Customer Reviews

Sony RMVL610B Remote Commander with 3 Color Back Plates - Bright Pack (Black)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I used to use the RMAV2100, a 2-pound, large, square remote that costs $200. The RMVL610 (whether B--bright--or N--neutral) does everything the old remote does, and does a better job. Plus, it can be held and operated in one hand. The learning function made it possible to use my Blu-Ray player (programmed as though it were a DVD); I have yet to find a universal remote that has the Blu-Ray controls built in. Although the description says "black," there is no black back; it comes with red, blue, and pink (the RMVL610N comes with brown, beige, and gold). Since it sits face-down, the red (in my case) color is visible.

This remote does everything I can think of, and still has several unused buttons. I'm buying these as presents for all my family that have multiple remotes. It's easy to use and has good feel on the buttons. The manual misses one point, though: in many cases, when there are several possible code numbers for controlling a device, one of them is a reduced set (and it won't learn the disabled buttons). On my satellite TV, for example, the reduced set basically has on-off, channel, menu, and program guide. The full set has DVR controls, skip forward and back, PIP, etc. So if you are using non-standard devices, you might want to try more than one code number, even if the first one works.

I desperately needed this. I consolidated 5 remotes down to one in one room. I was so happy to have only one remote to control everything that I bought 3 more of these for all the other roooms in the house. I wish I would have had something exactly like this years ago.

+ What I really like about it is that there are enough buttons to map just about everything you could want to a corresponding and intuitive button on the remote.

+ It's quick and easy to setup. Learning 5 different remotes should generally take less than 15 minutes. Here's a tip for learning volume/channel/up/down buttons: When you transmit the command, keep the button held down on the original remote until it regisers.

- The only compalint I have about this remote, is that the buttons are basically arranged in just a square grid layoutt on the remote itself. I've definately seen much better remote designs. With this one, it's too hard to find buttons you are looking for just by feel.

In one room, I have this remote controlling the TV, surround sound receiver, blu-ray player, iPod dock, alarm clock, tower fan, and 2 lamps. It's great.

Check out the natural color pack too.

I prefer the older RM VL900 remotes, but they are really scare these days. The buttons on the RMVL610B seem a little smaller and closer together making it a little harder to use. Younger hands with a lot of dexterity will probably have no troubles with the buttons. I do not like the position of the arrow buttons for fast forward, they are only an inch or two from the end so you have a little more trouble holding the remote while you fast forward through commercials.

The set up procedure was more difficult than the Sony RM VL900 and I missed the ability to have one remote learn all the settings from another, same model remote - we had 3 of RM VL 900 remotes, when we got a new one it only took a couple minutes to copy everything from the older remote. I did find it ironic the Sony RMVL610B remote did not work with our Sony 400 disk DVD player, and had no listed codes for any Sony products. I had to use the learning function to get it set up. At times it was frustrating trying to get these things programmed.

I still rate these these remotes pretty high, because they look good, are cheap and most importantly, do work once you get them set up. Having different colors is nice to keep track of which remote you are using at the time. At Amazon prices I recommend them to anyone that wants a good working learning remote. I could have purchased 3 Sony RMVL610B remotes for about the same amount you would buy just 1 Sony RM VL900.

We tried some of the LED display remotes that cost a lot more, but found them too difficult to read, a younger person with good eyesight probably does not have these types of problems.

The battery cover on this remote does not stay in place. It also does not come with a black cover so the remote always looks out of place.

I've used this remote for over a year now and love it! There are some that don't like the button layout, but once I was used to it it didn't bother me. My only complaint is that there are no letters imprinted on the remote above or below the corresponding numbers in the numerical pad section. This would make it easier to spell out a word when I'm navigating in Media Center. Otherwise, I'm buying another one for the family room!

This is the first Universal remote I have purchased that is actually universal. I was able to either program or use the "learning" feature to put three devices on this one remote. I will try some other less conventional items at a later time. I also like the fact that I could choose from three different colored jackets for this device. I chose the red colore because it is so easy to spot setting around the room when it hasn't been put in it's proper place. There is no way it can have all the types of buttons I would like to have on it because it would have to be at least twice as long or wide but I was able to program everything I needed and then put labels on the back to remind me which buttons did what.

