Buttons or touchscreen? Most of us are one or another. (I highly prefer buttons. I intensely dislike touchscreens.) Once you've made that decision, then recommendations are easier.
The Prontos are the best buy in touscreens, IMO. Tons of users out there to help you get setup.
Sony makes a touchscreen model, the 3000 that's interesting but it's still not a Pronto. It's touchscreen labeling choices are very limited. One For All/Radio Shack has a couple of models of touchscreen, the Kameleon models. They do have a fan base of users but again, compared to the Prontos, they have a serious lack of properly labeled "buttons".
Home Theater Master MX series (MX-500, MX-600, MX-700 and MX-800) are the ones to own in button-based, also IMO. They allow you to use builtin codes or better yet, allow you to learn to them and set the remote up exactly how you want it (the MX-700 and 800 also come with a PC link and software for setup.) For buttons not already labeled, the MX models allow you to assign up to 5 characters per button on an LCD screen (the actual buttons are next to the LCD display.) Everything is clearly laid out.
There are several other good button-based remotes besides the HTM's. One For All/Radio Shack has several, as does Sony.
It would be worth your time to check out
www.remotecentral.com Lots of info and several forums for interaction with other users.
Hope this quick reply helps!
