10/24/22 - In searching for the perfect day, Timmy discovers something unexpected!
9/04/22 - That childhood favorite is back in a new Timmy video.
7/31/22 - It’s time for my second new Just Like Timmy video!
7/12/22 - Why not check out my new YouTube animation channel, Just Like Timmy!
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The following page was printed from RemoteCentral.com:
| User reviews for the Sony RM-VL900 from Sony Electronics. |
 | | Ratings | Reviews | MSRP (USD) |
Average: 4.51/5.00
Median: 4.67/5.00 | 102 | $59 |
The Sony RM-VL900 is an economical all-button universal remote that can control up to 8 devices. It has multiple macros, full learning capability on every key, plus a great ergonomic design.
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| Written by Todd J. Derr from Pittsburgh, PA. The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months. |
| Review 11 made on Tuesday October 24, 2000 at 11:23 AM. |
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| Review: | I have been using a Cinema 7 for my bedroom, and was generally very happy with it. But, it's an older (non-learning) model and I have a TiVo to control now, so... it was time to look for a new remote. So, I bought the Sony, and a Cinema 7 learning (it was just sitting there, $20 open box special... I couldn't resist). I'm not sure which one I am going to keep. Since I'd imagine a lot of people end up considering these same 2 remotes, I'll try to compare them.
My main concern with the C7 is the limited learning capability. I might be OK here because the only thing I should have to learn is the TiVo. Regardless, it is definately a huge plus that the Sony can learn codes on any non-device key - you never have to worry about running out of memory. I have seen some people complain that the Sony doesn't allow you to remap buttons like the C7 does, but I don't think that's an issue since you can learn on every key. I guess you need another remote to learn from, but that's no big deal. Also it is _not_ like some other braindead sony remotes I've seen (and owned) which don't allow you to use certain buttons in certain modes - i.e. no transport keys in 'TV' mode.
My main gripe with the Sony is that macros can only be programmed on 3 dedicated buttons (kind of hard to reach, at the top of the remote), and on the device keys (these are sent when you hold the key down for 2 seconds). C7 wins here since you can put a macro on any key. They both suffer from the fact that you can't make a macro go back to the last device you were using - that always drives me crazy. I want to put a macro on the 'sleep' button that sets the TV sleep timer and lets me go on with what I was doing. Ah well, my 'other' remote is a pronto so I'm probably not going to be satisfied with any other remote's macro capabilities :)
I really prefer the size/shape of the C7, although perhaps some of that is due to familiarity with the C7. The Sony is definately a lot bigger and heavier, and not contoured to fit your hand like the C7. I realize the layout is a very subjective thing, and that I'm biased by my C7 experience, so I'll refrain from much commenting about it. I do think that they are both laid out pretty reasonably, although they're both difficult to use with one hand - the C7 has an advantage due to its size and the aforementioned fact that macros aren't confined to the top of the remote. I don't have much of a problem finding the keys on either one in the dark, with the possible exception of the round buttons on the left of the C7, they take a good bit of "feeling around" to get the right one. So, I would give Sony the nod in that department, the keys are easy to recognize by feel. And since there's no backlight on either, you'll need to...
Overall, I wish I could somehow combine the two into one remote - add the learning capabilities of the Sony to the programmability of the C7, and you've got a winner. As it is, it depends on your needs - if you need to learn a lot, you need the sony. Otherwise, at 1/3 to 1/2 of the price, it's hard to argue with the C7. |
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| Written by Robert from WA, USA. The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months. |
| Review 9 made on Sunday October 15, 2000 at 3:34 PM. |
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| Review: | I've had this remote for a few days now, and overall I like it, especially since I can program EVERYTHING I have onto it, including the TiVo and Sima switch box. The weaknesses I listed I can live with, and I've already gotten used to the bigger size, weight, and the buttons.
The battery cover didn't seem very solid to me, and would move slightly when pushing certain buttons. To fix the problem I cut off a couple pieces of some packing foam and put them inside the cover near the front and back, now it feels very solid.
Just a word to prospective buyers, the remote is pretty large near the top compared to other remotes I've used, making it a little hard to push some buttons at the top with one hand...luckily with a TiVo I'm not pushing those very often. Also the remote feels fairly "hefty" when its cocked and loaded with 4 AA batteries.
