I just got my AV2000 and I am disapointed in the remote, but thankful I only paid $109. I have a whole house A/V system and hoped the AV2000 would have been a relatively low cost way of equiping every room in my house with an all-in-one remote. I have had NO sucess with preprogrammed remotes.

Perhaps my benchmark, the Pronto and the RC-2000MkII, are too high, but the AV2000 comes no where near. It is a toy in comparision. Specifically, the screen is low contrast and hard to see even with the backlight on; the lcd buttons are no editable, and ironically, even though it's a sony, the CD input does not accomodate it's 200 CD changers with on-screen menus! Omniremote, the inexpensive remote program for the Palm Pilot is more accomodating than this remote.

The other big problem with this remote is that it is more than twice the size of TWO Palm Pilots. If you are married this remote will get you in BIG BIG trouble.

In short, if you really want a usuable learning remote fork out the bucks and go with a Pronto or RC-2000. Marantz/Phillips know what they are doing when they design a remote. I own many Sony products than are the top of their class, this one, however, is a piece of junk, and they should be embarassed to have their name on it.

Well... I can't say I agree with you. The AV2000 certainly is more basic, but I find some family members actually prefer the simplicity of having everything displayed at once compared to the multipage design of the Pronto or Take Control. Let's also not forget that it's pretty much in a price catagory all its own ($110 compared to average of $350 for the Pronto) and also came out a year before the Pronto.

With that super backlight on the screen's a piece of cake to read. The AV2000 is missing certain features and buttons, but overall it's a functional remote, quick to change modes and easy on batteries.

If what you were looking for was a Pronto, then you won't be happy with anything but the Pronto.

Daniel, I didn't claim the Pronto was the perfect remote, and I've made my objections about that remote known in the Pronto forum. I agree the page scrolling is annoying, but it is a trade off for the lighter feel and compact size; something the ladies can hold on to too. I also think the Pronto is somewhat overpriced, but it can be had for $299. That is no bargain, but its a fair price for bringing sanity back into a home theater.

While I can't argue with your support for AV2000, your arguments in support of the AV2000 are a bit specious IMHO. The fact the AV2000 came out a year before the Pronto adds nothing to the fact the AV2000 is not a very well thought out remote. The predecessor of the Pronto, the Marantz RC2000 was out a year before the AV2000, and it is much more versatile.

The price point argument sounds good, but there are a few Universal/Learning remotes out there in the $75-150 range that do pretty much what the AV2000 does. The Home Director 8 and the Rotel are just two off the top of my head. I wouldn't expect the AV2000 to compete with the Pronto head-to-head, feature for feature, however, given the AV2000's msrp of $175, I would expect to at least have the ability to edit the button names, and add missing buttons to the preset template. Even the RC2000 has this feature.

As for the backlight, I agree it is bright. Unfortunately it doesn't compensate for the cheap low contrast screen on the AV2000. The Game Boy has sharper screen. If you notice the AV2000 doesn't even have the traditional contrast adjustment wheel.

If someone just wants a new toy, the AV2000 might be OK. However, for someone who wants a user friendly remote for their home theater the AV2000 is not the remote they want. They'd be much better off finding an original RC2000 on liquidation somewhere, or like I suggested earlier, forking out the bucks and getting a Pronto or RC2000MkII.

Please help!!!
Where can I find the Sony RM AV-2000 for around $110??? PLMK ASAP.
Thanks,
Mark

I do not think the remote is junk. Sure, it might not be on par with a 300 buck remote, but so far I've been very happy with it. I use it to control a few vcrs and tvs, cd, stereo, cable and a few other odds and ends. Most of my stuff is mid range so the lack of labeled keys was/is no big deal and I can read them (the keys) from 2 feet away. The size is really easy for me to handle, can work the whole remote with one hand (I do have sort of big hands I guess)

Ez to use when compared to some of the "stock" remotes that came with my equipment when I had to hunt around for the right keys. Plus in a pinch that back light can be used as a flashlight to find something like a can of soda in an all dark room. (I've done that before)

I would guess for a $$$$ hardcore home theater system it would not work out that great but for controling a typical mid range one I've found it to be fine. Then again I might have been happy with a stick that would reach all the stuff too so ooooo :)

Having nothing to do with how it works. You have to admit that it and the Proto do have a sort of "Oh neat" factor about them that a normal button remote doesn't, at least for people that might come over and see it on a table.

