Thanks to the incredible documentation and tools available here, I have managed to program my URC8811 to perfectly suit my needs. It is really quite amazing that this $15 remote the best available remote. While some remotes may have fancy color, touch sensitive lcd screens, nothing can beat the usability and tactile response of this remote (not to mention the vastly superior battery life). I look forward to the time when two-way communication (perhaps with bluetooth) between the remote and devices becomes standard and which would then justify the fancy lcd screens, but until then I don't foresee this remote becoming obsolete.
My remote setup is pretty standard, and I use an extender for the faster macros, plus the ability to have macros on the device keys. Each device turns on all the correct components, sets the correct inputs, and puts the remote in the proper state. Dead simple to use
Perhaps the only unique thing I have is routing audio to either the TV or the receiver. Pressing "SAT" or "DVD", for example, routes the audio (and audio control) to the TV speakers. This is the mode I use the majority of the time, but when watching movies I like to route the audio to the receiver. To do this I press "Home Theater", which turns on the receiver, sets the correct input and sets the volume keys on the remote to control the receiver. I determine the correct input to set by using ToadTog which is set when pressing a device key. All in all, it works quite well.
Well, I've rambled on for too long now, but just wanted to say a big thank-you to everyone here who has made it all possible
