Sony RM-VL600 8-Device Universal Learning Remote (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

I don't review a lot of products but when I really like something I like to say so. The "Sony RM-VL600 8-Device Universal Learning Remote" is one of those products. This is the best $[...] I've spent in a while.I am controlling my TV, cable box, CD player, XM satellite radio, and surround sound system with this remote. I was able to program it very easily by either using the codes or by having it "learn" from the other remotes.The TV programmed using a code and it worked perfectly with the exception of a couple of buttons. I was able to have the VL600 learn from the tv remote and I programmed a picture format button (it's a plasma tv and the screen needs to be adjusted sometimes depending on what I'm watching.) I programmed the "." button to do this function, since I wasn't using it when I was in TV mode. I also had to program the "OK" and "tools" buttons to work like the one's on my TV remote. This took no effort at all!The cable box also used a code but I used the learning feature to change the "digital/analog" button to a DVR button (I have DVR through my cable)and then I had to program the play, stop, rewind, fastforward, record and pause buttons by using the old remote. This took only a few minutes and now it works just like my cable remote. I could not have been any easier!! I did notice the there are no page up/page down buttons on the VL600 and others have complained about this. I just programmed the "." and "ent" buttons to perform those functions since I didn't need them for my cable controls.(FYI..the "." button now has two different functions but that's ok..it does one thing when I'm in "tv" mode and another when I'm in "cable" mode.)My CD player is a SONY and some of the functions already worked on the VL600 but I did need to add more features since I have a multiple CD storage/player but it was really easy and I could program everything I needed in minutes. The same is true for my surround. It's possible, if you have the old remote and the new VL600 to customize your buttons so it works for whatever you use it for.As for as the XM satellite radio I have, there are no program codes for this kind of device but I was able to format the VL600 for the XM using the "learning" feature and the old remote control for the XM (I used the "VCR" button since I don't have a VCR) It took a few minutes since I had to do each control button individually but now I have a completely customized feature on the VL600.The VL600 also has 4 macro buttons on the bottom that you can program multiple functions in one button. I programmed one so when I press it my TV, Cable and surround sound all turn ON and then they all turn OFF when I press it again.I know that some others would find that the VL600 does not have enough buttons for all your features and I would suggest really looking at the picture of the product to see if you'll have enough. I was able to work with all the buttons to get all my features to work. I also used a label maker with small print to print labels for the buttons I changed so that I would know I what I did and others in the house can figure it out easily. Sony might consider a sheet of labels with future models.I was not able to program my DVD player since we use my son's PS3 as our DVD player and the PS3 uses bluetooth for it's remotes so the IR would not work with it(which is a PS3 issue, not the VL600's fault). I have seen comments from others that the VL600 lacked buttons for all their DVD features but I didn't have this problem so that didn't affect my rating.Overall, if you want an easy to program universal remote to control multiple devices at a great price, this is the one to get.

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.