Customer Rating: 
Summary: Nearly perfect remote for under $25
Comment: If you're looking for a cheap universal remote that can actually learn commands, too, this one fits the bill!
This remote is shipped with codes for brand name components (Hitachi, Toshiba, Denon, etc.) and gives you the ability to easily learn commands for other types of components by simply pointing your device-specific remote at it and pressing a button.
The wonderful thing about this device is the amount of flexibility it gives you. For instance, you can set it while it's in its satellite or cable mode to control the television set's volume simply by learning the TV's volume commands in place of the volume commands of the satellite or cable functions. Also, you can have the remote learn how to automatically make the appropriate change on your receiver as you switch among components. So when you press the VCR button, it will switch your receiver to VCR mode and control your VCR.
Another great feature it has is an increased range, both in distance and wide-angle, as compared to your device-specific remotes. I can stand an additional 10 feet or so away from the device in comparison to the device-specific remote and the Sony remote will still be able to send it commands. With this remote, you can just point it in the general direction of your equipment and it should work.
Finally, the macro programming allows you to set up an activity with a single button. This is especially useful if you need to make an input selection every time you watch a video. For example, if you use the macro programming, you can set the remote to automatically turn on your TV and DVD, switch to VIDEO1 on your TV and then play the DVD by pressing your DVD button.
Now, why did I say that this remote is nearly perfect? Well, it does have several minor drawbacks and one major one.
Minor drawback #1 - You can't program the power button to operate a macro. So if you want to turn on your system with only one button, you'll have to use one of the generic buttons (the ones that are designated as A, B, C, or D). This tends to be more trouble than it's worth because it requires you to have to explain to your guests how to turn on your system or do it yourself.
Minor drawback #2 - There are buttons it really needs that aren't there. Some DVD buttons are missing and it may require that you use the generic buttons for those functions or you use the DVD specific remote for those functions. The one glaring function that's missing is an eject or open/close button for a DVD player or VCR.
Major drawback - The one thing that really keeps this remote from becoming a full-fledged home theater remote is the absence of back-lighting for its buttons. I am fortunate enough to have a true-blue, home theater (big projection screen, HD front projector, 5.1 Dolby/DTS AV processor with a separate 5 channel amplifier, totally dark room) with a Harmony remote that, at times, is overkill, but it's overkill with a viewable control screen and backlit buttons that can be read in the dark. If the Sony remote had backlighting, it could be a great home theater remote for consumer grade to moderate high end home theater systems, so Sony, if you're listening, upgrade this remote to have backlighting!
Overall, this remote's ability to learn codes and its intuitive, comfortable design make it a winner if you use it in a well to moderately lit room. I've bought another one to use in a vacation rental that has a Philips TV/DVD combo that simply doesn't have any corresponding codes in any universal remote I've tried. With the learning feature, I can set the remote to run the TV, its internal DVD player, and the cable box by swapping the TV's channel changing functions and replacing it with the cable box's channel functions, allowing our guests to change channels without giving the remote a second thought. That, ladies and gentlemen, is the beauty of this remote. Its flexibility and simplicity allow you to do away with the plethora of remotes and brings order and sanity to the problem of controlling your audio/video system.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great remote
Comment: I love this remote, easy to use, soft responsive buttons, quality construction, very very long battery life compare to previous brands I owned. I highly recommend this remote to everyone. Easy to set up and learning functionality is a big plus.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Easy to setup and reliable
Comment: This is an excellent learning remote. I was able to setup the Sony RM-VL600 to control a Denon receiver, HTD stereo amplifier, a CD changer, Dish network DVR and Hitachi TV. The remote did not have codes for HTD amplifier, but it was able to learn all the codes from the original remote. Also, the code sheet does not explicitly have a code for Dish Network Vip722 DVR, but I was able to use the Echostar code 3010 (mentioned under Canada) to program it for the basic satellite receiver, and added the DVR functionality by teaching it the DVR Play, Rewind, Forward, Stop, Record... buttons. I set the "Tools" key to perform the "Watch Live TV" DVR button.
The whole setup took less than 30 minutes. I was also able to setup a single key (key A) for turning on the CD changer, Denon receiver, set it to Zone 3, turn on HTD amplifier, setting their inputs and playing CDs. I set key B to turn off all music devices.
My CD changer, TV and DVR are in a separate room from the Denon receiver and HTD amp. I converted the remote to a RF remote by using the "Next Generation Remote Extender" (I have used them before and they are excellent and less than $35 on Amazon). The remote works everytime without fail. BTW, if the RF transmitter does not seem to work in the remote, switch it to another battery location and that invariably fixes it.
