SONY RM-AV2100 LCD Universal Integrated Remote Commander by Sony
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Digital camera reviews of SONY RM-AV2100 LCD Universal Integrated Remote Commander
Digital camera Review: Best Uniuversal Remote Yet
Summary: 5 Stars
We got this at Christmas, so we've had almost 3 months with it and are very pleased. Our home entertainment system has a Toshiba TV, Sony receiver, Pioneer laser disc, Pioneer DVD, RCA satellite box, JVC VCR, Sony Playstation and a Sony 8mm VCR. It was easy to set this up for all of these components, so obviously it works easily with many brand names. Programming special functions is easy to do and the owner's manual is easy to read. This remote has more power than our other remotes, easily functioning from over 30' away if we use it from the dinner table.Some people...have criticized the large size of this remote but I don't find it to be a problem at all. It's not so huge as to be a problem and it's size makes it easy to find when the home entertainment area gets cluttered. I only have two minor nits to pick. The display can be hard to read, depending on the room light. All you have to do is turn on the backlight and this problem goes away, but the light turns itself off in 10 seconds, so move fast... It's a great tool...
Digital camera Review: Control anything that has a remote - period.
Summary: 4 Stars
Okay, it was bad enough having a remote for the TV, a remote for the VCR, and a remote for the cable box. While the cable box came with a "universal" remote, it was only able to control the most basic of functionality on the TV and the VCR. Then came the addition of the DVD player, and with it another remote. Now there were more devices than the remote that was included with the cable box could handle. So I thought I'd switch to the "universal" remote that came with the DVD player, and again I encountered the same limitations. I could control only about half of the functionality that the devices actual remote offered, and at that could only control a finite set of devices.This goes without mentioning the other components stashed throughout the house. There's a four component stereo system, a TV in the master bedroom, and I expect more as our family grows.
When I was looking at other universal remotes, I was worried that I'd get the same results. Sure, this remote or that remote can control eight other devices, but can it really? I mean, will I have only the four main buttons of the 16+ that I want from my DVD control? There's a difference to be made between being able to interact with other devices, and being truly universal, and the Sony AV2100 is that difference.
As I am sure you will be, I was hesitant about the price. But thirty minutes after getting home, I was no longer a skeptic. Within that time I had successfully programmed in over five different remotes responsible for controlling over eight devices. And I didn't sacrifice anything. Unlike the previous "universal" remotes I had used, I truly had complete control of all my devices. From Picture-In-Picture, to input settings for the TV; from the CD player, to the radio tuner; from the cable box volume and channel, to the special menus and information buttons; from the DVD and VCR controls, to the special menus for navigating DVD bonus features; I am now able to control it all from one remote. With the twelve programmable settings, I am even able to carry this remote around the house for use at other TV's, and even the remote for my camcorder. I'm telling you this thing controls it all. It is truly universal.
Aside from all the great things about this remote, there are a few shortcomings. First off is its size. Make no mistake about the picture you see, it's a pretty sizable control. Its depth is what you really don't get to see, and while it is tapered, it's still pretty thick. Pay close attention to the dimensions.
Second is the screen itself. The screen is what gives you so much control. It can adapt to reflect whatever device you are controlling. The menus, buttons, and so on physically change when you switch from device to device. While this keeps you from having to remember what keys do what for the different devices (what did I make Picture In Picture control for my CD player?), it also lends itself to collecting dirt. You know, the popcorn on your fingers while watching the latest DVD, the cats that decide to walk across the remote, and just the general house dust and other dirt. Even with that flaw, it's a durable plastic coating, and it's nothing a simple damp cloth can't fix.
Another plus to the screen that carries a negative, is that there is a backlight button for when you can't see the screen, for when you're watching that big screen projection TV in a dark entertainment room. But what somewhat confuses me is that there has to be a button for this in the first place. Some of the other LCD-style screen remotes on the market offer an automatic light sensor that turns on the backlight when the room is dim. However, I can also see a problem with this in that if I'm enjoying that latest DVD in a dark entertainment room, the last thing I want is my remote shining bright as a distraction. So perhaps the button for the backlight isn't such a bad idea after all, but it's something to be aware of when making the investment.
All things said and done, this truly universal remote will continue to provide excellent service through the years of upgrades and replacements of other devices. It's powerful, flexible, smart, and fun to use. And most importantly, it's well worth the price.
Digital camera Review: Great idea, poor execution
Summary: 2 Stars
I had read up on this device for a couple of days and thought it could possibly be the ocolest thing ever, the size was a bit bulky but it's better than 8 remotes, so anyways I get the unit home and start programming it, and to my dismay a lot of functions were not available for some products, on my cable box, none of my menu functions or favorite channel functions or pay per view functions were available so all of them had to be reprogrammed, my 60 disc jukebox functions were barely there at all, disc select and play and next are not acceptable functions in my book. besides that it was allright, I thik the button placement was horrible, too much time to find what you want to do, whereas a standard remote usually goes through testing for button placement and what not where a universal is made for use with many items, like i said this was a great idea but a poor execution, I gave it the 2 stars because of the versatility in that you can program the buttons which do not work, but sometimes you run out of feasible compatibilities and it is kind of large as a single remote there are very few times when i need more than 1 remote at a time anyways, this is only good if you are using multiple remotes constantly, like you need 2 in your hand at the same time most of the time. I normally don't write reviews but this product shocked me at how much it let me down, just a note buyer beware it could be a great investment or it could bea horrible investment, my advice would be to purchase a smaller, more cost efficient unit.Digital camera Review: Handles most things wonderfully
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been using this remote control for about four years now. Back then, I paid about $120 for it. This has been one of my favorite stereo purchases. My wife found it confusing while we had six Sony remotes (2 VCRs, DVD player, amp, tape deck, cd player) that, to her, all looked similar. I bought the remote and it immediately worked flawlessly with all of the components. When I started replacing various equipment, all I had to do was reprogram the remote for the different components. For example, I now have a JVC TV. I entered the three digit code and it works perfectly. I also have a Cyberhome DVD player. I had to manually program all of the buttons. It took all of 5 minutes (including reading the instructions) and I now have full functionality of my DVD. No complaints. When this one dies (if it dies), I will not hesitate to replace it with another Sony universal remote.Digital camera Review: I thought it would solve my problems....
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought this thinking that I would never need another remote control. However, this unit is limited in its functionality. I guess that's why they are stopping production and making the other one. The product is big, which is a disadvantage. Also the screen is horrible. Unlike the pronto, who's screen is great, you cannot read this screen without the backlight on. Also, I had trouble with my SONY AV Receiver. It took me a while but I finally figured it out. Before I bought it, I thought that its usefullness would outweigh its size, however for me it is not the case. I am not a big fan of the buttons and the size. Also it cannot hold enough macro functions for my system. Like I said before, this is getting a little old for the times, if I were you, I would return this item and get the Phillips Pronto, its 166 online and can never become obsolete due to its ability to update firmware. It's a lot smaller and had a much better screen. If all you need is something BASIC to control your entire system, this is fine, but I would shell the extra 30 bucks and go with the better, smaller pronto. Another thing that I should note, is that the sony remote does not have backlit "hard buttons" (the rubber buttons on the front). The pronto does.
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