Who's got the clicker?

A day for all couch potatoes to celebrate! Today is celebrated by many as the date when the remote control was first introduced.

The first remote intended to control a television was developed by Zenith. It was officially called Lazy Bones. The first remotes were actually connected to the television set by a wire. Many complained about tripping over the cable. Later, a wireless remote was developed. Wikipedia notes that the remote is often called a "clicker" because of the sound the early remote made when the user pushed a button on the remote control. The remote has reportedly changed network television programming. They now split the screen so that you simultaneously view credits during the last moments of a broadcast. More commercials are placed in the middle of programs with transitions into the next show directly. The networks don't want you to switch that channel and they don't want you to miss their sponsors' commercials.

The remote has given viewers opportunity -- opportunity to interact with your tv. Viewers can easily change their minds and not watch a show because they do not want to continuously get up to turn the channel. It drives me crazy when someone constantly is changing the TV channels though. I once had a college roommate who would try to keep up with multiple shows being televised at the same time. She was constantly clicking back-and-forth, switching channels during commercials. The remote was practically glued to her hand. The remote definitely comes in handy for those with DVRs. Because of the DVR unit, we start watching the show a few minutes late and then we just fast forward passed those pesky commercials using the wonderful remote control. We generally only look forward to the commercials during the Superbowl!

Things have certainly changed a lot during my lifetime. I grew up in rural America and we were lucky to get three tv stations in our area. There was no cable and no satellite. In our house, the kids had responsibilities. One had the responsibility of changing the channel at Dad's request. Another had the responsibility of standing outside and turning the TV antennae to make the picture as clear as possible! I was very glad when my little brothers grew older and were able to share these duties. I don't miss those days. However, I am reminded of them when we go to the family farm for vacation -- still no cable or satellite and still dealing with what channels are avaiable without sending someone to the antennae. Of course, that will change in 2009. In less than a year, that antennae will be worthless and will be replaced by a little box required to convert the signal into something our old tvs at the farm will recognize.

Perhaps your coffee table is full of remotes -- one for the TV, the DVD player, the cable/satellite/DRV box, the CD player, and the amplifier. Don't forget about the remote for the ceiling fan and the lights. It's been reported that the average American home has four remotes. They sell remotes for remotes -- those universal remotes that magically "learn" or duplicate the signals of the other remotes you have in your home. I've also seen those cool systems where you have a small touch-screen panel where you can control all your systems, replacing the stack of remotes. That is what I want!

The remote is often a topic of discussion in our house. You frequently hear, "Who's got the remote?" or "Where did the remote go?" Many times it slips and falls between the cushions on the sofa or chair. I usually keep the main remote in one spot, but have a decorative small chest that includes my collection of remotes. I generally must spend several minutes looking for the remote after my nephews leave though. They frequently will carry the remote out of the room with them (if they can get away with it) because they don't want their channel changed -- leaving you to sit and watch the commercials and unable to mute the sound. Do you even remember how to change the channel without the remote? If you just change the TV's channel, you'll often lose everything when dealing with cable/satellite/DVR boxes. I often need a "finder" or a "locator" for the remote.

At my Mom's house the entertainment system is quirky. There are multiple remotes and multiple ways to turn on the television and select a channel. However, we've learned that there is only ONE CORRECT way to do it. The challenge is learning and remembering that correct way. I wish Dad had written down those instructions for us all. Maybe it's time for a change. We need someone to evaluate how things are installed and make it easier. You know when it's wrong -- there is a familiar, awful little "pop" related to the surround sound system, followed by the voice of Mom down the hall reminding us there is a proper way to turn on the tv. Now, I usually just ask her to turn it on and keep it on until she turns it off.

Today I found a video about a group of guys who tried to create the ultimate universal remote -- a remote to not only turn on the tv, but one that would put their hot dogs on the grill and open their beer. You can see a video about this ultimate remote here:

As posted on YouTube by remotedisasters