For a really cheap but powerful remote, try the Radio Shack 15-2116 for $30. It controls a lot of machines out of the box, and can learn anything else. It also can be upgraded to control everything if you have a JP1 computer cable, some free software, and the time to learn how to program it. In fact, this remote comes from the same company as the Outlaw remote and is very similar. You could do much the same with the Outlaw.

I'm using a predecessor model with Outlaw, Panny, Sony, Samsung and some other gear without problem.