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User reviews for the Sony RM-VL600 from Sony Electronics.
Ratings
Reviews
MSRP (USD)
Average: 4.23/5.00 Median: 4.67/5.00
29
$29.99
The RM-VL600 is an 8-device hard buttoned universal remote that replaces the RM-VL710 and RM-VL900. It features full IR learning capabilities, a preprogrammed code database and a dozen 16-step macros.
The reviewer has used this remote control for under 1 month.
Review 8 made on Sunday January 14, 2007 at 10:12 AM.
Also owned:
RCA, various
Strengths:
Resonable price
Weaknesses:
Very poor coverage of what should be common brands.
Review:
I bought the VL600 learning remote because I have a SoundMatters surround speaker that I knew I would have to "teach" to the remote. But I also have a 1 yr old Panasonic HDTV and a DishNetwork (EchoStar) satellite receiver. The remote has no codes that work for either device. The ONE and only code they have for EchoStar has a reference to 1998 - I mean, "hello", it's 2007... And it's not like Panasonic is an off-brand television. And, yes, I did try the "search" feature to find a code that worked for my TV, but that failed too. Now I could try to spend the couple of hours to teach the TV and satellite settings, but instead I think I'll spend 30 minutes and take the crappy device back to the store.
The reviewer has used this remote control for under 1 month.
Review 7 made on Friday December 29, 2006 at 5:25 AM.
Also owned:
supportplus 8 in 1
Strengths:
cheap, easy to use, lightweight, long battery life
Weaknesses:
not enough code list, does not cover any brands sold in europe, does not learn accurately, does not have automatic search you have to do it manually.
Review:
I bought this remote yesterday (25 USD+VAT) and saw that code list does not have any of the devices I own in it. so I decided to search the codes. than I saw that it is very difficult to find a code by searching. consequently I decided to learn the remotes I own to rm-vl600. fist I leraned my tv (beko brand) and sat receiver (kyoto). before going furter I wanted to test if it works. then it was a great suprise for me to find out that it was not working properly. for both tv and sat. when I push CH+ button it jumps from cahnnel 1 to channel 4. iti is also the same case for volume. instead of 1 signal it seems to send 3 or 4 signals at a time.
then I reset the remote, cleared everything and learned two remotes ance again but the result was the same.
so I will give it back since my supportplus 8 in 1 remote works better it even has an automatic search function which sends all the signals in sequence automatically. I bought support plus 5 months ago for 9 Euros funny isn't it?
considering the other user reviews I can not say this is a very bad remote but it is maybe my bad luck and maybe mine is a faulty one.
The reviewer has used this remote control for under 1 month.
Review 6 made on Wednesday December 13, 2006 at 9:43 AM.
Strengths:
Learns commands quickly and easily. Macros easy to program.
Weaknesses:
Lacks backlight. Some buttons too small for good feel (such as the guide, menu, exit, tools buttons). Could use a few more buttons.
Review:
I bought this remote as a cheap alternative to the harmony style remotes. I wanted something with learning and macro capabilities to control my DishTV receiver with DVR, Yamaha AV receiver, Sony TV, Denon CD player and Samsung DVD player.
After trying a couple of the preprogrammed codes with limited success, I decided to use the learning function to program all commands. I found this to be quick and easy, and allowed me to customize for each device. For example, when set to control the satelite/dvr I wanted access to the volume on my AV receiver and the ability to switch audio modes on the AV receiver.
I've set up two macros so far for the most used function - turning on and off the system for watching TV. I've programmed the "A" button to: 1. Turn on the receiver 2. Turn on the TV 3. Set the input on the receiver. 4. Return control to the satelite/dvr receiver and press the "set" DishTv command.
Button "B" is programmed to: 1. Turn the TV off 2. Return the Yamaha receiver to standby.
These macros were set-up in about two minutes (including the time spent reading the directions.)
I've only had the remote for three days, but my initial impressions are very positive. It is a very capable unit that learns commands quickly and easily, and is very simple to set-up. Good bang for the buck!
The reviewer has used this remote control for under 1 month.
