Would you pay $400 for really nice universal remote? What if it made your system incompatible with today's highest-quality home video and audio formats?

If you answered "Hell, no!" to either question, the Caavo isn't for you. But if you don't mind the expense and don't demand the latest in picture quality, it could be the greatest thing for your home theater since popcorn.

Namesake of a Silicon Valley startup, the Caavo is a unique, ambitious product that does more to tackle the daunting complexity of modern home theater gear than any device I've tested. It effectively takes over your system, smooths over the rough edges and makes it all much easier to use. Unfortunately, it requires two big sacrifices.