Tag: Remote Control

Three Must-Watch Podcasts for TV Lovers

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For fans of shows like “Jessica Jones,” “Better Call Saul,” and “Game of Thrones,” just watching them isn’t enough. To truly peel back the layers of these multi-faceted works of art, you have to check out podcasts by devotees of the shows. Podcasts help add context and depth, and have become just as essential to TV enjoyment as the remote control.

Best-podcasts

Some of the best podcasts include:

  • The Vulture Podcast – Hosted by Matt Zoller Seitz, one of the hottest TV critics working today, along with Margaret Lyons and Gazelle Emami, The Vulture Podcast provides a funny, irreverent look at television shows that waxes philosophical at times. The co-hosts have great chemistry and riff off of one another in a way that’s engaging.
  • Very Good TV Podcast – The name says it all. Co-hosts Liz Shannon Miller and Ben Travers know their material, and host their show in a great conversational manner that’s accessible and fun. The show has some of the old Siskel and Ebert magic from years past.
  • Holler Back – For Justified devotees, this podcast is a must. “Justified” is over and done, but if you’d like a little context when you go back and binge watch your favorite episodes, Ryan McGee and Joanna Robinson’s Holler Back provides a great way to explore all the nooks and crannies of Harlan County. Holler Back is a great example of a single-show focused podcast.

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.

Top Six TV Facts You Might Not Have Known

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Television has been around for nearly a century now and, in that time, the medium has had some interesting developments, paths not taken, and the occasional failure here and there. The following are a few facts about television you may find useful for pub trivia or just being an all-around know-it-all.

  • Philo Farnsworth is credited with inventing the first electronic television in 1927. Farnsworth’s device transmitted a simple straight line. Precursors of the television made by researchers around the world dated back to the late 1800s, but Farnsworth’s 1927 invention and subsequent devices were the direct ancestors of the modern television.
  • Farnsworth didn’t think much of his creation; he actually forbade his children from watching television.
  • Actor Richard Belzer has the record for playing the same character, John Munch, on the largest number of television shows – 10.
  • In Norway, product placement, a time-honored tradition in American advertising, is barred.
  • The remote control pre-dates the television. The earliest remote control devices were made in the early 1900s and were used to remotely operate boats.
  • Earl Wild was the first pianist to perform a recital on television in 1937. Sixty years later he was the first pianist to stream a recital on the Internet.

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.

Commercial advertisements

Make Commercial Time Count

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Commercials make up a larger share of time per hour of programming than ever before. That can turn out to be beneficial, if instead of just flipping to another channel with your remote control during commercial breaks, you use that time to complete small tasks.

Commercial advertisements

Commercial advertisements make up about 14 minutes of each hour of broadcast television and more than 15 minutes of each hour on cable television. Commercial breaks are typically three to four minutes long. You can make those breaks productive by:

  • Managing your email inbox – Use the three to four minute breaks to manage your inbox, cleaning out emails that need deletion. If cleaning your inbox takes longer than three to four minutes, you can always come back to the task during the next break.
  • Make your grocery shopping list – Commercial breaks are a great time to plan out your grocery list. Jot down the items you need on a piece of paper, so you’re ready for your next trip. Like managing your inbox, it’s a task you can easily come back to during subsequent commercial breaks.
  • Dust your entertainment center – While the commercials are running, catch up on your cleaning by dusting your television and your entertainment center. Also, clean up your living room or television viewing room during breaks.

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.

Making TV Work for Your Family

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Although television often gets a bad rap, it offers a lot of entertainment and educational value for families. The key is responsible and moderate use. Instead of just turning their children loose with the remote control, families seeking to instill healthy habits in their kids should establish a few ground rules.

  • Set limits – Parents should set limits on how much time their children spend watching television and playing with other electronic media, such as video games and mobile devices. Studies show that excessive television watching and electronic media use can be detrimental to children’s academic and social development. By setting healthy boundaries, parents encourage responsible media habits.
  • Talk about what you watch – Discuss the themes and ideas presented in content you watch together. Television can spark great conversations about society, science, politics, and much more.
  • Set an example – Parents who constantly watch the tube themselves won’t be very effective in convincing their children to put down the universal remote and head outside. Parents should lead by example, taking time to do other activities instead of just watching television. Children who see their parents reading, exercising, and pursuing hobbies will be more likely to do the same.
  • Monitor content – There are more channels and media outlets than ever, and, unfortunately, this increases the chance that your children might view inappropriate content. Use technological tools to control what your children watch, and evaluate your own media habits to find ways to set a better example for your children.

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.

Remote control

Renewed 2016 TV Shows

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For those of you who have been tempted to try to remove access to specific networks from your RCA remotes because your favorite show was canceled, step away from the manual. Some of your favorite shows are making a comeback in 2016, and you don’t want to miss them.

Welcome Back!

Some of the best shows are the ones that involve the average citizen showing off some skills, whether it’s because they actually have talent or because they know how to operate a video camera. That’s why shows like Dancing with the Stars, The Bachelor, and America’s Funniest Home Videos are definitely coming back in 2016.

Of course, it isn’t just contests that get people going, but the adventures of some of the most loved … and hated characters on television. You might be surprised by some of the characters you’ll see this year, like Meredith Grey. What? Yes, that’s right, Grey’s Anatomy is coming back in 2016. Along with it you can expect to see your favorite cast from Once Upon a Time, The Goldbergs, and Criminal Minds; and Big Bang Theory, Survivor, and Scorpion.

Naturally, not all your favorite shows are going to make it back, but don’t adjust your RCA remotes just yet. You never know what the new year will bring. Some shows haven’t been decided yet, like the CSI series. One version has already been canceled, but the word isn’t out yet on the Cyber version of this popular show. Keep in mind that even if you got a full list of what is and isn’t coming back, contracts change all the time. Nothing is real until you see it on the screen.

