It's not AAA, but a different (hot regular) type of battery. It has been discussed before under several brands, and I think it was in what's new like two years ago. If I remember correctly its either the IR emitters or some of the electronics that makes them work that emit some kind of electromagnetic pulse that this thing understands and sends as RF. Also If I remember correctly, some said that it will not work with remotes that have screens, since the screens cause too much interference