Maybe it is time to invest in

Maybe it is time to invest in a good programmable remote?  Forget about teaching the family to use the system… just make the remote do all the hard work.  Just an idea…

I use a Logitech Harmony, and really you can setup a very easy to use system with these remotes.  Fool proof if your equipment supports discrete commands for power, and input selection (better to not rely on the Harmony’s state tracking system).  Prepare to spend some time getting to know the somewhat annoying programming software from Logitech though.

I would also echo Aaron’s comment about always utilizing the AVR for audio.  I have setup several remotes for friends, and I always cringe a bit when they ask to have to option of AVR for audio, or TV only for audio.  It just makes the setup more complex (although it is a little simpler with the new AVRs that support standby passthru) than it needs to be and why do people want to listen to their TV speakers anyway?  I usually talk them out of it and get them to go with one simple setup that always uses the AVR for audio.