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I researched this remote for about a month but was unable to find any solid information on it. All the user reviews I found basically stated that the remote was unable to learn. One review on Amazon.com stated that the remote could not "detect" any of the user's original remotes and hence was sent back.
I was skeptical at first due to the lack of information and all the negative reviews I read online but due to the cheap price I decided to give it a try and ordered it from buy.com for $61 plus $5 shipping. It arrived in about a week and I wasn't expecting much. At first glance, the remote looked very nice and was generally very pleasing to the eye.
Figuring that it wouldn't be unable to learn I started with the pre-programmed codes. I found a code for all my components including my XBOX, which was nice. The codes worked well but not all the buttons on the original remote were programmed to the 1540. As a result, I decided to give the learning function a try. I briefly looked at the manual and found the process I had to follow to execute a learn. I aimed the two remotes at each other and attempted to execute the learn. After about 30 seconds an error message appeared: "No signal detected." I attempted my other remotes and the same result. I figured this was the issue everyone complained of online. I tried for several minutes but always got the same error message. Finally, I decided to give up and send the remote back, which sucked because I really liked the overall look and feel of this remote.
Later that night, I sat down and grabbed the remote to change the channels on my TV. I looked at the back and noticed what appeared to be a black IR sensor. I figured maybe this was the sensor I was suppose to use for learning and not the one on the front of the remote. I grabbed my other remotes and followed the necessary steps to execute the learn. I aimed the remote at the black IR sensor and finally executed a successful learn. I exited the set up mode, aimed the remote at my receiver and viola, the remote actually executed the function it just learned. I have since executed about 30 learns without incident.
In the end, I am assuming that the negative reviews this remote has received online are probably due to user error aiming the original remote at the wrong side of the AR1540. Since figuring out the proper way to program it, I have had 0 incidents of unsuccessful learns.
All and all I give this remote a 10 out of 10. It does everything my old Sony AV2100 and then some (plus it is a lot nicer looking and lighter). The only minor (and I mean minor) issue I have found is that the temperature sensor is located on the bottom so when you hold the remote for a long period of time, the heat from your hand will cause the temperature sensor to display an inaccurately high number. Other than that, this remote has worked flawlessly. I was so pleased that I actually ordered a second on online just in case something happens to this one.
I would HIGHLY recommend this remote. For $179 it would be a good deal; for $61, it is a steal.
