Sony RM-VL600 8-Device Universal Learning Remote
by Sony
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List Price: Our Price: $18.95 You Save: $6.04 (24%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sony RM-VL600 8-Device Universal Learning Remote
Customer Review: Easy to setup and reliable
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an excellent learning remote. I was able to setup the Sony RM-VL600 to control a Denon receiver, HTD stereo amplifier, a CD changer, Dish network DVR and Hitachi TV. The remote did not have codes for HTD amplifier, but it was able to learn all the codes from the original remote. Also, the code sheet does not explicitly have a code for Dish Network Vip722 DVR, but I was able to use the Echostar code 3010 (mentioned under Canada) to program it for the basic satellite receiver, and added the DVR functionality by teaching it the DVR Play, Rewind, Forward, Stop, Record... buttons. I set the "Tools" key to perform the "Watch Live TV" DVR button.
The whole setup took less than 30 minutes. I was also able to setup a single key (key A) for turning on the CD changer, Denon receiver, set it to Zone 3, turn on HTD amplifier, setting their inputs and playing CDs. I set key B to turn off all music devices.
My CD changer, TV and DVR are in a separate room from the Denon receiver and HTD amp. I converted the remote to a RF remote by using the "Next Generation Remote Extender" (I have used them before and they are excellent and less than $35 on Amazon). The remote works everytime without fail. BTW, if the RF transmitter does not seem to work in the remote, switch it to another battery location and that invariably fixes it.
I also have a Logitech Harmony 770 remote that I use in my Home Theater. I bought the Sony because I needed a separate remotes for another room to partially control some equipment in my Home Theatre and another Harmony was overkill. Although the Harmony offers a lot more than this in terms of multiple discrete activities, if you want a learning remote that can control multiple devices under $25, the Sony RM-VL600 is an excellent choice. The Sony does offer upto 4 buttons that you can program to control a sequence of commands to setup an "Activity".
Customer Review: The real deal
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the second universal "learning" remote I have purchased. The first, costing well over $100 when I bought it, failed to even get close to controlling everything. This low cost unit does the job much, much better.
I am running eight devices with this unit (TV, VCR, DVD, Amp, Tivo, DirectTV, CD Player and Roku Soundbridge) flawlessly. It controlled all three Sony units out of the packaging with zero problems and full functionality. The VCR, DVD and DirectTV units worked perfectly with the first listed code in each category. The TIVO, CD Player (RCA) and Roku all had to be programmed but the only difficulty was in figuring out where I wanted each command to live. The programming itself was a snap.
Cross functionality of a command does not appear to be a problem. I reprogrammed the volume control on seven of the eight functions to control the amp volume, leaving only the TV volume intact just in case. The remote allowed me to reprogram specific buttons even on devices it came working with (the Sony amp, for example).
I only had two complaints with this device and they were small. The code listing documentation was a bit scrambled. In some cases I had to look across several "categories" to find the correct brand code (the basic DirectTV code was 3214 and I had to find it under something other than a "Satelite controller" heading). Ditto with the RCA cd player. The code that worked for me was under another heading as well.
Secondly it appears that the "repeat" function on pressing the same key has a little bit longer than natural lag time in recognizing the key press. Getting to channel 1-0-0 takes a brief pause to let the first zero register and allow a second to be added.
Still, for under 20 bucks it is not possible to beat this remote. Anyone buying a more expensive universal remote is doing so to buy a LCD screen.
Customer Review: Finally!
Summary: 5 Stars
Finally, a remote that does ALL that I ask (TV, VCR, DVD/Stereo Receiver Home Theater System). Granted... I already have a Sony TV and Sony VCR... so most pre-sets already work seamlessly for them... BUT this remote improved some menu functions for my TV. I used to have to go through a series 7 keys just to turn on the TV's closed captioning feature... NOW... after programming ONE "macro" key (easily done)... I only need to press ONE key! To turn it off, I programmed another macro key... I also programmed two other macro keys to turn on/off TV's speakers (so I can watch TV programs using home theater system speakers). That saves me from pressing up to 15 keys on my TV's remote.
