A controller that automatically identifies one or more peripheral devices which need to be programmed for use with the controller. In some embodiments, the controller is able to visually identify a peripheral device from an image, obtain the configuration information for the peripheral device, and program itself in the background according to the configuration information. These tasks are advantageously performed by the remote control, without user input. The controller can be programmed to support a plurality of peripheral devices. When the controller is used to control a peripheral device, the controller may first present a selection list on the display screen. The selection list may include all the peripheral devices that the remote is communicatively coupled with. Upon the user selecting the desired peripheral device to be controlled, the remote control may dynamically outputs a customized user interface associated with the selected peripheral device.