Rating: 
Summary: Malamute
Review: ...The instruction manual could use some editing, but don't we all. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the numerous figures and diagrams in the manual are worth fifty words each for each set of instructions. This 104-page manual, if you count the index at the back, is easily read and followed. This is an excellent manual. The feedback beeps are as crisp sounding as a puck's coming off a hockey stick on HD net, and the blue backlit screen isn't anything like the blue screen of death. I don't have any trouble reading the screen...If you like to operate a remote in the dark using your left hand, while using your right hand for scooping popcorn, this is not the remote for you. Use both hands and determine which set of digits of each hand work best.I like the responsiveness of the touch screen, the 21st century ergonomics of the remote itself and the 27 large buttons on the front. The remote has a requisite learning ability and the code numbers and functions for a number of devices built in. It has macro capabilities, and its non-volatile memory should preserve your hard work. You can even program macros for setting channel numbers. And since four of the names for the macros are located on the bottom of the screen, you can save on battery power by fishing for them in the dark without turning on the screen's backlight... Now for some specifics. I have seven devices to control: A high definition TV with a number of inputs, a DVD player, an audio/tape recorder, a TIVO/DirecTV box, an HD/DirecTV converter box, an audio/video receiver with a number of inputs, and an 8mm VCR...In my case, it means finding the functions I most frequently use and getting them programmed on the front buttons, with less used functions programmed on parts of the display screen that can be accessed without the backlight. ...However, there is one qualification I must make. If Chunky didn't have the three system control buttons on its front face, it would be somewhat inefficient to use. That's because I repeatedly use the three TIVO/DirectTV buttons (back, play, forward) to bypass commercials. So, I've programmed the three system buttons to bypass commercials and to skip through parts of recorded programs. Without them, I would be fishing for those buttons on the touch screen with the back light on-or possibly off, an interesting exercise in pinpoint bombing...I use the other system functions to switch between inputs, like going from TIVO to DVD in standard format, from DVD to TIVO in stretched format, from TIVO to High Def in Dolby Digital, from high def to TIVO, etc. I use one function for turning power on and off for all the devices. The virtual buttons for them on the touch screen are on the bottom of the screen, so they can be tapped in the dark to save on battery power.Because I have TIVO/DirecTV, the channel macros come in handy for accessing channels that I use most frequently (208, 269, 387 and 526). After accessing one of them, I bring up the guide to see what's playing on that channel and the surrounding channels. The macros are easily accessed by quartering the display screen in your mind's eye and then macro bombing the key... The whole... idea is not having to turn on the backlight. That's cheating, while draining batteries...The whole idea with devices like the AV3000 is to have some fun and not lot them overwhelm you. The AV3000's user's manual and human engineering make that possible...
Rating: 
Summary: It will impress your friends
Review: But as far as the usable aspects, it leaves something to be desired. I was pumped to get it, because I thought it would eleviate my needs for everything else...I guess it could, but the thing is the size of a buick. I mean if you are just laying there, you have food stains on your shirt and your are really wasted, you don't want to pick up this heavy thing and hit it's small buttons man, you just want to get it done. So also the backlight doesn't work well either it goes off too quickly. So yeah, I wouldn't get this one, wait until they are color and have bigger buttons...
Rating:
Summary: OK, but not great
Review: Does is work? Yes. Does it look cool? Yeah, if you appreciate the similarity to a Starfleet "PADD" (and don't mind that it's half the size and weight of your laptop). Does it replace all your other remotes? Probably. Am I glad I bought it? Well, I suppose... There are four basic problems in addition to the size. The first is that despite the perhaps-cool similarity to all those touch-screen manipulations you see on Star Trek, you're likely to wish you were pressing real buttons (with real tactile feedback) rather than a little part of the screen that says "power." And the real buttons that ARE present have no backlight. The second major drawback isn't actually an issue with this universal remote as much as with the equipment we want it to control. Most home theater equipment just isn't ready to deal with the "macro" commands an AV3000 owner would likely want to program -- for example, turn on the amp, set it to DVD, turn on the DVD player, set it to wide-screen and set the volume to -5 dB, turn on the TV, wait 4 seconds for it to wake up then set it to Input #5 with wide screen mode, etc. The AV3000 allows you to do A LOT of this, but there's no way to program in discrete codes (e.g., turn ON, rather than toggle On/Off) unless you already have another remote that can transmit these. This means you end up programming functions for various but similar scenarios, such as play a DVD when the DVD player is already on, play a DVD when the TV is already on but the DVD is off, etc. Third, the manual is just awful. It's pretty big, and there's an index (though the index fails to list a number of important topics), but the information is presented in a most inefficient and confusing manner. Owners of other Sony products will be familiar with this, unfortunately. If it weren't for the folks at remotecentral.com, I never would have learned a number of important procedures. Finally, my unit (and others, from what I've read online) is extremely sensitive to lighting conditions when "learning" from another remote. When the lights are on, the unit gives a certain error message (five beeps), leading the user to look up the "five beeps" message in the manual. There you read a number of suggestions which don't apply, but nothing about turning off the lights. I spent at least four hours tracking this down. Ugh!
