A remote control with a microphone subsystem comprising a pair of internal microphones is shown and described. When connected to a remote-control base station that is itself connected to an external power source, the microphone subsystem is continuously energized by the external power source, and the pair of internal microphones operate as far field microphones that receive oral commands uttered by a user from a distance. When the remote control is removed from the base, the microphone subsystem is configured for selective connection to an internal power source by actuating a user control on the remote control. In the external power source mode, signals from both microphones are digitally processed to provide a far-field microphone array with beam forming. In the direct current mode, only one microphone's signals are digitally processed as a simple monaural signal (or they are not digitally processed). The remote control also includes a video camera capable of capturing video image data of the user and transmitting it to an associated television for facial recognition of the user.