I also have a Logitech Harmony 770 remote that I use in my Home Theater. I bought the Sony because I needed a separate remotes for another room to partially control some equipment in my Home Theatre and another Harmony was overkill. Although the Harmony offers a lot more than this in terms of multiple discrete activities, if you want a learning remote that can control multiple devices under $25, the Sony RM-VL600 is an excellent choice. The Sony does offer upto 4 buttons that you can program to control a sequence of commands to setup an "Activity".
Customer Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Comment: I had a few universal remotes, but none would correctly operate both my LG hdtv and Sony receiver--especially with volume passthrough. This remote works perfectly. The included program codes got almost every main function, though understandably I needed to use the learning function to program more advanced controls of my receiver, as well as some things on the tv (like ratio mode). The learning function is easy to use, took me less than a minute to get everything programmed I wanted to. Switching the tv volume to operate the receiver's was effortless.
That said, I have an excellent memory, so I know where I put all of the miscellaneous functions I use a lot. There are a limited amount of "free" buttons on the remote to program things to, and the ones that are aren't exactly aptly labeled. It'll work fantastic just for the basic stuff (channels, volume, switching inputs, component power). If you're wanting anything more advanced, you should look closely at the picture and see where you're going to put things ahead of time.
Macros work well, easy to use. You can use 16 button presses, but remember that you'll have to hit the component buttons quite a bit if you've got a lot of equipment (for example, you can at maximum power on/off 8 devices with one button. Device 1, Power, Device 2, Power, etc.) So if you're trying to do a lot of functions, you'll need to optimize your macro by doing all the functions for one device before starting the next. Also keep in mind that many new tv's have a pretty long startup period, so making a macro of (TV, POWER, TV/VIDEO [input select]) may not work properly. There's a way to set a delay, or you can put other commands in between, but bear in mind that it might limit you if you're trying to chain a whole string of commands through your whole home theater. You can also program macros to the component select buttons, which I haven't tried.
Overall, I'm quite happy with it. I"m planning on building an htpc later this year, so I'll try to update with how well it functions with a more obscure remote.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Best Value Learning Remote
Comment: I have equipment that does not use the built-in codes, like an Olevia LCD, U-Verse Cable Box, Extreme Mac Speaker. This remote had 5 step to learn each buttons from old remote by pointing the old remote to the Sony Learning Remote and it records each buttons signal. I purchased a GE brand from home depot for the same price prior to this Sony, but I returned it because learning instruction was too complicated and buttons seemed flimsy. The Sony Remote has a decent feel and sturdy case and soft buttons.
Summary: Nearly perfect remote for under $25
Comment: If you're looking for a cheap universal remote that can actually learn commands, too, this one fits the bill!
This remote is shipped with codes for brand name components (Hitachi, Toshiba, Denon, etc.) and gives you the ability to easily learn commands for other types of components by simply pointing your device-specific remote at it and pressing a button.
The wonderful thing about this device is the amount of flexibility it gives you. For instance, you can set it while it's in its satellite or cable mode to control the television set's volume simply by learning the TV's volume commands in place of the volume commands of the satellite or cable functions. Also, you can have the remote learn how to automatically make the appropriate change on your receiver as you switch among components. So when you press the VCR button, it will switch your receiver to VCR mode and control your VCR.
Another great feature it has is an increased range, both in distance and wide-angle, as compared to your device-specific remotes. I can stand an additional 10 feet or so away from the device in comparison to the device-specific remote and the Sony remote will still be able to send it commands. With this remote, you can just point it in the general direction of your equipment and it should work.
Finally, the macro programming allows you to set up an activity with a single button. This is especially useful if you need to make an input selection every time you watch a video. For example, if you use the macro programming, you can set the remote to automatically turn on your TV and DVD, switch to VIDEO1 on your TV and then play the DVD by pressing your DVD button.
Now, why did I say that this remote is nearly perfect? Well, it does have several minor drawbacks and one major one.
Minor drawback #1 - You can't program the power button to operate a macro. So if you want to turn on your system with only one button, you'll have to use one of the generic buttons (the ones that are designated as A, B, C, or D). This tends to be more trouble than it's worth because it requires you to have to explain to your guests how to turn on your system or do it yourself.
Minor drawback #2 - There are buttons it really needs that aren't there. Some DVD buttons are missing and it may require that you use the generic buttons for those functions or you use the DVD specific remote for those functions. The one glaring function that's missing is an eject or open/close button for a DVD player or VCR.
Major drawback - The one thing that really keeps this remote from becoming a full-fledged home theater remote is the absence of back-lighting for its buttons. I am fortunate enough to have a true-blue, home theater (big projection screen, HD front projector, 5.1 Dolby/DTS AV processor with a separate 5 channel amplifier, totally dark room) with a Harmony remote that, at times, is overkill, but it's overkill with a viewable control screen and backlit buttons that can be read in the dark. If the Sony remote had backlighting, it could be a great home theater remote for consumer grade to moderate high end home theater systems, so Sony, if you're listening, upgrade this remote to have backlighting!
