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User reviews for the Sony RM-VL600 from Sony Electronics.
Ratings
Reviews
MSRP (USD)
Average: 4.19/5.00 Median: 4.50/5.00
30
$29.99
The RM-VL600 is an 8-device hard buttoned universal remote that replaces the RM-VL710 and RM-VL900. It features full IR learning capabilities, a preprogrammed code database and a dozen 16-step macros.
The reviewer has used this remote control for under 1 month.
Review 23 made on Sunday January 13, 2008 at 6:33 PM.
Also owned:
Many, but recently RCA
Strengths:
Easy Setup, Button Layout, Speed
Weaknesses:
-
Review:
Finally, a remote easy enough for my wife to use with with the functionality I am looking for. I have owned remotes in this price range that advertise "Learning Function", but none as TRUE and easy to use as this one. I am extremely happy...especially with the price.
The reviewer has used this remote control for under 1 month.
Review 22 made on Thursday January 10, 2008 at 5:58 AM.
Also owned:
URC7555
Review:
This remote is useless in the UK, as it doesn't have the 4 color buttons we use all the time, namely red, green, yellow and blue, used constantly on Freeview, Sky Digital and for instance also on a Humax PVR.
The reviewer has used this remote control for under 1 month.
Review 21 made on Monday December 31, 2007 at 11:41 AM.
Also owned:
RM-AV2100
Strengths:
Low cost.
Weaknesses:
Only 16 commands per macro can make programming for a home theater challenging.
Review:
My touch screen RM-AV2100 that has served me well for many, many years is becoming outdated and does not really support use of a DVR very well.
I was able to program this to control my Pio Plasma, Pio Elite Recv, Comcast Moto DVR just fine. System A to power everything on. System B to power everything off. Component buttons to change necessary inputs. Etc.
The only shortcomings I've found are the 16 command limit on the macros. I thought it would be plenty but I had to make some trade-offs.
The reviewer has used this remote control for 6-12 months.
Review 20 made on Friday September 7, 2007 at 9:03 PM.
Also owned:
various shoddy ofa remotes
Strengths:
Learns anything, any macro you want to throw at it
Weaknesses:
No input-select functin during macros, or did I miss something? Not backlit, but waddaya want for 22 bucks?
Review:
If you're on the fence about this one, just get off, shell out the dough and get it--even if you can't figure it out, the people on this forum will help you with it..
I've just got kitchen-sink/bottom of the line home theater stuff, Pioneer dv 563 multiformat player, insignia HT receiver, standard DTV, Vizio VX37L HDTV, and this thing rules them all. I'm a dolt and I got everything prog'd in a couple of hours. The real beauty of this is that you can upgrade your HT equipt and not have to buy a new remote every time. Again, if there's a gripe to be made (against a $22.00 remote!?) there's no backlight and I can't seem to institute input switching for the display during a macro--maybe it's just me.
The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.
Review 19 made on Thursday August 16, 2007 at 12:57 PM.
Also owned:
RCA RCR612
Strengths:
Design, Feel, and Quality. Very easy for it to learn other remote commands along with using any key to do anything.
Weaknesses:
No TV code for Vizio
Review:
This was bought off Ebay as a return from Best Buy for $20.50 delivered. After I cleared all commands and set it back to the factory settings it was able learn the Vizio TV settings. I later had it learn all the commands necessary to operate my Cox HD Cable Box, Surround Sound/DVD, DVD/VCR Player, and Fan.
The reviewer has used this remote control for 3-6 months.
Review 18 made on Thursday July 12, 2007 at 10:47 AM.
Also owned:
Sony RM-AV2100
Strengths:
Very cheap, very easy to use, reasonable tactile feedback, reasonable keyboard layout. It does 95% of what the RM-AV2100 does for a fraction of the price.
Weaknesses:
Difficult to program, lacks discrete on/off commands, no PC connectivity, limited database.
Review:
I have owned a RM-AC2100 for some years, and when the backlight of that unit failed I had to get a new universal remote. I chose the RM-VL600 because of the very low cost. I don't want to spend too much money on a remote. It's controlling a Sony surround amplifier/reciever, an LG HD/DVD recorder and a Panasonic TH-42PX70 plasma television (which recently replaced my Sony Television)
The RM-VL600 does 95% of what the RM-AV2100 does for a fraction of the price. The ergonomic is very much better than the RM-AV2100, and it's very easy to use, also for the wife and children.
And if you own Sony equipment, it's really really good value for the money, as it has some tricks for Sony equipment, e.g. automatic power-on when pressing a component select button. When it comes to non-Sony equipment, it's getting a little more difficult. Learning mode is very easy, so it's easy to replace the original remotes of non-Sony equipment. But advanced macros are a bit more difficult, due to the lack of discrete codes. E.g. programming a common "All off" button may be difficult, depending on your equipment. Also, not being able to adjust the delay between macro commands makes it difficult to program advanced sequences.
Honestly, I'd rather have some PC-programmable unit, but I won't part with that kind of money for a remote. So for me, the RM-VL600 is the best compromise between functionality and price.
The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.
Review 17 made on Monday July 2, 2007 at 5:46 AM.
Also owned:
Logitech 525, Dai 1Chi Uni RCU, Chunghop RMX-18, Chunghop RM96, Crest 5 in 1 RCU with learning.
Strengths:
SONY RM-VL600 RCU REVIEW
Simplicity, robust, logical layout very good value.
Weaknesses:
A bit too long, bit too wide [5mm], back is sheer not good for grip, back is tapered to heavier lower end, function buttons are too soft on RCU lower panel.
Review:
Perhaps a bit long physically, ergonomic value is lost with it being 5mm wider than my other Sony remotes, back is too sheer and tends to slip through hand, don't like the tapered rear being thicker at the heavier end over the battery bay. The multi function buttons and system control [fast forward / play etc] are too soft in response, so a minor bump will trigger the wrong selection, this is a pity compared to my most favourite remote from the Sony RDRHX910 which has excellent ergonomic proportions, particularly being slightly narrower with a curved rear body which helps control immensely, this is lacking in the RM-VL600.
Don't get me wrong, I have a list of remotes tried prior to liking the Sony, the first of which went in the bin after four frustrating hours [Logitech 525]. The RM-VL600 has just become available in Australia and is not compatible with standard Sony models marketed here. For example the RDRHX910 Hard Disk DVD recorder with Dual Scart connectors has no user code which works. The next device I wanted to control was a STB for Digital Tv, this was a Strong brand, common in Australia. The latter can be programmed to learn codes from the component's original remote, however none could control the product after all sorts of methods to learn, delete and re learn made no difference.
Puzzled by this I bought a Sony DST-HD500 set top box to replace the also new Strong device. There was no matching code for this STB.
However for all my Sony products, DVD Player, Hard Disk DVD recorder, STB the RM-VL600 learnt from the original remote with consummate ease, I prefer this approach anyway and occasionally I will modify a button
Even better my wife is learning how to tackle all the equipment from one RCU.
As a simple device with just the basic number of functions I am very impressed with the RM-VL600.
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