Why Do TV Remotes Still Use Infrared Technology?
Despite Bluetooth, why is infrared technology still indispensable?
1The History of TV Remotes
The first TV remote, 'Lazy Bones,' was introduced by Zenith Radio Corporation in 1950 and was a wired system. The 'Flash-Matic' in 1955 used visible light to become the first wireless remote. Infrared technology became the industry standard in the 1980s and is still used today.
2How Infrared Works
Infrared remotes send pulses of invisible light using an LED. The TV's receiver decodes this signal to process commands. You can see the LED flashing if you point your phone's camera at the remote.
3The Rise of Bluetooth
Modern TVs now come with Bluetooth-enabled remotes, offering features like voice control and air gestures. However, they still include an infrared transmitter for compatibility.
4The Cost Advantage of Infrared
Infrared technology costs almost nothing to implement due to years of mass production. This makes it indispensable for TV remotes. Bluetooth and infrared can coexist in modern remotes.
5The Limitations of Bluetooth
A Bluetooth remote must be paired with the TV. But how do you control the TV when setting it up for the first time? The answer: infrared. The remote still uses infrared to turn the TV on.
6The Future Outlook
Infrared technology may remain for initial pairing and as a reliable backup. However, modern TV remotes mostly use Bluetooth. Bluetooth does not require a clear line of sight and offers a more comfortable user experience.