Overall, this remote's ability to learn codes and its intuitive, comfortable design make it a winner if you use it in a well to moderately lit room. I've bought another one to use in a vacation rental that has a Philips TV/DVD combo that simply doesn't have any corresponding codes in any universal remote I've tried. With the learning feature, I can set the remote to run the TV, its internal DVD player, and the cable box by swapping the TV's channel changing functions and replacing it with the cable box's channel functions, allowing our guests to change channels without giving the remote a second thought. That, ladies and gentlemen, is the beauty of this remote. Its flexibility and simplicity allow you to do away with the plethora of remotes and brings order and sanity to the problem of controlling your audio/video system.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great remote
Comment: I love this remote, easy to use, soft responsive buttons, quality construction, very very long battery life compare to previous brands I owned. I highly recommend this remote to everyone. Easy to set up and learning functionality is a big plus.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Easy to setup and reliable
Comment: This is an excellent learning remote. I was able to setup the Sony RM-VL600 to control a Denon receiver, HTD stereo amplifier, a CD changer, Dish network DVR and Hitachi TV. The remote did not have codes for HTD amplifier, but it was able to learn all the codes from the original remote. Also, the code sheet does not explicitly have a code for Dish Network Vip722 DVR, but I was able to use the Echostar code 3010 (mentioned under Canada) to program it for the basic satellite receiver, and added the DVR functionality by teaching it the DVR Play, Rewind, Forward, Stop, Record... buttons. I set the "Tools" key to perform the "Watch Live TV" DVR button.
The whole setup took less than 30 minutes. I was also able to setup a single key (key A) for turning on the CD changer, Denon receiver, set it to Zone 3, turn on HTD amplifier, setting their inputs and playing CDs. I set key B to turn off all music devices.
My CD changer, TV and DVR are in a separate room from the Denon receiver and HTD amp. I converted the remote to a RF remote by using the "Next Generation Remote Extender" (I have used them before and they are excellent and less than $35 on Amazon). The remote works everytime without fail. BTW, if the RF transmitter does not seem to work in the remote, switch it to another battery location and that invariably fixes it.
I also have a Logitech Harmony 770 remote that I use in my Home Theater. I bought the Sony because I needed a separate remotes for another room to partially control some equipment in my Home Theatre and another Harmony was overkill. Although the Harmony offers a lot more than this in terms of multiple discrete activities, if you want a learning remote that can control multiple devices under $25, the Sony RM-VL600 is an excellent choice. The Sony does offer upto 4 buttons that you can program to control a sequence of commands to setup an "Activity".
Customer Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Comment: I had a few universal remotes, but none would correctly operate both my LG hdtv and Sony receiver--especially with volume passthrough. This remote works perfectly. The included program codes got almost every main function, though understandably I needed to use the learning function to program more advanced controls of my receiver, as well as some things on the tv (like ratio mode). The learning function is easy to use, took me less than a minute to get everything programmed I wanted to. Switching the tv volume to operate the receiver's was effortless.
That said, I have an excellent memory, so I know where I put all of the miscellaneous functions I use a lot. There are a limited amount of "free" buttons on the remote to program things to, and the ones that are aren't exactly aptly labeled. It'll work fantastic just for the basic stuff (channels, volume, switching inputs, component power). If you're wanting anything more advanced, you should look closely at the picture and see where you're going to put things ahead of time.
Macros work well, easy to use. You can use 16 button presses, but remember that you'll have to hit the component buttons quite a bit if you've got a lot of equipment (for example, you can at maximum power on/off 8 devices with one button. Device 1, Power, Device 2, Power, etc.) So if you're trying to do a lot of functions, you'll need to optimize your macro by doing all the functions for one device before starting the next. Also keep in mind that many new tv's have a pretty long startup period, so making a macro of (TV, POWER, TV/VIDEO [input select]) may not work properly. There's a way to set a delay, or you can put other commands in between, but bear in mind that it might limit you if you're trying to chain a whole string of commands through your whole home theater. You can also program macros to the component select buttons, which I haven't tried.
Overall, I'm quite happy with it. I"m planning on building an htpc later this year, so I'll try to update with how well it functions with a more obscure remote.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Best Value Learning Remote
Comment: I have equipment that does not use the built-in codes, like an Olevia LCD, U-Verse Cable Box, Extreme Mac Speaker. This remote had 5 step to learn each buttons from old remote by pointing the old remote to the Sony Learning Remote and it records each buttons signal. I purchased a GE brand from home depot for the same price prior to this Sony, but I returned it because learning instruction was too complicated and buttons seemed flimsy. The Sony Remote has a decent feel and sturdy case and soft buttons.
Sony RM-VL600 8-Device Universal Learning Remote Reviews: Page 6 of 42
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