Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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48 of 62 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
MR-AV3100 Review, July 24, 2004
I was disappointed. I should have spent more time searching for user reviews of this model and its predecessor. Briefly, pre-program commands were limited, the unit froze occasionally during programming, the buttons were not backlit, and the touch panel, although adjustable, didn't have sufficient contrast.
While the remote can be programmed to handle almost any piece of equipment, the pre-programmed equipment codes are limited. For those that are present, common commands were sometimes missing for my non-Sony equipment. For non-Sony equipment, no separate on and off commands were included.
The component selector buttons are pre-programmed with Sony codes. If your piece of equipment is not listed, it is best to clear the equipment selector button completely before learning the commands from your equipment's remote, as apposed to replacing the Sony commands on one by one basis using the learning function.
The manual is tedious but thorough. An overview of the steps needed to program the remote would have reduced frustration. If you haven't programmed a remote, plan on investing some quiet hours reading the manual.
Occasionally, the unit completely froze while erasing learned key commands or groups. Freezing was common during erasure of learned commands assigned to the remote's volume up and down buttons or the buttons in the ring shaped grouping. Battery removal/re-insertion cleared the freeze. Repeating the operation repeated the freeze. Erasing an entire group, such as TV, without erasing all the learned commands within the group sometimes froze the unit. Erasing all the learned commands within the TV group individually, before clearing the TV button, eliminated the freeze problem but the TV button then refused to accept a new equipment code. Clearing the ENTIRE remote proved necessary to resolve the problem.
On one occasion the unit froze when a button for a learned command was pushed. Clearing the entire remote was required was required to eliminate the problem.
After finding these defects, I found a user forum where users of earlier Sony models had complained about the same things. In my opinion, this new model is truly defective and should be taken off the market until fixed. Alternatively, these defects should be included in Sony's product literature so the public knows before they buy. If you buy one, I suggest you write your planned key assignments and macros down first. Do not attempt do to anything "on the fly" or you won't know what to avoid if the unit freezes.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Imperfect product worth the investment of time, April 16, 2005
At one point if I wanted to see a movie or watch TV or do anything else with my system I had to go through a tedious process of (finding! then) using up to 5 different remotes. Although each of my components had a "Universal" remote, I could change the volume with one, but not skip forward. Or change the channels but not turn anything off. Having a row of 5 remotes set up in front of me got a bit too tedious.
Months later, I can say that I would miss not having this remote around. It does everything I want it to, and it can do more.
The challenge is learing how to use it. Prepare yourself for a morning alone with your system, this remote, and the manual. It would help to have a laptop nearby so you can check for quick ideas online. It took me over two hours to do it correctly, and I consider myself pretty technologically advanced. Once it was set, I didn't ever really have to think about it again. Even changing the batteries was a snap. Take the old ones out, put the new ones in, all the settings remain.
I've seen this in big electronics stores for $200. At that price, it's not a very good value. At half the price, it's a great addition to your HT system and it will make the times you want to sit down and just watch the game a lot easier. It could use some extra features, but it does what it is supposed to do very well.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Almost there, March 11, 2005
I bought this remote despite what I had read concerning setup, etc... Most of my components are Sony so I assumed that it would be a slam dunk as far as programming. The remote is supposed to be pre-programmed for all Sony products. It did not however control my Sony receiver (985). It was easy to have the 3100 learn the commands if you have your original remote.
I was disappointed that I had to program it for my PVR. You would think in this day and age the codes would be out there.
I did eventually get the remote to control all of my components, but ran out of patience trying to get the system control macros to control the misc functions.
I recently purchased the Logitech 659. It really is a much easier product to program and adjust. I would take a look at it before purchasing the Sony.
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