do i have to go to school to get a remote i can program?

i am even a salesmen of a/v products. i love the pronto 9400, but i cant take the time to learn how to program that thing.

what good remotes exist that are easy to setup? would like to control:
lutron lighting
dtv
xbox and media center
cd changer
maybe cctv dvr
surround receiver and 2nd zone audio
use same remote to control tvs in 3 rooms

should i go with a URC remote? they seem to have some that are easy to setup. would like to do some ir and some rf, macros, and be able to completely control the equipment i have.

URC MX900 or MX980 with a URC RF receiver.

Just to be clear here.. You cant use your URC remote to control devices that have RF remotes. Ceiling fans for instance. your URC remote only uses RF to communicate with its base station or control processor.

I am only bringing this up because you mentioned Lutron lighting. The only lutron lighting that can be controlled directly with URC are the dimmers sold thru URC. If you have RadioRa you would need a RA IR Interface. This device would receiver IR from your URC system and transmit to the Lutron switches.

i like the mx980, but will i be able to program/setup this system myself? how easy is the software to understand? im not dumb when it comes to these things, but i also dont want to spend hours trying to learn everything.

thanks for the help.

also, what about the 880? i think i like the button layout better.

All the URC computer programmable remotes go thru essentially the same programming process, maybe an extra step or 2 in the MX980. You'll need to request a copy of the software from your authorized URC dealer, as you won't necessarily get it anywhere else.

How about using an IPhone, ITouch or IPad for your remote?

CommandFusion remote for any of the above is a $140 license and the interface is extremely easy to use.

You can try commandfusion for free (limited to two remote pages)

If your house is already wired with ethernet at your media locations you can use a GlobalCache GC100 which has both serial and infrared control. If not you can use the new GlobalCache WiFi iTach devices.

Your directv receiver can be controlled by serial instead of IR which will give you two way communication (ie, feedback on your remote screen like channel number). Your receiver may have serial control as well which gives feedback such as volume control, radio frequency, mute, power status ect on your remote screen.

Yep, you'll need to go to school with this solution...

But he said it would be "extremely easy".

Don't forget, the delay from wake-up to being able to command anything, with the iWhatever solutions.