Model URCT-52D, from mainland China's C&D, is an 8-in-1 learning remote control with a blue-backlit touchscreen.

IR-based remote controls still dominate production. Units using RF, Bluetooth and ZigBee technologies are on the horizon.

The bulk of universal remote controls from mainland China and Taiwan manufacturers are still IR-based. The output of models using other wireless technologies such as RF, Bluetooth and ZigBee, however, is expected to gradually gain market share. One Taiwan company has even started developing remote controls based on ZigBee technology in cooperation with Taiwan's Market Intelligence Center (MIC).

Mainstream models support three to eight A/V devices. Some feature more than 1,000 preprogrammed codes and support up to 20 devices, including TVs, VCRs, satellite receivers, CD players, DVD players, DVRs and home theater systems. Some new models also support home electronic products, such as air conditioners and washing machines.

High-end universal remote controls typically have b/w, color and touchscreen displays, and support PC download capability for updating the codes. Models designed specially for HDTV application feature teletext and PIP functions. New units also feature hot function keys.

Operating ranges are generally from 7m to 10m, with some models reaching distances of up to 15m.

The main price differentiators for universal remote controls are technology, raw materials and components, and functions supported. FOB prices range from 8 cents for entry-level units to more than $8 for high-end learning models with add-on features such as a touch-screen LCD.

Guangdong and Zhejiang in mainland China are the main production centers for mainland and Taiwan remote control makers. The two provinces gather more than 80 percent of the estimated 200 remote control makers on the mainland.

	Model XB36-906, from Taiwan's U-Way, supports universal function keys for TVs and the Xbox 360 game console.

In mainland China, multifunction IR models come with learning function, hot function keys and multiple-code database. High-end universal remote controls support PC download capability for updating the codes. Models designed specially for HDTV application typically have teletext and PIP functions.

Other customer-specified functions, such as voice control, temperature sensor and buzzer, are also included in new models. Shenzhen C&D Electronics Co. Ltd's model URCT-52D, for instance, is integrated with a buzzer and IR learning ability.

According to C&D, its URCT-48B, URC-48C and URC-49C series of universal remote controls are popular in overseas markets for their novelty design and high compatibility. The company is also offering model URCT-52D, an 8-in-1 learning universal remote control with a touchscreen. The unit can control TVs, VCRs, DVD/CD players, satellite/cable receivers, audio players, DVRs and PVRs of most brands. It features blue backlight and PIP function, and has dedicated navigation keys for menu and guide support.

C&D plans to release more IR and RF remote controls featuring touchscreens, metallic housings, novelty designs and strong learning abilities. More built-in functions, such as PC link support and temperature sensor, are also included in its R&D work.

Hangzhou Hiye Electronics Co. Ltd's universal remote controls support various devices such as TVs, satellite receivers and VCRs. Its models have operating distances as far as 15m. The company emphasizes novelty design for its new models. Its model UNI 2005 has 46 keys and a silicon rubber keypad. The unit has an operating range of more than 10m, standby current of less than 3µA and net weight of 115g.

Zhengzhou Ruike Electronics Co. Ltd's remote controls are targeted for use with TVs, VCRs, DVD players and satellite/cable receivers. Its model URC919 has 44 keys made of ABS, more than 8m operating distance, and less than 3µA standby current. The unit measures 49x175x28mm.

In Taiwan, although yet to be mass produced at the same level as IR models, RF- and ZigBee-based remote controls are expected to steadily gain market traction in the coming years.

Super Star Technology Co. Ltd, for instance, develops ZigBee technology for remote controls with Taiwan's MIC. The company started to produce remote controls in 1988. It invests R&D work in ZigBee technology for remote controls and Wi-Fi integrated systems. The company's universal remote controls support up to 256 devices. Its smallest remote controls use four-layer PCBs. The company sources ZigBee and RF chips mainly from Chipcon and Yulon. It also develops RF chips in-house.

Super Star expects ZigBee remote controls and Wi-Fi integrated systems to account for 10 percent to 20 percent of its total sales in 2007.

