User reviews for the Denon Aktis RC-8000 from Denon Electronics. Ratings Reviews MSRP (USD) Average: 2.90/5.00 Median: 2.67/5.00 43 $449 The Denon Aktis RC-8000 is a touchscreen learning remote control with multi-direction joystick. It features an optional RF basestation, high-resolution backlit screen, control of up to 23 components and a USB port for PC connectivity. Message Forum Add Your Review Find universal remotes at:

Written by Steve Wysong from Michigan. The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 8 made on Tuesday October 17, 2000 at 3:28 PM. Strengths: RF with base unit. Joystick is very handy. USB port. Weaknesses: Some limits to configurability as mentioned in other reviews here. Animated windows are slow. Unable to control Echostar (DishNetwork) satellite unit. Difficult to read under some lighting conditions. Review: Not a bad remote and was a selling point for the Denon 5800 it came with. My biggest concern was that it would not control my DishNetwork receiver. It "successfully" learned from the satellite remote, but would only perform a few functions intermittantly when within a few feet of the DBS unit. Batteries were fine, my TV remote learned to control the DBS unit fine, and I brought my Denon remote into the store and could not control their new Dish 6000 unit either. For this kind of money, I expected a more powerful remote. I bought a Marantz RC5000i. Quality: Features: Value:

Written by Kabster from L.A. CA.. The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 7 made on Thursday October 12, 2000 at 11:52 PM. Strengths: Has rf capeability Weaknesses: DON'T WAIST YOUR MONEY ON THE DENON RC-8000 1) IT'S THREE OR FOUR TIMES SLOWER THAN THE PRONTO 2) THE SCREEN IS HARD TO SEE 3) IT'S OVER PRICED FOR WHAT IT IS 4) THE SOFT PROGRAMING (HEAD TO HEAD) SUCKS 5) IT REMINDS ME ALLOT OF THE SONY RM-AV2000 DISPLAY 6) IT IS NOT A VERY INTUITIVE REMOTE 7) IT'S OVERSIZED AND WEIGHTY NEED I GO ON ? ALSO DENON IS NOT REAL ENTHUSIASTIC ON THE PHONE ABOUT THIS REMOTE THE SOFTWARE BETTER BE AWSOME BECAUSE THE REMOTE IS NOT (I MIGHT CHANGE MY MIND IF THE SOFTWARE WORK OUT) Review: In my personal opinion and two customers one that programed it on his own and bought a Pronto from me a week later. too much for too little. Quality: Features: Value:

Written by Alex from San Francisco. The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 6 made on Monday October 9, 2000 at 2:20 AM. Strengths: RF capabilities, rechargeable batteries, quite big touchscreen Weaknesses: Died in 30 minutes Review: I have this remote came with AVR-5800 receiver. I played with it for 30 minutes, then while I learned my old remotes (Technics CD particulary) it told me "low battery" and suddenly died (it was new rechargeable pack - my fault, I had to charge it for 8 hours before using - manual says...). After I set new batteries it came in the CD mode and it never leave it. The joystick does not work. Touchscreen works, though, but I can not switch it to control any other device without joystick! Sure, I tried to reset it, used ope it is just software glitch and not a hardware problem. I am going call the retailer tomorrow and have it replaced. Quality: Features: Value:

