DVR Remote Controls

The Bottom Line: The Philips Prestigo SRU8015 universal remote offers relatively easy setup and good control flexibility, but it's sabotaged by a poorly implemented scroll-wheel control.

Specs: Infrared, TV, Amplifier, CD player, MD player, Projector, DVD/DVR/VCR, Audio system, Home control, Satellite or Cable, 33 ft, Learning, Programmable, LCD backlight, Battery level indicator

The Bottom Line: The Acoustic Research Universal Smart Remote works well once you've managed to set it up, but it cannot replace the easy-to-use experience with that of a Harmony remote.

Specs: Infrared, TV, Amplifier, CD player, Projector, AV receiver, DVD/DVR/VCR, Satellite or Cable, Upgradable, LCD display

The Bottom Line: Philips' superb Prestigo SRU8010 will appeal to TV-centric users looking for a universal remote that's both affordable and easy to set up.

Specs: Infrared, TV, Amplifier, CD player, MD player, DVD player, DVD/DVR/VCR, Satellite or Cable, 23 ft, Learning

The Bottom Line: Though it lacks real multiroom capabilities and may not offer quite the flexibility of competing high-end tablet-style remotes, the swanky Logitech Harmony 1000 can be programmed by the average consumer, which saves the cost of hiring a home installer to program it.

Specs: Infrared/radio, TV, DVD player, DVR, VCR, Learning

The Bottom Line: The Logitech Harmony 670 may not be the coolest-looking universal remote, but it's one of the easiest to use, especially for DVR users.

Specs: Infrared, TV, DVR, Audio system, PC multimedia, Back-lit buttons, Color-coded buttons

The Bottom Line: The Monster Home Theater Controller 100 universal remote arguably offers a superior design to competing models from Logitech and Harman Kardon, but it's comparatively pricey.

Specs: Infrared, TV, DVR, VCR, Amplifier, Cable box, LD player, Projector, DVD player, AV receiver, Plasma panel, PC multimedia, Satellite TV system, PIP function, Programmable, Back-lit buttons

The Bottom Line: The PC-programmable Logitech Harmony 550 universal remote control offers a sleek design, an impressive feature set, and a manageable price tag.

Specs: Infrared, TV, DVR, VCR, DVD player, Audio system, Learning, LCD display, Back-lit buttons

The Bottom Line: At less than $100, the sleekly designed Logitech Harmony 520 is a relative bargain among PC-programmable remotes--if you don't count the two other nearly identical Harmony models.

Specs: Infrared, TV, DVR, VCR, DVD player, Audio system, Learning, LCD display, Back-lit buttons

The Bottom Line: The affordable Kameleon 6 Hybrid will handle light home-theater duties, but advanced users will want to spend more to get more.

Specs: Infrared, Satellite TV system, Cable box, TV, DVD player, DVR, Learning, Programmable, Multi-brand compatibility, Electro-luminescent touch display

The Bottom Line: The LCD touch screen on Sony's Navitus provides tactile response, but it's a challenge for an amateur home A/V installer to program.

Specs: TV, DVR, VCR, AV System, CD player, CD changer, DVD player, AV receiver, Satellite TV system, 33 ft, Programmable, Macro function