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universal remote control. See more pictures of remote controls.

The world's first remote controls were radio-frequency devices that directed German naval vessels to crash into Allied boats during WWI. In WWII, remote controls detonated bombs for the first time. The end of the great wars left scientists with a brilliant technology and nowhere to apply it. Sixty years later, some of us spend an hour looking for the remote before we remember there are buttons on the TV.

In this article, we'll examine the infrared technology used in most home theaters, look at the difference between IR and RF remotes, find out the difference between a "universal" and a "learning" remote and check out some of the other high-tech features you can find on remotes today, like PC connectivity, RF extenders and macro commands.

Fun with Remote Controls
Remote controls aren't just for your TV. Visit Consumer Guide and check out remote control cars, remote control boats, remote control hovercrafts, remote control tanks, remote control planes, remote control helicopters and even remote control insects. Or build your own with a remote control toy kit.