Most HT receivers now come with very good software that make setting them up very easy through an on-screen menu with a few selections for configuration. I also like the ones with built in audessy room correction where you put an included mic in the listening spot and it does all of the level setting for your speakers and sub automatically. That is pretty good plug-n-play as far as getting your receiver installed.
As far as working with mom, this is still a challenge in my home. I bought a pretty nice all in one remote but the "activities" never can seem to be in the right sync with where the system is at any given time so you end up going back to the 4 remotes that we use (playstation, tv, receiver, and directv). I tried to program the directv remote to control my denon receiver volume and couldn't get it to work.
As far as working with mom, this is still a challenge in my home. I bought a pretty nice all in one remote but the "activities" never can seem to be in the right sync with where the system is at any given time so you end up going back to the 4 remotes that we use (playstation, tv, receiver, and directv). I tried to program the directv remote to control my denon receiver volume and couldn't get it to work.