Sony RM-VL600 8-Device Universal Learning Remote by Sony
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Our Price: $49.95 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: CE See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Sony RM-VL600 8-Device Universal Learning Remote
Digital camera Review: Amazing
Summary: 5 Stars
Wow... this worked so well and is such a great value. I have an old Panasonic TV, a Toshiba DVD player, and a Roku Netflix box. The TV and DVD player worked with the pre-defined codes, and I 'taught' the Sony remote how to operate the Roku box. It was super easy and took less than 10 minutes to set everything up.
Great deal, totally recommend it.
Digital camera Review: Amazing Bargain! & Secret Codes for Vizio LCD
Summary: 5 Stars
There are enough great reviews that I won't add any more verbiage other than to say that this remote is an amazing value. It is easy to program, feels good, looks good, and works great. The only downside I have found is the lack of a backlight.
FYI - VIZIO LCD TV codes are not listed in the manual, but the remote DOES operate VIZIO TVs by substituting the Samsung codes listed! (Mine works with code 8012)
Digital camera Review: Amazing for a cheap remote
Summary: 5 Stars
Didn't want to pay for the shipping so I ended up with two. Keep one for future use.
The remote is so good. It "learns" everything from my old remotes. Love the learn function. You can't find one as cheap and good as this. I even set it controls my wall AC unit. Now it controls my TV, DVD, CD, VCR, Amp, digital-to-analog converter box, stb, AC. Don't mind if it's not lighting up because I've never watched tv in dark.
Digital camera Review: Amazing that this is less than $20!
Summary: 5 Stars
I was very skeptical of this product. How could something this inexpensive actually work? I decided to give it a go and color me impressed. This remote controls everything. Here is our setup: Olevia 537H LCD TV, Dish Network (EchoStar) Scientific American VIP 622 HD/DVR, really old Toshiba DVD and a Bose Wave alarm clock radio. The preset codes worked fine for the DVD and basic satellite functionality (no DVR functionality). Here is where the learning feature comes in. Just follow the direction and the Sony remote "learns" what the functions do from your device remote. Very cool and very easy. It does take some time but the results are very worth the time and effort. I didn't even think to try the Bose radio but my wife said to give it a try. And it worked! Seems like it would work with anything that has a remote. Only drawback is that there are not enough buttons for full DVR functionality but its a small concession for such a great remote!Digital camera Review: Amazing value for what you get
Summary: 5 Stars
I was considering a harmony remote to consolidate my remotes, but I just couldn't justify the price. I've used the pronto when they first came out several years ago, so I'm somewhat familiar with what to expect with features for high end universal remotes.
On to the review, I paid nearly full retail price for this remote (a whopping $23), but I don't regret it because this is a purchase that is actually very useful for me. There are lots of universal remotes on the market, but I chose this one because:
1. It is not over-cluttered with buttons. Some people may want more buttons, but not me. The more buttons the higher the level of unfamiliarity with the device and the longer it takes to get used to. Particularly if you tend to use tactile feel (rather than sight) to navigate your way around the remote like I do.
2. This is a true learning remote as many have stated. It ships with a decent quantity of default codes to program your device (it found 2 out of 4 of my devices using the included codes in the manual). More importantly, it is VERY EASY to manually assign functions to each button (within each of the eight device functions) using your existing remote. This may sound like a lot of potential functions, but this device can actually accommodate all of these user-added functions without running out of storage/memory.
3. Macros. The four buttons on the bottom of the remote are devoted to macros. I can turn-on my dvd, switch my TV input, turn on my receiver, and open the dvd tray with the touch of one button. The possibilities here go as far you want it to.
4. Battery life. This device has no LCD display, it has no CD required to set it up, or drivers needed to download. It looks like a basic remote that I wouldn't mind sleeping on or accidentally dropping. It uses 2 AA batteries (does not ship with batteries).
5. Reviews. Look at the reviews for this unit on other sites. They are consistently higher and more favorable than anything else out there, and I can see why.
I rate this so highly because I thought I had to get a harmony in this day and age, but I was so pleased to see that there was such a cheaper alternative that actually suits my needs better.
UPDATE: 2/19/10
I misplaced this remote after moving over a year ago, and have since purchased a Harmony 880 (mine doesn't have the faulty charge issues associated with this model). I used the Harmony for a while, but a few months ago I found the Sony remote. I began using both remotes side by side (after reprogramming the Sony with my other newer devices), and in the end I actually use the Sony and leave the logitech on its charging cradle. Here is why:
1. The Sony doesn't need a charging cradle. One pair of regular alkaline batteries lasts close to a year for me. This is no where near possible with the logitech.
2. Both devices can be manually programmed for the specific functions you want to match with the particular input. However, maybe it's my particular setup, but I actually found it more convoluted to tailor my needs with the logitech because you have you to use a computer interface (connecting cables, update, load, save, etc). With the Sony, it will be manual as well, but no need to install a program on a PC and go through additional steps just to get it to start and confirm.
3. The main drawback for the Sony, at least for me, is that it doesn't include buttons to skip or rewind to the next scene. Obviously it has fast fwd and rwd (e.g. >>, <<), just not the next scene buttons (e.g. >>|, <<|). A minor drawback, depending on your needs.
4. I have programmed the Sony with 2 different Windows media center remotes I have. In other words, I've also used this to replace the remote with 2 different media center PC's I've had (obviously the logitech does this as well).
5. Sometimes simpler is better when you don't need a slick display on your remote.
I don't mean to knock on Harmony's by writing this review, I only do it because this is one of the very few electronic devices I've had from a long time ago that can still serve a very practical purpose to this day. As far the Harmony line goes, I don't see how that's a better value unless you have IR remotes for devices behind walls. Until a company can develop a remote that can combine the features of universal learning remote WITH easy to use mouse and keyboard features I feel that I need 2 remotes: one for the devices, and one for HTPC (unless you ONLY use Windows media center for your PC). For the price, it really is an amazing value if you take some time to read the manual and you know how to manually program the remote.