telecomandi

Telecomandi, the Italian term for remote controls, are handheld devices used to operate electronic equipment from a distance. They transmit commands to a device's receiver using infrared light, radio frequency, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi. Common targets include televisions, DVD players, set-top boxes, home theater systems, air conditioners, and lighting controls. In recent years, universal remotes and smartphone applications have expanded control across multiple devices and brands.

Remote controls use different communication methods. Infrared remotes are simple and inexpensive but require line-of-sight to the device’s IR receiver. RF-based and Bluetooth remotes can operate through walls and furniture, and are often used by set-top boxes, game consoles, and smart home hubs. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth versions frequently enable two-way communication, status updates, and integration with home automation ecosystems.

Historically, the first television remote controls emerged in the 1950s, using ultrasonic or infrared signals, with infrared remotes becoming dominant from the 1980s onward. Many modern telecomandi rely on standardized protocols (such as IR NEC or RC-5) or on learning functions that copy signals from existing remotes. Universal remotes are designed to control numerous devices, while smartphone remotes depend on an infrared blaster or a connected hub to send commands.

Telecomandi play a central role in everyday electronics and home automation, providing a simple interface for controlling devices from a distance and, in newer models, supporting scenes, integration with voice assistants, and smart home ecosystems.