Rating: 
Summary: Usability failure
Review: Getting this programmed was one of the most frustrating experiences of my life:DEFAULTS - Says it is fully defaulted to Sony. I have a Sony XBR-400 tv, only the basics (numbers, ch, vol) work. PIP, video modes, advanced menu functions, all were on the LCD menu, but none worked. LABELS - Programming the labels takes an eternity. Every letter is chosen by scrolling through the complete alphabet twice (lc and caps), numbers, and useless characters. They should take a lesson from cell phone letter selection. COMPONENT SELECTION - Selecting which component you're controlling takes at least 2 button taps, each on opposite sides of screen on top, impossible to do with one hand and too many keystrokes. HIDDEN FUNCTIONS - Functions like LCD contrast and backlight time delay are hidden key combos, absolutely no way to intuit these from the keypad. GENERAL PROGRAMMING - Again, what is with the hidden key combos? Key+Scroll to erase a key's programming? Very un-intuitive approach to programming. MEANINGLESS KEY NAMING - "Compo" to bring up a menu to choose what device to control - "System" to go to a list of macros. 'nuf said HORRID MANUAL - Hopefully the writers don't do work for any safety-related applications. Would take them 8 pages just to tell you how to pull a fire alarm, and you would probably be led astray in the process. But, I feel for them given the hardware they have to write about. SYSTEM FREEZES AND LOST PROGRAMMING - After finally getting it programmed (2 hours, most spent with the stupid letter scrolling, very little productive programming), used it for a few minutes then it hung. No way to get it back, needed to force a reboot by taking out batteries. Batteries back in and, contrary to the ad on the box, all (ALL) my programming and time consuming labelling was gone. Took every ounce of patience to actually pack it up nicely to return rather than smash it to bits. Don't bother with this one, it's garbage.
Rating: 
Summary: Two Serious Flaws
Review: I also found the the display very hard to read even after adjusting the contrast and with or without the backlite on. The fact that the buttons beside the display do not line up with the choices they represent is just truly bad design. I never even got to the annoying labeling process. This unit has lots of great features, just too many flaws. Mine's going back in the morning.
Rating:
Summary: Nightmare
Review: I can't believe how difficult Sony makes programming a remote. Simple tasks take a lot of work and the small buttons don't help. The LCD is difficult to read and there is just too much hassle. I bought mine at Costco two days ago and I'm taking it back tomorrow.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Remote
Review: I didn't think the manual was hard to understand at all. I actually was able to program the remote/learn/macros within 5-10 minutes. I'm not sure what is so hard about clicking set and then following the menus. I will agree that display could be easier to read, but for the most part, it's fine. I only have the once in awhile type of buttons programmed on the display. Everything else is bound to a button. I got mine for 50 bucks. You can't go wrong with this one.
Rating:
Summary: A frustrating piece of junk
Review: I found the initial set up process to be very tedious. The manual was very confusing, and the steps requried to learn things seemed way more complicated than necessary. And, when you make a mistake, several steps are required to clear it. When I finally got things working, I was pretty happy with it. I like the physical layout for the most part, and it's great having a joystick. One thing I was disappointed by is the inability to program the Power button if with non-Sony components. Then, I got a new DVD player and had to teach it all of the commands (it didn't have it built in). Now, it's totally screwed up. When I teach it one thing, it forgets something else, or it links to buttons to always be the same. The worst part is that it nukes totally unrelated settings. For example, the right arrow button for my Tivo stopped working. If I fix that, it breaks something for my amp. If I fix that, the Tivo is broken again. I'll be selling it and looking for a different remote. I hear good things about the MX-500. I'd avoid the Sony one if I were you.
Rating:
Summary: Nice Value...
Review: I have had this remote for almost a year and I must admit, it's a tremendous value. I have it controlling, a TV, VCR, DVD, TIVO, Cable Box, Satellite system and Satellite radio receiver. As you can see I'm really into electronics and this remote handles it all. The only drawback that I see is the lack of contrast control as the backlighting is tough to see sometimes and can't be adjusted. Secondly, the component buttons are not perfectly aligned with the LCD screen. Once you get used to it though, it's a breeze. My kids use it with no problems. I said goodbye to 10 remotes with this Sony.
Rating:
Summary: Nice Value...
Review: I have had this remote for almost a year and I must admit, it's a tremendous value. I have it controlling, a TV, VCR, DVD, TIVO, Cable Box, Satellite system and Satellite radio receiver. As you can see I'm really into electronics and this remote handles it all. The only drawback that I see is the lack of contrast control as the backlighting is tough to see sometimes and can't be adjusted. Secondly, the component buttons are not perfectly aligned with the LCD screen. Once you get used to it though, it's a breeze. My kids use it with no problems. I said goodbye to 10 remotes with this Sony.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Great, Not Bad
Review: I have owned this for about 20 hours and I am still in evaluation mode. I am getting used to it a little but I am unsure if I will keep it. Going to give it a few more days. Advantages:
(1) Price. Reasonably priced given functionality. Others with similar functionality become expensive. e.g. ProntoPro & Sony RM-AV3000
(2) Macro programmable. A blessing when I shift between DVD and Satellite TV.
(3) Reasonable Size. Compared with ProntoPro, Sony RM-AV3000, and others
(4) Joystick. This makes movement nice while in menus etc.
(5) Buttons. I generally like buttons for main functions, numbers, etc. as opposed to LDC
(6) Ability to name macros and custom buttons. Disadvantages: (I have many of the same problems as earlier review)
(1) Backlight and LCD display. Terrible. Display is difficult to read especially in daylight. Backlight is not much better
(2) Macro execution. Difficult. Two button process
(3) Switching between components is a pain.
(4) Naming and programming of Macros and Custom buttons takes a great deal of time
(5) Manual is Terrible.
Rating: 
Summary: A dream come true
Review: I just gave this remote as a gift to my parents. They (as well as I) have been constantly complaining about the AV setup - 5 different remotes, volume adjusts on one, channels on the other, closed captioning on the third - a nightmare!
After about 25 minutes, I configured the remote and consolidated all functions into this single unit, hid all the other remotes, and we all were happy! A few notes:
1. The display can truly be a bit hard to read, but if you adjust the contrast it makes a world of difference!
2. If you want to reprogram the ON button to turn on all of your componencts (i.e. Satellite Receiver, Amp, TV) the macros wont help, but: go ahead and learn the ON button and quickly press all of the buttons on the other remotes (i.e. sat, amp, tv) in sequence.
3. If you are trying to learn the buttons for Echo Star dish player, make sure you tap the keys just slightly, do not push and hold while learning.
Rating:
Summary: Another Great Sony Product!!!
Review: I just purchased my "Sony Integrated Remote Commander" and have been playing with it for a week now. My reason for purchasing it was to replace another remote. My first remote that came with my Sony big screen TV was great, until my young kids got a hold of it(you can imagine what a 4 and 2 year old would do with it), so I replaced it with this one (which I will guard with my life). The operating manual it came with was not difficult to read or understand (yes, you have to read to learn how to use it). A 10 year old could comprehend it. It even came with instructions in spanish. The LCD display at first was difficult to read, but as I read through the manual (like everyone should), I learned how to adjust it. Now it reads perfectly. All of my electronics are made by Sony, so programming was easy. I didn't have to. It was already pre-programmed (less work). I love my new Sony toy. I will continue to buy Sony products as long as they continue providing stong, reliable products.
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