Remote Controls: Linking You to Your System

    Everyone has the image of the couch potato seared into their minds; food or a beverage in one hand, the remote control in the other.  Unfortunately, the remote control has become associated with and representative of laziness.  While this has become the case in popular culture, you should not discount the importance it has in home theater.

Remote Controls: Connecting You to Your Components

    Unless you are in the habit of walking up to each component to change settings, your remote control is probably your only link to the home theater system.  It is for this reason that cheap, department store versions should be avoided.  Usability is key, and how your remote control will be most often used should be taken into account before you buy.  You need one that will not only fit your home theater needs but also one that will feel comfortable in your hands.  Do you watch most of your movies in the dark or do you have home theater lighting to control?  Is your home theater well established or is it new, requiring that the remote control be able to accept your system's growth?  Those department store remotes rarely take these factors into account.

Remote Control Resources

    There are many features to consider when choosing your remote control.  If you are trying to reduce the number of remote controls you have to use with your system, this article on universal remote controls will help you in your selection.  If your system has become large and complicated, this article on learning remote controls will give you the information you need to choose one of these life-simplifying devices for your system.