Well, I know this isn't going to necessarily help out but I can tell you what NOT to buy: I spent *way* too much on a Philips Pronto remote some years back and have never stopped cursing.  I have seen many examples where Pronto owners have done wonderful things with this LCD touchscreen device but I don't have enough time to learn this on my own, and I can't see spending any more dough on this device (sigh).

Whew, got that out of my system, lets see if I can add some value now. 

I have heard great things about Logitech's Harmony series, especially the 800. Little pricey but the web-based configuration tools are awesome. 

Then EVA ate Apple...

Everyone always talks about the Harmony line from Logitech (specifically the 890), but I have never broken down and bought one.  I'd like to though, but I can't bring myself to spend the bucks.  Plus, my litmus test is whether my parents (who are completely amish when it comes to these kinds of gadgets) can watch a DVD with a single click on my entertainment center. 

Being digitally entertained...

Ugh.  That doesn't sound promising.

I had high hopes for the Harmony series too.  Perhaps Pronto (and the 2nd job required to pay for it) really is the way I'll have to go. 

Being digitally entertained...

Horses for Courses, as they say. I like the Phillips Pronto TSU9600 so much, I bought a second one so I don't have to continually cart it from entertainment room to my home office!

But I can understand Steven Jones' perspective re the learning curve which is why I said "H4C": I happen to be a software engineer and setting up the 9600 to do what I want, while not trivial, was simple enough and the results are outstanding. Using a mixture of IR, RS-232,and TCP/IP, it drives a Sony DVD jukebox, B&O plasma and receiver, B&O 9000 CD changer, AM/FM radio, B&O light controllers, Panasonic blu-ray recorder, the EVA8000, and a Firefox browser (under Linux) that provides the on screen DVD library access for the Sony! So for me, it's a brilliant piece of kit. If you are a S/W developer with some experience, this is the one to get, IMHO.

One thing I would like to find out is the "discrete on/off" IR codes for the EVA8000, if it has any. Looking at the hex code for functions "learnt" by the TSU9600 from the remore buttons, I can see holes in the sequence, so just trying the missing ones and observing the effect, if any, is a possibility, but thought I'd ask if anyone knows the codes, first, or even if they exist?