Rating: 
Summary: Awesome remote, bar none
Review: This remote is the only one I've tried that works with everything I own. It knows the codes for almost everything, and when it doesn't, then you can program it, which comes in handy for those old pieces of equipment you don't want to get rid of...Programming can be a litle confusing at first, but once it's done it's a pure delight to use. It's very straightforward to use and anyone can figure out how to operate everything. This is what a remote is supposed to do. FYI Since it's programmable, you can always reprogram buttons to work for other things... for example a remote controlled ceiling fan...
Rating: 
Summary: The Almost Remote
Review: This remote was great in the beginning. I was able to program it to use 99% of all of my systems, but the main problem I have is that the remote defaults to the TV setting after almost every use! This drives me nuts! I'll be using the AMP feature [which I use 90% of the time as all of my components DVD, VCR, etc all go into my AMP] and two seconds later it defaults back to the TV. This is enough to give it only two stars. I'm very disappointed that I spent on this remote.
Rating:
Summary: Amazingly, it works!
Review: Universal remotes are usually a joke because they always miss at least one crucial feature of each old remote you're trying to replace. Instead of four remotes on your coffee table, you end up with five. Not this time. The Sony Commander is magic! The key is the learning feature, which lets you teach the Commander any signal you need to. The remote codes provided in the literature will go a long way toward making the Commmander work with your equipment instantly, but there will always be something left out. That's where the learning feature comes in. In less than 5 minutes, I taught the Commander all the signals for our General Instruments digital cable box. While I was at it, I programmed the Commander to turn on/off all my TV equipment at the touch of a button. I programmed another button to set everything up for DVD viewing. The Commander has done what no other universal remote I've tried has been able to do: It replaced every remote in my house. (I have a Toshiba TV, a Toshiba DVD, a Sony VCR, a Sanyo VCR, a G.I. digital cable box, and an Aiwa compact stereo system.)
Rating:
Summary: A bargain with few drawbacks.
Review: We have six of these remotes--one for every room that has a TV and speakers. All our entertainment gear, computer LAN, security system, intercom, and telephone equipment sits in a single dedicated closet my wife calls "World Central." We control the entertainment components via IR receivers in each room. My wife can watch one TiVo and I another, while our nieces watch cartoons on the DVD or the VCR (or both at once if they can't agree). Meanwhile, you can also listen to CDs, MiniDiscs, FM, or anything on our computers through speakers throughout the house and outside.
We got the RM-VL900s exactly three years ago and have changed batteries just once. I can operate the remotes blindfolded after all the practice, but I agree with the complaint that only nine buttons illuminate--and only when pressed. The rest of them do glow in the dark, but not brightly enough.
Theses devices are so good that I hesitate to mention these minor flaws, but I do find programming them (when you get new gear) to be tricky sometimes. Occasionally, you have to repeat a procedure with tiny variations not covered in the guide to get them working.
Rating:
Summary: This remote eliminated 5 different tricky remotes
Review: Well, I finally got fed up with juggling between 5 different remotes. I never seriously considered getting a universal remote since my amplifier is JBL brand and not many universal remotes have a preset for this. This remote has learning capability so it did exactly what I needed. 2 of my components worked instantly: my Sony DVD player and my Hitachi TV. I had to scan for my Hitachi VCR but it wasn't bad. And I was able to quickly set up my digital cable controller using the learning capability as well as my JBL amplifier remote. If that wasn't enough, I easily set up two out of the three macro buttons. One to turn my cable and TV on and off and the other to set up my DVD, TV, and amplifier for DVD movie watching. Incredible remote. This is the one you've been looking for.
Rating:
Summary: A great universal remote for a decent price.
Review: With any universal remote, there's always the possibility that it won't be compatible with a device (i.e. TV or VCR) that you have. In that case, a learning function is essential. If it wasn't for this Sony RM-VL900 having it, I wouldn't have been able to use it to operate my Scientific Atlanta Explorer 3250 digital cable box. Once everything was set up, there was no need to use any other remote. This remote is SO fabulous!! Its glow-in-the-dark feature is nice. The remote's keys absorb light & give it off when the sun goes down. Unfortunately, in total darkness, it'll only glow for 20 minutes before going totally dark. I watch TV with the lights on, so it wasn't a big deal for me. I guess it would've been easier for Sony to make the remote (like other competing models) draw power from the batteries to make everything glow all the time. But that would drain battery power, and Sony would've had to install power saving features that limited the functionality ... which wouldn't be a good thing (I used to own a RCA universial remote like that. Didn't like it at all.) Overall, I definately got my money's worth purchasing the Sony RM-VL900. It puts other universial remotes to shame!! :-) FYI: If you're buying this to replace another because a previous model, you can transfer a lot of what's in the former over to the new one. Learned functions? FUGGETTABOUTIT!! You'll have to teach those to the new remote all over again. The process is relatively painless, though, so it won't take long at all.
Rating:
Summary: A great universal remote for a decent price.
Review: With any universal remote, there's always the possibility that it won't be compatible with a device (i.e. TV or VCR) that you have. In that case, a learning function is essential. If it wasn't for this Sony RM-VL900 having it, I wouldn't have been able to use it to operate my Scientific Atlanta Explorer 3250 digital cable box. Once everything was set up, there was no need to use any other remote. This remote is SO fabulous!! Its glow-in-the-dark feature is nice. The remote's keys absorb light & give it off when the sun goes down. Unfortunately, in total darkness, it'll only glow for 20 minutes before going totally dark. I watch TV with the lights on, so it wasn't a big deal for me. I guess it would've been easier for Sony to make the remote (like other competing models) draw power from the batteries to make everything glow all the time. But that would drain battery power, and Sony would've had to install power saving features that limited the functionality ... which wouldn't be a good thing (I used to own a RCA universial remote like that. Didn't like it at all.) Overall, I definately got my money's worth purchasing the Sony RM-VL900. It puts other universial remotes to shame!! :-) FYI: If you're buying this to replace another because a previous model, you can transfer a lot of what's in the former over to the new one. Learned functions? FUGGETTABOUTIT!! You'll have to teach those to the new remote all over again. The process is relatively painless, though, so it won't take long at all.
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