I like my "Universal" that looks like the RF-20 except it's a different color.  However, it does not have enough real buttons, and today's boxes are even worse.  I worked-around before by "learning" the code from one thing I wanted to do onto a button that I wasn't using in that mode.  E.g. the "stop" square changes aspect ratio on the TV when in Tivo mode, since Tivo doesn't stop and before going hi-def I was forever changing zoom&aspect to match the content.  One thing the Universal doesn't do is let you move an existing known button to another place, which means re-learning on the new key; but re-arranging the menus is more work!

I want hard buttons, since I operate it by feel.  I bought a Microsoft touch-screen remote when it came out a long time ago, and used it until the battery died and then never recharged it.  Besides its other specific issues, I need buttons I can feel for routine tasks.

I do like the soft screen for all the other operations.  If the RF-20 had more than 4 keys for the soft-labeled area, I'd have liked it better.  Now, I not only want a few more, but need the 4 color keys as well, since both the Blu-Ray and the DirecTV uses them.

I'm not sure how well macros actually work out, since devices are too statefull.  But one task I'm doing of late is changing the receiver input selection and changing the TV Input setting, to go between normal (disc or DBS) and the computer, which doesn't have its video switched using the receiver.  If macros don't work out, the next thing is a "mode" that has buttons for both the receiver and the TV Input right together, along with volume control etc.

I was very disapointed with the offerings I've seen in stores.  They have become less "geeky" and although they would probably consolidate multiple remotes OK, they would not let me put the common things I do together, or move the common things to the first page.

Please let me know of any suggestions of which brands or models I should look at.

--John

Do you need the RF capability? And could you expand what you mean by "devices are too statefull"?

You say that you operate by feel, but then say that you like the soft screen for "other operations". What are those operations?

I have RF capability on my current remote, but never got the receiver or anything; it just IR's through the glass. Maybe some day, but not my main concern. I'd say "no".

Statefull: Is it off or already on? What's the current input setting? I thought that was the bane of macro programming in general.

other operations: Everything the original remote can do, so I don't have to go find it and put in batteries for some rare command like setting up. It's hard to come up with an example. My point is that I want lots of real buttons, but also have the soft area and not be limited to the number of hard-labeled keys.

I see my current device remotes have 45 or 47 buttons. I want a remote with lots of buttons including the 4-color keys, and fully programmable.