About Universal Remote

The Evolution of the Universal Remote

The idea of a universal remote that can control multiple devices is nothing new, but the technology has come a long way over the years. In the beginning, universal remotes were extremely limited in functionality. The first mass-market universal remote made by Philips in 1987 could only control a television, VCR, and cable box. 

Advancements in technology and infrared communication protocols allowed more devices to be supported by universal remotes over time. One major advancement was the creation of macro programming, which allowed a sequence of commands to be executed with one button press. This made controlling complex home theater systems with multiple components much simpler.

The introduction of radio frequency (RF) remotes in the mid 2000s was another leap forward. RF remotes did not require line-of-sight and could control devices hidden in cabinets or other rooms. This made whole-home control possible for the first time. The improved range and reliability offered by RF allowed more advanced home automation systems and usage scenarios.

Today's universal remotes leverage both infrared and radio frequency technology to maximum effect. They can control virtually any modern AV component like TVs, Blu-ray players, game consoles, streaming boxes, surround sound receivers, lights, thermostats - even complex home theater PC software. High-end models have full-color touchscreen interfaces that simplify dozens of devices into one easy-to-use control center.

The latest cloud-based universal remotes take multi-device control even further. These systems have apps that allow users to replace all their original remote controls from a single smartphone or tablet, with seamless control of devices in every room from anywhere in or out of the home. Voice assistants like Amazon Alexa have also been integrated with universal remotes to enable hands-free voice control capability.

From the earliest infrared models to advanced RF and cloud-based solutions, universal remotes have evolved considerably as technology has progressed. They have drastically simplified the control experience for home entertainment and home automation systems. The category will undoubtedly continue innovating as new devices, protocols, and use cases emerge in the future.