Remote Controlled.

The first TV my parents got with a remote control, was a really large B/W TV, with 6 channels. This was not even an infra-red remote, but it worked on "supersonic" frequencies, so every time a button was pushed, me and the dog replied by turning our heads.

Nowadays, you can buy a remote, e.g. made by Logitech, which can be programmed over the internet with almost any possible configuration you can think of and solder a remote-receiver on the device you want to control for in total less than ? 50.

Combine this little circuit with only a few more components and there is almost no limit on what can be controlled.

Well at least we now can use all of our equipment in the livingroom from the couch. :)