Remote control

Modern HDTV

Three Steps to Connect Your Computer to Your HDTV

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Modern HDTVs are compatible with your desktop or laptop computer, allowing you to access your favorite Internet streaming services or content saved on your computer and watch it in beautiful big-screen high definition. Connecting your HDTV to your computer also allows you to use it as a giant monitor, which can be useful for some work projects or gaming.

Modern HDTV

Connecting your HDTV to your computer is as easy as setting up your TV remote. Just follow these steps:

  • Find out what kind of cables you’ll need. HDTVs offer a variety of connections to accommodate the many types of devices they may be connected with by users. In most cases, laptops and desktop computers will connect to your HDTV with HDMI or DVI cables, which provide the best picture quality. Some older devices may use VGA cable or S-video cable to connect. If your HDTV doesn’t have a port that fits the type of cable you need to connect to your computer, you can find adapters to allow connection.
  • Once you’ve got the appropriate cables and adapters, turn off your computer and television, and connect the device to the HDTV.
  • When the cable is connected, turn on the computer, then use your remote control to turn on the TV and select the appropriate input for the TV, just like you would do when using your gaming console or a DVD player. If the picture looks distorted, use your display settings on your computer to change the screen aspect ratio and resolution.

Replacementremotes.com sells new and refurbished TV remote control devices for a wide variety of electronic devices. In addition to remotes, the company also provides TV stands, accessories, replacement product manuals, lights, and much more. The company also operates a repair service for certain devices. To learn more, contact 1-877-671-7173.

Remote control

Remote Control Clean-Up

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It’s especially important to keep your remote control clean during times like the flu and cold season. The TV remote might even see more action than the bathroom door handle, which means that all those germs are just sitting around, waiting to be picked up by the next person who just wants to watch their favorite shows. Below are some quick tips to help you clean and disinfect your remote so that you and your family can safely enjoy your daily down time.

Avoid Water

There are those who suggest putting your remote in the dishwasher. Don’t do it. Since there are multiple internal contact points, this is really the fastest way to motivate yourself to start playing with all those remote control codes you’ll have to learn when you buy a new Universal remote to replace your existing water-damaged remote. It’s really best to avoid water altogether, just to be safe.

Apply Rubbing Alcohol and Cotton Swabs

Rubbing alcohol is safe to use on the outside and the inside of your device. Simply dip the swab in rubbing alcohol and wring out the excess liquid. Now use it to clean the small areas around the buttons after you remove the batteries. It’s always a good idea to remove the batteries, not just to prevent damage to the internal workings, but to avoid accidentally flipping your television off and on or changing codes or settings. When you clean around the buttons, push down on them so that you can clean the little crevice around them, as well.

Use these tips to ensure that your remote is always free from germs, especially after all those holiday festivities where your home is filled to the brim with friends and family.

How Blu-Ray Technology Killed HD-DVD Technology

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Some of you might remember the battle between Blu-ray and HD-DVD technologies several years ago. Both were new technologies released in 2006 as a replacement to current DVD technologies. At that time, there was a division between major companies and what format was the best to use. On the HD-DVD side were companies like Microsoft, Toshiba, and Intel. On the Blu-ray side were companies like Sony, Disney, Apple, and Dell.

Initially, HD-DVD devices were the first to market, in April 2006, and were slow to be received by consumers. Blu-ray players were released in June 2006, but gained substantial momentum with the release of Sony’s PlayStation 3 video game console in November 2006. While Microsoft attempted to combat this by releasing a stand-alone HD-DVD player to use with its XBOX 360 gaming console, it was not well received.

Further hampering the battle between the two formats were the major Hollywood motion picture studios. Right from the start, both Sony and Disney opted for Blu-ray technologies, and it was not long before other studios, like Warner Brothers, made a decision to go with Blu-ray format over the HD-DVD format.

In the end, the battle between Microsoft and Sony and their gaming consoles is what ultimately killed HD-DVD technology. Consumers could get a gaming machine which also supported Blu-ray disc playback for less than it cost to purchase an XBOX 360 with the additional, external HD-DVD disc drive.

While HD-DVD technology and the companies that supported the format put up a good fight, lasting almost five years, in the end Blu-ray won out and has continued to grow in popularity. If you happen to own a HD-DVD player and need a new remote control, feel free to contact Replacement Remotes at 1-855-5-REMOTE (1-855-573-6683).

How to Choose the Right Size Flat Screen TV for Your Home

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Now that it’s 2015, most families have ditched their old tube TVs for a modern flat screen TV and modern remote control. Flat screens offer a lot of advantages over old 20th century TV models, including improved picture, sound, and overall viewing experience. Flat screens are also available in a wider variety of sizes than old model TVs, which means that picking out the perfect flat screen for your home means finding just the right size screen.

Obviously, the size of the room the TV will be located in and the distance that it will sit from the sitting area will have an impact on what size TV screen is best for a room. A small screen in a large room will make the images on the screen appear too small, but if a TV is too large for a room then the image will also be compromised because the viewer will be able to make out all the rows and columns of pixels that make up the images, compromising the crisp qualities of the HD screen.

A good rule of thumb for flat screen TV size is that the distance from the screen should be about 1 ½ to 2 ½ times the diagonal length of the screen. For example, a 36″ TV should be place between 4 and 6 ½ feet away from the viewer, while a 55″ screen should be about 7 to 11 ½ feet away. There is no exact range for each size TV, and the quality of your cable and home video devices will also impact picture quality, but using this system is a good starting place for finding the right size TV for your room.

For more home theater tips, or to find the perfect flat screen TV for your home, contact us today at 855-573-6683.