Remotes make life easier as they help to control devices without having to move positions. If you have to manually change the functionality of your TV, you’ll end up having a hard time. Thankfully, remote control systems make it easier to use TVs as well as other electronic devices. The remote control technology has advanced to the extent that you can program any remote to a TV and enjoy the different features and functionalities in it. There are different ways you can explore to program any remote to a TV. Today, you can use a universal remote to program and control your TV. In this article, you’ll learn the different ways you can use to program any remote to a TV.
A Universal Remote
Let’s start by understanding what a universal remote is. A universal remote refers to a remote control device you can setup and use to control multiple electronic devices. This means that if you don’t have your original TV remote, you can use a universal remote to control your device. If you take a keen look at a universal remote, you’ll notice that it looks just like any other remote, only that it has more buttons. This might make it look a bit complex, but you can use it quite easily once you understand how it works.
You may have to go back to the manual of your universal remote to figure out how it works, but the bottom-line is that all universal remotes function in a similar manner. The good thing with a universal remote is that it’s not brand dependent. Regardless of the TV brand you have, a universal remote can help you to control it and enjoy the functionalities it in.
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Why is it Important to have a Universal Remote?
A universal report is a one stop solution to the management and control of your devices. With the remote, you’ll be able to control all with one. You don’t have to worry about the number of devices you have or where your remotes are because you have what you need to control their functionalities. If your original TV remote gets lost or damaged, you can program and use it to control your television set.
The Categories of Universal Remotes
Just like any other remote, universal remotes have infra-red technology that allows for the sending of signals. So, what you need is to configure it in a way that you can use it. There are two categories of universal remotes. They include multi-brand and learning remotes. The two universal remotes are alike in some ways and also significantly different. You’ll realize that the aspects of a multi-brand universal remote are also existent in a learning universal remote.
1. Multi-brand Universal Remotes
Just like the name suggests, this type of remote technology is compatible with particular TV brands. The remotes are usually preprogrammed with codes needed to operate certain devices. You can use this universal remote to control your TV but the major disadvantage with it is that it controls basic TV functions. The basic controls include increasing and decreasing the volume, change of channels, and turning the TV on and off. It is also possible to adjust the input modes for some TVs.
2. Learning Universal Remotes
These universal remotes are similar to multi-brand universal remotes but they are a bit extra. While they are preprogramed to control particular devices, they have the capacity to learn the functions of remotes not programmed in them. This means they can fit into the ability of a manufacturer’s programming of an original remote. It is easy to do the setup process. All you need to do is to hold the learning remote and the original remote with each other (head to head). This will allow for the transmission of signals to the learning remote and receive commands from the original remote.
Types of Universal Remotes
There are different types of universal remotes and different ways of configuring them. Depending on the type of universal remote you have, there is a particular way of doing the configuration.
1. PC Programmable Universal Remote
These particular universal remotes are quite easy to configure. It is possible for you to use your computer to setup the remote. Thus, all you need to do is to connect it with your PC using a USB cable and download codes. Once you download the codes, they will be transferred to your remote and get configured. After the setup, you’ll be able to use the remote to control the TV aligned to the downloaded codes.
2. WiFi Enabled Universal Remotes
These remotes are more advanced, thus more expensive. The WiFi makes it possible for receive updates and statistics. You can use this universal remote to control any device. As long as there is internet connection available, you can control any TV.
3. Radio Frequency Universal Remotes
The good thing with these remotes is that you’re able to control devices from any location inside your house. This is possible through the radiofrequency capacity of the universal remotes,
4. LCD Touch Screen Universal Remotes
How to Program a Remote to a TV
It’s possible to setup and configure any remote to control a TV. Indeed, programming any remote to a TV is a simple exercise as long as you follow the required guidelines. One of the important things to take note of is ensuring that there’s a clear path because infra-red can’t go through hindrances like walls. Therefore, in order to connect a remote to a television set, you should be positioned where there is a clear path to the electronic device. This will make it possible for the signal released by the remote control to connect with the TV for programming to be successful. These are the steps you should follow for the programming process:
Step 1: There is a specific button at the top of your remote near the power button. This is the button you’ll use for the set up. Press it for 3 seconds. After the 3 seconds, you’ll notice an LED light on the remote. The light will be on during the programing process. As long as it is on, it will show you that the process is underway.
Step 2: The next step is to press the TV button to set up the remote in TV mode. Since universal remotes have different functionalities, make sure that you set up the remote to program your TV. Universal remotes have the ability to control different devices, thus set it up in a way that the controls are synched for your TV.
Step 3: Crosscheck TV codes online or check out the list packaged with the remote you’re using for the programing. Essentially, every code works for a particular TV brand. Check out several codes to ascertain whether one of them will work. You’ll know that a code is working if the LED light turns off. This is an indication that the setup is successful. You can now make use of the remote to control your TV.
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An Example of Universal Remote Programming to a Sanyo TV
You can use a universal remote to control the functions of a Sanyo TV. You need to set it up and be able to use it to control your TV. You will need to know the codes of your TV for the universal remote to work effectively. These are the steps you can follow to set the remote for use with a Sanyo TV.
Step 1: The first thing to do is to get the remote codes. The instruction manual of the Sanyo TV will help you get the codes you need to setup the remote. If you find it hard to get the program code, you can go online and download it.
Step 2: Use the remote to search for code required to operate the TV. Press the code search button and point it in the direction of the TV. Ensure that there are no objects that obstruct the signal released. As you press and hold the button, you’ll notice a red light. The light will remain on as long as you’re holding the button.
Step 3: The third step is the synchronization stage. The remote will synchronize with the TV and start the setup process.
Step 4: The fourth step is where you key in the TV code. Use the remote control to key in the code. If the code is the right one and it’s accepted, the red light will go off.
Step 5: The setup process is over and you can now use the universal remote to control your TV. You can gain access to the main functionalities of the Sanyo TV using the programmed remote.
Certainly, it is possible to program any remote to a TV. Once you have set everything right, you’ll be in a position to control your TV. You don’t need to be overly stressed because you don’t have the original remote. You can continue using your TV as long as you follow the required steps to program your new remote.