My parents came for a visit this past weekend with a specific request: give us something that works and is simple to use. Several years ago I swapped out a multi-component system for my father with a single good integrated, and this has worked out very well: far fewer buttons and he even lost the remote. I also switched them to Jitterbug phones (www.jitterbug.com) - another success because they actually use them. Since like many of you I am the family tech, it is now my task to simplify the mess that has become the TV room system.

Right now, they have what I cobbled together for them over the years: an older receiver, a sound bar, a DVD player, a Dish receiver, and a TV: all different brands and all with incompatible or crappy remotes. What they want is simplicity and one remote. While I could use a Logitech Harmony to tie it all together, after one look at it, it became clear that wasn't going to work for them. My parents aren't uneducated, but whenever they get something that's too complicated it just sits around - I think they pull some of this stuff out when we visit, just to make us think they actually use it.

Anyhow, I'm sure my situation isn't unique. What have some of you done for your family members that needed something simple? In my case, the budget isn't really an issue - if it actually gets used, that's what really matters.