I got a few of these for xmas. The NES one is the only one I've used so far and it works quite well. I got adaptors for the Intellivision and Colecovision to use with my existing controllers. I do wish they made one for the Odyssey2 and one to allow old Apple II analog controllers to work.
Another related, and very good item, is the Stelladaptor.
As for communication etc my fiancee mentioned that it was difficult. I was actually supposed to get these *last* year for xmas.

So product is good, service not so good...
~telengard