Thanks for your thoughtful input!
Cost ... an Apple Remote is somewhere between $Free and $30. You cannot build an Option2 Remote into your product and sell it for less than + $100.
True dat!
Note: If for some reason Option2 gets implemented, then don't even bother with sourcing a remote. Use a $80 Universal Remote, include it as a reasonable extra-cost option, and encode it for your product. At least that way you get a Remote that is actually worth the additional cost you are forcing your customers to endure, alternately they may already have an universal remote to use with your freely published control codes, saving them some money.
Have considered this more than once. The challenge here is you end up with way too many buttons with very few if any having labels. It's like the worst possible #2 solution.
The next Gen preamp controller will likely have Bluetooth. This will allow control via both android and iOS smartphone apps once fully developed. Soft remotes if you will. Only the buttons you need, clearly labeled. $0 incremental cost for most users.
Now, when I say "Simpler ..." I don't necessarily mean you *must* have the menu-driven interface and continue to use the Apple Remote. First Question I would have is what you need a menu-driven interface for in the first place?
Here is the current list of control functions:
Turn on
Turn off
Raise volume
Lower volume
Mute
Unmute
Next input ( or individual input select buttons #1, 2, 3, etc.)
Enter (confirm/lock in)
Channel balance left
Channel balance right
Brightness increase
Brightness decrease
Display on
Display off
Impedance setting raise
Impedance setting lower
Impedance level raise
Impedance level lower
AutoCal start
AutoCal stop
Too many for just a simple minimalist remote unless used in conjunction with a visual display with menu/feedback.
A visual display could be eliminated by going with a more complex custom remote. However, many people (myself included) want clear status info from their attenuator. What's the current volume level (step # or dB)? Is the balance biased left or right and by how much? Etc.
Moreover, since our LDR preamps are digitally controlled and use autocalibration we need some way to display diagnostics etc. Bottom line is these are not rudimentary preamps with only a volume knob and input select switch...hence they need a visual display.
Somewhat off-topic but what your preamps really need, instead of a new-fangled remote, is more than 3 inputs. Even just 4 would be a huge improvement.
Our first model preamp was the LDR6 and we got tons of inquiries from people saying they only wanted/needed 1-3 inputs. Our LDRx model does accommodate optional 4th, 5th, and even 6th input albeit at a higher price point.