Programming the RCA RCRN03BR and RCRN03BZ Universal Remote

Your universal remote can operate a variety of brands of components. You need to program the remote with the codes that match the components (See Code Lists enclosed). These codes enable the remote to communicate with your components. Each brand and each component has its own “language,” and, by programming the correct codes into your remote, you tell the remote to “speak the same language” as your components.

In order to control combo units, like TV/VCRs, TV/DVDs or TV/VCR/DVDs, use the combo codes in the Code List to program the individual corresponding component keys. Once programmedsuccessfully, the TV key controls the TV functions on your unit, and the DVD or VCR key controls the DVD or VCR functions, respectively. The codes in the combo section should be tried first, using Direct Code Entry on the TV and DVD or VCR keys. If this is unsuccessful, use Manual or Auto Code Search to program the remote to control your combo unit. Throughout the programming of each key, keep the remote pointed at the IR sensor of the component you are currently programming theremote to control. 

Brand Code Search and Entry

If your brand is listed in the Brand Code List (See Code Lists enclosed), you may be able to programyour universal remote by searching through only the Code Lists for that specific manufacturer. Brand Code Search and Entry can be the quickest method to program your remote. If your brand is not listed in the Brand Code List, use one of the other programming methods.

NOTE: Brand Code Search and Entry is supported for TV, VCR, DVD and SAT/CBL brands. You cannot use the Brand Code Search method for AUDIO, DVR and HDTV.

Follow these instructions to program your remote using the Brand Code Search and Entry method. To exit without saving at any point in the Brand Code Search, press and release the CLEAR key.

1. Manually turn on the component you want the remote to control.
2. Locate the Brand Codes in the Code Lists.
3. Press and hold the component key you wish to program. The illuminated ON·OFF key turns on and remains on.
4. While holding the component key down, press and hold the ON·OFF key. The illuminated ON·OFF key turns off.
5. After holding both keys down for three seconds, the illuminated ON·OFF key turns back on.
6. Release both keys. The illuminated ON·OFF key remains on.
7. Refer to the Brand Codes. Press and release the appropriate brand code key (Numbers 0-9), using the number keys. The illuminated ON·OFF key blinks once.
   • Note: If you do not press a valid Brand Code Search key, the illuminated ON·OFF key blinks four times and turns off. The last programmed code under that component key is retained.
8. Press and release the ON·OFF key repeatedly until your component turns off. Each time you press the ON·OFF key, the illuminated ON·OFF key blinks, and the next code is sent. The Brand Code Search begins with the first code in the chosen brand list for that component and cycles through all the codes for that brand. If your component turns off, you have found the correct code. (If it cycles through and the illuminated ON·OFF key blinks four times and turns off, all codes in the chosen brand list have been searched and another programming method should be tried. The Brand Code Search mode is exited.)
9. Once you have found the correct code, save that code by pressing and releasing the STOP key. The illuminated ON·OFF key turns off. You must press the STOP key to save the code or the correct code will not be stored!
10. To confirm that the component key is programmed with the correct code for maximum functionality, test the component. Attempt to control a variety of the component’s functions with the remote. If some of the features of your component do not work, program the remote with a different programming method.

Direct Code Entry

To program your universal remote to control your components using the Direct Code Entry Method, follow the steps below.

1. Manually turn on the component you want the remote to control.
2. Locate the listing of four-digit codes for your component’s brand in the enclosed Code Lists. If your brand isn't listed, use one of the Code Search methods to program the remote control.
3. Press and hold the component key you wish to program. The illuminated ON·OFF key turns on and remains on. If you release the component key any time during the Direct Code Entry procedure, the illuminated ON·OFF key blinks four times, and the process is exited. The lastprogrammed code under the component key is retained.
4. While holding down the component key, use the number keys (0-9) to enter the four-digit code from the Code Lists that corresponds to your component’s brand. After you press the first number, the illuminated ON·OFF key turns off.
5. After the fourth number is entered, the illuminated ON·OFF key turns on. Release the component key.
   If the illuminated ON·OFF key turns off, you have entered a valid code and have followed the correct procedure for Direct Code Entry. If you enter a code number that is not in the Code Lists or you do not follow all of the steps for Direct Code Entry, the illuminated ON·OFF key blinks four times when the component key is released. This is an indication that a programming error has occurred. Repeat the Direct Code Entry process from step 3 or try the next code listed. Throughout the programming of each key, keep the remote pointed at the IR sensor of the component you are currently programming the remote to control.
6. To confirm that the component key is programmed with the correct code for maximum functionality, test the component. Attempt to control a variety of the component’s functions with the remote. If some of the features of your components do not work, program the remote with a different code in the list until you find the code that allows the remote to control the majority of your component’s functions. Different codes can provide different levels of functionality.
7. Enter the code for future reference in the box provided in the Code Retrieval section of this manual. (See page 8)