Written by Ross Taylor from Phoenix, AZ, USA. The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 5 made on Thursday September 28, 2000 at 12:00 PM. Strengths: RF capability. Weaknesses: Software not yet available. Unless the software permits a change, the joystick is only usable for setup/screen functions and cannot be programmed to function as a device control. Screen contrast could be improved. Review: First, I think it's too early to even review this remote. There's no way I'd have (right now) spent the asking price for this remote without the editing software, but it came with my new 5800 receiver. Maybe when the software is released, and the full potential of this remote is available, the asking price will be more reasonable. I use a Pronto, with which I'm quite happy. The ProntoEdit software takes some experimentation, and is not well documented except on this site. Once learned, however, it allowed me to set the Pronto up in a manner which my wife and family can easily use (by selecting functions, instead of replicating many remotes in one). The Aktis, as delivered right now, is too limited. Sure, you can learn all of your remotes. But, without the soon-to-be-released software, I can't set it up to be easily used by my family (who don't like the system call macro buttons). It is, still, only a replacement for many remotes. This is not meant as a Pronto vs. Aktis comparison. The Aktis has potentials that the Pronto doesn't. The biggie is the RF capability. As far as the potential to use the joystick for device control, we'll have to wait and see if the software makes that possible. But, right now, the lack of editing software makes a potentially outstanding remote a merely average remote. I think the build quality is excellent, but I have to rate features and value based on what exists right now (which may be unfair to the product, but potential purchasers need to know the current limitations). I hate to admit that my Aktis is currently sitting on a shelf until the software is released. Quality: Features: Value:

Written by Patrick Sherlock from Kalispell, Montana USA. The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 4 made on Sunday September 24, 2000 at 1:26 PM. Strengths: Good size and easy to program. Manual is helpful and unlike earlier Denon manuals. Once you understand how to program you can use preprogamed buttons or add your own. You change the button name to anything you want. The best thing I like about it is you can turn on TV, AMP and DVD all at once. My wife can now watch TV without having me in the room as the technician. Price is similar to Pronto as is the screen and capabilities. It has an RF signal if you have the base station, optional about $100 which also will recharge the batteries. I don't have this since the unit has 4 AAA batteries and I don't need another remote accessory on my already loaded "remote table." The unit is intuitive to use and sets up quickly. Weaknesses: Programed to all Denon products and not others so they have to be learned by the remote using your old remote. This is easy and I am sure the upcoming software will give more options. For example I have a Phillips DVD player that was not covered on the preprogramed section of the remote so I had to "learn" the Phillips remote, which worked well once installed but it took 10 minutes and some head scratching. Now I realize one can program anything. Review: This is a good unit somewhat similar to Pronto by Phillips in price and appearance. Did Denon copy the Pronto? It does better Pronto in that with the base station you can send RF signals through walls etc. It has a toggle switch which I like better than none on the Pronto plus the volumn, channel and mute buttons on the bottom of the remote which really makes the remote handy and easy. These hard buttons are easy to use in the dark as is the unit which has a back lite button if you needs it. Contrast on the display is adjustable and needs to be done if there is too much lite in the room. The best thing about the remote is that now my wife can watch our big system when I'm gone as it does away with all the other remotes and allows one to have a one button control all and any functions. Quality: Features: Value:

Written by Peter Najar from Colorado Usa. The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 3 made on Thursday September 21, 2000 at 9:16 PM. Strengths: It was easy for my wife to use once it was programmed with one exception. Weaknesses: The screen lacks contrast in daylight or with the backlight. I could not turn on my Proton TV with a macro, but could with the programmed on/off button. I think it requires a long sequence. Additionally the macro program would not let me turn on the TV, turn on The AV amplifier, turn on the VCR (which I use to select channels) and then automatically select the VCR as the channel selector and the amp as volume control without then selecting the VCR page. This proved to complicated for my wife to use with civility. Review: The product is ergonomically well designed. The hard programmable volume, backlight, and change channel keys are a delight to use. The joystick makes it easy to change screens, and select the screen to use. Although there were times when I though I should be able to use it, such as turning on the screen. Turning on the screen is not a problem with the option of tapping the screen or pushing the light button. The biggest problem is the macro program was not as functional as I would like it and a poor contrast in the display. I returned to the store. Thanks goes to the retailers with a no quibble return policy. Quality: Features: Value:

Written by KEVIN (KABSTER) from CALIFORNIA. The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 2 made on Monday September 18, 2000 at 9:39 PM. Strengths: it works for denon out of the box and has some preprogramed remotes (other mfg's) Weaknesses: its slow , it will not be as graphically customizable as the pronts even with software, yet to be released Review: the aktis is the third in a long line of muddled designers making remotes without thinking about how to program it with ease this next coming ces should expose us to some other options. I Don't like this remote Quality: Features: Value:

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