OTHER TECH

THE PROBLEM See if this doesn't sound familiar: You've just upgraded to a new home theater system with an HDTV and surround sound, but now no one can figure out how to use it! Even writing notes to yourself like, "To watch a movie, put the TV on Input 1 and the receiver on DVD," isn't enough to prevent occasionally getting sound but no picture, or vice versa. Having to continually switch inputs is making the whole family homicidal, and the prospect of mastering the mound of remote controls frightens even the bravest souls. You're thinking about getting satellite radio but you tremble at the idea of adding yet another remote! There has to be a better way, right?

ThE SOLUTION This is a common dilemma, and unfortunately, even the "simplest" home theater systems can be tricky to operate. Just playing a DVD can take six or more button presses on multiple remotes and make anyone feel like committing a felony! Even though some receivers come with so-called "universal" remotes designed to handle all the control chores for your home theater, these are rarely easy to use. Sometimes they lack the buttons essential for system operation. Other times they're so poorly laid out that they cause more frustration than satisfaction. What you need is a system controller that makes operating your gear simple enough for anyone in the household.

A great controller is not only easy for even the most technophobic member of the family to use with little or no instruction but powerful enough to handle every chore necessary to operate a system day in and out. One of my current favorites is the Harmony 676. At $199, this remote can tame most systems while remaining a breeze to operate. One of its best features is a Help button that walks you through all the steps necessary for getting back on track. Plus, Harmony's Web-based interface greatly reduces programming time and aggravation. (Pete Pachal looked at the Harmony 880 in the July/August issue.)

At $1,399 (plus programming costs - professional assistance required), the Niles IntelliControl (bottom right) isn't foolin' around. This remote uses radio frequencies to beam commands through walls (and cabinets) and will have you controlling your system instead of the other way around. A single button press is all it takes to do nearly anything - including lowering the lights, closing the drapes, and powering up your components.

LOOKING AHEAD It's likely that remotes will always be with us in one form or another, but in the future, look for gear to be controlled via their own Web browsers. Logging onto a Web page using a computer, PDA, or cellphone will let you operate your system from anywhere in your home - or the world. It will all be done through a slick graphical interface, and each piece of gear will report its status - TV on Input 3, receiver on DVD input at 80% volume, DVD playing Chapter 3, and so on. Also, as more components incorporate connections like HDMI or FireWire that carry control commands along with audio/video information, the parts of your system will be able to "talk" to one another. So as your DVD player powers up, it will tell your receiver and TV to turn on and go to the proper input. The next step will be for it to tell your fridge to bring you a beer!