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| Written by AirFrame from Burnaby, BC, Canada. The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months. |
| Review 6 made on Wednesday August 30, 2000 at 2:54 PM. |
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| Review: | After playing around with at least a dozen different remotes over the last year, this is by far the best $99 (Canadian) i've spent in a long time. Within half an hour of taking it out of the package, I had all five of my components working with basic to advanced functionality, and within another hour or two (while I was watching TV and having dinner, so it could have been faster) I was able to completely control every device in my rack with just the Sony (with two small exceptions).
My components:
- Toshiba CN27V71 TV
- Toshiba 1200 DVD
- Yamaha Receiver
- Yamaha 5-disc CD Player
- Quasar VHS
The Quasar VHS is the only unit to cause any trouble that I can't find a remedy for. The remote for the Quasar has this little 'jog wheel' on it that is used when programming/setting up the unit to control the cursor. Unfortunately, there was no preset key on the Sony remote that would mimic the 'stroll up' or 'scroll down' signals, and the remote won't learn them when I try to 'beam' the signal over.
I suspect the problem is that the Sony is expecting me to *hold down* the button on the remote so it can sample more than one signal, but the jog wheel only sends one signal per click when you roll it, and I can't roll it fast enough or smooth enough to send a signal that the Sony will recognize. Anyone have any suggestions?
Construction:
The remote is *very* solid. It feels like a piece of equipment that will stand up to the abuse it's likely to receive (dropping, sitting on, etc).
Ergonomics:
Very nice. Comfortable, well balanced, and easy to reach the most common controls. Despite the location of the Volume and Channel surfing buttons at the bottom end of the unit, it's surprisingly easy to hit them one-handed.
Usability:
Unfortunately, almost every time you pick up the unit you have to hit the device key before the desired function key, unless you remember what the last you used was. I don't see a way around this, short of leaving the light on (bad for batteries), or adding a button for a light switch (which means you have to hit two buttons anyway).
I like the idea of the non-battery-guzzling glow-in-the-dark buttons for the rest of the remote, but unfortunately when you're half-way into The Matrix and want a bathroom break, the lights have been off for an hour and the 'glow' has all but worn off. At least it did for me last night. Would it be that much harder to add (switchable) backlighting for the rest of the buttons? It would solve the previous problem of the device key being unmarked as well...
Summary:
Overall, I think this is an excellent remote, which (despite my crappy VCR) will 100% replace my other five remotes.
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| Written by Harry Park from Delaware, USA. The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months. |
| Review 5 made on Friday August 25, 2000 at 11:34 PM. |
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| Review: | Well, I guess strengths and weaknesses that I have outlined above really sums it up. Don't be scared of the weaknesses that I have outlined above, overall, this remote is a good and sturdy and will be able to replace most if not all your remotes that are cluttering your coffee table. And it looks VERY VERY good.
I purchased the above remote from local BestBuy for $60 since cheapest that I could find in Internet was $42 + $9 shipping and I have decided that spending extra $9 for returnability was worth it since I had to return the cinema 7 because of the fact that it did not have enough memory to learn all the functions that I needed.
It takes 4 AA batteries which adds to the weight. Also, I have noticed that volume and channel controls were far too below but overall I was satisfied with the button layout.
The remote does not have backlights for all the keys so you will need to have some lights in the beginning, but as soon as you get used to it, who will want to look at remotes while all the action is on the screen..
Programming this thing is a breeze, once you decide on which button should be mapped to which other buttons, then getting it programmed will probably take all but 5 minutes or less, which was not the case with Cinema 7. Also, if you get few of these remotes, you can transfer the learned keys between each other which makes the programming 2,3 or 4 remotes a breeze.. (All you AV2100 users outthere, you can just transfer the data over to VL900 according to the manual) And also, if you decide to upgrade to AV2100 later, you can just transfer the data over to AV2100 from VL900.
If you take out the battery, memory back up will keep your settings for approximately 1 hr according to the manual.
Also, unlike few of the other learning remotes outthere (UR326, RR969, etc..) this one comes with tons of pre-programmed codes so if you happen to have lost your remote, it probably will perform basic functions without learning.. I had TEAC Tape deck which did not come with the remote (remote supposedly integraded with TEAC receiver) had a code which will do play and stop which even cinema 7 could not do.
The remote, for its price is very well made and looks very good also. If it is made as sturdy as other cheap SONY universal remotes which I had (non-learning) then it will probably last you forever, since the other remote is still working after being abused by 1 and 2 year olds for last 2 years... |
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