Sunfire TGP remote/learning remote

Been looking a long time for an original remote for my Sunfire TPG (the original). Tried Beemer, others, with no luck.

Got lucky and picked up locally another TGP 1 (I'll keep it as a backup) that included the original remote for $200.

Took leaking batteries out of the remote, cleaned it up and installed new batteries.

Looked at the remote. Nothing on the screen. Took batteries out and put in another new set. Still nothing. Began writing scathing email to seller who said it worked (of course, what did I expect for $200?). About to hit send. Looked at remote, it's now powered up and all screens are lit and it does work!

Questions:

I'm looking for a cheap remote that can learn the basic power on/off, volume up/down and source selection from the TGP remote so I can put away the TGP remote and just use the learning remote. Any suggestions for a good cheap learning remote that'll do this easily? Anyone done this?

I can't find a Mute button on the TGP remote. I assume there isn't one.

On my first TGP, the Dolby Digital/DTS display in the bottom left corner is amber colored. On this new TGP I picked up, the Dolby Digital/DTS display is blue. Did they come with different colors or did maybe this new one have a bulb replaced?

Logitech Harmony remotes are very good. Good Luck and Congrats

Logitech Harmony remotes are very good. Good Luck and Congrats

yeah, there ok. i have a harmony remote. the original tgp remote is my prefrence though. good job on a 200 score. clean the contacts with something abrasive to get back to a solid connection. i use enegizer rechargeables 2A's in my tgp remote. the remote draws more power than a average remote so i recharge them more if the light is used. the harmony though, is nice, but the menu's can be a bit much some times to do the simplest things.

Do you have the short remote that is all screen, or is it the Later TG Remote-III? (small screen at top, lots of buttons)

Do you have the short remote that is all screen, or is it the Later TG Remote-III? (small screen at top, lots of buttons)

It's the large somewhat heavy remote that's all touchscreen.

They sell MX-500s on ebay, just like the TGP-III remotes for reasonable and they can "clone" any remote. I like them because they're basically the same as a lot of the Sunfire remotes I'm already use to and brand new ones can usually be found for around $60 each shipped. The ones below are $78 shipped and they're new.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Universal-Home- ... 245wt_1189

thats what i'm talking about...