Today’s home entertainment systems, from modest to sophisticated, all have one thing in common, the remote control. How many different remotes do you have sitting on your coffee table? Do you have to perform a carefully orchestrated sequence of button presses just to watch a DVD? How often have you grabbed the wrong remote just to change the channel? Wouldn’t you rather have one remote that can do it all and make your system easier to use?
Learning remote controls can integrate the functions of several devices into a single remote. There are many different types of remote controls on the market today. Low-end universal remotes offer basic features, while more sophisticated touch screen learning remote controls are programmed with a custom layout on a computer. These remotes have an almost unlimited potential to control today’s more complicated systems and perform advanced tasks.
Programmable remote controls use a combination of “hard” buttons and “soft” buttons that can be configured to your specific equipment and needs. The traditional “hard” buttons can be programmed to perform basic functions, such as volume, channel, mute and more. The “soft” buttons located on the touch screen are completely customizable. You decide what buttons you want, what size you want them and what function you want them to perform. Is there a function you want to add or delete? No problem. You can make the backlit display look and function any way you want. Make it simple or make it very sophisticated. It’s your call.
The most important feature of a programmable remote control is the ability to create “macros.” Macros are a series of steps that can be programmed within a single button press, which makes controlling a complicated home theater system much easier. You can create a “System Power” button that will turn every component on or off. You can also create a “DVD” button that will change the input on the television, switch the source on the receiver, dim the lights and start to play the movie all with the touch of one button. The choices are limitless!
Another important feature to consider when buying a programmable remote control is how it communicates with your equipment. The more basic models transmit via infared (line-of-sight), meaning you have to be directly in front of your equipment to control it. More sophisticated models have the ability to transmit via radio frequency. This means that you can control your system through walls from anywhere in your home. You can even hide your equipment in a closet!
Adam Dreyfus is the System Designer at Wilshire Home Entertainment in Valencia. Please stop in to see all the possibilities. We will help you “Do It Right!” Wilshire Home Entertainment is located in the Valencia Crossroads Shopping Center at 24140 Valencia Blvd.
For additional information please visit www.wilshirehe.com or contact Wilshire at 661-291-1900.