Slocko,
No, you can't just use IR to download from your 1994 and upload to the 2116, the keymaps are different.
Device setup codes don't change from one ueic remote to another, their mapping does. If, for example your sat receiver uses Sat_0392 in your 1994, it'll use Sat_0392 in the 2116 also. You'll find most of the keys will be assigned the same, but a few may be shifted over to a different key name. For example, you have a "surround" key on your 1994, but there is no key called "surround" on the 2116.
You can use keymoves to juggle the key assignments some to your liking. You can also use KM and just write a new device upgrade code with all the keys assigned to your liking; the way to go if you'll need a lot of keymoves.
With keymoves and/or a device upgrade, you shouldn't have a need for any learned keys, although you can use them if you want. However, learned keys are unreliable in macros. JP-1ers rarely use learned keys except to decode them. The 2116 is supposed to be a learning remote, without the dedicated learning buttons.
You shouldn't have to "relearn" your 1994 learned keys, just use IR to decode them, then assign them via keymoves or a device upgrade via KM>IR.
The lcd screen let's you know which mode you're currently in, and maybe the device setup code it's using. There may be a "clock" function, also. It also displays the menue functions to manually program the remote.
Evidently RS has "heard the voice of the people" and paid attention to the consumers. I don't doubt they have monitored the likes, and dislikes of it's users. They may have heard about the complaints associated with the 8910, and avoided the arrow donut/select issues. The 2104 had a lot of complaints about the "recessed" P button, and reinstituted the 1994's easy to use "P". There were few complaints about the 1994/1995's layout, and use methodology. They likely decided on a 1995 format with the sammy processor since that combo had the highest liklihood of getting a following.
A 2116 without the screen is basically the 1994. The 2104 was the "replacement" for the 1994. Hmmmmm, bring back the 1994 with a new name and some slight changes? Perhaps not entirely a bad move.
Jim