Rating:
Summary: OK, but not great
Review: Does is work? Yes. Does it look cool? Yeah, if you appreciate the similarity to a Starfleet "PADD" (and don't mind that it's half the size and weight of your laptop). Does it replace all your other remotes? Probably. Am I glad I bought it? Well, I suppose... There are four basic problems in addition to the size. The first is that despite the perhaps-cool similarity to all those touch-screen manipulations you see on Star Trek, you're likely to wish you were pressing real buttons (with real tactile feedback) rather than a little part of the screen that says "power." And the real buttons that ARE present have no backlight. The second major drawback isn't actually an issue with this universal remote as much as with the equipment we want it to control. Most home theater equipment just isn't ready to deal with the "macro" commands an AV3000 owner would likely want to program -- for example, turn on the amp, set it to DVD, turn on the DVD player, set it to wide-screen and set the volume to -5 dB, turn on the TV, wait 4 seconds for it to wake up then set it to Input #5 with wide screen mode, etc. The AV3000 allows you to do A LOT of this, but there's no way to program in discrete codes (e.g., turn ON, rather than toggle On/Off) unless you already have another remote that can transmit these. This means you end up programming functions for various but similar scenarios, such as play a DVD when the DVD player is already on, play a DVD when the TV is already on but the DVD is off, etc. Third, the manual is just awful. It's pretty big, and there's an index (though the index fails to list a number of important topics), but the information is presented in a most inefficient and confusing manner. Owners of other Sony products will be familiar with this, unfortunately. If it weren't for the folks at remotecentral.com, I never would have learned a number of important procedures. Finally, my unit (and others, from what I've read online) is extremely sensitive to lighting conditions when "learning" from another remote. When the lights are on, the unit gives a certain error message (five beeps), leading the user to look up the "five beeps" message in the manual. There you read a number of suggestions which don't apply, but nothing about turning off the lights. I spent at least four hours tracking this down. Ugh!
Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic remote
Review: Easy to program and operate, nothing so far I can't use it with, or make it learn from another remote. The only thing I didn't like about it was the buttons in the middle of the remote should light up with the rest of the remote, in the dark thier impossible to see, but you eventually memorize them. If your into home theater buy this remote, it's a great accent to a nice system!
Rating:
Summary: Amazing!!
Review: Finally have only 1 remote on our coffee table!! If you are like me you probably have 7 or 8 remotes you constantly dig through in order to control your A/V system. This remote will literally eliminate all of them except for your new RM-AV3000. With patience you will be able to program the remote and have it do just what you want. The programming takes a little getting used to but is fairly straight forward after spending some time with the remote. Other reviewers have complained about it locking up which was a concern when I purchased the remote but have had no difficulties in this area. For $80 dollars you can't go wrong with the RM-AV3000.
Rating:
Summary: Explanation on some issues
Review: First let me cover the accidental touch of buttons. For those that are not aware, "hold times" can be added to any button you wish forcing you to hold the button down for 1,2 even 3 seconds before the action is taken. Add hold times.
