Hi Waynester, Thank you for your feedback. Samsung remotes are designed to be convenient and useful, but we understand if you’d prefer to use a third-party remote, whether it’s a universal remote, a game controller, or something else! Whether you are replacing a lost remote or using an alternative remote to help reduce clutter, a third-party remote is a great option to use to control your Samsung TV. Regarding the picture you are seeing, I recommend adjusting the below settings. Go to Home > Settings > All Settings > Picture > Picture Mode and select the mode that best fits your usage: 1) Standard: Default mode suitable for general viewing environments. 2) Natural: Reduces eye strain for a comfortable viewing experience. 3) Movie: Most suitable for watching TV or movies in a dark room. 4) Dynamic: Makes the picture brighter and clearer in bright viewing environments. 5) Filmmaker Mode: You can watch the source content (e.g., movie) as it is. If the image is defined as Filmmaker Mode, it will automatically switch to Filmmaker Mode while watching. You can also go to Settings > All Settings> Picture > Expert Settings > to manually fine-tune your image. If you need more help, Samsung is here for you. Call us at 1-800-SAMSUNG, 8 AM - 12 AM EST, seven days a week. Our LiveChat agents are also available by clicking on the ‘Support’ link on our website. ~ Samsung Advisor