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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
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Permanently frozen
Bought this unit ~2yrs ago. Worked fine for ~1yr then froze and never been able to reset / unfreeze even with Sony tech support. Unreliable product beware.
Rating: 
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RM-AV3000T universal remote
I've decided to post my own thoughts on this remote, because I see so many conflicting (and often damning) things written about it.
I've been using the Sony for approximately three years.
The number of remotes it currently replaces in my home is 8, including the remote for my aircon. There has only been one command (didn't really need it anyway) ever from another remote that I have not been able to teach to the Sony.
Yes, it is rather large compared to other remotes, and unless it's placed on a surface you'll probably require two hands to operate it.
The backlighting could be brighter, but this would only eat into battery life.
The touch screen does get fingerprints on it, but these are easily cleaned.
A few more *hard* buttons on the unit would be appreciated as well, but I get around this by programming other buttons on the facia (such as *exit* *return* etc) for operations that are not needed for certain devices.
Battery life is pretty good: I change batteries about every quarter. You can save on battery life by limiting how long the backlight stays on during operation.
Now for the good news. Having the ability to create macros is brilliant: one touch to turn all your required components on, at the right spot, ready to enjoy viewing; and of course that same button will turn everything off again after you've finished viewing.
Teaching the Sony all your current remotes' functions is a breeze, and adding to or altering them just as easy.
You can change the *labels* of any button on the remote, except of course the hard buttons, although you can still make the hard buttons display differently on the screen.
I think for the price (about $320 AUD) it's very good value.
To get anything comparable, you could maybe purchase an Aeros MX-850, which seems to have even more flexibility than the Sony - but costs $1000 AUD.
I've been extremely pleased with the way my Sony remote performs. It does everything I ask of it and until curiosity gets the better of me and/or my finances improve, I'll stick with it.
POSTSCRIPT 25.1.2007. Bought Logitech Harmony 520 in October 2006. Setup is via USB connection over internet. First time on computer it took 2-4 hrs before I had everything fine-tuned to my specifications. Must know name and model numbers for each component - from owner's manual or rear of equipment. Ergonomically feels better in hand than Sony, more like traditional remote. Setup of *activities* is very easy, as is adding new devices etc. Ease of use is superior to Sony - might be something even your Gran could handle.
Overall, I have to say I've been very impressed with the 520, and this is at the lower end of models. The 880 and 890 feature bigger LCDs and the 890 has RF as well - meaning you don't have to have line-of-sight to activate controls. I believe Logitech's 1000i 3.5" touchscreen model will soon be available, which is something I'll definitely be watching out for. I'd recommend the Logitech Harmony remote system to all.
Rating: 
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Really not that great
I am shocked to see that so many rave about this control. The only good quality about it is that it nicely takes the place of lots of remotes (which I kept losing). But the problems overwhelm its benefits.
First, it is bulky. It SUCKS for channel surfing. Not only is it inherantly two handed, it has a poor ergodynamic design even if you try to use one handed.
The buttons are tough to hit-it always seems like I would hit buttons 2-3 times and never get the right thing.
The batteries die in two weeks. You are a moron if you buy this thing WITHOUT buying yourself some fast recharging batteries.
Finally, they really need to offer a class on how to work this thing. I have a science grad degree-so I am somewhere between educated and uneducated, and I got very impatient trying to learn this thing. It took hours to just get the basics down. There is little online support and the instructions couldn't be anymore technical.
If you are the kind of person that loves to micromanage your equipment (lots of options), and you don't mind spending a few weeks reading the instructions and learning the thing, you will probably enjoy it. So if you are the kind that does computer programming or builds computers and audio/visual systems, you may enjoy that.
If you are like most of us, however, who have full time jobs and just want a control that you can get up and running in an hour, this is NOT the one you want. I bought the Logitech Harmony 676 and, though it is not without its limitations, is head and shoulders about this control and extremely easy to set up (plug it into the computer, tell it what you want to do without complicated programming, and its ready). It is also very ncie to have a one handed control.
I love Sony stuff, but this control is a waste of moeny for most people. If you are spending over a hundred bucks, it should make life easier, not more annoying and complicated.
Rating: 
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Im an amateur videophile
I only have four components for this remote, and programming it was quite easy, tedious but easy. it works great and looks great, but it is fairly bulky.
On the positive side, i programmed it so that i dont have to keep switching between remote functions to control different components. Also, it makes it easier for friends to operate the remote. Secondly, there is a button for every function i frequently use. Lastly it does clear up a lot of remote control clutter.
The biggest obvious gripe is that you can't feel the buttons. this makes it hard for lazy people like me to finger prance the remote. Secondly, its size makes it hard to hold the remote while you are lying down.
I have not noticed the other gripes mentioned by other reviewers. It might be because i do not use that many components, or that i have had it for a short period of time.
Overall, I recommend this controller because it is funtional, cool in appearance, and it is worth the price if you buy it online.
Rating: -
The Remote to Replace all Controls
Not long ago, I decided to start a project to build a computer-based media server to replace my aging hi-fi stereo equipment I had purchaced some 12 years earlier. Of my many lofty goals, one of the more reasonable was to replace my ever growing collection of remote controls with a single device. Over the years my entertainment center had grown to include remotes for the television, stereo, CD-changer, DVD player, DirecTV receiver, and a device known as a SqueezeBox. I even had a remote for the air conditioner.
I had already read numerous positive reviews about this remote, but after I began programming it to command my equipment, I became utterly amazed at how well designed this remote is. While much of the display is fixed and cannot be changed, you will be supprised at how much forethought was put into this item. Virturally every command found on any of the above remotes is already labeled on the remote. And when that isn't enough, there are four fully customizable labels along the bottom of the display.
The buttons are large, with plenty of space between them to prevent accidentally pressing the wrong button, even in the dark. The labels on the LCD display are small and compact, but very accurate.
All of my other controls demand that I point the control exactly at the device in order for my commands to be accepted. Not this control; point it anywhere you like, the commands will be received.
If your type that actually does have problems programing your VCR, then this control probably isn't for you. But don't worry, the programming isn't really all that difficult. I had managed to get all my components configured in about 30 minutes and was programing the more advanced features shortly there after.
Not supprisingly, all this comes in a pretty hefty package. The device is quite large and doesn't conform naturally to your hand like more traditional controls. It doesn't take long to get used to this caviat, and before you'll know it, you'll wonder how you managed without it.
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