A universal remote can be programmed to operate various consumer electronic devices like TVs and DVD players from different brands. Lower-end universal remotes can control a limited number of predetermined devices, while mid- and high-end remotes allow users to program new control codes for different devices. Universal remotes typically include buttons to select the device being controlled, buttons for power, volume, and channels, and a numeric keypad. Higher-end universal remotes offer additional features like macro programming, LCD screens, programmable soft keys, and the ability to learn codes for unsupported devices.