I am looking for a good remote, up to about $150, that will handle all my equipment. The two most important functions that are a must are controlling my Toshiba DVD/Tivo box and controlling the VID selectors on my TV. I have a Hitachi 65SWX20B using a CLU-5722TSI remote. There are five video ports in addition to the 2 coax inputs. I've tried the Phillips Universal 8 device. It could handle the 2 coax using the "input" key, but gave me no way to access the other 5 VID inputs. This is critical as one is running my HD through a DVI connection. I've seen a lot of good chat about the MX-500. Anyone with thoughts or ideas about that one or a better one. I'd like to stay more towards hard buttons, so I am currently shying away from the Pronto line, but if that is my only hope then I will relook at them.

Thanks any/all in advance!

Your budget, and need for discrete codes, makes a PC-programmable remote the best choice. In that price range, you have the MX-500PKG (which includes the MX-500 remote as well as the One For All URC-8811 and a JP1-Cable for programming up the URC-8811), which has a bit of a learning curve, but is very "powerful" in terms of ability, Harmony 659 or 688, and I'd also take a look at the URC-9960PKG (which also is programmed using JP1). There's a lot of personal preference in this decision - all of these remotes can control your system, you should take a look and see what appeals to you in the designs.

David
www.BlueDo.com