Have you got lots of remote controls floating around? Are you swapping batteries from one remote to another? STOP! Perhaps it’s time to invest in a Universal Remote Control. But how does it work?

Essentially the universal remote will learn all the signals that your existing remotes’ know but log them all into the one remote. They can be a bit daunting at first but once you’ve one set up in your house you’ll be wondering why you didn’t get it sooner! Store all the existing remotes in a safe place so if you have a tendency to lose the universal remote you still have remotes that will work at your fingertips.

There are two main groups of universal remotes. The first group are the more basic remotes that you program by punching in a code from a long, long list provided to match to the TV, DVD player, etc. that you own.

The second category are programmed on your computer and can be an amazing way of streamlining your home theatre controlling with their functions, shortcuts and general sexiness. The most popular of these are the Logitech brand. I have one of the entry level Logitech Harmony remotes and truly wonder how I would live without it? I have set up some shortcuts (one-touch activity-based controls) where I press the key that says “Watch DVD” and sit back while it turns everything on, switches inputs, sets the sound preferences and starts the DVD. All in the right order. All without having to check a cheat sheet to make sure I’m doing it. Then when I’m sick of that I press “Listen to ipod” and you guessed it, it adjusts everything to listen to my ipod. All of this I programmed on my computer very quickly and easily, then plugged into the remote. Easy.

Selby stock a range of universal remote controls to help you simplify. Click here