Universal Remote Information

We found some fun information at About.com on the history of remote controls. In a nutshell, the first remote controls were developed for military use during World War I. In the late 1940s, the first consumer remote control was the garage-door opener. It wasn't until 1950 that the first television remote control entered living rooms. Zenith pioneered the technology, but the remotes were connected to the TV with cables. By 1956, the first wireless remotes using ultrasound technology appeared. Infrared technology replaced ultrasound in the 1980s. Read the entire article by Mary Bellis on About.com.

Confused by all some of the terms you see in remote reviews, like macros, infrared and RF? RemoteCentral.com offers a helpful glossary of common terminology.

Not sure if you need a universal remote? This checklist from Obsessable.com helps you answer this question.

Britain's Which? magazine tests universal remotes (results available to subscribers), and offers a helpful buyer's guide covering some important shopping considerations.

ConsumerReports.org also offers buying advice for universal remotes.

Manufacturers' websites are also a good place to learn about the latest models:

Logitech Harmony

Monster Cable

Philips

Remote Technologies Inc.

Sony

Universal Electronics One For All

Universal Remote Control

Hy-Tek (Big Button)