Hello all,

This is my first post here. I have been lurking and reading but have yet to find what I need. I will rely on your expertise.

I would like to replace the rather nice Universal remote that came with my Sony STR-DE945 A/V Receiver. The remote is in good shape and at the ridiculous $140 replacement cost I would like to keep it that way. I need to control:

TV
A/V Rec.
DVD
VCR

I am not terribly interested in complex macros, though I am sure a few short instructions will get used. My main concern is the ability to adjust my surround levels, i.e. each of 5 speaker levels. This pretty much sums it up.

My problem: It seems that every remote I have read about is considerable overkill for my purposes. My brother has a Sony RM-VL900 which is a nice enough remote but I am not too fond of the navigation buttons or the weight, what a heavy item! I was looking at the newer Sony AV2500 but it is probably overkill and has no reviews as yet.

Any suggestions would be really appreciated.


Father John

In answer to your subject line, I was going to recommend RCA and Zentih universal remotes, because not good for very much! :)

But on reading your post, it sounds like you do have a more specific need than most.

I forget whether you can control the surround levels on the Sony STR-DE945 using regular Sony codes, or whether you need to fancy DSP signals to do it. If it's the latter, it's a bit more tricky.

If you can use regular signals, I would recommend a One For All or Radio Shack remote. The surround level controls won't be programmed by default but you should be able to program them using advanced codes, just pick a remote with enough spare buttons for this.

Another alternative would be to get a good learning remote which has enough spare buttons.

IMHO, the all-round best solution would be to get a JP1 compatible OFA or RS remote, along with a JP1 cable, that way regardless of which kind of signal you need for the Sony, you will be able to create it.

Rob
http://www.hifi-remote.com

I was quite impressed by Daniel's review of the Sony VL900. I can't personally recommend it, but it would be worth checking out for your purposes.

Thanks to you both.

First, though I am fairly tech savvy, I am not too interested in hacking remotes. Just not up my alley.

Secondly, as I mentioned in my forst post, the VL900 is too heavy for me, also the navigation buttons are poorly designed.

Anyone else?

I'm not sure what you consider "hacking", if you mean you don't want to re-program any buttons using advanced codes or learning and are expecting the universal to work your Sony surround levels "out of the box" then I don't think you're going to find such a remote and you might be better off just buying one of the original $140 remotes as a spare.

Rob

OK, It's Monday, and I have to learn that I can't read on Monday's too well before lunch. BO)

Based on your criteria, I think Robman might be right. You could consider a Home Theatre Master SL9000. It's an older remote, but still highly regarded. You may have difficulty finding one for sale though. If you do, I imagine a used one would be in the $50-$75 range.

This message was edited by eakf on 03/15/04 12:41.

Whoops, sorry I was reffering to any JP1 usage. I am not interested in that. I should have been clearer.

As for the SL9000, it seems to get mixed reveiws.

John,
I think you have to more clear as to what you ARE prepared to do to make the remote work. I made THREE suggestions in my original post, only one of which was using JP1, and you seemed to dismiss them all out of hand.

Either way, I think I'm done here.
Rob

Fr. John, I think you need to start as square 1. Determine what YOU want in a remote and then run your requirements through the Clicker Picker. When I did this (based on what you asked for), it came up with the Sony RM-VL900, and the HTM SL-9000 as well as many others. It doesn't discriminate for weight, but you can read their reviews and find the weight under their detailed specs. The RM-VL900 weighs 8.9 oz with batteries.

Since you only have 4 components, how 'bout the sony vl700, it only uses two AA batteries, isn't heavy at all. This is the remote I have my 81 year old father using.

Yikes, I must be getting old if I'm getting put in the same bracket as 81 year olds! :-)

I almost went out an picked up the VL700 but the lack of macros stopped me. I don't think the micro macors sound to my liking.

I may have to settle for the VL900. I am intrigued also by the new VL2500. Too bad no reviews yet.

Still looking. Thanks for all the input. My apologies Robman if I offended you somehow.

Father John