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Sony RM-VL600 8-Device Universal Learning Remote | 
 enlarge | Brand: Sony
Category: CE
Buy New: $24.99
New (7) from $16.49
Avg. Customer Rating:  179 reviews
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 11.2 x 5.5 x 1.7
Warranty: 90 day
MPN: RMVL600
Model: RMVL600
UPC: 027242683433
EAN: 0027242683433
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Features:
| • | Controls up to 8 AV components | | • | Learning function for programming remote signals | | • | One-touch system control (12 macro functions) | | • | Easy operation of on-screen menu for DVD and VCR | | • | Pre-programmed codes are compatible with most brands |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Exciting and convenient, the RM-VL600 controls up to 8 components, and with the one-touch system control, synchronizing operational status on remote and alternate components is done with ease. Also a Learning function for programming from other remotes. Being in the driver's seat of your living room sofa is made easy with the RM-VL600 remote control from Sony.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 174 more reviews...
 Perfect remote under $25 August 28, 2006
61 out of 61 found this review helpful
I bought three of these for my home last week to replace a pile of remotes in my living room, den and bedroom. For each room, I needed at least some of the buttons on each of the remotes to do this or that. No more, thanks to the "learning" function.
You start out, of course, by putting in the code for each device as found in the table in the back of the manual. Under Satellite, DirecTV codes were listed but not my DishTV device. No problem. The "search for correct code" function found it after just a few keystrokes.
Now, after that, some of the functions were missing. For instance, after coding in my DVD device, the Sony600 remote did not seem to have a button that would open/close the DVD tray door ... even though the original DVD remote did. No problem. This Sony600 easily "learns" what your original remote buttons do. The Sony600's DVD "exit" button didn't do anything, so I taught it to do what my original remote's "open/close" button did. How? Basically you just point the two remotes head-to-head, push the Sony600's "learn" button, push the button on the Sony600 that you want "to learn," then push the button on the original remote that you want "to be learned." Ta-da! Save the "learning" and you are done. I was able to transfer EVERY function from ALL my other remotes onto my Sony600 ... I now have one remote (in each room) that will do EVERYTHING ALL the other remotes did.
AND the range is much better than the old remotes as well.
Plus you can train the Sony600 to record and replay a sequence of keystrokes you make on the Sony600 ... it will replay the sequence with a one button touch (the A-B-C-D buttons at bottom are for that). I trained it to do several of these "macros" as well. For instance, I have some wireless headphones attached to the TV ... to make them work, I have to go into the TV's menu and work my way over to the place where I redirect the audio output and such. Turned on the Sony600 "learn" mode, then just performed all the required kestrokes .... TV, menu, down, left, left, enter and so on ... then saved it to the button at the bottom. It's just that simple.
All that for under $25. This is an excellent investment, run out and get one today !!
Amazing value for what you get March 31, 2007
35 out of 35 found this review helpful
I was considering a harmony remote to consolidate my remotes, but I just couldn't justify the price. I've used the pronto when they first came out several years ago, so I'm somewhat familiar with what to expect with features for high end universal remotes.
On to the review, I paid nearly full retail price for this remote (a whopping $23), but I don't regret it because this is a purchase that is actually very useful for me. There are lots of universal remotes on the market, but I chose this one because:
1. It is not over-cluttered with buttons. Some people may want more buttons, but not me. The more buttons the higher the level of unfamiliarity with the device and the longer it takes to get used to. Particularly if you tend to use tactile feel (rather than sight) to navigate your way around the remote like I do.
2. This is a true learning remote as many have stated. It ships with a decent quantity of default codes to program your device (it found 2 out of 4 of my devices using the included codes in the manual). More importantly, it is VERY EASY to manually assign functions to each button (within each of the eight device functions) using your existing remote. This may sound like a lot of potential functions, but this device can actually accommodate all of these user-added functions without running out of storage/memory.
3. Macros. The four buttons on the bottom of the remote are devoted to macros. I can turn-on my dvd, switch my TV input, turn on my receiver, and open the dvd tray with the touch of one button. The possibilities here go as far you want it to.
4. Battery life. This device has no LCD display, it has no CD required to set it up, or drivers needed to download. It looks like a basic remote that I wouldn't mind sleeping on or accidentally dropping. It uses 2 AA batteries (does not ship with batteries).
5. Reviews. Look at the reviews for this unit on other sites. They are consistently higher and more favorable than anything else out there, and I can see why.
I rate this so highly because I thought I had to get a harmony in this day and age, but I was so pleased to see that there was such a cheaper alternative that actually suits my needs better.
