This is a real gem! After my Logitech Harmony 300 quit working (after less than 2 years some buttons stopped working including volume up) I was on the lookout for a replacement. I really liked how the Harmony remote had an online database and would "self-program" and prefer that, but I didn't want to spend money on something not built to last. (I criticize the Harmony 300 because I have several device specific remotes which have lasted 10+ years, and are still going strong).

So I start by searching "cheapest remote" on Amazon and while reading some reviews I see this DirectTV remote recommended by a few people. Then I find out it has an online database with remote codes - I ordered immediately!

Remote gets here a couple days later and my first impression is "dang this thing is built like a tank!" I will be fully surprised if this remote doesn't last 10 years like all my other (non-Logitech) remotes. It is very solid and the buttons feel great. If I were to guess, I'd say the remote cost more to build than they are selling for.

Programming - this was both easy and difficult (see below)
The easy part is the online database (on the DirectTV website). I was able to type in the brand of: home theater receiver, TV, and Blu-ray player and get a recommended code as well as a list of alternate codes if the first one didn't work. In each case, the first suggested code worked correctly (however I didn't "think" it was working as I will explain).
The difficult part - there are a number of "secret codes" you may need to look up in order to get everything working as expected. These don't seem to be written down in any one place, I found them within various DirectTV forum/help pages. The issue arises from this remote being targeted for use with a DirectTV box (duh). So for example when you program in your TV, the volume buttons seem to do nothing. The input button seems to do nothing. Other stuff works. So if you are like me, you go back and try other codes and basically you don't get it working. So the trick is, you need these various 3-digit codes which bypass the DirectTV functions. You will know this is the case if you press a button (like volume up), and look at which LED lights up at the top - it defaults to go to the DTV receiver no matter what the slider switch is set to. So to fix this:

Activate TV INPUT button:
Mode switch to TV
Press and hold Mute and Select until the LED blinks twice
Enter: 9 6 0
If the LED flashes twice after entering 9 6 0, the Input button is enabled. If it flashes four times you've turned the Input button Off and need to repeat the above step to enable it again.
(now input goes to TV)

Send volume commands to home theater receiver:
Mode switch to AV2
Hold Mute + Select
Enter 9 9 3
(Now volume goes to AV2)

Bottom line: This is probably the best made inexpensive universal remote, and possibly one of the best made remotes period. The online code lookup is way more convenient than flipping through hundreds or thousands in a tiny printed manual. Programming is easy but watch out for the "secret codes" I mentioned in the review, as some of your buttons may appear to not work but they are mostly likely going to the DTV output and need to be remapped.

Was worried it wouldn't work because some reviews here said it didn't work with VIZIO tvs and that's what this remote was for. It DOES. It doesn't come with instructions, but they were easily found with a quick Google search. Very easy instructions there, but then it didn't seem to work with volume. So, I went through the 'settings and help' section through directv guide and was able to correct this. One thing I'm not certain about is if the RF mode works, but I don't really care about being able to change channels, or volume, without pointing it at the directv box. I gave 4 stars instead of 5 because of the lack of instructions and codes. I don't know what to say about the bad reviews here except maybe they got a dud, or it's simply "user error." :)

I ordered this remote because I didn't like the remote Directv gave me with my service.
This remote is larger in size and easier to use.
The setup was a breeze and took less than 5 minutes to complete. The original black and white remote will be put aside as a back up remote. I may even buy another one of these remotes for my other TV set. Also for those who say this doesn't work etc. This is an OEM original Directv remote.
The price with overnight shipment was dirt cheap and Amazon delivered as promised.
Very satisfied.

The remote works just fine no thanks to poor packaging in shipment and lack of any instructions on how to pair it to the Direct TV HD24-200 box. I was nearly going to return it until I found that the unit MUST be set to IR mode and that you must enter a code on the remote to use it. Begin by having the TV and DTV Box on. Then on remote, press the mute and select button together at the same time (with 4 position selector on top of remote on the left side DTV). It will flash blue twice. Then using number pad enter 00001 it will flash blue twice again. Test by pressing PWR button TV should shut off. If it doesn't then repeat the process only this time enter 00002 on the number pad. Once again test with the PWR button. If it works the you are done. If it doesn't then you have to call Direct TV customer service for assistance so they can walk you through a fix. Hope this helps.

On our older DirecTV remote of this same type, several number buttons and the guide buttons around the Select button were beginning to fail. I have one of the oldest DirecTV HD receivers and it wasn't on the compatible tuner list, but for the low price, I figured it was worth a shot. As it happened, it worked right out of the box, or should I say bag, and I was able to use DirecTV's onscreen help to program my TV and DVD recorder to work with it as well. So the TV and DirecTV tuner turn on/off with the same button like always, which is great. And when we're recording a sports event, I can control the DVD recorder with the DirecTV remote by sliding the selector button to DVD.

That's the only thing I don't like about these remotes. It'd be nice if DirecTV had put the device selector slider on the right hand side of the remote so you could change it with your thumb, instead of making it a two-hand operation as it is now. But for this price, I'll live with it.