The IR Remote is certainly a nice addition, and is one of the major reasons why I give the 40697 an HR+ rating. Impact Acoustics goes beyond the usual component switch and provides this remote for additional programming of your universal remote. In my particular case, I have a Logitech Harmony 880, which accepted the remote signals just fine. After the Harmony 880 learned the codes, the 6x2 Matrix Component Switch was a part of my A/V system and I didn't have to worry about walking over to the unit and manually changing the video sources or losing the tiny remote. Speaking of remotes, Impact Acoustics seems to believe in them because they are included even on the most basic of their switchers (such as the 3-play). After all, what's the point of a video switch if you can't control it by remote across the room?

Using the 40697 was a treat. I recently obtained a Panasonic 50" plasma television which immediately changed the way video needed to be handled. The Impact Acoustics 6x2 MCVS was able to handle my component video equipment with ease. While my Denon AVR-5700 receiver has a few component inputs, it did not have the number of inputs I needed (4+). Once the remote commands of the 6x2 MCVS were programmed into my Harmony 880, I hardly even noticed there was an additional piece of hardware added to my A/V setup, except for the exciting convenience of switching between several video sources.

The 40697 also has a unique color-coded display to inform you of what particular mode the device is in which is really advantageous versus having to manually figure out which connection is going where. Simply look at the MODE switch for the respective green, red, or orange color illumination, and you will know which particular outputs are being used.