Second, the "faulty electronics" comments? Never had that problem. Don't blame Sony either because unless you buy it direct from them or a reputable electronics dealer, beware of the Frankensteins. This means that some company's refurbish the remotes on their own and sell them at full price to make extra money. The end result, less than 50% come back so refunding the other 35 to 40% is still generating a profit for them. Also unless you have a learnig disablility, you can memorize the position of the "unlit" buttons. I mean c'mon, there are not that many on there so fishing around in the dark for the volume should be relatively easy. Furthermore, the backlight for the LCD should be plenty. If you want to go ahead and waste a button for the volume on the LCD because it is lit, feel free. Most people memorize the positioning of their controller buttons in the first week. I have rarely ever looked at a remote to find a button, this is just an outright idiotic complaint. For thos of us who are electronics buffs, when is the last time you have seen a standard remote come with lit buttons? My Sony Vega came with a remote and only the power button "glowed", nothing else did and that is an $1800 TV. Most cable remotes don't glow either so I am sorry for those who need your standard buttons lit. Good luck finding a *decent* controller that does that. Unless of course you spend the same amount of money for a Radio Shack non LCD universal. They do it, but it is Radio Shack after all. Enough said.
Third. Every single component I own from the sony receiver with a 5 piece Bose speaker system, to my pioneer 5 disc DVD player, to my technique's 5 disk changer to my Zenith 27" bedroom TV, to my 36" Sony Vega TV in my living room to even my PS2, replacing the usless PS2 DVD remote. Has been programmed with relative ease.
Lastly a great remote for a great price. I have had it for a while now with no issues and will continue to use it until something new and improved comes out. Till then, I love my Sony remote and wouldn't trade it for a pronto, or a compaq "palm + remote = crap conroller."
Rating: 
Summary: I bought it and then I returned it.
Review: First of all this is an OK remote, but for [money], there should be more. I have a great system wiht about 5 devices. This remote does do it's job, but there are many faults. First of all the thing is gigantic. YOu would think Sony would make it smaller after their first remote completley bombed. Another thing is that the blue backlight is great, but for god sakes, the other buttons which control the most basic and most useful functions like the channel and volume buttons. I really dont think that it was a good idea not to include a backlight on these buttons. The third thing that I really [money] remotes that can go farther than this one. Overall it isn't a BAD remote, and I would have given it a 3, but it is definitley not worth the price, hence the 2. If your really want a good remote, go with the RCA touch screen or the SIMA touch screen. Both are around [money] and do everything this does, plus they are MUCH smaller.
Rating:
Summary: Great Remote only a couple of flaws
Review: First of all, for all of those complaining about the size, and that the LCD doesn't have the "feel" of real button, well, DUH! It HAS to be a larger remote because it has to control so many devices. And you HAVE to have an LCD screen if you want to be able to change the label on each key, otherwise you end up with a remote the size of your lap with 500 differently labeled keys. Your expectations are unrealistic. Another complaint talked about the macros not necessarily being able to definitely turn ON a unit, instead of toggling on/off. Well, that's just not the remote's fault, it's the design of the individual unit. The remote can't ADD functions to the unit you're trying to control. Now, onto the remote. EXCELLENT touch screen. You can literally tap on it quickly and every command is recognized. Compared to the RCA touch screen, this is a gem. It's very well lit with the backlight, which can be manually turned on, or automatically turned on when you press any key on the remote. Turn off times are adjustable to save battery life. The ONLY bad thing on this remote is that the hard buttons are not backlit. However, most of them are recognizable by touch (LARGE channel and volume keys) and after just a few days I had no problem operating this remote in the dark. Learning was a breeze, and it had no problem learning every command that I gave it.
Rating:
Summary: Could use a home theater option
Review: however: It works perfectly as advertised. Contrary to my fears that the set up would be intricate and difficult, I was amazed. The user simply points the previous remotes at the new one and it automatically learns the old devices. There is no home theater function ie...no dolby etc, however you can re-name this one function,can be confusing though. THROW THE MANUAL AWAY. It is totally confusing and worthless, unless, you can read Greek backwards. Simply press the command and muting buttons simultaneously, and the corresponding buttons on your remote..ie..vol + or - etc. aim the remote at the new one and you will hear a beep reflecting that the unit has learned that function (may have to be repeated sometimes). Overall it is simple if you learn not to pay attention to the instruction manual and use simple logic. I love it and hope to purchase another when SONY adds a home theater option. P.S. It also controls my ceiling fan remotely.
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