Non-obtrusive programming monitor

A meter for unobtrusively monitoring the tuning of a home entertainment center. The device is able to work with remote controls of components of the center. The present invention receives signals from the remote control(s), decides to which component the signal was intended, sends an infrared signal to the proper component, and stores tuning information regarding the center. The stored information may be retrieved at a later time and used to make programming decisions. The present invention includes infrared sensors which receive the signals from the remote(s), a microprocessor, and a transmission device to transmit the signal to the intended device. Alternately, the control signal may be generated by a touch panel array placed over digital keypads of the center's components. When a key is pushed, the control signal is generated. The touch panel array(s) can serve solely or in combination with the remote control(s) to generate control signals.