Manual Code Search and Entry

If your component’s brand isn't listed in the Code Lists, or if you have tried all of the codes for your brand and the remote does not operate your component, try one of the Code Search methods below. Both Code Search methods cycle through all of the codes in the Code Lists in the event that your component’s code is listed under another brand.

Note: The Manual Code Search method may take a long time because the remote searches through all of the codes in its memory. Therefore, if your brand is listed in the Brand Codes or the Code Lists, first try the Brand Code Search or the Direct Code Entry method.

Tip: To exit without saving at any point in the Manual Code Search, press and release the CLEAR key.

1. Manually turn on the component you want the remote to control.
2. Press and hold the component key you wish to program. The illuminated ON·OFF key turns on and remains on.
3. While holding the component key down, press and hold the ON·OFF key. The illuminated ON·OFF key turns off.
4. After holding down both keys for three seconds, the illuminated ON·OFF key turns back on.
5. Release both keys. The illuminated ON·OFF key remains on.
6. Press and release the ON·OFF key repeatedly until your component turns off. Each time you press the ON·OFF key, the illuminated ON·OFF key blinks, and the next code in the list is sent. This process continues until all the codes in the Code Lists have been searched. If your component turns off, you have found the correct code. (If it cycles through and the illuminated ON·OFF key blinks four times and turns off, all codes have been searched. The Manual Code Search method is exited.) Because there are so many codes, you may have to press the ON·OFF key many times—possibly up to 280 times.
7. Once you have found the correct code, save the new code by pressing and releasing the STOP key. The illuminated ON·OFF key turns off. You must press the STOP key to save the code or the correct code will not be stored!
8. When you press the STOP key, the code is stored.
9. Retrieve the code your remote programmed by finishing the Code Retrieval process found on page 8.

Auto Code Search and Entry

The Auto Code Search and Entry Method enables the remote to automatically search through all the codes in the Code Lists for the one that operates your component.

Note: The Auto Code Search method may take a long time because the remote searches through all codes in its memory. Therefore, if your brand is listed in the Brand Codes or the Code Lists, first try the Brand Code Search or the Direct Code Entry method.

Note: CDs can only be programmed under the DVD or an AUX key. HDTV tuners (STB) can only be programmed under an AUX key.

To exit without saving at any point in the Auto Code Search, press and release the CLEAR key.

1. Manually turn on the component you want the remote to control.
2. Press and hold the component key you wish to program. The illuminated ON·OFF key turns on and remains on.
3. While holding the component key down, press and hold the ON·OFF key. The illuminated ON·OFF key turns off.
4. After holding down both keys for three seconds, the illuminated ON·OFF key turns back on.
5. Release both keys. The illuminated ON·OFF key remains on.
6. Note: If you press an invalid key during Auto Code Search, the illuminated ON·OFF key blinks four times and turns off. The last programmed code under that component key is retained.
7. Press and release the PLAY key, then wait five seconds to see if your component turns off. If your component does not respond, continue to press the PLAY key every five seconds until your component turns off. Each time you press the PLAY key, the illuminated ON·OFF key blinks ten times and a block
   of 10 codes is sent to your component. This process continues until all of the codes in the Code Lists have been searched. (If your component has not turned off after all codes have been searched, the illuminated ON·OFF key blinks four times and turns off. The Auto Code Search Entry method is exited.)
8. When your component turns off, you know the correct code is in the last block of 10 codes sent. Press and release the REVERSE key. Wait two seconds to see if your component turns on again. If your component does not respond, continue to press the REVERSE key every two seconds until your component turns on again. This will isolate the correct code in the last block of codes sent. Each time the REVERSE key is pressed, the illuminated ON·OFF key blinks.
   • Note: If you accidentally press the REVERSE key after your component responds, press and release the FORWARD key. Then, wait two seconds to see if your component turns off again.
9. Once your component turns on, you have found the correct code. Save the new code by pressing and releasing the STOP key. The illuminated ON·OFF key turns off. You must press the STOP key to save the code or the correct code will not be stored!
10. When you press the STOP key, the code is stored.