Your Universal Remote Control Center
RemoteCentral.com
Sony Remote Controls Forum - View Post
Previous section Next section Previous page Next page Up level
Up level
The following page was printed from RemoteCentral.com:

Login:
Pass:
 
 

Page 1 of 5
Topic:
RM-VLZ620 vs. RM-VL610
This thread has 66 replies. Displaying posts 1 through 15.
Post 1 made on Sunday April 25, 2010 at 10:47
remoteboy
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
November 2004
9
I'm curious about which of these would be better for me and what the main differences are. I use both a Verizon FIOS DVR and a DirecTV DVR and control over both of those is most important. I also have a bunch of other inputs, sources, etc. but those are less important. Thanks
Post 2 made on Sunday April 25, 2010 at 15:55
wdsnls
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2004
17
Go to esupport.sony.com/US/perl/index.pl and download the owners' manuals and manufacturer's code list for each remote and compare them for your specific needs. I am sure you'll go with the RM-VLZ620 since it was just released and covers every component you can imagine. I just bought one and it works with all my AV equipment, as old as 14 years and as young as one month. I also notice the codes are 4 digit for the 610 and 5 digit for the 620.
Post 3 made on Sunday April 25, 2010 at 23:47
Daniel Tonks
Wrangler of Remotes
Joined:
Posts:
October 1998
28,779
Although if you're OK with learning codes from your existing remotes (and these are the only remotes in this price range that will let you do that), the database isn't overly important. I think in the end you should pick the one you like the button layout of most. Although the 610 is starting to get hard to find, so pretty soon your decision will be made for you on the 620. :-)
Post 4 made on Friday July 2, 2010 at 07:45
deltapa
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
July 2010
8
Yeah but if you get the 620, it won't learn from ANY remote, using the instructions from the manual.
Perhaps there is a step missing from the manual.
Without a working learning function, the 620 is useless
Post 5 made on Friday July 2, 2010 at 19:57
maxp
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
July 2010
5
Hi, Deltapa. I saw your review on Amazon also.

I'm in the same boat, though it seems at least one Amazon reviewer is able to teach his, so I don't know if it makes sense that a step is missing from the manual. He mentioned pressing the button to be taught extra-long. I've tried various times and the same thing always happens: the SET light flashes quickly and the remote returns to normal mode (all the lights turn off).

It'd be great to hear from anyone who has one and has been able to teach it.
Post 6 made on Saturday July 3, 2010 at 00:05
Daniel Tonks
Wrangler of Remotes
Joined:
Posts:
October 1998
28,779
I'll take a look at the review, see if I can sort it out.
Post 7 made on Saturday July 3, 2010 at 00:30
Daniel Tonks
Wrangler of Remotes
Joined:
Posts:
October 1998
28,779
Well, it looks like Sony has given up designing or at least programming their own remotes... this feels more like a UEI implementation with all the stupid 3-digit setup codes (up to and including the previous RM-VL610 Sony was far more intuitive in operation).

At any rate, I have managed to get my sample to learn without issue.

1) Press SET for 3 seconds.
  - after 3 second the SET light will come on.

2) While continuing to hold SET (don't release it), press the OK button.
  - the SET light will now stay on when you release both keys.
  - you cannot simply press SET and OK for 3 seconds, it has to be SET by itself and THEN add OK.

3) Press 9-8-8.
  - the SET LED will blink on each number entered.
  - after the third number the SET LED will blink 3 times.
  - if you enter something wrong the SET LED will simply go out.

4) Press the device key to learn a button on.
  - both the SET LED and device LED will remain lit.

5) Press the target button to learn on.
  - the SET LED will blink once as you push the target key, but nothing else will appear to happen.
  - it is not necessary to erase a button before relearning it.

6) Aim the source remote at the front of the RM-VLZ620 and press and HOLD the original source button until the SET LED blinks 3 times.
  - if the set LED blinks once the code was NOT captured. It must blink 3 times.
  - after a command is learned the device LED will go out, but the SET LED will remain on.
  - if you fail to send a signal in time, both LEDs will simply go out and you'll have to start over.

