The wonderful thing about electronics is that with a little know-how, and trial and error, you can come up with great new applications. This holds true even for common items like TV remotes. With patience and study, you can figure out all sorts of new uses for your remote, such as using it to control your garage door, or hacks to increase its effectiveness, such as a range booster.
If you’re considering tinkering with your television remote, consider these hacks:
- Build an infrared receiver – If you have an old remote lying around that you no longer need, a cool little science experiment can turn it into an infrared receiver. Converting your remote into an infrared receiver can help you use it to control other devices in your home.
- Extend your remote’s range – This is perhaps one of the easiest and most effective hacks for your remote control. Using just a little aluminum foil, you can significantly boost the range of your TV remote control. All you have to do is open the remote, tape down the leads from the top infrared LED with some electrical tape, and then make an aluminum foil cocoon for that LED on the opposite half of the remote for when you snap it back together.
- Control your PC – Many people today are connecting their PCs to their HDTVs to play media stored on the PC or to access the Internet from their televisions. Having a way to control some basic PC functions like the volume would be a big help. Hacks are out there that will let you assume control of some functions with your remote.
Replacementremotes.com is a provider of new and refurbished remote control devices 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.