there may be a few buttons on the box
30 years ago you didnt need remotes
goto the store and look at universal remotes check the little booklet to see if it will handle that brand box.
You can turn on magnavox converter boxes without remotes by going to the central control box and then pressing the reset button to accomodate the power button.
You can still program the remote with the converter box off if you know the code. Then Use it to turn the converter on.
To program a Philco converter box using a universal remote while the box is off, first, ensure the universal remote is compatible with the converter box. Press and hold the "TV" or "Device" button on the remote until it lights up, then release it. Enter the code for the Philco converter box, which can usually be found in the remote's manual or online. Once the correct code is entered, the indicator light will turn off, and you can test the remote by turning the converter box on and checking if it responds to the remote commands.
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If the batteries in a remote are dead, the only result is that the remote control won't work. It won't in any way affect the operation of the device that it controls. If the converter box is in standby, then the remote won't turn it on if it has dead batteries. If the converter is on, then it should keep operating as you would expect it to if the remote control isn't being used.
Here are some codes I found online but none seem to work for my remote. Codes for Magnavox TV when using RCA Universal Remote: 006,007,010,011,013,016,027,033,035,043,066,087,089
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To change channels on an Artec digital to analog converter without a remote, use the buttons on the front panel of the device. Typically, there will be a channel up and channel down button that allows you to cycle through the available channels. If there is a menu button, you can access the channel list and select the desired channel using the navigation buttons. If your converter has a dial, you can also turn it to change channels.
The manual says to turn on the ignition.
turn the key in the ignition
To program your RC 21914 remote to work with your converter box, first, turn on the converter box. Then, press and hold the "TV" and "OK" buttons simultaneously until the red LED lights up, then release both buttons. Next, enter the code for your converter box brand (you can find these codes in the remote's user manual). If the LED blinks and turns off, the programming was successful; if not, try another code.
To program your AT&T U-verse remote to work with the Insignia NS-DXA1 digital to analog converter box, first, turn on the converter box. Then, press and hold the "TV" button on the remote until the red light blinks and then stays on. Next, enter the code for Insignia, which is typically 11680 or 11684, and press the "Enter" button. If successful, the red light will turn off; if not, repeat the process using the next code until the converter responds.