One of the most important aspects of a good home entertainment system is the universal remote.  A universal remote allows you to control all the different components of your system--TV, surround sound receiver, satellite or cable box, DVR, DVD player and more--with one control device.  With the touch of a button, the remote should turn on all the required components, switch them to their correct settings, and then control them all as needed.  Then you can put away all the original factory remotes in a box and store them in your closet.  A high quality, well-programmed remote can be the difference between a system that is easy to use for the whole family and one that is a source of frustration.

There are different styles and types of universal remotes, with professional models starting at under $500.  With optional equipment, you can operate your systems through cabinet doors or even walls, so your hardware can be concealed or in another room.  When installed with more sophisticated back-end control systems these devices can operate your lighting, window shades, thermostat, pool, spa and more, all from a single application.  And now some control systems can be programmed to use the iPad, iPod Touch or iPhone from Apple, giving you even more powerful, versatile and elegant control over your entertainment world.

Most pro remotes have custom programmed buttons with bright, easy-to-read icons to perform your most frequent activities, like "Watch Cable TV" or "Listen to iTunes" and some have touch screens.  Models that have rechargeable batteries with charging cradles or power plugs are very convenient and more environmentally friendly.   There are "wand" style remotes that can be held with one hand and "tablet" styles that require two-handed operation.

While some consumer "do it yourself" models can work pretty well, they often require a lot of tinkering to get them to perform consistently. The best option for most people is to buy a remote from an AV professional and have the installer program it for your particular home system. An experienced programmer knows how to deal with the unique characteristics of your AV equipment and home environment to give you a device that performs to your expectations.  Even then it may take some follow up to "fine tune" the remote to your liking and achieve consistent, reliable performance.

So if you want to clean up your coffee table, make your home entertainment system easy to use for the whole family, or just want a little more control in your life, consider investing in a good universal remote.  For more information, call us at StreamLife and we'll be to happy to assist you.