Editing Remote control (section)

{{Short description|Device used to control other devices remotely}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Distinguish|Teleoperation|radio control}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2014}}
[[Image:Nuon-N2000-Remote-Control.jpg|thumb|A Samsung Nuon N2000 television and DVD remote control]]
[[Image:Hitachi aircon remote control in Japan 20140910.jpg|thumb|An air conditioning unit remote control]]
A '''remote control''', also known colloquially as a '''remote''' or '''clicker''',<ref>{{Cite web|last=Greenfield|first=Rebecca|date=2011-04-08|title=Tech Etymology: TV Clicker|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/04/tech-etymology-tv-clicker/236965/|access-date=2020-08-01|website=The Atlantic|language=en-US}}</ref> is an [[consumer electronics|electronic device]] used to operate another device from a distance, usually [[wireless]]ly. In [[consumer electronics]], a remote control can be used to operate devices such as a [[television set]], [[DVD player]] or other digital home media appliance. A remote control can allow operation of devices that are out of convenient reach for direct operation of controls. They function best when used from a short distance. This is primarily a convenience feature for the user. In some cases, remote controls allow a person to operate a device that they otherwise would not be able to reach, as when a [[garage door opener]] is triggered from outside.

[[Image:Remote control symbol.png|thumb|The standard symbol used to denote that it uses infrared as a way to send the signal to devices]]

Early television remote controls (1956–1977) used [[ultrasonics|ultrasonic]] tones. Present-day remote controls are commonly [[consumer IR|consumer infrared]] devices which send digitally-coded pulses of infrared radiation. They control functions such as power, volume, channels, playback, track change, energy, fan speed, and various other features. Remote controls for these devices are usually small wireless handheld objects with an array of buttons. They are used to adjust various settings such as [[television channel]], track number, and [[Loudness|volume]]. The remote control code, and thus the required remote control device, is usually specific to a product line. However, there are [[universal remote]]s, which emulate the remote control made for most major brand devices.

Remote controls in the 2000s include [[Bluetooth]] or [[Wi-Fi]] connectivity, [[motion sensor]]-enabled capabilities and [[voice control]].<ref>{{cite web |author=James Wray and Ulf Stabe |url=http://www.thetechherald.com/articles/Microsoft-brings-TV-voice-control-to-Kinect |title=Microsoft brings TV voice control to Kinect |publisher=Thetechherald.com |date=2011-12-05 |access-date=2013-01-02 |archive-date=November 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102100730/http://www.thetechherald.com/articles/Microsoft-brings-TV-voice-control-to-Kinect |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://us.playstation.com/ps3/accessories/playstation-move-navigation-controller-ps3.html|title=PlayStation Move Navigation Controller|work=us.playstation.com}}</ref> Remote controls for 2010s onward [[Smart TV]]s may feature a standalone keyboard on the rear side to facilitate typing, and be usable as a pointing device.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Seng|first=Chong|date=2012-08-30|title=TP Vision Announces Philips 9000 Series Premium Smart LED TVs|url=https://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/tech-news-tp-vision-announces-philips-9000-series-premium-smart-led-tvs|access-date=2022-01-02|website=www.hardwarezone.com.sg|language=en}}</ref>