I initially did not setup the 'universal remote' for the setup box, thinking it aint gonna be intuitive. But changed my mind after and gave it a try.
What I did... Press home-> click 'connection', it's the icon that looks like a plug, right next to the date/time on the upper right. I then select the hdmi (or component input) where the set top box is connected. There should be an 'edit universal something...' (can't remember exactly). Next, I chose the brand of my set top box (humax in my case). I just followed the rest of the instructions and voila... the magic remote can now control my set top box, everything works, channel, menu, etc.
Doing the same procedure to setup the marantz receiver, not all functions are supported, only the basic ones power, volume. inputs, sound modes, other advance function are not working.
For watching cable tv, movies (with attached hard disk), I am very satisfied with the magic remote (although, not immediately, I hated it during my initial use but liked it a lot the more I used it).