Marantz RC5000i

Pros: Extremely configurable, plenty of memory, includes recharging cradle, configurable with a PC, ability to import your own graphics and buttons if you're graphics-savvy, ergonomically comfortable, can be made your system as easy or as difficult to navigate a
Cons: LCD touchscreen can be a little quirky, configuration software is cumbersome at first, poor software documentation, few hard buttons, some battery recharging issues, quite expensive.

It came down to two choices. Either I get a remote that does everything, or I get a bigger coffee table. I have a pretty extensive home theater that needs to be controlled SOMEHOW. I've tried a few remotes out there that were both preprogrammed...

Pros: ultra-configurable, good learning capabilities, lots of memory
Cons: touchscreen not very sensitive, almost requires using PC software to configure, cost

I'm awful much a geek, and a Pronto would've been a natural choice for me...but I've resisted getting one for a long time, mostly because of the price and the lack of hard buttons (and the units always seemed a bit fragile to me).

The Pronto...

Pros: Wide Compatibility, Full Customization, Good Looks, Great Gift, Space Saving.
Cons: Awkward at times, little heavier than normal remotes, odd shaped, Touchpad is difficult sometimes.

The price of the Marantz rc5000i ($550 MSRP) is enough to put most of us into a tailspin, when considering a universal remote. And rightly so, considering it is probably one of the top 25% most expensive remotes available. And yet this remote works...

Pros: Really configurable, good size, powerful IR transmitter
Cons: Easy to spend a lot of time "tinkering".

I've bought several "universal" remote controls previously to try and tame the number of IR remotes in our living room. The Marantz (which is essentially the same as a Philips Pronto) is in all respects superior to any of these others. Almost none of my...