Sony RM-VL600 8-Device Universal Learning Remote
by Sony
|
List Price: Our Price: $16.45 You Save: $8.54 (34%) Availability: Usually ships in 3-4 business days Buy Used: from $7.69 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
|---|
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sony RM-VL600 8-Device Universal Learning Remote
Customer Review: Love the learning function
Summary: 5 Stars
This remote does everything it promises. It can replace all your remotes with the learning function which is an exceptional feature. Customer Review: buy it online if stores out of stock
Summary: 5 Stars
Best remote for the price that I have ever used. Good written instructions on how to program the unit. Could use an update with a few more buttons to handle new Blu-ray players, but don't let that stop you from saving hundreds of dollars by buying this inexpensive learning remote. Customer Review: $200 remote a few years ago++ $20!! now
Summary: 5 Stars
A friend of mine bought a similar remote for less with a few less features. I really liked the simple yet flexible learning functions and ordered what I thought was the same one. I really like this RM-VL600 guy.
My theory on buying electronics is, buy Sony. Sony makes everything I need in the way of electronics. Buying one brand has its advantages, generally everything works well together with the other electronic items. With better and better remotes that is not as much a problem as in the past. There are certain annoyances or imperfections to many of the products they produce. On the whole Sony still receives an 'A' grade for giving us more than any other electronics manufacturer.
I have a couple of the RM-AV3100s, and these require you to read the manual extensively. 99 percent of the population does not read the manual cover to cover, and then writes bad reviews of products they haven't bothered to spend the time to read the manual. The manual for this remote is very short and to the point. I was able to program everything to about six different products from cable box to older Sony ES receivers. My RM-AV3100 could not do the volume function on an STR-DA90es, which irked me. It worked better than the original remote. This unit also has a FLAT bottom. Yes, that is important, because when you set it down on something like a couch or table, it won't flip over like other dead fish remotes. It doesn't force you to always pick it up for operation like round bottomed remotes.
A tip about programming remotes, generally using codes is a waste of time. Use the learning function, takes longer, but everything that you need will be there for you, and in the place that suits you if you don't like the preprogrammed slots. Codes always seem to miss important buttons or not all functions.
The only negative I will hand out to this remote, the learn and erase functions are a little hit and miss. After you program one component, take the time to double check the learning or erase functions that you have performed. My RM-AV3100 will tell me if I've made a mistake with some beeping noises and flashing LCD. The RM-VL600 won't tell you much with it's dumb flashing red light, so check your work. I always hit the wrong button periodically too.
Another great feature, buying it on Amazon, if it doesn't work, return it for a no hassle. Good luck with that at Joe's Electron World or Best Buy after the magical 30 days.
Once you have this set up, it will be your buddy. Buttons are layed out very well. Can be manipulated like a champ in the dark in no time. I have not replaced the batteries in the first two months either. A minor item to mention, I noticed a couple of the buttons, enter and recall, are losing some of their printing. Shouldn't happen. Hey, I use it a lot! No, I'm not returning it either.
Final point, a big one, I think I'm going to buy another one for the kitchen, at AMAZON. By the way, what's up with people writing reviews on Amazon for lousy products and service they received at some other joint. Why go there in the first place? OK, I like Costco too. Can someone please explain that to me. I don't want to hear about some refurbished junk hoisted on some unsuspecting consumer at Mom's Electronics and the subsequent sob story about no returns, AND a slammed review on Amazon for a good product.
Customer Review: Sony RM-VL600 : Looking to reduce remote clutter? A little oversized, but it does the job . . .
Summary: 4 Stars
Sony's RM-VL600 universal remote can control up to eight different devices. The learning function works as advertised, and enables functions from another remote, to be learned and assigned to a button on the RM-VL600. Provided with the unit are operating instructions. One booklet in English and one in Spanish. Also included is a green sheet, with operating codes for various devices, by brand. The process for programming, and learning is not that complicated, but could be frustrating to some. Just take your time going through the instructions, and hopefully things will go smoothly. If you lose the sheet with the codes, you can always go Sony's website, find the RM-VL600, and lookup the codes you need.
The device buttons light up red, which helps in the programming process. If you are doing a lot of programming, unless you have a great memory, keeping track of what function has been assigned to which button, is highly recommended. Especially if more than one person will be using the remote, make sure to write down what you have done.
There is no LCD display, but in normal use, the device buttons at the top of the remote light up to indicate which device is currently selected. So when you are controlling your TV, the TV button will glow red as long as a button is being pressed. The eight standard device buttons are, TV, DVD, SAT, CBL, VCR, CD, TAPE, and AMP. These buttons can be reassigned to any device you choose. So if you do not have a VCR, but have a second DVD player, you can assign the DVD player to the VCR button, and then use the learning function to program the functions of the DVD remote into the RM-VL600. Keeping track, is again the key to ease of use. This will vary between users, but another key is picking buttons to assign functions to, that are convenient for you to operate.
The only major complaint is regarding the physical size of the unit. The remote is bigger than it may appear, and it would be much easier to operate with one hand, if it were smaller, and thinner. The buttons are a little oversized, but the layout makes pretty good sense, and includes some of the more commonly used functions. The RM-VL600 uses two AA batteries, and has no self illumination feature beyond the keys that light red. It is not perfect, but for about 20 bucks, you may be able to reduce or eliminate your remote clutter.
Customer Review: Works great but caution with DVRs
Summary: 5 Stars
Several years ago, I purchased another Sony remote that had a learning function on it. It worked quite well but was much more expensive than this one. Again I needed a new remote and found this one. Works just as well but for about half the cost.
The most important thing for me is that it was able to learn the functions of the new Comcast analog converter box. In Washington (and perhaps other parts of the country) Comcast made anyone who had basic cable but no digital cable box get an analog converter that came with its own remote. You cannot use your old remote and I was not able to find any codes to use with any universal remotes to work with this new box. This remote was able to learn both the TV and analog converter box functions so my remote works seamlessly.
However, if you have a DVR/Tivo or use ON DEMAND, this remote won't be as great. There are not nearly enough buttons to work with all the functions necessary to work these products. I would look elsewhere if this is your case.
But overall it is a fantastic remote at a very low and reasonable price. Check Ebay for lower prices.