For a while now I've been searching for a universal remote for my modest setup which includes:

Vizio 47" 1080p LCD
Onkyo TR-606 receiver
Panasonic DVD player
Motorola HD/DVR cable box from Cox

My biggest concern was having the functionality of the Cable/DVR box remote. There are many unique buttons used to navigate the menus and make selections, such as the A, B, and C buttons you rarely see on remotes, but make use of everyday while using it. I thought I'd have to get a Harmony to get the features and functionality I wanted.

This morning I was at Walmart getting some groceries and decided to cruise through the electronics department to see that was there, and I see the Philips SRU4208WM/17 for $20.

http://www.consumer.philips.com/catalog/product/SRU4208WM_17-RTV-global-001.jpg
http://www.consumer.philips.com/catalog/product/SRU4208WM_17-APV-global-001.jpg

I just got done setting this up and I couldn't be happier! It has all the functions that I use day to day on it, plus it can be setup to have all volume controls go to the receiver, so you don't need to change remote modes to control the volume on it. It's a learning remote, so the few functions that weren't on the remote (DVR List being the main one) I was able to program to the unused ReplayTV specific buttons on there using my original DVR remote. The buttons are nice and big, and backlit as well.

I was almost ready to order a Harmony 550. I'm glad I checked out Walmart! This remote has all the buttons I need built in, the keys are MUCH bigger and easier to hit, and the layout of the buttons works better for me than the 550. All for less than half the price!

Another nice one is the $15 (usually $30) radio shack 15-100 (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2454734). In addition to the philip's features, it has an LCD display, huge code library, setup wizard, custom device labels, the ability to use advanced codes and program complex macros on nearly any button. Extremely powerful budget remote.

Can the Philips do macros? I don't see that mentioned in the user manual. Specifically, I need it to turn all the devices ON or OFF with a single press of the Power button.

Can the Philips do macros? I don't see that mentioned in the user manual. Specifically, I need it to turn all the devices ON or OFF with a single press of the Power button.

No it doesn't. That is one of the functions it gives up. I still need to shut off the TV and Receiver separately. Small price to pay for one that works so well with my Cable DVR box.

THIS (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3031611) one does the power macro out of the box and is only $10 at the moment, but the buttons are quite small. Otherwise it's a pretty powerful little remote with relatively few buttons for a universal.

Can the Philips do macros? I don't see that mentioned in the user manual. Specifically, I need it to turn all the devices ON or OFF with a single press of the Power button.

http://rover.ebay.com/ar/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?mpt=1305005060&adtype=1&size=1x1&type=3&campid=5336055023&toolid=10001 This (http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FOne-All-URC8820-8-Device-Universal%2Fdp%2FB00083J29O%2Fref%3Dpd_bbs_sr_1%3Fie%3DUTF8% 26amp%3Bs%3Delectronics%26amp%3Bqid%3D1221756793%26amp%3Bsr% 3D8-1&tag=5336055023-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325) one does macros....great remote for the price.

Yeah this remote is a great steal and works great with my vizio vx32l . Another cool thing is let say you got 3 dvd players but no stand alone cd player , well you can program the cd player with the dvd player code and it will work So you dont have to let funcation button unused if you dont need a reciever, cd player etc.... very cool and back lite too it a insane deal, just buy it ;). By the way I bought and returned a harmony 550 it blows monsteriously over price and it make the most simple tasks Like turn on anything a pain in the arse. Yet the philips I think it one of the years best deals and it works great

Not bad better than Radio Shack 15-100 but you can still do more with the Radio Shack 15-2146 voice prompt. Still the Philips is cheap at Wal-mart is where I seen this one at. It's more geared for Motorola DCT boxes with DVR. I don't know how powerful the learning feature is. Can you change the component buttons to AUX. I didn't see that on the remote. Otherwise I was going to try it out.

I got the Radio Shack 10-115 a couple of weeks ago and couldn't be happier, although I did have to pay $30 for it. It can learn everything I need from my other remotes plus there are three dedicated macro buttons. I have also created several other macros using other buttons I don't use. This model has more memory than the previous RS remote I owned. I also was close to purchasing a Harmony remote. For the money you can't beat this Radio Shack remote.