It is inevitable that you will want to change things slightly as you get used to using the remote. I think the point of the statement was simply that a little planning goes a long way towards minimizing the difficulty of re-arranging your layout. Here are a few tidbits from my setup that might help to illustrate:
1. My TV mode really has only 1 button (input) because the tv uses a menu for all settings and volume, mute etc are controlled by the receiver. I put the tv input command on the bottom right lcd button of the tv mode. But if I am in another mode, like DVD and have to change the input on the tv, I have to hit main, tv, press the input button, then main and back to dvd. If changing inputs on the tv is a common occurrence you might want to put it on an lcd button for every mode. If I wanted to do that now, I would have to re-arrange the buttons on the dvd mode because they are pretty much all used and I like to keep similar functions in close proximity to each other on the lcd buttons.
2. I put the most used commands for audio on page 1 of the audio mode. Display is one I use alot to see the format of the incoming signal. It is on the 2nd lcd button on the right. Kind of hard to reach quickly. If I wanted to move it to the lowest button for easy access, that would mean moving the function that is already there. There are no "keymover" type functions on the mx-500, so this means re-edit the lcd label, re-learn the command and do the same for any other buttons that are now no longer in the 'ideal' location for keeping with my grouping requirement. This is another example of a function I want on every mode but was easier to just learn it to the 'dis' button for every mode and leave the lcd buttons as they are.
3. I have lcd buttons for the various surround modes on the audio page. Sometimes you might want to change the surround mode when watching a dvd or cable. Again, I have to go main, audio, surr, main, back to cable. This doesnt bother me much, but think about whether you change the surround settings alot. If you do or have 2 favorites you switch between, you might want to put them on the lcd buttons in other modes too.
I did plan out the layout, but after use for awhile you discover these little useability nits and will inevitably want to make some minor changes. The more upfront planning you do, the fewer changes required.
This was my approach:
1. Write down a list of all functions for each device by looking at their original remotes.
2. Try to figure out the ones used most often and place them within easy reach (ie lower lcd buttons). Also group similar functions that are used together - like Late Night and Cinema Filter for the receiver.
3. Edit all the lcd labels to the text you want.
4. Learn all the buttons.
It works well, but as I said you may discover some functions that you really want in all modes. If you plan for that, better than I did, you won't have to move things around much. This thing is infinitely tweakable and there are alot of possibilities.
