This remote simply uses lighted buttons under a semi-opaque overlay and displays whatever functions are available for the selected device. I found that this really wasn't useful at all. In fact, the lack of tactile feedback from the smooth "screen" made the remote hard to use. I quickly retired it for my old remotes that I can find the buttons on without looking.That said, it wasn't nearing as hard to program as the other reviews made it out to be, although I wouldn't suggest this for someone who isn't at least slightly tech-savvy.