# Larn me good about universal remotes **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 22, 2003, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larn-me-good-about-universal-remotes/156797 "2003-02-22T17:36:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larn-me-good-about-universal-remotes/156797/1 "2003-02-22T17:36:14Z")
I’ve got a couple of weird off-brand components, and about 8 remote controls. I’d _love_ to get a single universal remote, but I’ve yet to find one that has codes for all my components. I’ve gotten one with a “search” feature which lets me page through the 800 or so codes built in hopes of hitting the one that work (none of 'em did, in any case.) I’m sure I read somewhere that there are universal remotes that have a reciever built into them so that you can “teach” the universal remote by pointing the component’s remote at the universal remote and the universal remote “learns” the signals the component’s remote is sending. A) Does such a thing exist? B) Can I get one for less than, say…$75.00? C) (we’re edging away from GQ and into IMHO territory here, sorry) Can anyone recommend one with this feature (brand name, model number) that they’ve had success with and liked? Thanks! Fenris ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larn-me-good-about-universal-remotes/156797/2 "2003-02-22T17:37:15Z")
If you find a universal remote for all my universal remotes, will ya let me know? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larn-me-good-about-universal-remotes/156797/3 "2003-02-22T17:41:55Z")
There are several multi-component universal remotes with a learn feature on [this page.](http://www.hdtvtips.com/Remote%20Controls.htm) ---
**Author:** ![3waygeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/e95f7d/32.png) [@3waygeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3waygeek)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larn-me-good-about-universal-remotes/156797/4 "2003-02-22T17:55:31Z")
Good link, **Q.E.D.**. I’m quite fond of the [Sony RM-AV3000](http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=Mi1rzaT_ctxr_ZqohcNhxuvxFSch-RdlqUk=?CatalogCategoryID=y3IKC0%2eN2iAAAADzQw1ypn_6&ProductID=lo4KC0%2eNLbcAAADziixypn_%2e&Dept=hav), which can be had online for as low as $110. **Fenris** , if you’re not willing to spend that kind of money, or you don’t like touchscreens, consider one of the higher-end One4All remotes in **KidCharlemagne** ’s link – they have learning capacity, but aren’t quite as flexible as touchscreen remotes. Also, they can be programmed via a PC equipped with special software and a cable (IIRC, there’s a Yahoo group devoted to such things). ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larn-me-good-about-universal-remotes/156797/5 "2003-02-22T18:01:30Z")
Not had your morning coffee yet, **3waygeek**? I read **KidCharlemagne** ’s post again very carefully and I still don’t see a link there. Might I suggest a good therapist? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![3waygeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/e95f7d/32.png) [@3waygeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3waygeek)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larn-me-good-about-universal-remotes/156797/6 "2003-02-22T18:04:38Z")
D’oh!! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larn-me-good-about-universal-remotes/156797/7 "2003-02-22T18:42:22Z")
My Sony RM-AV 3000 has replaced 7 remotes, and it’s not near capacity yet. Check out [Remotecentral.com](http://www.remotecentral.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Rhum\_Runner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rhum\_Runner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhum_Runner)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larn-me-good-about-universal-remotes/156797/8 "2003-02-22T19:09:19Z")
Meet the [Pronto](http://www.pronto.philips.com/). The granddaddy of all universal remotes. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larn-me-good-about-universal-remotes/156797/9 "2003-02-22T19:18:23Z")
**Fenris** I was in the same situation. I went out and bought 9 different “learning” remotes. Some by Sony, Phiilips, RCA, Zenith, etc. I returned them all except the Zenith. It works [FANTASTIC!](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=108178) This thing does whatever you tell it to. Unlike the othere remotes, you can make the Zenith do what you want, using whatever button you want to do it. Your wish is it’s command. I like it so much I bought one for ever television in my house. They’re under $20! Or check [Ebay.](http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3009446201&category=15065) ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larn-me-good-about-universal-remotes/156797/10 "2003-02-22T20:11:33Z")
Thanks everyone, and especially **3waygeek**! I got the OneForAll and it works perfectly!