Universal remote controls single device

I went to Target today to find a remote to replace one from our DVD player that went missing this past week. This was after much frustration trying to get my Yamaha receiver remote to recognize codes for the Philips DVD player.

Target had a number of Universal remotes and each was priced based on how many devices it could run.

Run 3 devices – $8
Run 4 devices – $20
Run 5 devices – $25
Run 6 devices – $40+

Target also carried a fancy $100 Harmony remote that had so many buttons I wouldn’t be surprised if it could control my washer, dryer, air conditioner and sprinkler system. It would have been worth the Franklin if it had been able to control my kids.

I couldn’t find one that worked a single device for $3 so I went with a Philips branded model that works three devices. It’s not fancy but the buttons are much larger making it a lot easier to use than the cheap remote that came with the DVD player. It was sealed in that nearly impossible to remove clear plastic crap that requires those strong kitchen scissors I can only use when Kim isn’t looking. Once I finally extracted the remote and installed two batteries, I was ready to program it to work my DVD player.

I figured this should be about a 2 minute process. I was wrong. The instruction booklet that came with the remote was about 16 page in length and included a fold-out section listing the codes for various devices. The instructions said to push a button until a red light turned on. Then, I needed to “quickly” press the desired device (DVD in this case), wait for the remote to blink, enter in the four digit code, press the up or down arrows “many times” and then hit the “Mute” button to program that code.

I read through the instructions a few times and found the list of possible codes, memorizing the first on the list. And then I ran into a problem. I couldn’t find the Mute button. I looked and looked before turning to the front of the manual and looking at the diagram of the remote. I quickly found the mute button right in the middle of the remote labeled with only a capital “M”. Maybe they should have said to press the “M” button instead of the “mute” button.

I tried the first code. Nada. I tried the second code. Nada. And so it went until I came to the last code on the list. I sat there on my couch prepping myself for the drive back to Target to return the remote. Heck, I figured I might as well buy a new DVD player for $50 and call it good.

But I went though the process: Button, light, button, code, arrows, and finally “M”. I stretched my arm in the direction of the DVD player and pressed PLAY with my thumb.

Bingo! It’s alive and working! Now my kids can get back to watching Scooby Doo. I need one of those chains you find at the bank attached to the pens to attach to this remote. I wonder how long this remote will last?