How to Operate Universal Remote Controls

This guide will give you a basic understanding of universal remotes, their fuctions, and how to optimally use them.

Step 1. Access the main menu

Most universal remotes have a main menu that can be accessed via a main button or a device or activity button. This main menu depending on its programming, but ideally will display a list of activities, Watch DVD, Watch TV, Listen to CD and so forth.

Step 2. Powering On

You should have one of two options here, either main on and off buttons that will turn on and off the whole system at once, or you will have power functions built into your activity buttons, that will just turn on the components you need for that activity. In this case you should still have a main off button. If you have a main power button select it now, if not select an activity.

Step 3. Controlling Activities

Once you have selected an activity the remote will send a series of commands to set up your system for that source. It will change the inputs on your switch and or TV,  set up the audio, and can even press play or set a specific channel if so programmed. Wait just a few seconds to make sure the commands are complete and then you should see the display of your remote change to control the selected activity. Many remotes also have a page button that will allow you to scroll though additional pages of commands. From here you should have all of the necessary buttons (carried over from the original remote) to control your activity. You should also have volume features that will control your volume source (Receiver, amp, or TV)

Step 4. Changing Activities

When you are finished with one activity and would like to change to another, simply navigate back to your main menu using the main or activity button. Then select a new activity. Your remote will automatically change the system over to control the new activity.

Additional: How to use two activities at once

Lets say you want to watch the game on your TV but you would prefer to listen to the commentary from a radio station instead of the TV audio. To do this you will need to have a video select button for your audio receiver programmed into the audio section of your remote. First set the system to display the game, then select the radio station with your remote, then navigate to the location where you programmed the video select button and use it to select your video source for the TV signal (the game).