Sony Bravia XBr9 52

Sony STR-ks2300 AVR

Sony Blu-Ray player (don't have the model handy, but it is compatible w/ the TV and AVR...avr remote can control the blu-ray player and such...they were bought together.

Time Warner DVR/Cable box (explorer 8300)

We are trying to decide which Uni. remote to buy, and there are so many to chose from.

Main things we need to be able to do w/ remote:

1-control all devices (obviously)

2-switch source input on TV.

3-access the Bravia Internet/video widgets (we have the TV on the wifi for netflix, etc. Currently can only do this w/ the TV's remote.

Every component runs to the AVR, via HDMI, with the AVR output HDMI to the TV.

We have a secondary run of Component A/V cables running from the time warner cable box to the TV's component 1 input.

Most of the time we are just using the component source, and the TV's built in speakers. Only if watching a movie or listening to music might we turn on the AVR, switch the video source to HDMI, and use the surround sound.

We need to be able to do all this with one remote. I've been looking at some of the harmony models, but I wanted to be sure they would do what we need them to.

Note-no need for RF, and this remote will only be for this room, to control these 4 devices only, tv, br, avr, and cable box.

My main concern is that we will be able to easily switch between HDMI and component, and not run into issues re: volume control when using one or the other. Currently if we are using the AVR and surround sound, we have to change channels with the cable box remote, but the volume with the AVR remote. I have tried every sony code to program the time warner remote to control the AVR with no success, and the avr remote won't control the cable box to change channels...

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and any advice would be much appreciated/

Have you thought about one of the Sony universal remotes?

Here a couple of reviews:
[Link: remotecentral.com]
[Link: remotecentral.com]

Hmm. I did not even realize they made one.

I just took a look at your link and found this though

"There’s absolutely no way to control an audio-based device such as a receiver"

Since all our components run through a receiver (even though it's seldom turned on) this would probably not work.

Meanwhile, it looks like the remote from your second link might work for the receiver, but it says it won't work for Blue-ray player?!

ok, after more reading it seems maybe it would work, via the IR learning feature. I am unfamiliar with how that works. I've only ever programmed remotes using the standard codes. I imagine I could figure it out though, if it is indeed possible.

These sure as heck are a lot cheaper than some of the Harmony remotes I have looked at.

Question is, will it work, and be able to do everything I specified we need it to in my original post.

Primary concern is that we need to be able to control the volume of the TV itself, when watching TV w/ the receiver turned off, but be able to control the volume of the receiver at times too.

Thanks again, really appreciate the help.

The Sony VL610 should work; even better would be the RM-VLZ620 (which has a setup code for BluRay players) but these are new and hard to find.

However, there's a feature that the Sony remotes are lacking. If you want to use a function that isn't in the original remote, there is no way to program that into the Sony. For example, all of your Sony equipment will respond to an IR signal for Power On and Power Off (On will turn the unit on if it was off and leave it on if it was already on). Similarly, each input will respond to a discrete signal, so that you don't need to scroll through a list. Push a button, and the TV will switch to the desired input. But these functions aren't in the Sony universal nor in the original remote, and there is no way to access the discrete functions.

One use of discrete functions is to make a macro which for example would turn on the TV and switch the input to cable, etc. Another might turn on the TV, BluRay, the AVR, switch the inputs, and put the remote into a mode in which the volume is routed to the AVR. If the TV was already on, the macro (using the discrete Power On function) would simply leave it on.

The RCA RCRP05B ($20 at Best buy or Walgreens) or the OneForAll URC-8820 (<$20 at Sears) can be user programmed on a button by button basis to send the necessary signals. Of course most of the functions you need will already be available via setup code, and the remotes have setup codes for all of your equipment.

The above recommended remotes can easily handle the volume, routing the volume commands to any of the components. I suppose that the Sony remotes would also deal with the volume well.

Hmm. First, thanks for the reply and advise. I don't think I am too worried about macros, nor about functions that aren't available on the original remote's programming.

I think we will be fine w/ a mode button, and turning on/off individual devices separately.

