Category: TV remotes

History of the Remote Control

A Brief History of the Remote Control

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The first remote controls can be traced back to the late 1800s. In the UK, Oliver Lodge developed a device that moved a beam of light in reaction to an electromagnetic wave. In 1896, William Preece and Guglielmo Marconi, both skilled in radio frequencies, created a remote that could make a bell ring simply by pushing a button.

Here in the U.S., scientist and inventor Nikola Tesla filed a patent in 1898 for his very one device, he called “Method of an Apparatus for Controlling Mechanism of Moving Vehicle or Vehicles.” He demonstrated that he could wirelessly control a radio-controlled boat.

From here, the use of remotes continued to develop, but, initially, for military purposes to control planes and submarines, as well as missiles. It was not until the later part of the 1930s that Philco invented remotes for their radios, which became the first consumer remote.

History of the Remote Control

Who Invented the TV Remote Control?

The first TV remote control was invented in 1950 by Zenith. Zenith’s Eugene Polly invented the first wireless remote control in 1955. Since that time, remotes have undergone several changes, with the first major update in the 1970s to add many of the buttons, features, and options we enjoy today, which also paved the way for the creation of the universal remote in the 1980s.

Over the past 3 decades, remotes have continued to evolve alongside technology. Today, you can find remotes with light-up buttons, smartphone app integration, Bluetooth support, and more.

If you need a new remote control or universal remote, please feel free to contact ReplacementRemotes.com at 1-855-5-REMOTE (1-855-573-6683) today!

Teacher and student building a robotic arm

Five Things You Can Do with Your Old and Broken Remote Controls

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Do you have a drawer full of broken remote controls or old ones for devices you no longer have? Most of us have at least a few remotes we no longer want or need lying around. Before you toss your broken and old remotes into the trash, here are some alternative and eco-friendly options to consider:

  1. Recycle remote controls at an authorized recycling location. You can find recycling centers, retailers, and other places, including Replacement Remotes, that will take your old, broken, and unwanted remotes and recycle them for you.
  2. Recycle TV remote controls by donating them to a vocational or trade school. Students in electronics programs work with all sorts of electronic devices. They may even take your old remote controls and repurpose them into some new device.

Teacher and student building a robotic arm

  1. Donate working remotes to a charity/thrift store. You can drop off working remotes at Goodwill, The Salvation Army, and other local charity/thrift stores. They will resell the remotes to someone who needs them.
  2. Turn the remote into a toy for cosplay events or for your children. You can paint or use stickers to transform the remote into a futuristic looking space gun or another such imaginative toy. Just remember to remove the batteries ahead of time.
  3. Create your own unique “art” piece using your old remotes. If you are artistic, you could create a sculpture or picture using different parts of your old remotes. You could even sell your artwork to earn some extra money too!

The main thing to remember when getting rid of old and broken remote controls is to not toss them in the trash. They are made of plastics and metals which can be recycled and reused.

To learn more about our remote recycling program or assistance in finding a new remote control, please feel free to contact Replacement Remotes at 1-855-573-6683 to speak with a representative today!

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).

get togethers

Spring Gathering Checklist

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There are all sorts of different checklists you can use when planning parties and get-togethers in the springtime, from checklists of things to do, to lists of cleaning chores, to lists of things to check that are functioning correctly, like these following items.

  1. Remote Controls – Whether it is for the TV, sound system, or outdoor projection system, you want to make sure all the remote controls work correctly and get new batteries or a replacement remote if they do not.
  2. Home Entertainment Systems – Make sure the TV, stereo, and other connected devices are working correctly and that there are no wiring errors. Also, to keep guests safe, make sure no wires are left running across the floors and are properly bundled and covered.
  3. Indoor/Outdoor Lighting – Check to verify all lights work and there are no burnt-out bulbs that need to be replaced.
  4. Cooking Appliances/Warmers/Grills – If you are preparing food for your guests, make sure all your appliances, warmers, and grills are ready to go.
  5. Pool/Hot Tub Heaters, Filters, and Pumps – If you have a pool and/or hot tub, confirm the heater is working, the filters are cleaned, and the pumps are cycling correctly.

get togethers

  1. Fire Pits/Patio Heaters – For gas appliances, make sure to have plenty of gas tanks on hand, unless they are directly connected to a gas line. For wood burning heaters, clean them out ahead of time and have plenty of dry hardwood available for burning.

By taking the time to make sure all your items are working correctly, you and your guests will have a great time at your spring party! Please feel free to contact ReplacementRemotes.com at 1-855-5-REMOTE (1-855-573-6683) today for replacement remotes and other related accessories.

Commercial Breaks to Your Advantage

Use Commercial Breaks to Your Advantage

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The average hour-long television show has about 14 minutes of commercial breaks. What are you doing with that time? Flipping through other channels with your remote control or passively watching commercial messages while waiting for your show to come back? Why not put that idle time to good use?

Commercial Breaks to Your Advantage

By using those 14 minutes of commercial time for easy household tasks, you can keep from having to set aside another time to do them. This will improve your personal productivity and free up more time during your day for more important activities. Here’s a list of a few things you can do during commercial breaks:

  • Plan your day – Make a list of everything you need to do tomorrow. This will help keep you organized and allow you to make better use of your time.
  • Make your grocery list – Take advantage of a commercial break to make your shopping list for your next grocery trip. It’ll save you from having to do it later.
  • Respond to emails – Use the short commercial break to respond to emails you may have left unread or unanswered during the work day. Also, clean out that inbox.
  • Tidy up – Toss your socks in the dirty clothes basket, put away DVDs and books, and perform a few other minor cleaning tasks.

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.

Rechargeable Batteries

Why Traditional Batteries Are Better Than Rechargeable Ones for Remotes

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Rechargeable batteries are often a great solution for many electronic devices, as they allow users to reuse the same batteries over and over again, sparing them the cost of buying new batteries. They are not cost-effective for all electronics, however. For TV remotes, traditional alkaline batteries remain the best option.

Rechargeable Batteries

Rechargeable batteries can be re-energized many times, keeping their owners from the time and expense of purchasing new ones. The small cost of recharging batteries using your electric utilities is much cheaper than the cost of purchasing new batteries.

However, rechargeable batteries do not hold charges for as long as traditional batteries do. This means that, when they’re placed in low-draw devices such as remotes, much of their energy is unused. They’ll need to be recharged more often, reducing their lifespan and inconveniencing their owners. A traditional battery is a better option for these devices, as they hold onto their charge for a longer time when not in use.

Rechargeable batteries are much better for electronic devices that are frequently used or draw a lot of power from continuous use, such as video game controllers. Rechargeable batteries and chargers can save consumers a lot of time and money when used in these devices.

For consumers seeking top-quality remotes, ReplacementRemotes.com is the place to shop. ReplacementRemotes.com sells new and refurbished TV remote controls for a wide variety of televisions and other electronic devices. 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.