Another Taiwan company, Jye Tai Precision Industrial Co. Ltd, plans to develop remote controls using Bluetooth or other advanced wireless technologies in 2007.

The maker is also set to release USB RF remote controls and cooperate with technology partners for RF remote control development.

	Seneasy's SRC-0153LCD, from mainland China, is an 8-in-1 model with an LCD and learning function.

To set their remote controls apart from their competitors' models, makers from mainland China and Taiwan release units featuring advanced functions and unique capabilities.

Shenzhen Seneasy Industrial Co. Ltd, from mainland China, has released models with touchscreens and learning features. The company's model SRC0153LCD with a blue-backlit LCD and learning function supports eight devices, including TVs, DVD players, VCRs, CD players and satellite/cable receivers. The 51x220x233mm unit has an operating distance of 7m. It weighs 160g with batteries and 135g without. Battery life is about six to nine months.

Seneasy is set to release new models of PC remote controls within 2007.

In Taiwan, U-Way Corp.'s XB36-906 is an IR remote control that can turn the power of Xbox 360 systems on and off, as well as support scan functions for DVD playback. It has buttons for Windows XP media center and for universal functions for TV and game console control, such as volume adjustment, muting and channel selection. It has an operating range of 10m. The model uses a keypad with 37 buttons, including A, B, X, and Y buttons for music and picture playback on the Xbox 360. It weighs 135g and is packed in sealed blisters.

U-Way produces an average of 8,333 remote controls and 30,000 to 35,000 wireless game pads per month. The company recently released a series of accessories for the Xbox 360 game console, including remote controls, stands with cooling fans and disc slots, headphone sets, input and output converters, and cables.

In mainland China, R&D focus for 2007 includes the development of remote controls with novelty designs. Cosmetic trends include metallic housings, streamlined form factors, and soft and comfortable handgrips.

Color LCDs, blue LED backlights and b/w touchscreens are adopted in new models. For example, Seneasy's SRC-0153LCD series of universal remote controls features novelty design with LCD screen. Other design specifications can be customized according to client requirements.

In order to handle customized orders, as well as OEM and ODM projects, which make up more than 60 percent of their business, makers invest heavily in R&D.

Mainland-based universal remote control manufacturers typically have five to 40 engineers in their R&D teams, which can design new models within seven to 60 days.

C&D has 40 employees doing R&D work. The company's R&D period is from seven to 45 days, depending on the client's OEM requirements. OEM business accounts for 95 percent of C&D's exports.

Seneasy's R&D department consists of 30 engineers. It takes 45 to 60 days for the company to develop new universal remote controls.

Ruike has 15 R&D members in its engineering department. The maker develops 10 new models annually. Its R&D period usually takes 20 days.

In Taiwan, U-Way has 10 engineers in its R&D department. The company invests 2.5 percent to 3 percent of its total sales in product development every year. At present, the company focuses on the development of Xbox 360 and PS3 accessories, home plugs for networking devices, and DVB-T receivers.

Super Star invests 5 percent to 10 percent of its sales in R&D projects. The company has 10 engineers in Taiwan and more than 20 engineers in mainland China.

Jye Tai has eight R&D engineers in charge of remote control development in Taiwan, where the company's main R&D projects are done. The company's R&D is focused on the development of models with compact designs and value-added features such as water resistance. The company cited that its waterproof remote controls are popular in Japan.

Jye Tai also plans to release remote controls measuring only 88x26.44x14.6mm or smaller.

Export-oriented mainland China makers ship more than 60 percent of their output to overseas markets.

For example, C&D exports 60 percent of its universal remote controls mainly to Europe and North America. Its clients include Logitech, JBL and Philips. The company plans to expand its exports business to South America and North America markets in 2007.

Hiye ships 90 percent of its universal remote controls to Europe and the United States. The company plans to export to the Middle East within 2007.

Seneasy's exports account for 35 percent of its total sales. Its major markets are Europe and Australia.

Ruike exports 60 percent of its universal remote controls mainly to Southeast Asia and Russia. It is scheduled to expand its export business in Europe and the United States in the coming months.

