Remote controls: How we test
Compatibility
To determine the versatility and compatibility of each remote, our testers and business researchers devise a list of TVs, VCRs, set top boxes, DVD players and hi-fi’s encompassing big name brands, own brands and less common manufacturers all available on the UK markets, and test to see if the remotes are compatible with this extensive list of devices.
We test remotes for compatibility with likely UK electronic brands
This is a valuable means of determining the practicality of each remote control for the average UK consumer, for even though most remotes come with instruction manuals listing hundreds or even thousands of compatible device codes, in reality not all of these are actually relevant to the UK market.
Ease of set-up
Our testers apply great scrutiny to the instruction manuals included with the remote controls to determine their practicality in setting the remote control up for the first time.
Marks are deducted for hard-to-follow or overly verbose manuals, or those lacking diagrams and useful step-by-step guides.
The ease of setting-up the remote control is judged at both a basic and an advanced level.
Our dedicated assessors test the process of getting started with a new remote
For code entry devices, the ease of entering device codes is assessed, while the learning function of remote controls that can device-copy functions from other remotes is also judged for ease of execution.
Remotes that feature macro programming are assessed for the ease with which macros can be set by the user.
Ease of use
The practicality of the remote controls is assessed by dedicated ergonomics testers, who take into account comfort and weight, the layout and size of buttons or touch screens, and the tactile feedback of buttons or the responsiveness of touch screens.
Simple programming and ease of use is key with remote controls
Functionality
Straightforward and advanced uses of the remote controls with a variety of electronic devices are assessed and factored into our overall test scores.
Some remotes might prove perfectly capable at controlling the basic features of any given device, for example the play and fast forward functions of a DVD player, but may lack the advanced features you would expect of a dedicated device remote, for example a scene skip or subtitle toggle button.