Sony RM-VL1000 LCD Remote Control

Pros: got rid of my remotes, macros, learning capabilities
Cons: button layout - not a major prob. Takes a little getting used to.

My coffee table was getting covered with remotes: TV, amp, VCR, DVD, cable box and CD player. 6 rem ...

Pros: It can really control everything; LCD soft-keys; joystick control; excellent price.
Cons: Slightly awkward feel, dim LCD display, laborious instructions.

Like many people, I was frustrated by fixed-button universal remotes. There is just no way that one set of buttons will control four or five components and keep all the functions you need handy without switching modes all the time. The problem is ...

Pros: Good mix of keys and display makes for a simple interface
Cons: Awkward menuing system, remote layout could be better, occasional crashes

When it comes to universal remotes there are basically two varieties, as I have discovered. There are those which are basically driven by LCD display and those with (many) hard buttons. Seems to me, display driven remotes are flexible to configure but...

Pros: Fully programmable, can control up to 12 devices, programable 'hard' buttons.
Cons: Form factor, should have hard buttons to select the device to be controlled.

I needed a replacement universal remote because my 'best form factor for a uni remote ever' Pioneer ...

Pros: Does all the AV3000 does, plus lighter, easier to use by touch, better energy saver
Cons: Changing/programming the default devices/macros initially is challenging; lost data more than once

NOTE: the small photograph on the epinions site of the Sony RM-VL1000 is NOT the product being reviewed here. The RM-VL1000 has a small LCD screen at the top (not a touch-screen). Google the model number to find a correct picture. I'm posting a ...

Pros: Gorgeous, ergonomic, very functional
Cons: Buttons give out, labels rub off

Oh, but this remote was the answer to my dreams! But only for about six months. First, the good: this is a wonderfully functional remote that looks great; the "chrome" look around the main joystick and up around the LCD display are a treat to ...

Pros: Affordable, true learning remote, fully customizable
Cons: Not all buttons backlit, user guide only ok, menus are deep and even confusing

Ok, I'm not an audiophile with 10 remotes. But at one point I had 5, and that's too many, so today I took a good look at a learning universal remote. Took it home, programmed it within an hour, and now its the only one in the room. I won't be...

Pros: Widest learning range, incredible programming capabilities, lots of hard keys, all learnable, good key feedback
Cons: Weak LCD contrast, keys not backlit, backlighting turns off while programming, terrible manual.

Bought it refurbished for $47 at the Sony outlet, after buying the new RCA DLP HDTV, and realizing that its universal remote would not learn my Pioneer Elite receiver commands, and my receiver universal remote would not lean the TV. I reviewed specs on ...

Pros: Lots of Built in Codes
Cons: Clunky to Use

The Sony RM-VL1000 Remote Commander has learning ability and lots of built-in codes, for common components and less common ones including amplifiers and receivers. The setup is a little complicated but goes pretty fast once you get the hang of it. There...

Pros: It really will consolidate all remotes into this one device.
Cons: It takes some time.

I'm not a big fan of the all LCD universal remotesj; They don't give good feel to channel surfing and you have to spend all your time looking at the screen on the remote. So this VL-1000 is a great hardbutton compromise. It does a great job of...

Pros: works great with sony components, not calculator-size
Cons: very flaky memory management

out of the box, this remote worked perfectly with my sony tv and dvd player. after setting the right code for my philips tivo, most of the buttons also worked. then came time to getting the remote to talk to my receiver. none of the presets worked. fine....

Pros: the ability to learn virtually any command
Cons: For the price, the remote should outlast the life of your tv.

This remote will really replace virtually every remote in your house. There is just one problem, the joystick is poorly built and will break in time. What ever you have programed as the center button will continuously be pressed and will run down the batteries within days. You also wouldn't be able to use the other functions of the remote while that button is pressed.