Universal Remote

I've had a Harmony 550 for a while now - I'd be lost without it.

Their software is a bit rough, but works fine. You can either run it locally on your Mac, or use their web version. Either way, it maintains a backup on their server (you can force a local backup through their web interface, if you like, but I've never had to use it).

I have the usual mix: HD TV, DirecTV DVR, tv, DVD recorder, XBOX, Blu-ray, and home theater amp, with digital inputs. Since I ran short, I also have a HDMI expander and an optical audio expander (switch boxes), both have IR remote.

One of the "activities" I setup was for music only, using the tv as the source. I set it up to leave the plasma tv off (since I don't really need to stare at album artwork), then I use the iPhone Apple Remote as the interface to the tv.

Wirelessly posted (BB 8900: BlackBerry8900/4.6.1.101 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/301)

I have the harmony 880, and I absolutely love it. You can snag them cheaper as refurbs, or through amazon, etc. Or try ebay. As far as universal remotes in general, harmony seems to be the way to go.