Price Paid:  $79.00 from Best Buy

Summary:
Overall I like the many features that Sony put into this remote. I have some older equipment that did not have codes and it was easy to program the the old remotes into the RM-VL900.

Strengths:
The most impressive feature of this remote is the learning capability of older remotes. I have 2 systems, 1 upstairs (older) and 1 downstairs(newer) and I can run both with the same remote.

Weaknesses:
Main weakness, the syymbols on all of my buttons wore off very quickly! Some of the buttons do not have any symbol at all. The buttons all the way around need to be reengineered with backlit capability and solid symbols that do NOT wear off. I tried contacting Sony for a replacement Keypad about a year after I bought it and they do not sell a replacement keypad. Hopefully Sony will put a little more thought into the weaknesses of the keypad on their next model!

Similar Products Used:
None

Price Paid:  $60.00 from Best Buy

Summary:
I originally had the Sony RM-VL700, and loved it! I liked the idea of macro keys, more input sources (8 vs 5), and a better keypad layout, so I upgraded(?) to the RM-VL900.

First impressions were mixed. The unit is much heavier (4 AA batteries vs 2, and the same rated battery life of 5 months). It is not very comfortable in your hand.

On further useage, Sony missed the mark on their logic on macro key useage. The 8 selection keys could have a combined memory; a single press for one command, and a hold the button down for 2 seconds to do the macro command. All the macro keys should have the ability to play a macro and return the remote back to the selection key that was on prior to the macro.

If I was to do it over again, the RM-VL700 is a better value, lighter, more ergonomic and has 95% of the 900's ability, at almost half the cost!

Strengths:
Will learn every command you give it.
Reliable.
Good overall keypad layout.

Weaknesses:
Too heavy.
Does not fit comfortably in your hand.
Buttons not back illuminated.
Arrow control buttons too close to one another.
No X10 IR commands built in.
No Dish PVR508 commands built in.

Similar Products Used:
Sony RM-VL700

Price Paid:  $50.00 from ebay -- new

Summary:
This remote does everything everyone says it does....i had it programed within 2 minutes to control my toshiba dvd, toshiba vcr, phillips tv, onkyo cd changer, and believe it or not, my NAD T751 amp (using the NAD code in the manual)....took another 5 minutes to program my macro functions for my girlfreinds convienence.....took another 5 minutes to program special functions from each remote (including NAD remote)...there is nothing this remote will not do that my other 5 remotes cannot do....

Strengths:
simplicity, no LCD screens, kinda small (compared to those big mini computer remotes)

Weaknesses:
source buttons light up but only when you press them (they do not glow in the dark) so you have to memorize their positions to make changes to equipment in dark theatre-like atmosphere....you also have to remember to push the amp button when you go to turn up the volume, as the remote will otherwise go to turn up the tv volume while watching dvd/vcr sources

Similar Products Used:
none (well my NAD amp came with a HTS-1 remote, which is supposed to be learning, but after 2 hours of trying to set it up with no success and giving up, i don't think it is a fair comparison.... NAD

Price Paid:  $49.00 from Hotbuy.net

Summary:
This is a great remote at a great price. It controls my Toshiba 57HX81 TV, SD3750 DVD player, W622 VCR, and Marantz SR6200 receiver with no problems whatsoever. I used the built-in codes as a starting point and the learning capability to fill in any missing functions for each device. The macro feature is great, it allows one-button home theater setup, my wife and daughter love it. This remote has allowed me to clear the coffee table of four remotes and allows complex control of all components. The only limitation is the difficulty of remembering all the learned function keys for each device. I highly recommend this unit.

Strengths:
low price, learning, adjustable timing for macro commands, ability to replace multiple remotes

Weaknesses:
small system control macro buttons, no backlight

Similar Products Used:
Marantz RC6200SR

Price Paid:  $42.00 from realelectronics.com

Summary:
Excellent remote. Learns anything ... including my 7 year old JVC VCR that NOTHING else will operate. This remote learned it in minutes, and performs every function.

ONLY drawback is sometimes the buttons don't respond right away on operation, but still if you hit them two or three times on those limited occasions it is fine.

Does all you ever need from a remote at far less then the fancier gadgets out there.

Strengths:
Great learning capacity -- runs everything

Weaknesses:
Sometimes buttons don't respond

Similar Products Used:
X-10. Oneforall