7) To learn another button, repeat steps 4 through 6.

The timeout is VERY short on this remote, so if the SET LED ever goes out you will have to start over at step #1.
Post 8 made on Saturday July 3, 2010 at 02:43
maxp
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
July 2010
5
Daniel, thanks for checking this out so quickly. My old remote is an RM-VL900 and you're right: something went horribly wrong between these two models.

Anyway, I just tried again and the problem is at step 5. When I press the target button and let go, the SET LED flashes quickly (much faster than the usual 3-blink OK) and then it and all the lights turn off.

I guess I got a lemon. I talked to Sony's tech support and they gave me an RMA, but I'm thinking I might be better off just returning it and trying to find a 610.

Thanks again for your help. I wonder how widespread this problem is.
Post 9 made on Saturday July 3, 2010 at 02:53
Daniel Tonks
Wrangler of Remotes
Joined:
Posts:
October 1998
28,779
And you've been unable to learn *anything*, right? Have you tried a factory reset?
Post 10 made on Saturday July 3, 2010 at 04:21
maxp
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
July 2010
5
Right. I've tried learning on several components, on several buttons. Nothing. I've done a factory reset a few times also. That works fine. I've tried several sets of batteries. I've tried learning from several remotes (including the VL900), but I've never gotten to step 6.

It works fine with my TV, DVD player, and amp using codes, but I also have a Roku box that it doesn't have a code for.

It's weird.
Post 11 made on Saturday July 3, 2010 at 04:52
maxp
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
July 2010
5
For what it's worth, here's a grainy video of the problem. I pressed PLAY and the component button turned off, SET LED flashed rapidly, and both lights turned off. That's the only result I can get.

[Link: flickr.com]
Post 12 made on Saturday July 3, 2010 at 07:14
Daniel Tonks
Wrangler of Remotes
Joined:
Posts:
October 1998
28,779
Interesting. You're definitely doing things right, but on mine when I hit "play" the light goes out briefly for as long as I press the button, and then returns on and lets me learn.

The closest thing I can compare this to is on previous models, behavior like that would indicate low battery power. Are you using 1.5v alkalines, not NiMH?
Post 13 made on Saturday July 3, 2010 at 07:30
wdsnls
Long Time Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2004
17
I watched your video and you appear to be doing everything correct. I feel it must be a defective unit. My 620 works perfectly. In fact, I just had it learn another function yesterday and all went well. I'd try a replacement since I feel the 620 is one of the best universal remotes Sony has produced. I went through two 900's, in the past. One is still working fine but it is unable to learn the new four digit codes.

EDIT: Look at page 25, Step 4. Are you holding the device button down for three seconds? Your video appears that you are just pushing it until it lights.

Last edited by wdsnls on July 3, 2010 07:42.
Post 14 made on Saturday July 3, 2010 at 07:32
Daniel Tonks
Wrangler of Remotes
Joined:
Posts:
October 1998
28,779
Well, I tried but I can't duplicate your situation with low battery power... I found a bunch of dead AA's and paired them with other nearly dead cells... I came up with one combo where the remote won't even run, and another with slightly more voltage (but still very dead) where it will run, the LEDs are dim, and yet it still learns just fine.

The next thought is full memory, which of course it can't be since it's not learning. I'm thinking yours really is defective... with "bad" memory.
Post 15 made on Saturday July 3, 2010 at 09:54
deltapa
Lurking Member
Joined:
Posts:
July 2010
8
Same here Daniel.
Tried it exactly the way you said.
It still won't learn.
Instead of the remote learning, I was the one who learned never to trust a Sony product again.
Bad quality control
Find in this thread:
Page 1 of 5


Jump to


Protected Feature Before you can reply to a message...
You must first register for a Remote Central user account - it's fast and free! Or, if you already have an account, please login now.

Please read the following: Unsolicited commercial advertisements are absolutely not permitted on this forum. Other private buy & sell messages should be posted to our Marketplace. For information on how to advertise your service or product click here. Remote Central reserves the right to remove or modify any post that is deemed inappropriate.

Hosting Services by ipHouse