Hi - My Grandfather struggles with the different remotes he has - there are only 3 (TV, VCR, Set Top Box) I have tried a universal All-In-One - spent some time putting the codes in for him etc. but he can't get on with it.

I need something simple here. Big Clear Buttons - As simple as possible to toggle between devices etc.

I love the idea of the Weemote (Fobis Technologies Weemote) for kids - Where is the version for Pensioners!

Your advice or reccomendations greatly appreciated!

Weemote SR

Excellent! I wasn't expecting that.
I like the idea and will think about it seriously.
Is there anything a little less, well, patronising for the old chap? He is dextrous enough and may feel this was a step too far. Any further reccomendations?

I have my 81 year-old father using a Sony VL700. It's a true learning remote, has enough memory to hold a taught command on each key in each device. So I made each device exactly the same, vol & mute from the TV, and the rest of the keys commanding a T60 Dtivo, which he just uses as a SAT.

That is the one I was looking at. I think it could be a winner!

Yup, I can confirm that the VL700 is a nice, simple, inexpensive remote.

What I don't undersand is this...

He wants to be able to record a programe through his digital input (he has a separate digibox with separate remote)and watch something else on his standard terrestrial ariel.

As you will know this currently involves: select channel you want to record on digibox - hit record on the video - Hit AV to go the annalogue input on TV controller and use the std TV controller to watch the new channel.

I understand I can set this remote up so VOL is running his TV set - All other buttons control the digital box - the Video buttons control his VCR - perfect for day to day.

Can this remote help him with the above process??

You might also consider the HTM MX-200. Not the RF basestation, but the Jr. remote that used to come with the MX-700.

I believe it is available separately now and is completely computer programmable. You're limited by buttons, but not what they can do. Each button can have a complex macro on it.

I just bought a "Big Button" remote made by Hy-Tek Manufacturing - www.hytekmfg.com - for my 82 year old father who has pretty severe macular degeneration. So far, it seems to be working quite well for him. Only problem I have is trying to track down a code to program it to operate a Samsung DVD/VCR combo deck I bought for him. Sells for $25. I found it at Brookstone.

The Hy-Tek Big Button in the " H " shape has solved my immediate problem -- getting a 90 year old father with severe vision impairments able to run a new 32" LCD and a Motorola high-def cable box. We went through four different remotes during the last week, with limited success -- the buttons too small on an RCA universal, the Toshiba LCD's own nice remote (didn't learn Motorola, though), the Comcast remote for the Motorola (worked everything, but really horrible industrial design, confusing to find any given button), and my Harmony 880 (buttons way, way too small and hard to see).

The Hy-Tek will run the TV and set top box fine, and we are for now avoiding additional complications of a DVD player or VCR. Avoiding them for ever, perhaps. I found the unneeded buttons on the Hy-Tek could be readily covered by squares of Mystic Tape, to reduce the confusion/button search problem.

Some forum questioned if the Hy-Tek is a "novelty" or a real remote. Those with good or correctable vision would, perhaps, so wonder. When dealing with the very old, very vision impaired, it is a "necessity" or a "godsend".

Incidentally, going from a dying Sony 27" tube TV to a bright new LCD 32" was a great success. The picture is far better, and easier for my father to see -- as he says, he now can read the words on the screen, in ads or show titles.