TV remote functions missing from the universal remote, not a problem! I programmed two "unused" keys on this universal! I used the signal from my TV's remote... point it at the universal remote... and VIOLA!! I have those TV remote functions now on the universal!
The BIG thing for me was finding a universal that would allow me to use my home theater system. I never had luck with that in the past... even though the system IS a Sony also... I could never get a Sony universal remote that would allow me to use the remote with my system. NOW, the universal is NOT pre-set to use with my system. BUT finally, they supply a code that I can use with my system. YEA! And home theater remote functions that are missing from the universal's remote... again... NO PROBLEM!!! You just point the remotes toward each other, tell the universal which unused key to program... and ALL the features you want from your old remotes can be programmed into this new one! I LOVE IT!
The layout is easy to use and directions are easy to follow. Now, if Sony could just make one of these that ALL buttons can light up at night... Then I'd REALLY BE HAPPY!
Customer Review: Efficient, effective, and inexpensive--an "A" student.
Summary: 5 Stars
After investing in a remote (Harmony 659) that lists at 10 times the price of this Sony and that cost me nearly two days worth of time and frustration, I came to my senses and went to the Sony. Within 30 minutes, everything--a Sony DVD, Sylvania VCR, Toshiba TV, Scientific Atlanta DVR and cable box--was running off the single Sony switch. The other device came with a DVD installation disc, a recalcitrant website with hidden upgrades and several downloads, registration requiring entering model numbers, convoluted instructions for "teaching" the remote to play various "activities," and web pages that had no provision for returning to a preceding page, necessitating logging in for each of dozens of steps, most of which didn't work. In addition, the switch itself came with a dimly illuminated screen with tutorials, troubleshooting advice and "solutions" to all problems. The only solution that proved of any worth was to pack it up and return it.
Life is good again. As they say, you get what you pay for--in this case, lots of promises to "harmonize" everything along with an overly complicated piece of ill-conceived technology guaranteed to leave an impression, a very dissonant one. Arigato, Sony (I learned my lesson).
Tip: You have three options: 1. Enter the recommended codes (a bit awkward and not always immediately effective); 2. Allow the remote to hunt for the codes through repeated pressing of a couple of the buttons (also a potential test of patience); 3. Allow the Sony remote to communicate with your original remote, with the Sony serving as "learner." This latter method, especially should you have the dedicated remote available, is definitely the one to start with because the Sony remote is a good student, soaking up all the information that your old remote has to impart.
Customer Review: Excellent in it's class!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I found this remote to be excellent within it's class! And for the Amazon price, with free shipping, I'm totally (...did I mention "totally!"?) satisfied thus far (I've had the remote a couple of weeks). The "learning" feature (aiming the original remote at the RM-VL600) worked flawlessly for me, and with not a single Sony product in my 5 component mix; and with the dvd player being a "no-name-brand" unit (Protron) with a bunch of remote buttons! With my older RCA vcr player, the factory code supplied with the RM-VL600 worked perfectly. With my LG 32" hdtv, the code supplied (Goldstar) worked almost perfectly, and then did after I tweaked a couple of specific buttons via "learning mode". Ditto with my Sherwood tuner. Only with my cable box and my dvd player did I have to use the learning mode totally --but that worked flawlessly. The "system" controls (4 buttons at the bottom) work as promised, but individual component menu steps may limit how far you can take it. So it's not the remote at issue, but rather the components. If I could change something it would be the width size of the 8 component buttons, simply because to see them light up when pressing them means placing your finger off to the side a bit. A minor but very pleasant surprise for me, was how much of the button labeling "fit" as universals.
As with all things technical being relative, there's a learning curve here; but as an older geek dawg, I found the instructions good, clear and concise, and the steps logical and non-complicated.
Again, excellent in it's class and promised features. And Amazon was excellent as the seller --website info, pricing, & shipping (free & prompt)!! 5 stars for both the RM-VL600 & Amazon!