Review 5 made on Friday October 6, 2006 at 9:29 PM.
Also owned:
Kameleon
Strengths:
Good code database, easy to program, it learned B&O codes, normal battery consumption, easy battery replacement, good ergonomics, inexpensive.
Weaknesses:
None.
Review:
I've owned a Radio Shack 6-in-1 Kameleon for over two years, and while I enjoyed the illuminated touchscreen and the excellent database of codes, I finally wearied of its excessive battery consumption and the cumbersome routine needed to change batteries.
I also wanted a remote control that could control not only components made by major manufacturers (JVC, RCA, Sony) but my Bang & Olufsen stereo receiver. I considered trying the Phillips NeoPronto or the even more expensive Pronto, but after my expeience with a touchscreen remote, I decided to go for radical simplicity. I wanted a simple, inexpensive remote with no illuminated screen or even a small LCD that would eat batteries. I read reviews of the Sony RM-VL900 and 1000 at this site. Both were suppposedly able to learn B&O's codes. I was set to buy the 900 when I discovered that the RM-VL600 had replaced it.
I purchased the RM-VL600 and am delighted by its performance. I easily programmed the codes for my video components. Then came the real challenge. Could it learn the codes for my 16-year-old B&O receiver? Yes, it could and did. At this price, the Sony RM-VL600 is an amazing value.
The reviewer has used this remote control for under 1 month.
Review 4 made on Wednesday September 6, 2006 at 10:15 PM.
Also owned:
Sony RM-VL900
Strengths:
A learning remote with macros for a very good price. Nice button layout with different sized buttons.
Weaknesses:
No back lighting. (Not a big drawback)
Review:
I agree with the other two reviews here. This is a lot of remote for the price. I previously owned the RM-VL900. I paid $60 for it a few years ago and it has been a great remote. The RM-VL600 is basically the same remote, at about half of the weight, for half of the price.
It runs all of my Sony equiptment well (KDS-60A2000 tv, DVP-NS75H dvd player, and STR-DE945 receiver) and works better then the original remote for my Panisonic dvd recorder DMR-ES20.
I had trouble with my RCA branded Directv/Tivo untill I programmed it with the dvr code for the Phillips dvr. I at first tried to program each button of the Tivo remote in, but it would not take the fast forward button. After looking on the net, I remembered that the Phillips version was made in the same plant so I tried the code for it and it worked.
Some might complain about no back lighting. The buttons are shaped differently enough that you can feel your way around the remote without looking. Computer interface would be nice but shouldn't be expected at this price.
Codes will set up most of the remote for you. If you have an odd remote, you can teach the VL-600 the buttons indiviually. And it can learn several macros. These are all of the features you could ask for at the price. It is a great remote and I highly recommend it.
The reviewer has used this remote control for under 1 month.
Review 3 made on Sunday August 20, 2006 at 1:37 PM.
Also owned:
Rs-1994 and one for all
Strengths:
Very easy to program Great learning Cheap NIce looking remote
Weaknesses:
Not enough correctly labeled buttons as I mention No baclight
Review:
I just wanted to give an update for the VL600. I purchased this remote last night and got home and had it programmmed to control everything I have as well as 2 Macros in about 30 minutes. I have Dish DVR 625 dual tuner, Zenith std def TV, Onkyo reciever, Pioneer CD player, Sanyo VCR and a SOny DVD player. When I installed batteries in the remote the Sony DVD worked without any programming. I set the codes for the other equipment with the 3 step operation, everything worked first try. I then learned the eject button for the dvd and vcr to the exit button that worked great. The normal sat functions worked on the dvr but I had to learn the pause,play,ff,rw and record which took about 5 minutes and everything worked without a hitch. I then programmed a macro on the A button to turn on tv, turn on dvr, turn on reciever, set to proper audio and video setting then activate sat buttonfor use. On button B i set a macro to turn on dvd, set amp to proper audi and video open tray and go to dvd device for control. Hitting these will also turn everything off. I learned the pip functions with the swap and move and the "live tv" button as well as the dish on demand button. THis remote is very simple to program and use and also only $25 at Wal-Mart. I guess if you wanted to be real complex with home automation and such it could take longer to set up but it learns from any ir remote. My 8810 and 1994 would not learn from the Dish dvr remote and its ir. I have a 13 year old and a 9 year old as well as my wife and they snapped it right up after I told them about the buttons and we off to the races. If I had to change a couple of things I would have given it a couple of more buttons labeled appropriatly like pip, swap etc. I also like to have backlighting but its actually pretty reflective from the material it is made of so not a big deal. It is pretty strong as long as its pointed in the general direction of your equipment.
