There are two reasons that remotes from different boxes work.
1) There are some fairly standard codes now that seem to do some of the basics functions e.g. on/off volume.
2) They were made by the same OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) supplier. Matsui (Dixons) and Bush (Alba) are just brands they don't make anytthing they sell, they buy it in often from the same supplier.
If you need new remote thew can often be bought separately. Alternatively there are many good after market remotes to be had that can control many disparate devices.
Terry
July 2006