Although we do use Netflix, I tend to have a look through what's available on the laptop and then use the Virgin Tivo box to watch as it doesn't use any bandwidth as Virgin use the part of the system that streams TV.
Don't use the others, I really want this as a simple, on, off, volume up or down, and the ability to choose TV or music, it has to be simple for the wife to use, too many buttons and she wont touch it.
I currently have three remotes if you don't count the Xbox One controller, I would love to retire them completely but for the following reasons I cant:
1 TV, unfortunately I can't get rid of this because although I have the aspect set to Auto, so many older programs show up as stretched so I need to keep this control for one reason, aspect. But for most of the time it can be hidden down the side of the settee.
2 Receiver, I can hid this for most of the time, the Xbox can control all the basic functions, but until I retire the desktop also plugged in, I need to keep it to hand to change to that from the Xbox. Also can be hidden down the side of the settee for when needed.
3 Virgin Tivo, we use this to change channels and watch recorded programs/record programs, I could do some more of this by setting up more in the favourites, but this isn't an issue for me. This will still be used.
So we will end up with two remotes in daily use with the Xbox media one doing the bulk of the work and almost 99% of it if I get the favourites set up properly.
I do at times use SmartGlass, but if you haven't got it already on, you need to pick up the Surface, turn it on, start SmartGlass....
By this time the wife would have given up, so for ?18 I think the media one will be a useful tool, whereas the Harmony ones would be a waste of money for me as they are far too complicated for the wife to use.
Bob
PS I tried two PC Worlds and a Curry's today, none of them had stock, one said try Argos (?2 dearer) and the other two said buy it online, I will try a Tesco tomorrow and if I can't find one I will take their advice and use Amazon.