This is a great buy for someone that just wants a better way to control there equipment without spending alot of money or time.
The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.
Review 2 made on Sunday April 23, 2006 at 6:46 PM.
Strengths:
Price, learning capabilities, weight, quality, layout, number of buttons.
Weaknesses:
Lack of PVR buttons.
Review:
I recently bought the RM-VL600 to replace my RM-VL900. This review talks mostly about that change.
I have owned two RM-VL900's. The first I bought back in 2000 ($50) and the second in 2003 ($40). At the time it was an amazing price for a remote with learning functions. My friends were coughing up hundreds more. I was so happy to have a learning remote for $50.
I found three main downsides with the RM-VL900. Don't get me wrong, I loved it or I wouldn't have bought it twice :)
The first was that it could have used more buttons. I had to program other unused components to substitute for several of my AMP and PVR buttons.
The second is what many people have said, that the text on the buttons wears off over time.
The third was the construction. It is pretty sturdy, but it could not withstand the onslaught of three kids. I think this was mostly because the eight little machine screws went into little plastic cylinders that were not strongly molded into the case. Those cylinders break off fairly easily. I had to buy my second RM-VL900 for that reason. I just had the same thing happen to that one. I had to fix it by beveling the hols and getting #4 x 1/2" screws (I think the originals are about 3/8") to go all the way down into the case. Not a pretty hack, but it was back together and tight.
Regardless, for $50 or less I was more than happy and got 6 years of use out of two of them. However, I just spilled a beverage on my current one and after taking it apart to clean the buttons (which went fine), I took a long look and saw it was showing its age.
I came onto Remote Central just to look around and the first thing I saw was the RM-VL710 review. I thought "that was easy" and figured I found my next remote. I then ran into what everyone else had discovered, that the RM-VL710 doesn't really seem to exist. I was fortunate enough to find two threads on the forums here that helped a lot.
So I started looking at the RM-VL600. It is perfect for me and I am ecstatic to have it.
First, there are more buttons. I love having a Digital/Analog button and Exit button, for example. The RM-VL900 had neither. The System Control buttons are perfect for me. I really only use one (D) to power up/down my TV-AMP-DVR. The other three are A, B, C which is exactly what I have always needed for my SA8300HD DVR remote. The on-screen menus have an A, B, C in them and I have always had to use TAPE component buttons 1, 2, 3 on my RM-VL900.
Second, it is super lightweight. That may be mostly due to having two batteries instead of four, but it has to be less than half as heavy as the RM-VL900. Hopefully that means it won't hit the ground quite so hard when the kids drop it.
Third, like the RM-VL900 it learned every button I threw at it from a Denon Receiver, Toshiba DVD player, Hitachi TV, and SA cable box. I never actually read that it was "fully learning" (as in every button), but that seems to be the case.
The jury is still out on longevity, since I have only had it for two days, but time will tell. As far as everything else, I am loving it. The only thing I would like to have are buttons specific to PVR boxes. A "DVR List" and "Live" button would be nice. Those are the only ones that I needed to find other buttons for (I settled on Sleep and Twin View, respectively).
It may not have every feature that every person is looking for (backlight, remote to remote learning, and so on). For me, it was the perfect change from the RM-VL900. No matter what it lacks, I can never get away from the fact that it only costs $25. They had it in stock at local Circuiy City stores for $25 plus tax. The cheapest I saw on Google was $19.99 and it would have cost more than Circuit City with shipping. $25 is just amazing. For anyone with a home theater, more than one remote, and a budget (like me) there is really no excuse not to have one.
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