# Have you ever gotten a "universal remote" to work? for how many devices? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 17, 2007, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-gotten-a-universal-remote-to-work-for-how-many-devices/392572 "2007-02-17T00:19:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BlackNGold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BlackNGold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackNGold)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2007, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-gotten-a-universal-remote-to-work-for-how-many-devices/392572/21 "2007-02-18T17:00:16Z")
[QUOTE=Seven] I have [this remote from Radio Shack](http://www.remotecentral.com/152133/). Out of the box it handled my tv, vcr, two dvds and television. It semi worked on my Directivo. [/QUOTE] I second the nomination, LOVE this remote. Works on everything except my CD player, which is very old. Got a newer version of it for the bedroom, but I like this one the best. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2007, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-gotten-a-universal-remote-to-work-for-how-many-devices/392572/22 "2007-02-19T14:38:02Z")
We took a portable TV on holiday for the kids to use with the Playstation. Left the remote behind and without it we couldn’t switch to AV input, so we got a cheapo universal. It did the trick. We took it home and programmed it for the bedroom TV, video and Freeview box. It does all three of them pretty well. Not perfectly, the menu function on the Freeview doesn’t work properly, but on the whole good enough. ---
**Author:** ![Scoundrel\_Swanswater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dfb087/32.png) [@Scoundrel\_Swanswater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scoundrel_Swanswater)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2007, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-gotten-a-universal-remote-to-work-for-how-many-devices/392572/23 "2007-02-19T15:12:58Z")
The Logitech Harmony might work perfect for some, for me it was a complete and utter nightmare. I have spend days on the phone with Logitech but they also couldn’t fix my problems. I think it is a very overhyped product and not half as good as some people make it out to be. ---
**Author:** ![Necros](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/necros/32/11086_2.png) [@Necros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Necros)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2007, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-gotten-a-universal-remote-to-work-for-how-many-devices/392572/24 "2007-02-19T16:20:16Z")
I have a Philips RC9800i thang. > **[Shopping Online at Shopping.com | Price Comparison Site](https://www.shopping.com/)** > > Shopping.com is a leading price comparison site that allows you shop online for the best deals and lowest prices. You can read unbiased product reviews and compare prices online. Online shopping has never been as easy! It controls everything. TV, CD, DVD, DVR, Xbox360, etc. But yes, it was a serious PITA to set up. ---
**Author:** ![melondeca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@melondeca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melondeca)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2007, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-gotten-a-universal-remote-to-work-for-how-many-devices/392572/25 "2007-02-19T17:56:31Z")
[QUOTE=Seven] I have [this remote from Radio Shack](http://www.remotecentral.com/152133/). Out of the box it handled my tv, vcr, two dvds and television. It semi worked on my Directivo. [/QUOTE] I came here to suggest this remote. It works on everything and it is so freaking cool looking. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2007, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-gotten-a-universal-remote-to-work-for-how-many-devices/392572/26 "2007-02-19T23:21:25Z")
Mine works for my satellite dish and TV, and I think my VCR/DVD player too. But I often grab the individual remote for the last, out of habit. I didn’t get the universal one to work for my stereo. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-gotten-a-universal-remote-to-work-for-how-many-devices/392572.md?page=1)