I just ordered mine and I hope it is a good product. I bought it via computability and they don't allow returns (without taking 15% from yo at first). I have basic equipment - old Pioneer reciever, RCA tv, DVD player (pioneer) and CD player. I just want something that will control all of that plus have macro ability to turn on all my junk and turn it off.

I have on major question: When did the remote first come out?

Did I make a mistake? I hope not. I don't want to spend 300 for a remote to do fairly simple things but I don't want it to be a "weak" remote either. Pretty display is also important.

I believe it first came out early 1998. Judging from your specifications, you'll be very happy.

I'm an electronics salesman so I bought my rmav2000 below cost, but I love this remote and would have paid the full price for it. I have a Mitsubisi big screen tv, a Yamaha Receiver, A Zenith cable box, a Toshiba DVD player and an adcom cd player and my remote easily operates every single comand. The remote is easy to use. Yeah I have to turn the backlight everytime when I use it, but I can see the screen fine. The remote is easy to use and is actually more ergonomic than most of my components original remotes. The remote is layed out so well I don't have to look at the screen to know what button I'm pressing, don't most of you memorize the locations of the buttons after just a short while? This is a great remote and that why our store which sells it at $179.99 and has a stock level of 14 is always sold out

I agree with Saul. I just got my remote and I love
about 99% of it. I love the ease of the system controll buttons and I have even programed it to work my X-10 home controll unit by using a RF to IR converter. Plus I recently ordered a RF based extender so that i wont have to point directly or even be in the same room. So not only does it controll all my conventional home theatre equipment, but also my lightning, subwoofer, and cealing fan.

Thats one hell of a value for $109.99

I sold my Marantz rc2000 mk2 to buy a Sony rmav2000. I am delighted with the Sony. The industrial design of the Marantz is a subtle as a house brick. it is UGLY! Whilst the Sony is less flexible, it is better thought out, and more user friendly. As they cost the same, it is no contest. Sony!!!

I own the Sony as well as the Marantz. I agree in every single point with the judgement from Spec.
The most annoying thing on this remote is the incredible bad low contrast LCD Panel. It's actually unreadable under any other circumstance than backlight full on. On top of that teaching it commands via other remotes (not those via number code) is for many brands impossible (e.g. Philipps TV, try simple things like change channels or input selector).

Additionally, the usefullness is very limited, because the buttom names can not be re-assigned. How to set up the different sound fields for a Dolby surround system?

I admit it's easy to understand and use. That's why my wife likes it. But if I want to use my system actually, forget the Sony. This thing is overpriced in this regards, that one can get a very cheap universal remote with the same basic functions for less than $50.

Hello,

As I've posted elsewhere, I'd be interested in getting this remote so that I could control a Philips TV among other things. Could you be more specific about your TV situation, and what problems you're having getting the remote to work with it?

Many thanks,

Todd

The AV-2000 is NOT twice the size of TWO palm pilots. That means that it is bigger than 4 palm pilots! C'mon now. The AV-2000 is not supposed to compete with the MkII or the Pronto so why compare them?

Mine does what it's supposed to do. Learn some remotes, and control everything. In the dark, the LCD is easy to read.

How can you expect similar preformance between a $110 remote and a $400 remote?

Some have mentioned the inability to "re-assign" buttons. Does that mean that if a button says CD you can't use it for anything else or can it be used to control something else, but not say the actual item it's used for on the display? Also, is anyone using a Harmon Kardon receiver? That came with an elaborate remote that operates everything fairly well, but has endless rows of buttons the same shape and size. I've been using it long enough to memorize the buttons, but can't. In the dark, forget it. The Sony sounds pretty good, but sounds like you have to use an extra keystroke all the time to turn on the backlight. I imagine you have to hit a function key like TV or DVD, then the buttons are programmed for that component. Is that true? The macro function would solve my biggest dilemna, having to turn on components separately. Is that what it does? Currently I have my TV and VCR plugged into my receiver so they all come on at once. Problem is, I lose my clocks, timers, etc. when I turn the receiver off. I must simplify, my wife hates it now and I have to agree with her :-( Any more of your comments would be appreciated.
villa7

I found the specs and they answered most of my questions :-) The only thing I am worried about is my Harmon/Kardon receiver. It wasn't listed as one pre-programmed so I am still interested in anyone's comments on the compatibilty issue. That remote has a slew of buttons.