A universal remote is a fantastic gadget. I have been a happy possessor of a Harmony One for years. I am still constantly amazed by all it can be made to do, and especially, by all the stuff I am able to keep cramming into it. I like to think I am fairly creative in the uses I keep finding for it, but I know there are others who are far more clever. So what does your remote control? Here is the run-down for mine:

My receiver is a Yamaha RX-V750. It is several years old and has no HDMI inputs but it still works well. I have standardised all audio inputs on s/pdif, switched by the Harmony. Other devices are the Sky decoder, DVR, Blu-Ray, UHF box, satellite receiver, TV, streaming pc, HDMI recorder, HDMI switch, HDCP stripper, another IR receiver, and a few additional peripherals. The Harmony controls everything. Each device is programmed into it, with the most useful functions assigned to the main buttons according to activity, but all other functions available on virtual buttons if needed.

At present there are nine activities. The remote switches audio inputs and settings and IR switches like the HDMI switch. In this way I can quickly flick between devices as well as controlling them individually. The streaming pc is a special case and it is the device I added most recently. It is controlled by a generic IR receiver that has been programmed into the Harmony database. Key presses are used to generate macros and keyboard shortcuts on the computer, using AutoHotKey. In this way the Harmony One can perform most functions, either directly from the hard buttons or via menus and virtual buttons, while the number keys at the bottom are used to control the mouse.

I think the Harmony One is a truly incredible device, although the on-line set-up software is unbelievably stupid to work with. I have no idea how many functions are currently in my unit’s database, but there must be hundreds, if not thousands. And they all work at the press of a button, every single time (well, almost, anyway). So what have the rest of you done with your universal remotes? Is my example typical or am I barely scratching the automation surface?