a tv apparatus 102 has multiple functionalities that are user controllable e g u201c tv on off u201d u201c channel up down u201d u201c mute u201d u201c brightness up u201d etc system 100 also has a second apparatus 104 here a vcr also with multiple user controllable functionalities u201c on u201d u201c play u201d u201c record u201d u201c eject tape u201d etc system 100 further includes a programmable control device 106 having a user interface 108 with multiple user inputs e g buttons or soft keys on a gui not shown the multiple user inputs provide selective control of a particular one of the functionalities of apparatus 102 and 104 by sending a particular one of multiple control signals once device 106 is programmed in this example device 106 is a programmable hand held ir remote controller for consumer equipment the disclosure herein however is not limited to hand held control devices nor to ir communication nor to remotes nor to a consumer environment system 100 further includes programming means 110 for programming of control device 106 programming means 110 is preferably contained within a set top box connected to tv set 102 and includes a memory 112 having a database containing apparatus type brand combinations the database further contains identifier codes mapped to an associated control code programming means 110 further includes internet connection hardware 114 such as a modem for connecting via the internet 116 with a remote server 118 having a database containing a plurality of respective sets of multiple control signals in e g a compressed digital format each respective set includes control signals for control of a respective.