Excellent remote for the home theater
Written: Jan 05 '05 (Updated Jan 06 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Ability to program macros directly to component buttons
Cons: Hard buttons don’t light
The Bottom Line: This remote is for some one who wants more flexibility and customization then regular learning remote control can offer.
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| othervlad's Full Review: Sony RM-AV3100 LCD Remote Control |
I got this Remote Control mostly because of my wife. In our great room we have to control:
1 TV
2 DVD
1 AV
1 Cable
1 VCR
1 XBOX
Lights
I was successfully using Learning Remote Control that came with my AV – that’s because I set it up my self. But for some one else that would be imposable task. You have to know that to control lights in the room you have to use Tape mode on the remote, when you in TV mode memory button controls Aspect Ratio on my TV and so on. So my wife constantly was mixing up all these buttons and it was easier for her to go back to original remotes. So, I started the research.
My first chose was Philips Pronto, but I thought TSU3000 would be overkill for all my components.
Then I heard about Sony RM-AV3100 and for $95 it looked like a great deal.
Some of the features that made me buy it: 32 step macros, 4 IR emitters, and timer.
In addition remote has touch screen, 4 step (short) macros, alias and key copy.
Once I received the remote I had to program it – at first it may look not an easy task since the manual is very cumbersome. It’s hard to understand, wording is complicated and it doesn’t have a natural flow. But once you invest some time in the manual the programming is easy.
Most important feature that I use on this remote - ability to program macros directly to the main component buttons (TV, DVD, AV and so on).
Let’s say you want to watch DVD. So, you have to create macro to switch your, TV and AV to DVD input. You have to make 5 steps on regular remote to execute this simple task: select TV, select DVD input, select AV, select DVD mode, and finely select DVD for the remote to control actual DVD player.
You have three options to execute these steps when you record them as a macro. You can create separate button (or label) in the remote’s DVD mode, or you can use remote’s system keys for macros assigned by remote, or as I do – I use actual component button. In this particular case - DVD button. Macro does not overwrite the remote control’s DVD mode.
So, once you program your macro to DVD button all you have to do is to hold this button for more then two seconds and it will not just put the remote to DVD mode but it also triggers that particular macro. Easy – one button two functions. And most important you don’t have guess or memorize what macro button you have to use to set up your home theater to watch DVD.
I use alias function to have my TV Aspect Ratio and room lights buttons to be available in all modes. Now I don’t have to switch to TV/Light mode when I am watching DVD to change Aspect Ratio on my TV or to turn my lights on or off.
Remote has 4 IR emitters rated at 32.8 feet. That’s exactly what I needed - I don’t have to point directly at the component to control it (regular remotes usually have 1 IR emitter, that’s why you have to some times pointed remote control directly at the component). As a matter of fact I even don’t have to point the remote at my light switch which located on the wall at about 90 degrees to the remote. This remote controls it without any problems.
I cannot comment on battery life since I have the remote for two weeks only.
Timer is a nice addition to any remote. I use it to turn my components every morning to a news station and then turn it off right after I leave for work. So, every morning I come down to my kitchen where my automatic coffeemaker waits me with the fresh cup of coffee and my remote set my favorite news channel on TV in the great room. Almost like a personal maid.
What I don’t like about remote – cannot connect to your computer to make back up of entire remote system once you finish programming. I think any remote that has such an extensive capability to program and learn functions has to have option to back up entire system. No one wants to go through hours of programming again.
Hard buttons don’t light – I don’t know in what light conditions Sony tested this remote, but most of the people are using it for their home theaters, and it’s really hard to see in the dark what button you are pressing. In addition back light button is located second in the row from the right side - usually this buttons on most remotes designed in the way that you can easily distinguish it from other buttons.
Other then that it is great remote that not too complicated to program and very easy to use even with more components that I have.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
othervlad
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Location: Mine Hill, NJ
Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 0 members
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