Your Universal Remote Control Center
RemoteCentral.com
Remote Control User Reviews
Previous page Next page Up level
Up level
The following page was printed from RemoteCentral.com:

User reviews for the Sony RM-VL600 from Sony Electronics.
Sony RM-VL600
RatingsReviewsMSRP (USD)
Average: 4.19/5.00
Median: 4.50/5.00
30$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.
Get it
at:
Amazon.com


Navigation: [ < Previous|Next > ]
Now viewing user reviews page 3 of 5 for
the Sony RM-VL600 remote.
[ Go to: |1|2|3|4|5 ]

Written by Gadgetman from Michigan.
The reviewer has used this remote control for under 1 month.
Review 16 made on Thursday May 17, 2007 at 1:24 PM.
Also owned:Lots and lots
Strengths:Nice feel and easy to use, looks good too.
Weaknesses:Not a lot of product codes
Review:I see from a previous user review that they didn't like the remote because newer DIRECTV DVR's didn't work. I used the set + channel up + PWR option when setting and was able to find the receivers code and then I used the learning feature to fix the buttons that didn't work. The setup was really easy and I setup everything in less than an hour.
Quality: Features: Value:

Written by jimmyfergus from MA, USA.
The reviewer has used this remote control for under 1 month.
Review 15 made on Thursday March 15, 2007 at 10:25 AM.
Also owned:'Wizard' universal remote (rubbish, can't remember details)
Strengths:Easy to program buttons where db fails. Reasonable layout.
Weaknesses:No chapter skip buttons? DVDs need it, let alone HTPCs. Should also have an aspect ratio button label, and a delete button. Not a big deal.
Review:My needs are modest, and it fulfills them completely with only a couple of minor disappointments (no chapter skip).

My only problem is getting hold of discrete code information for my TV (Hyundai) so I can program it exactly as I want - i.e. to hit a button to take me to a 'mode' - e.g. to watch TV - turn TV on (not toggle on/off), change TV input, change TV aspect ratio, turn amp on (not toggle), switch amp to TV input. It's all possible with the remote, providing I can get the discrete codes for the units. My failure to do this so far is not a limitation of the remote. Also, to do this I need to get an IR emitter, which wouldn't be a requirement with a more expensive remote. However, an IR emitter is cheap.

My ratings are with reference to the price level. Obviously, the quality and features aren't above average in the company of three-figure pricetag remotes. Available on Ebay for a song.
Quality: Features: Value:

Written by Whatnobeer from Ohio, USA.
The reviewer has used this remote control for under 1 month.
Review 14 made on Tuesday February 20, 2007 at 9:41 PM.
Also owned:Too many too list
Strengths:Small, Lightwieght, good price point.
Weaknesses:NOT ENOUGH PRODUCT CODES. I own a newer Hughes/DirecTV DVR unit and it will not run it. I called Sony and they have never heard of such a thing. I will say their Customer Service was good.
Review:It's not a bad unit but it needs to have more codes preinstalled or the ability to program more in. As one other reviewer stated, the stuff we are using is name brand, off the shelf.
Quality: Features: Value:

Written by robmlisanti from Ossining, New Yrok.
The reviewer has used this remote control for under 1 month.
Review 13 made on Monday February 19, 2007 at 1:40 AM.
Also owned:One for ALL, Harmony 659, and original remotes
Strengths:EASY TO USE ( DID I SAY EASY? )
Works all my electronics for my Home Theater set-up.
Macros pretty easy to set-up also!
Weaknesses:Not light up keypad
Review:First off I want to thank all the people on this web site who gave their reviews!
This remote is awesome especially for the $25.00 I spent vs the $100.00 for the Harmony Remote which I had to spend 6 hours trying to program and talk with tech reps from Logitech ( I sent it back ).
This remote first off was so easy I actually was elated.. I was able to program my Sony STR-DE595 Receiver, JVC XV-65 DVD Player, Toshiba 27AF45 Tv, Scientifica Atlanta Cable Box, and My Audiovox XM Radio..It took me less than 2 hours and the System control buttons for the Macros were even easier!
My Wife is grateful, she hated not being able to hit one button and start everything for watching a dvd and now she can! Same gos for me
I love it! 5 stars!

Quality: Features: Value:

Written by masterng from California.
The reviewer has used this remote control for under 1 month.
Review 12 made on Friday February 16, 2007 at 1:23 PM.
Also owned:Harmony 659 (a great one, by the way)
Strengths:Macro and mini-macro ability. When using with the Harmony, both remote control complement each other greatly.
Weaknesses:Have not found one yet, especially for $25.00
Review:I've been using the Harmony RC for a few years and get use to the "activity" base instead of "device" base as most of the universal rc does. After reading the review of this Sony RM-VL600, I thought to myself, with the learning, macros and punch-through capability, perhaps I can make this to work similar to the Harmony? Besides, I want a remote control for my bedroom's TV & Satellite receiver anyway.

