I have a Sony receiver.....STR-DE685... and a Panasonic 42" plasma... and a VIP622... and a Panasonic ES15S DVD recorder and.... I got tired of the basket of remotes. I also found early on that I couldn't get enough functionality with the E* remote.
Then I bought a Logitech Harmony remote. First one was a 676 and now I have an 880. They're ACTIVITIES based remotes instead of device based remotes. Once programmed (through USB and logitech's web site) you don't have to remember what device has to be on what input (or output) for whatever activity you want.
Like.... Watch TV (which at our house means watching satellite TV)... press the Watch TV button. Remoste makes sure Sony receiver is on, with audio set to TV/Sat input (video is all handled by the TV), VIP622 on, TV on and input set to HDMI, ..... TA-DA! ..... one button.
BUT you also have full device control for each device including sound fields on the Sony receiver. AND if you're going into device mode on the remote a lot... tehn chances are you don't have it set up completely. Why not put those often-used device commands right there in the LCD "soft button" .... 8 per screen and multiple screens and you customize them PER ACTIVITY.
About $100 for the remote... but life is SO much simpler now
Logitech Harmony is one way... I am also looking at the URC remotes. Overall might be a little more money and/or take a little more effort on my part to program them. But just so vastly superior to anything you're going to get happening from the E* remote.
Just my 2 cents. And if I sound a bit "rah-rah" about it, it's because I can't believe what a difference it has made in my FAMILY's ability to enjoy the AV system.
