None of us would be happy if we didn’t have remote controls. Even thinking of a time when people had to actually stand up and walk towards their TVs to change the channel or lower the volume is almost painful.

Now we have multiple devices with multiple remote controls; sometimes they can all be consolidated with a universal remote, but usually that can be somewhat frustrating, because the universal is missing one or two important functions that the original remote had, requiring you to keep the original remote close by.

And sure, there are plenty of remote control buttons that your average user will never use. But you know what button seems totally and completely pointless to me?

The DVD Open/Close button.

Because when you want to insert a disc into your DVD player, you have to be standing next to the machine to do it. You can’t just throw the DVD from your couch and have it land in the open tray. And if you can, well, you’re far more coordinated than I.

So the DVD open/close button on the remote is far from essential. When you want to insert or eject a Digital Video/Versatile Disc, having to hit the button on the actual DVD player is no big deal. Right?

Not according to Chuck! See, my stepfather feels that this button is ESSENTIAL on a remote control. I have actually watched him stand by the DVD player, walk to the couch to hit the open button on the remote, only to then walk BACK to the player to put in the disc. The purpose of remotes in general is to make life simpler. So how is making an unnecessary trip any easier???

Chuck, I tease because I love. And as long as you keep getting flummoxed by remotes, I will be there to help you understand them… and to keep trying to explain a simpler way to load and eject movies.