My only real concern is that I will be able to set it (mode button?) to control the volume of the AVR at times, and then easily change the remote mode to TV, so we can adjust the volume of the tv speakers itself.

Then again, the AVR does have the feature where you can set it to use front speakers only when you want to. That might be fine, and we would just use the AVR all the time, and never use the TV's speakers.

So long as the remote can turn on and of each device, control the volume for the AVR, but also change channels on the cable box, as well as access the menu (channel guide) for the cable box. Also be nice if we could program the TV remotes button, the input selection of course, and then the bravia internet video button to access the netflix, youtube, etc.

I assume these remotes can also have a button to change the AVR's audio, such as one button to change it from stereo surround 5.1, or back to front speakers only...

I think if we can get away with doing all that, we could forgo using the TV speakers ever, so the volume control could stay only controlling the AVR ever.

Sorry if I am newbish @ this. I am an IT professional and reasonably technologically literate, but I am sort of new to these univerersal remotes, and the whole "learning" feature to program them.

My family would be thrilled I bet if one of these sony uni. remotes for well under 50 bucks would do what we need to, because I was ready to buy a 2-300 dollar Harmony remote...

Thanks again for the tips so far, I am hoping to make a decision and buy a remote this weekend, either locally or ordering it from somewhere online.

OK, so you've decided on a Sony remote. Why not download the operating instructions and read how it works?  I think it will answer your questions.

Thanks very much 3FG. It looks like the RM-VL16 might be perfect for us.

Gonna go pick one up today and try to get it programmed.

I will report back later on how it works out.

well I grabbed that Sony for 20 bucks or so at bestbuy, but had no luck with it.

I was able to get each device code programmed in, but it was too complicated for my parents to switch mode and I got tired myself of trying to program in each button w/ the learning feature and gave up.

Took it back, bit the bullet and paid a lot more for the Harmony 700.

I understand the harmony's are not real popular around here, but I have to say it was SO much easier, especially with the macros.

1 button to turn everything on and watch tv, 1 button to switch inputs to dvd/bdp, and easy to (if they want) turn the AVR off and control the tv speakers volume too.

Definitely worth the extra money IMO.

Sadly, now theyre debating switching yet again to a step up and getting an RF extender, which they said they didn't care about at first, but now they want...so since the 700 has no RF my work might not be done yet, lol.

anyways, thanks again for the tips.

I was wondering if the harmony 700 works with the "next gen rf extender" product. One guy told me they didn't work well together, but really didn't explain why. I am still trying to hunt down someone who has the two together. Maybe you should look into the "next gen"?

www.amazon.com/Next-Generation-Remote-Control-Extender/dp/B000C1Z0HA/ref=sr_1_1

Stay away from the RM-VLZ620.
It won't learn from any remote I have tried, so it is a complete rip-off.

yeah, RM-VLZ620 is not worth u try

I learned a lot about how much a scam these reviews are.
The manufacturer tests and makes sure that the reviewers get a unit that is working perfectly.
Sites like BestBuy.com filters out reviews from actual consumers.
They approve only reviews that will help in their sales.
Needless to say, they filtered my comments about my experience on their consumers review area.
I guess this is common knowledge, but honestly I had no idea how jaded the review systems were.

What are you, 10 years old? If you don't have anything constructive to say, (and so far you haven't), then don't say anything at all. So far, all of your posts sound like they came from a parrot.

Where did you learn this? What are your sources? Did you find this out from Daniel?


Wow, an e-tailer that filters out negative comments about products they are selling, what is this world coming to? Try to go into anyone's retail store and try to badmouth a product they sell, see how long it takes for you to be escorted out.

BTW, Bestbuy.com doesn't even have the RM-VLZ620 listed on their site, they did have the RM-VLZ600 listed and it did have a couple of bad reviews on there, blowing your whole assumtion out of the water.


Well, if you totally bash a product and aren't very nice about it, then I can unerstand why they would remove the comment.


They have to be edited, otherwise you get the competition postin nothing but bad reviews on each other's sites.

Personally, I ignore the 100% positive and the super negative reviews, and just look at the average reviews to get a better picture.