Random bit of trivia: the older versions of these had the interface implemented in Flash. That's right, Adobe Flash Player on a remote.

My more well-to-do uncle has an older version of this for his absurd setup. Idk that it was the remote's fault or not, but the system was so stupidly complicated it burned into my brain that I'd just much rather not have any of the materialistic garbage it attempted to control. Not judging exactly, because everyone has different preferences, but I just couldn't envision myself loving what amounts to the digestion of video enough to try and wrangle any of it.

A TV and a receiver? Sure, fine. But also the PlayStation, movie server, regular cable input, Roku and Netflix and the "Smart" features of the TV for some reason. So many redundant boxes and services.

For some, the setup itself becomes a hobby to tinker with rather than a means to an end.

This is a typical setup for lots of folks. This is the average home theater.

Maybe it's because I'm not part of the demographic that wants to own a house with a basement or extra rooms in the suburbs to begin with, but I can see how it would be quite a nice setup if you already had the house, money, and interest in media.

Ultimately it would feel kind of baller, just seems like a lot of stuff

Agree - I had one of these and was the only way to get all my hi-fi gear and other things working together. Everything just worked.

Nowadays, devices like the Broadlink RM4 Pro fills the same niche. It can learn both IR and Wireless protocols to remotely control most household devices (not just audio/video stuff).

The difference is that is does not come with a remote - instead there is either a phone app which can be used to directly control it or it can work with Alexa/Home Assistant.

I think it's a great way to "smarten" some older "dumb" devices.

https://community.home-assistant.io/t/getting-started-with-b...

I'll note my displeasure that buttons appear to be disappearing for "smart lighting" products where I assume they expect that you don't want light switches and want to control everything from a phone.

Phillips used to make a great switch, for instance, that was powered by the piezoelectric effect and didn't need batteries. I got a good deal on mine but regular pricing was unreasonable and it's been replaced by something nowhere near as cool. Sengled switches work well and are well priced but whenever the power goes out (10x a year at my location) they drain the battery trying to contact the hub, so I've spent in CR2032's whatever I saved.

(I'm glad Phillips avoided making the own goal of selling off the Hue brand because we'd still like to have a few Western brands in this space. I mean, they are getting their ass kicked by the likes of

https://us.govee.com/products/govee-curtain-lights?srsltid=A...

as it is without a western competitor to DJI we'll probably lose Boeing and Airbus within my lifetime)

I currently use this remote and love it!