Depending on the requirements of their overseas customers, mainland makers can provide universal remote controls with CE approval, as well as RoHS and WEEE certificates.

Minimum orders range from 500 to 5,000 units, depending on the type of remote control. Delivery usually takes 20 to 25 days after order receipt.

The prices of universal remote controls from mainland China and Taiwan manufacturers differ according to each unit's technology, materials and functions. Order quantity also affects the product's FOB price.

In mainland China, the FOB price of entry-level universal remote controls with less than 1,000 preprogrammed codes ranges from 8 cents to $2. These models have basic pre-programmed functions, support three to five A/V devices, and have no learning ability. One key price differentiator in this range is cosmetic design.

Midrange remote controls are priced at about $2 to $8 FOB. These models have more than 1,000 preprogrammed codes, and can control up to eight devices. Backlight, hot function keys and learning function are included in midrange models. Some models also have full teletext, fast-text, PIP and other customized functions.

The FOB price of high-end universal remote controls is more than $8. Models in this range typically have touchscreens and intelligent functions—such as temperature sensor and advanced learning functions. Some units have color LCDs and PC download capability for updating codes.

Mainland makers said that they are likely to retain prices in 2007 because of competition—even with the increasing costs of materials such as plastic. To offset the decrease in their profits, makers are always looking for ways to cut down on production costs.

Some makers, however, said that the increasing costs of raw materials might force the increase in prices of some remote controls, particularly of entry-level models.

According to Taiwan's U-Way, chipsets are the key components in remote control production, taking up to 30 percent of production cost. The company purchases chipsets from Taiwan suppliers. The costs of plastic and PCBs also affect product prices, said the maker.

In 2005, U-Way's XB36-906 was priced at $3.50 to $4. The company said that the model will be priced at more than $3.80 in 2007, if component costs remain high.

Jye Tai noted that the cost of plastic has increased by 15 percent to 20 percent since 2005. The company, however, does not plan to increase the prices of its remote controls in order to retain its competitiveness. Instead, the company will release remote controls that have more value-added features at higher prices.

For makers from both mainland China and Taiwan, Guangdong on the mainland serves as the primary production center for remote controls—with Shenzhen and Dongguan cities topping as the densest remote control hubs in the province.

Zhejiang province, particularly Hangzhou, is also a major remote control production center. Together, Guangdong and Zhejiang host more than 80 percent of the estimated 200 remote control makers on the mainland. Only some makers with new wireless technology solution are expected to enter the line in the near future. The major export markets of makers in the region are Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and North and South America.

Optimistic about the universal remote control market in 2007, C&D is set to increase its monthly production capacity—currently at 250,000 sets—by 30 percent. The company has 18 production lines and 700 employees.

Seneasy has a monthly capacity of 150,000 universal remote controls using six production lines. It plans to expand its production capacity by 10 percent in 2007.

At end-2006, Ruike moved to its new workshop, where monthly capacity is 600,000 remote controls using six production lines.

In Taiwan, the combination of mature technology and tight competition has shrunk the manufacturing base to fewer than 20 active manufacturers. Makers are mostly small- and medium-sized companies with annual sales of less than $10 million. Most of these companies consider the remote control line as a secondary business, and focus on OEM work. Major export markets include Western Europe and East Asia.

U-Way's ISO 9001- and ISO 2000-certified factory in Shenzhen has a production space of 4,500sqm. The company conducts most main manufacturing processes such as auto-insertion, SMT, PCB sub-assembly, final assembly, testing, and packaging in-house; and outsources plastic injection molding, and painting and silk screening. Its factory is equipped with one auto insertion line, three assembly lines and two packaging lines.

U-Way's factory can produce 80,000 units of remote controls per month. The company outsources assembly processes when it receives large orders. It has 20 QC technicians.

Super Star has a 10,000sqm in Shenzhen, where it does mold making, plastic injection and packaging in-house. It has 250 employees who focus on mass production.

The company takes three weeks to complete a new mold for regular remote controls. Customized molds take longer depending on the design's complexity. Packaging is by blisters or white boxes.