Overall, I am happy with this fireplace.  I purchased the dark walnut and the coloring is exactly what I expected and wanted.  The high pitched chirping sound when turning off and on that others complained about is really not that bad.  My dog was startled the first few times when activated, but he has since gotten used to it and it no longer bothers him.  My living room is very small and the heat does not distribute very well.  I have to be sitting next to the fireplace to feel any effects from the heat source.  And as others have also noted, there is a cross connect with the TV remote and the fireplace.  So, I turn my TV off first and then the fireplace.  Otherwise, I'm having to turn the fireplace off twice, before and after turning the TV off.  The look of the fireplace adds a lot of character to my living room, which is the main reason I purchased it.  So, I only deducted 1 star for the heat distribution and remote interference.