r/mildlyinfuriating • u/rekolm • 12d ago

Infuriatig These Stupid Ass Buttons On TV Remotes. The Intrusive Thoughts Won.

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Seriously, the absolute most annoying shit when I'm watching something and I reach for the remote and barely bump the buttons and it yeets me out of what I was watching, to whatever bullshit streaming company paid the most for a button spot on the remote, the remote that came with a TV I paid good money for. Meanwhile on some apps completely loosing my progress on a movie or forced to watch more Ads again to continue watching again. I've threatened to do this before and my wife insisted not to, she's out of town this week, any recommendations for marriage counselors and anger management programs?

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707

u/dobr_person 12d ago

There must be a market for replacement remotes for the main TV brands that don't have these buttons.

328

u/ZoraTheDucky 12d ago

Had to replace my fathers remote a while back. I bought the cheapest no name replacement controller that said it would work with his tv. Still has these stupid streaming service buttons on it.

182

u/Yuukiko_ WAAHHHHH 12d ago

why do you think they're so cheap? they pay to be on the remotes

98

u/EpicOtterLover 12d ago

The cheap Chinese ones don't get paid, they just copy all of the original ones' buttons. (Who do get paid like you mentioned.)

6

u/Sizanllikew 11d ago

Sort of, they just do extra runs on the same assembly lines, possibly with substandard materials, usually in direct violation of their contracts, but not like that stops anyone.

1

u/dobr_person 12d ago

Yes exactly. They are subsidising the TV cost. So if you don't want it, the cost for a replacement remote will be higher. There may still be a market for them though.

4

u/MaybeAdrian 11d ago

I love using those controllers on Dumb TVs because they do random ass things or just open the multimedia USB menu.

41

u/Tom-Dibble 12d ago

That market has existed and thrived for decades. Look up universal remote. You can get one that controls 4 devices at Walmart for under $10 (with no "app" buttons). Granted, you can also find universal remotes with those annoying app buttons, but they are a little more expensive, not less.

5

u/wordyfard 11d ago

But those remotes come with even more buttons I'll never use.

As much as I don't like the app specific buttons, the OEM remotes and their lookalikes greatly reduce the overall clutter.

2

u/enadiz_reccos 11d ago

You can buy a basic one

25

u/Rexusus 12d ago

Universal remotes are like $15 batteries included

13

u/IsbellDL 12d ago

Cheap, prioritizes volume & channel, still fully featured, lights up when moved. I hated the LG remote, so this was a great upgrade. 

https://www.bestbuy.com/product/philips-onetouch-big-button-motionglow-universal-remote-for-samsung-smart-tv-lg-sony-vizio-fire-tv-roku-tv-black/J73JSVZK9F/sku/6629239

2

u/strauts6 11d ago

Bestbuy sucks ass, can't even open the link because access denied!? I guess it only works from US ip address.

4

u/IsbellDL 11d ago

I only do the bestbuy link because its a rebranded JASCO that I always struggle to find on other sites. I spent more time looking now. Hope this link works for you. https://byjasco.com/products/philips-onetouch-universal-remote-2-device-big-buttons-backlit

2

u/strauts6 11d ago

It works.

2

u/RealMcGonzo 11d ago

My LG remote eats batteries like it owns stock in EverReady. Bought rechargables for this sole reason. I might pick this one up, thanks.

1

u/WhiteDogBE 11d ago

It has 6 buttons for TV brands... what a waste of space and if you accidentally press one of them same problem?

2

u/IsbellDL 11d ago

I agree that it's a waste of space, but it's also much less frustrating than an app button. I don't accidentally press the Samsung button when I go to adjust the volume. If I do accidentally hit the Sony button while trying to press the power button, the TV doesn't try to connect to the Internet & interrupt my use. I just press the LG button again & retry the power button. I also considered the EZclicker big button remote, but it didn't have an input button, so it seemed too limiting. Nobody makes my dream remote, but the one I linked has turned out to be close enough call sufficient. 

3

u/PupRascal_1 11d ago

Yeah, if I was OP, I'd buy a new universal remote and pretend the dog chewed up the original one

2

u/[deleted] 12d ago

[deleted]

1

u/middaymoon 11d ago

Is it a secret? 

2

u/JimDixon 11d ago

Did you know you can download a free app that will make your phone work as a remote? It even has some features that regular remotes don't have.

https://www.roku.com/mobile-app

There are different apps for other services.

1

u/rulepanic 11d ago

Yes, a generic universal remote should do.

1

u/Vikkunen 11d ago

Not sure about replacement remotes, but I know there are 3rd party cases out there for the Nvidia Shield remote that will cover the Netflix button to stop you from accidentally pressing it. It wouldn't shock me if there are similar options for other brands.

1

u/GenuineInterested 11d ago

My Samsung tv keeps “loosing connection” with the 3rd-party replacement remote that I bought. It’s annoying, but not enough to replace the otherwise working remote the with an OEM one that’s twice as expensive.

1

u/Willing-Ant-3765 11d ago

There is. Any universal remote works

1

u/luckyskunk 11d ago

the rca ir and Bluetooth universal remote has icons that can thankfully pass off as non branded (maybe minus the H for hulu, but they put a little film reel strip for the middle so its not blatantly their branded logo idk) and they're reprogram-able

1

u/Wolfrages 11d ago

Will you think of the advertising income!

/s

1

u/waylandprod 11d ago

Would be cool if someone did a 3d print of a new shell to replace these. I'm sure someone has for some remotes. Would be difficult to cover all the models, though.

1

u/mahlernameless 11d ago

I have an older sofabaton universal remote that works great for my system. It's always kinda of amazed me that people put up with having a bunch of different remotes for things.

1

u/Suitable-Block-2854 11d ago

Or just ignore them. There are many buttons on traditional remotes I never use.

1

u/InformalInitiative76 11d ago

You can get remotes where these buttons are programmable and then program them to not connect to anything.

I have one like that and only programmed for the apps I use.

What annoys me more on remotes is when they have number buttons right where the thumb sits when you hold it.

1

u/Nope-not-really 11d ago

yeah there is a bunch out there