The other option is to program one or more of your remote controls. To find out if a remote control is programmable, hunt in the manual for a long list of manufacturers and numbers. Once you find that, look for directions describing the actual programming.

Generally speaking, you look up the type of device you want the remote to control (TV, DVD player, and so on). Then, below that, you find the device's manufacturer. By the manufacturer's name you'll see several four-digit numbers.

The directions will tell you to press some buttons on the remote, enter the first listed number, and press another button or two; you then see if the remote can control the device. If it can't, repeat the steps with the next number.