HELP ! ! !

I also have a Sony RDR-VX555.
The remote stopped working, so I figured the batteries went bad and replaced them. After replacing the batteries, the remote still didn't work. This is bad I thought, and tried to troubleshoot the issue. With all else failing, I tried to program the remote with my Direct TV television remote, using the Sony code from the remote. The Direct TV remote works the basic functions of the Sony RDRVX555 player. I guessed that the remote went bad, soooooo I purchased a new remote, figuring the original was bad, but to no avail, as the replacement remote doesnt work either. The Direct TV remote does work the basic functions. HELP !