but in many cases they’re less expensive than a traditional cable subscription and offer many extras to consumers.

More than 1.13 million U.S. households cut the cord in 2015, and another million are expected to cut the cord in 2016.

Replacementremotes.com is a provider of new and refurbished TV remote controls for a wide variety of televisions and other electronics. In addition to remotes, the company also provides TV stands, accessories, replacement product manuals, lights, and other accessories. The company also operates a repair service for remotes and other devices. To learn more, contact 1-877-671-7173.

How Parents Can Safeguard and Manage TV Time for Their Children

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Children have easier access to a wide range of electronic devices for viewing TV, from smartphones and tablets to smart TVs and video gaming consoles. As a parent, you need to ensure you know exactly what your child is watching and take steps to limit the amount of time they spend watching videos and television each day.

TV_Time_for_Their_Children

  • Spend time watching programming with your child. Watch an episode or two of your child’s favorite programs to ensure they are age appropriate.
  • Enable password protection on TVs and other devices. Requiring a password will let you know when your child wants to view programming and allow you to decide if they can.
  • Enable parental controls on TVs using the TV remote, as well as other devices, to block programming. Most TVs and devices have parental controls you can use to limit the programming your child can view based upon their age.
  • Utilize ratings and preview programs beforehand. Take the time to check the rating on a new program, and watch an episode without your child to see if it is appropriate.
  • Create a TV viewing schedule. Watching TV should be a privilege and not something your child should expect they can do as long as they want, every single day.
  • Find fun activities, games, and arts and crafts for your child to enjoy. There are plenty of things your child can be doing instead of sitting in front of the TV, from afterschool sports programs to family night board games.

By taking time to monitor and manage your child’s television viewing habits, not only do you have better control over what they watch, but you also ensure they are using their free time for a wide range of activities. If you need a new remote to access parental controls or set passwords on TVs and related devices, contact ReplacementRemotes.com today at 1-855-5-REMOTE (1-855-573-6683).

Remote controls

Programming Tips for Remote Controls

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If you’re getting ready to set aside your collection of remote controls and use the universal TV remote codes to simplify your life, you may as well take things a few steps further. You’re looking to simplify your life, so why not do it all at once, instead of forgetting to do it altogether?

Program One Device at a Time

It is completely feasible to put multiple devices on one remote, but it may be easier if you concentrate on doing everything you need to do on one device before moving to the next one. Using this method helps keeps things simple, but it also helps you avoid putting off some of the things you wanted to do with other devices, like the ones listed below.

  • Set parental controls on all devices. Let’s face it: Your kids probably know every workaround there is, so they have no problem getting to channels through a DVD player or other device that they can’t get to through the television. Make sure parental controls are set on all devices.
  • Install apps now instead of waiting until you want to use one. You can keep things simple by installing all of your apps on one device, but, at the same time, it doesn’t hurt to have a backup plan by putting them on two devices.
  • Get connected to all the things you plan to use. Those speakers that have been sitting in a box? May as well hook them up now.

Once all of your devices are programmed and set up, you won’t have to worry about kids accessing things they shouldn’t, or the whole family not getting the media experience they should. From programming your Zenith universal remote to mounting that last speaker on the stand, make this a time of media development!

Remote controls

TV remotes

Betamax vs. VHS

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Back when TV remotes still made clicking noises when you pushed the buttons, there were these devices many of you might recall called VCRs and Betamax. In November 2015, years after Betamax lost the home viewing device war, Sony finally stopped production of the Betamax tapes, much to the surprise of a large population who wasn’t even aware these tapes were still being made.

Sony’s Baby

Sony came out with the Betamax just a few short years after the VCR was made. Because Sony had such a sound reputation when it came to recording devices and the elements that went along with them, the company assumed that the Betamax would be a success. However, there were two major components that made this reality impossible: cost and functionality.

Recording Times and Price

No one is really sure exactly what drove Sony to create a device that could only record for 60 minutes, when most movies last at least 90 minutes. Perhaps Sony was trying to make an extreme effort to end cable piracy? Or more likely, sell more tapes. Since VHS was less expensive and could record for 120 minutes, it was easy enough for customers to make a choice between the two.

At this time, there are still those who are either so devoted to Sony or so set on not being trendy that they continue to rely on a Betamax for their nostalgic entertainment. For those who chose this path in lieu of Blu-Rays and devices that have present-time remote control codes, let the world have a moment of silence as the dust begins to gather on the production machines for Betamax tapes. Farewell, Betamax: The machine that would change for no man.

What Are Blu-rays and How Are They Better than DVDs?

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Blu-ray discs are a form of optical storage similar to DVDs. However, instead of using red lasers to burn data onto DVD discs, Blu-rays use a violet-blue laser, hence the name Blu-ray. Since Blu-ray discs use a different laser format to store data, it allows for the data to be placed closer together, thus increasing the storage capacity from 4.7 GB on a single layer DVD to 25 GB on a single layer Blu-ray disc.

Due to the larger storage capabilities, Blu-ray discs are able to store high definition (HD) video and picture content, which standard DVDs cannot. This feature has made Blu-rays more popular in recent years as more people have switched to the newer technology. As HD technologies continue to become more prevalent and used by more people, the expectation is DVDs will eventually stop being used, much like how DVDs displaced VHS tapes.

Blu-ray technologies are backwards compatible with both CDs and DVDs. As a result, Blu-ray players and optical drives are able to support these formats to playback music and movies, as well as access pictures and other data stored on CDs and DVDs. In addition, Blu-ray discs have a hard coating on them, which DVDs do not, that helps prevent against scratching and protects the contents of the disc.

Whether you currently have a Blu-ray player or are still using a DVD player, you can find universal remotes for your electronic devices at Replacement Remotes. For assistance in selecting the right remote controls for your devices, contact us at 1-855-5-REMOTE (1-855-573-6683) today.