Home Theater is invariably complex. Multiple components connected together to a TV with enough remotes and connection types to drive a normal person mad. Add HDTV with its multiple aspect ratios that need to be changed depending on the source material, and you can see why there are tons of web sites, magazines, and forums which attempt to help people find the right components and get the most from what they have.

There are few things you can do to make your theater easier to use. For most people it comes in the form of a universal/smart remote. On the high-end of things it's comes in the form of automation.

Universal/Smart Remotes
There are all types of universal remotes out there to met different levels of complexity. For some people, a $40 remote that offers only simple commands for all their components works the best.

For others a smart remote that sets all components to the appropriate input and allows for simple commands is remote nirvana. This comes in the semi-affordable and popular Harmony remote. Smart remotes enable consumers to download codes for components over t he Internet, and use a computer to setup the remote.

For people like me I want to still be able to use some of the complex buttons that go beyond the basics buttons, but I also like touch screen with semi-configurable or fully configurable buttons. Touch screen remotes get expensive fast, but I found my remote nirvana seven years ago with Sony's LCD learning remotes. More expensive touch screen remotes are more "smart remotes" than "learning remotes" as their expensive price would dictate.

Consumers generally shy away from learning remotes, as they do not want to go through the complexity of setting up individual buttons and teaching the remote. To many it can just seem like added complexity, but by going through a bit of complexity on the remote, you can greatly simplify how you interact with your home theater while allowing access to some of the complex commands you need.

Unified Interface
Whatever remote solution works best for you, having one remote control all of your gear unifies the interaction by using the same remote for your entire home theater. This is a major benefit, as while some remotes can be great, most are designed completely different from each other at different levels of quality.

When it Doesn't Help
It's one of those things that are readily apparent when you experience a universal remote that just doesn't work well. If you end up fighting to get the remote to do what you want, or is just awkward to use, you have the wrong universal remote for you.

For me basic universal remotes fail because I'm always hunting for the original remote to do more complex tasks. I view a universal remote as a replacement for all others and I shouldn't have to use the originals often. Many basic universals simply have awkward component changing buttons, which makes getting the correct component selected difficult.

Finding the right remote for you is key to simplifying a complex system and making it so other family members can use your home theater. One of the best web sites for in-depth remote reviews is www.remotecentral.com.

Automation
Automation is a high-end solution that not only controls you home theater, but can also control many other functions of your home theater such as lighting, room darkening shades, projector screen, and pretty much anything you can think of. You can also expand your home theater automation to a whole house solution.

These systems get real expensive fast due to the work required by the installer to integrate your house and make it simple to use.

Automation's Crux
The crux of automation is it's severe complexity of install and integration. You simply cannot add a new piece of equipment without it affecting part of the automation chain. You'll likely need the new component added to your remote interface, and you may need to have it installed to your equipment rack. Simple additions usually don't exist with an overly automated system.

Summary
Whatever route for simplification you go, in the end it can really help make a complex system easier to use. A bad universal remote or automated system that makes it harder to use should be avoided at all costs.