I wanted a learning universal remote that didn't cost more than my TV. This is the right choice. My wife is "electronically challenged" and I needed something intuitive. I got this to run a Harmon Kardon HT receiver, Oppo DVD player (using a Toshiba code), and Panasonic Viera TV with the first set of codes I tried. It took awhile to get it to switch the receiver when you push the DVD or cable button. What sets this remote apart, is the complete set of dvd/on demand control keys. They all worked just as expected. (I'll still need the original remotes for some of the more complex menu functions of the Oppo & HK.) Used the Macros for All On, All Off. (My HK sends different codes for turn on/turn off) It took me about an hour, (with some learning modes) to get it set up.

The buttons are a bit small, and there's minimal visual feed back (LED flash). Black on black buttons for DVR/DVD won't be easy to see in a dark room but are logically grouped. For under $30, it's easier to use/setup than a lot of pricier remotes. (and less of a loss when it gets lost, or attacked by pets) I bought another for my daughter. Multiple colored backs are a nice touch - especially if you have more than one in the house. The remote is designed to sit "button side" down - another nice touch.

Update: Bought two more of these. Got my daughter's system set up in an hour. Even found codes for her ancient Denon receiver, Used the macros for "activity" based buttons (All On, All Off, Watch DVD, Watch Cable) Going to replace all my remotes with this. Best money I've spent on my electronics.

I purchased this remote to replace my expensive Harmony 670 when the screen went out. I have to admit it is a great remote, low price, and quality is good. When setting it up: My sharp TV had a code, my sony receiver was already preprogramed, My comcast HD-DVR box had a code. I have a Samsung Blu ray which did not have a code on the sony list. However, with this remote it was no problem. I used the sony internal search function and it found a code in about 3 miniutes. I took it one more step further and used the custom button programming and in about 4 minutes with the samsung remote and the new sony together I was done. Sweet deal for the price. I have not setup the macros yet but plan to. Highly recommend....

This remote has allowed me to combine 5 remotes into 1. At first I was skeptical of how it would handle the infuriating Motorola Moxi DVR remote, but the learning function handled it without issue. I also have an annoying Harmon Kardon Receiver remote that was eliminated after I entered its corresponding 4-digit code. Here are my thoughts on this remote's pros and cons.

Pros:

In my opinion, buttons are (with the minor exception of the Info button) laid out very intuitively. At first you will have to look at the remote when you use it, but after a few days/weeks, you'll have a feel of where the buttons are, even though others have scoffed at the "grid layout" of the remote. I have no problem finding the right button in the dark and I've only owned the remote for a few days. The range on it is spectacular; it's actually better than some of the remotes I've replaced. Just about any button you would expect to find on a remote has it's counterpart on this remote. You won't find any product specialty buttons, but it has buttons from the common (channel up/down) to not so common (PIP, Page Up/Down, Input) labeled. If you are programming the remote with a code you're bound to have one or two buttons not translate over, but you can still use the learning function to map the missing buttons for that component to fully integrate your old remote. You can also program the remote to perform a sequence of commands with the click of one button. This is helpful if you want to turn on/off multiple components or automate a specialized configuration of your components for use with the BluRay or a gaming console. The size of the remote is only a centimeter or two larger than my DVR remote so the size isn't overbearing; it's actually comfortable to hold.

Cons:

There are some buttons I was hoping to find(CC, Zoom, BluRay instead of VCR, Ticker, HD Format) but didn't, so I had to resort to putting these functions into either one of the generic A - D buttons or changing the implied functionality of a labeled button (like changing the functionality of the "PIP" button to adjust my TV to change from HD Format to 4:3 format). Initial programming can be annoying at first if you are trying to eliminate a remote that doesn't have a corresponding code, but once things are programmed into the remote you can lock it so you don't mess up your mappings.

Overall:

This is one of the best universal remotes I've ever used, in terms of ergonomics, aesthetics, functionality, and range.

I broke our old Sony Commander which was a clunky tabletop unit with an LCD screen and about 4 times the cost of this unit. While our old one looked cool, it was very unwieldy and we tended to use other remotes to compensate for this (to FFW through commercials on DVRd programs e.g.). We are so happy with the ease of programming and the ergonomics of this RC. We've programmed macros do do things such as power on the amp, tv, and dvd and automatically switch inputs appropiately. We only use one remote now and control tv, amp, dvd, vcr, cable box, dvr, and Roku. This RC is a great value!