 Too cheap to complain too much April 16, 2007
23 out of 25 found this review helpful
This is easily the cheapest fully programmable remote you're likely to find out there, but there are some tradeoffs. It's not very comfortable to hold, the buttons are in weird places, and Sony still doesn't think people need a full set of DVD playback controls for some reason (there's no difference between track forward, fast forward and frame forward in their minds). But if you're like me and don't want to shell out $200 for some backlit Logitech LCD nightmare just to change channels, it'll definitely do the trick.
Quite possibly the perfect remote April 3, 2007
15 out of 15 found this review helpful
Several years ago I picked up a Sony RM-VL900. I was amazed at how versatile it was. Easy to program, it did everything, and my wife could easily understand how to use our complex home entertainment system because of it. At the time, I reviewed the remote and gave it 5 stars which it still deserves even 4 years later. To this day I have friends that swear by the other universal remotes they own, yet they always seem to have a pile of original remotes handy to cover stuff their universal remotes can't do. With the Sony, all my other remotes are put away and most haven't seen the light of day since I used them to program the Sony. There's simply no need for them anymore.
4 Years later and my VL900 is still serving me well, but the printing on the buttons has worn off making it difficult for others to use. I looked for a replacement but they don't make it anymore. I considered a high end Harmony remote at several hundred dollars, but after trying one out realized that the LCD screen actually makes them more complicated to use for novices than the Sony. In addition, one of the best features of the Sony is the shape and layout of the buttons. I can easily navigate my Sony simply by feel because of the excellent button shapes and layout. The Harmony remote has buttons that are all squished together. It looks nice but can't be navigated by feel as easily.
At first I didn't even consider the RM-VL600 because at the price. I assumed it was an inferior non-learning, non-macro remote. Luckily I took a look at it and quickly realized that not only is it very similar to the VL900, but actually sports some improvements. There are 3 extra buttons compared to the VL900, and one extra dedicated macro button.
Just like the VL900, the VL600 allows you to program macro commands into the component selection buttons for a total of 12 macro buttons. And the 600 was able to learn every command for all of my components just like the 900 did. Each button can be individually programmed to do any command you want. For some components I didn't even use the pre-programmed codes because I knew I'd be creating a very custom setup. The remote handled it without a problem.
The only drawbacks I could find with the remote are that it isn't tapered like the 900 was and the 900 was heavier which I liked. It also doesn't control RF devices. I've gotten used to the non-tapered shape and lightness off the 600 (2 batteries instead of 4). As for the RF, the cheapest remote I could find that controls both RF and IR components costs twelve times as much as this remote, so that can hardly be considered a drawback of this remote considering the price.
In summary, for a simple to fairly complex home theater setup, this is one of the best remotes you can buy. It's easy to set up despite not having a pc interface, very flexible to handle a lot of different setups, and once set up, it's easy and comfortable to use. The fact that is costs less than half as much as the extremely capable remote that it replaces is an even bigger bonus. This remote easily performs as well as or better than remotes that cost ten times as much.
 Great, inexpensive remote June 14, 2006
13 out of 14 found this review helpful
I was looking for a cheap universal remote (couldn't justify spending $100 - $200 on such a simple device). I have many home theater components, some of which are not well-known brands.
This remote worked perfectly for the name brand components (Sony, Toshiba, etc) and gave me the ability to EASILY program all other buttons by simply pointing my old remotes at it and pressing a button.
The great thing about this device is that it works correctly with an A/V receiver. For example it gives you the ability to make the volume buttons control either your A/V receiver or your TV. Also, you can have the remote automatically make the appropriate change on your receiver as you switch among components. So when you press the DVD button, it will switch your receiver to DVD mode and control your DVD player. That is an absolute must for anyone using a reciever to route all audio and video signals.
Another excellent feature you'll notice right away is the remote's wide-angle range. My DVD player's old remote required that I point it exactly at the player for it to work. Now that I have this product I can just point it in the general direction.
Finally, the macro programming is great because it lets you set up an activity with a single button. This is especially useful if you need to make an input select every time you watch a video. For example, pressing the VCR button could automatically turn on your TV and VCR, switch to VIDEO1 on your TV and then play the video.
Some small annoyances for your considerations:
1. The power button cannot be programmed to operate a macro. So if you want to turn on your system with only one button, you'll have to use a generic button. This means that you'll have to explain to your guests how to turn on your system or do it yourself.
2. Look at the picture carefully and make sure all the buttons you need are there (remember that the four generic buttons are system wide and cannot be reused across components). I am missing two buttons for my cable box (page-up and page-down) that have no place on the remote.
Overall, I like this remote's ability to learn codes and its intuitive design. Add to that the great price and you have a perfect addition to your home theater system.
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