July 07, 2005

Curious George: Universal Remote Codes I just bought a new TV, and I'm having trouble finding the universal remote codes for it.

My TV is an Insignia IS-TV040919, and my universal remote is a Universal Electronics Atlas DVR/PVR 5-Device. Neither the manual for the TV or the remote have any codes for the Insignia brand. I've Googled around a bit, and thus far have discovered that Insignia is a Best Buy owned brand (that website only supports their LCD/HD TVs), and none of the universal remote control websites that I have found have any codes for Insignia branded products (the first link only asks "Hey, does anyone know any Insignia codes?"). The only information I have recieved seems to say that Insignia is a bad brand (for what I paid for it, I expect the TV to be somewhat disposable) and only really expensive remotes support the brand (scroll down to the comments).I hope this isn't true, and that someone out there can help me out! Finally, I have tried the "search for code" function on my remote, but it didn't work. (I'm willing to admit that I stopped doing this before it may have had a chance to work... is it possible this process would take a really long time?) Thanks in advance for your help!

posted by meredithea 19 years ago
  • It sounds like you already have a universal remote of some sort - do you know if it has a "training" mode in which it can learn the necessary signals from your existing tv remote? It's a little more involved than just finding the necessary codes, but if all you need is power and volume controls it might be all you need.
  • Urg... I feel very silly for posting this today... I probably should have let it sit for a while :P
  • ooga_booga: Yes, it does. It has a "search for codes" function, but I'm not sure it's working. It involves putting in a code and then pushing the TV and Power buttons until the TV turns off. I did that for a while, but got frustrated, so I was hoping that the code was listed somewhere. (And yeah, all I really need is power and volume.) I just don't want 47 remotes on my bedside table -- I'd rather reserve that space for more (ahem) fun things.
  • Did you call them? For phone support in the USA and Canada for all Insignia™ Products, please call 877-467-4289. Our call center answers your requests 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
  • I have not called them yet (I spent today on the phone with the cable co and the plumbers -- I had every kind of repair guy at my house today!), but I will. Thanks!
  • Actually, I was referring to a mode in which you slave the universal remote to your tv remote and "teach" the universal remote the infrared signals needed for a particular function. Your universal remote's manual might have some info on whether it has such a mode.
  • Found this bit of info online: PROBLEM: Tried “Search Method” and still could not find a working code. SOLUTION: Try the “Search Method” again after clearing out the device key as follows: Press and hold SETUP until device key blinks twice, then release. Next enter 9 - 9 - 2.Then press and release the device key to be cleared twice. And then I'm assuming you already have the instructions for searching for codes, but I'll post here anyway. 1. Turn on your TV. 2. On the remote control, press TV once; it will blink once.Then press and hold SETUP until the TV key blinks twice, then release SETUP. 3. Enter 9 - 9 - 1.The TV key will blink twice. 4. Aim the remote control at the TV and slowly alternate between pressing PWR and TV. Stop when the TV turns off. NOTE: In the search mode, the remote control will send IR codes from its library to the selected device, starting with the most popular code first. 5. Press SETUP once to lock in the code.The TV key will blink twice. 6. To search for the codes of your other devices, repeat steps 1 through 5, but substitute the appropriate key (e.g., AUX, DVD, AUD, or CBL) for the device you are searching for.
  • A learning remote is usually taught the IR operating codes of an OEM remote by placing the remotes head-to-head, and pressing certain buttons in a specific pattern; that they may thusly learn each others operating frequency. If the after-market remote supports learning there will be instructions in the manual somewhere outlining this process; a routine which varies between suppliers. Most after-market universal-remote manaufacturers support a broad range of brands; its not unusual to encounter hundreds of possibilities in the manual. Be aware that many of these brands share the same manufacturer, and/or electronics. The accuracy of the code #s for universal remotes can be problematic, at best. It seems unlikely that a House Brand loss-leader product from a Big-Box category-buster like Best Buy would be supported by most universal-remote manufacturers. Failing a code # you can ascertain, which seems likely, you need to determine who actually makes the TV in order to obtain the likely opertaing code # for that particular model. Given that you bought it from Best Buy, and as it's their house-brand product, I can't help but ask myself what THEY had to say about your conundrum , when you called them.
  • meredithea, did you get it programmed? i've been trying to months to get one of mine to work. sigh.
  • meredithea - Have you tried using a pole or a long broomstick? I understand they are available from stores in the US especially Home Depot. \sarcasm off :-)
  • Thanks for all of your help, monkeys! I have not yet gotten it to work. I have tried the search function that PareidoliaticBoy outlined above to no avail. That could be because, athough I know there are hundreds of codes, I get bored with the process after about five minutes and give up. I think that today I'm going to call the manufacturer and see if they'll give up the code. But for now, I'm going to the zoo with my (maybe) boyfriend and his aunt.
  • oo! i like maybe boyfriends. often those are the best kind.
  • Suggest getting a Logitech Harmony remote. It gets all its remote codes over the Internet, and you can also enter hex codes intended for the Philips Pronto or learn them from the original remote. It is a bit pricey but it is totally worth it, and here's why: it is the easiest remote to use because it eliminates the whole device-centric aspect of most remotes. Basically, you tell the Harmony Web site that "to watch a DVD my TV must be on and turned to channel 3, and the receiver must be on and switched to input 2." The Web site figures out what codes you need and downloads them to the remote via USB. When you hit the "Watch DVD" button on the remote, it remembers what inputs all your devices are set to (and their power status) and sends all the right commands to set the system up for watching a DVD, and all the remote's buttons are automatically set up for that activity. If you switch to (say) listening to CDs it'll know it should turn your TV off and switch the receiver to input 1 and turn on the CD player. I even have it bring up my TiVo's "Now Playing" screen automatically when I switch to my "Watch TV" activity. It is the slickest thing ever and the last remote you will ever buy.
  • For those of you still looking for the remote code, I just got an email today suggesting this: Hey -- I tried the Sansui remote code for my Insignia IS-TV040927. It worked for me -- code 135 was the ticket for an RCA learning remote that I bought at Best Buy for $27. Hope this helps. Thanks, Karen!