Many consumers love the TiVo remote. Has great layout for DVR functions along with a few dedicated keys that seem to fit many typical consumer usage needs.

It also has the right curved shape for the hand, easy to pick up in the dark, top versus bottom orientation auto sense in the dark, etc.

Just wondering - since the remote can work in IR mode - thinking out loud that with an IR receiver hooked in to a control system, might almost make sense to learn all the IR codes and use a TiVo remote as an alternative to the more expensive, but clunky handheld "pro" remotes or horrible smartphone apps.

For entry-level, single-room setups, one or two dedicated buttons linked to a "watch tv" activity plus the keypad on the TiVo might fit the bill.

To be clear - buying the $39 TiVo Remote and using it without any actual TiVo DVR box involved in the AVR setup.

Also, as a side-question, is there a generic programmable/learning RF receiver (that doesn't cost an arm and a leg) available from any manufacturer so potentially could use the TiVo in RF non-line-of-sight mode instead of IR?