If you have a Blu-ray player and all of your favorite movies and shows ready to go, but you have lost your remote, you might be in a little bit of trouble.
You could get up and manually control the Blu-ray player from the device, but the whole point of watching movies is to be sitting on your couch or in your recliner, not getting up every few minutes to hit a button.
However, you may be in luck, because you might be able to get a universal remote control. Do universal remote controls work on Blu-ray players? It’s a bit of a more complicated question than you might think, and the answer is both yes and no.
Let’s first take a look at universal remotes, then figure out whether or not they are compatible with Blu-ray Players.
The Universal Remote – Some Basics
A universal remote is one which is designed to be used as an all-in-one remote for a plethora of devices. With the right universal remote, you should be able to control virtually all of your devices.
What is important to note is that there are two different kinds of universal remotes, these being replacement universal remotes and consolidation universal remotes, so let’s take a look at each right now.
Replacement Universal Remotes
Replacement universal remotes are generally used as replacements when you lose your original TV remote. These usually work right out of the box. Now, be aware that these are intended to work with specific brands, or for example, a Sony universal remote is designed to be compatible with Sony televisions.
There are many replacement remotes which are actually designed to mimic the original remote for the device; some even come with learning functions so you can customize exactly how they work.
When it comes to your Blu-ray player, most of these, if not all replacement universal remotes will not work. Replacement TV universal remotes are generally not designed to work with Blu-ray players.
Universal Consolidation Remotes
Universal consolidation remotes are a bit different, as they are not designed to simply replace a broken or lost television remote.
Consolidation remotes, as the name implies, are designed to streamline your operation and get rid of extra remotes. The right consolidation remote can be used to control a plethora of devices, all with a single remote, thus allowing you to get rid of that four-remote arsenal.
What you need to be aware of is that with consolidation remotes, their functionality will depend on the price and quality. In other words, if you are planning to connect a bunch of devices to one remote, such as a stereo system, a Blu-ray player, and a TV, plus maybe even a cable box, you will need to go for a higher-end model that has this capability.
The lower end models may only be able to connect to one or two devices at once. What’s pretty cool is that many modern universal consolidation remotes come with special features like programmable macros so you can perform custom sequences with the push of a button. So, yes, a universal consolidation remote, the right one, should work on your Blu-ray player.
Buying The Right Universal Remote for Blu-Ray Players
You will need to get the right kind of universal remote if you plan on having it actually work for your Blu-ray player. For one, the most important thing to note is that the universal remote and the Blu-ray player must be from the same brand.
A Toshiba universal remote will not work for a Sony Blu-ray player and vice versa. A Sony Blu-ray player will require a Sony universal remote.
Something else to note is that Blu-ray players have only been around since 2003, and this does make a difference when it comes to universal remotes. Universal remotes made before this date will not work with Blu-ray players.
In many cases, universal remotes that are more than 10 years older than the Blu-ray player, may not be compatible. A really good idea, before making a purchase, is to do a bit of research and find a universal remote that is compatible with your specific Blu-ray player
Conclusion
The bottom line is that a half-decent universal remote, as long as it is not too old, and from the same brand as your Blu-ray player, should work without a problem.
If your universal remote does not work right away or you are having some issues with connectivity, don’t get up yet. Universal remotes can be a bit tricky to set up properly, but with some time and patience, you should be able to get it up and running.