I bought the Sony RM-VL600 from a local Best Buy for $24.99, but also notice that this is available everywhere, including Circuit City and Target for the same price. Instructions for entering codes, learning new signals, or deleting learned signals were easy to follow. A brief description and examples provided at the beginning of each section also helps a great deal. My LCD TV is made by Sony, so I didn't even need to enter the codes. I notice the component select buttons are pre-programmed to power on Sony devices when being pressed. Learning signals from the Satellite remote control was easy and without a problem. I notice that in both device, the transport buttons (Play, Pause, etc.) are not being used.

Now the fun part, programming macros, mini macros, and component select buttons. Being obsessed with Harmony activity base, I want to be able to click on a component select button and get the TV automatically change to appropriate to the correct input. So I look up the Harmony data base and found the discrete codes for Tuner and Video1 inputs. Load that up into the Harmony and teach this command to the TV and Satellite component select buttons, and voila: it works like a champ. Next step was to program favorite channels onto the transport buttons using mini-macro feature. Any button on this remote can learn several commands if you can punch in quick enough. I tried to program channels 2.1, 5.1, 11.1, etc. and had a little hard time to get them all in especially for 20.1 (4 commands). So this is when the Harmony becomes helpful again. I programmed the Harmony using cloned device method to send out these signals in one push of the button, and as expected, the Sony remote control took it in easily. Once this is learned by the Sony, I once again teach this code to the Harmony so that I don't have to use the clone method in the Harmony (Sorry, this may sound confusing, but you would know if you're familiar with the device clone method work around for creating macros in Harmony)

I did some more teaching/learning/programming and overall, everything went well as expected. Using both the Harmony and Sony remotes helped a lot. Harmony remote limitation was macro-ing, which now can be learned from the Sony. Sony remote limitation was with the ability to learn a long list of commands and not having discrete codes for some activities, which now can be provided by the Harmony.
Quality: Features: Value:

Written by jasongst from Plano, TX.
The reviewer has used this remote control for under 1 month.
Review 11 made on Friday January 26, 2007 at 12:17 PM.
Also owned:Philips --DVD-- (don't recall the model number but the purchase price was $10)
Strengths:-- Excellent learning process
-- Good compatibility
-- Instant response
-- Thoughtful, color-coded button layout
-- Fancy macro buttons
Weaknesses:-- A tad large
-- Slightly off-balance when reaching for number buttons with one hand
Review:The best thing I can say about this remote is that it performs exactly as expected. The buttons respond instantly and commands are learned flawlessly. The learning process itself is very simple, and it's easy to correct your mistakes. The code database also worked very well, often allowing me to avoid learning entirely.

Sony's layout makes operation painless as well. The volume and channel buttons are nice and large, and buttons are distinguished by color and shape to lessen confusion. The remote is a bit large, however, and the batteries cause it to be slightly bottom heavy. This isn't much of a problem, but reaching for the upper buttons one-handed can be clumsy.

The remote has some fancy macro buttons at the bottom, which allow you do anything in sequence, like powering on multiple devices, or changing to the correct channel after powering on the VCR (I haven't tried this one yet). These are a nice touch and reduce the number of times you have to fiddle with the system select buttons.

Overall this is an excellent product. Value is subjective, but $25 seems reasonable to me.
Quality: Features: Value:

Written by l'ville dtviewer from Toronto.
The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.
Review 10 made on Wednesday January 24, 2007 at 12:38 PM.
Strengths:Good range
Weaknesses:Buttons a little too sensitive.
Review:Generally happy with the product. I purchased this remote based on Remote Central review to replace Panasonc GAO TV remote destroyed by toddlers, Toshiba VHS/PCM VCR whose remote died and generic $50 DVD/CD player from Costco, whose remote keeps disappearing, or is hidden by toddlers. I had to use the manual learn function for most devices and functions. Once it was programmed however, it has worked well. I programmed buttons to play CDs but need to go back and program some buttons necessary to navigate DVD menus.

The only thing I don't like is the buttons are too sensitive. If the dog sits on the remote, chances are he'll turn on TV and the volume will go up to 99.
Quality: Features: Value:


Navigation: [ < Previous|Next > ]
Now viewing user reviews page 3 of 5 for
the Sony RM-VL600 remote.
[ Go to: |1|2|3|4|5 ]

Previous PageReturn to the user reviews index...
Add your reviewAdd Your Review

Hosting Services by ipHouse