A speech-translating remote control includes a microphone operable to receive
speech
command, thereby outputting a speech signal; an audio transmitter operably connected
to the microphone to transmit an audio input signal to a host system based on the
speech signal; a signal receiver to receive a command signal transmitted by the
host transmitter; and a signal transmitter operably connected to the signal receiver
to transmit a control signal to an appliance based on the command signal.