The IR/IP/232 database is pretty good. Most things are there, and the 3rd party chowmains, and intrinsic dev's fill in the gaps pretty well. I dont love the IR database but we dont really even use it very much.

Remotes are WiFi, the HR10 works great @$399 msrp. No IR sender in the HR10. You would need to place a global cache if you didnt have a spare cat6 to the display. We do Sony and use network for TV comms.

Many screens are not really customize-able at all. Media, lighitng, Home page can be changed up. Honestly futzing with a GUI is not how I want to spend my day. They pretty much spit out a gui and it covers all the bases and looks great.