This thing is unfrigginbelievable.

Zip.

Go to Ebay and buy this thing (you can get new ones for as little as $128). It does everything and it is beautiful. All backlit (to previous reviewer--you can program backlight to stay on for 0-99 seconds). 4 macros for every function button (4*10). You can relabel the LCD display, which has 320 programmable commands (8*4 pages *10 functions). This doesn't include all of your standard pushbuttons already labeled.

Tip: programming the Sony Receiver Command Center remote will be much easier if you turn off the 2-way-remote function that is ON THE RECEIVER. Don't get frustrated when you have a problem with this remote, there is most likely a way around your problem. It is true that the manual is less than desirable, but it gives you the general idea and you can go from there. I have a feeling Marantz doesn't even know what all this thing is capable of...

This remote is for EVERYONE, macros are the high-tech impaired's dream...

Similar Products Used:

Sony Command Center (comes with DB940 receiver)

Backlight, programable, rename some features on the display

Heavy, Marantz web site really sucks & has no support & crappy product information, light sensor is not adjustable

This is on the MK1
I purchased ($107 US) this after reading some reviews thinking that it would work for me. I am suing it to control:
Phillips/Magnavox 32" 2 tuner PIP
Toshiba SD-6109C DVD/Receiver
Sony VCR (several years old 4-head, no S-video out)

The only problem I had was programing the DVD/CD functions of my DVD/Receiver. Instead of holding donw the function to be learned from the origional remote for these functions, I had to "blip" or quickly press the button to be learned. This worked fine. Having 4 screens of 8 functions per source selector in addition to the control keys. The MK1 has 5 characters per button (I understand the MK2 only has 4). You can also label each menu screen.

It is top heavy as everyone else says. I also like having buttons instead of a touch screen so you can feel your way to do your think instead of having to look at it.

I think the light sensor that turns on the backlight is too sensitive. It turns on in what I would consider "normal" lighting.

If I was not able to fix the programming problem with my DVD/CD functions I would have returned this & tried the All In 1 A/V Producer 8.

The Marantz web site is really crappy as far as content goes. If you have a support issue, you are refered to go to your re-seller. There are no product FAQ's. The feedback is a simple questionare with no place for comments. How are we to let them know why we voted as we did? I think their website is simply there to be there. the content is not very good either. This is enough for me to question any further Marantz purchases. If you do not want to deal with the consumers of your products, this it the type of web site to mirror.

Similar Products Used:

Other universal remotes

Learns everything thrown at it

Way too top heavy

Love it, Love it, Love it.
It's too top heavy but I'm getting used to it. It's learned every single function I've asked it to. No more switching remotes, ever! I like the abilty to push an actual button rather then a touch screen.
One thing I cant figure out though. When I install a macro to turn on everything, I can't get it to end up in the DVD mode for instance after the Macro is processed. It goes back to the TV mode if that's what it was in before the macro button was pushed. If anybody out there knows how to program it please let me know at Taylortot@juno.com
Highly recommended remote!

Similar Products Used:

Home Producer 8

Pretty comprehensive

Big, heavy, chews batteries, IR signal not as strong as some others

This remote is kind of in no man's land. It's outmatched by the less expensive SL9000, but not nearly as functional as the more expensive Pronto.

My opinion, if you can't pony up the dough or don't want to spend the programming time on the Pronto, go for the Universal Home Theater Master SL9000 programmable remote. It's much easier to use than the RC2000 because it's smaller and lighter, so everything can be done with one hand. Since there is no touch screen and the buttons are thoughtfully laid out, you don't even have to look at the remote most of the time. Batteries last forever. The IR signal is so strong you have to TRY to make it NOT work...you can point it in any direction, put objects between it and your equipment, go into another room, and it still works every time. I've replaced 6 remotes with this one, and in every case the SL9000 absolutely works better than the original remote--no kidding. My wife can finally operate our audio/video system with a remote that doesn't intimidate her at all--she even uses the macros. Onecall.com was selling it for $98 last time I checked, so it's considerably cheaper than the RC2000 even without including the savings in batteries.

It's not that I don't like the RC2000. It was a revolutionary product when it was introduced and still is a very good product, but the competition just above and below it on the price scale have passed it by. You should at least check out these others before buying the RC2000.

Similar Products Used:

Pronto, Universal SL9000

great backlighting, love the overall layout, good-sized buttons, incredibly flexible

heavy, likely will burn through batteries, wish you could copy commands to other modes

This is without a doubt, the best overall remote on the market.

This remote has all of the advantages of touchscreen remotes: you can enter every single command of every remote without having to memorize anything, customizable, very flexible; with none of the drawbacks: you have to look at it to use it.

After using the remote for about a month, I have virtually all the "soft" buttons memorized for all my components. The mode selecting buttons are great, as are the menu navigation buttons, the transport controls aren't really arranged to use the remote with one hand, but I can live with that.

I did experience "attitude" when I tried to teach it commands from some of my remotes, but it eventually learned everything. As for the reviewer below who posted that the IR emitter is weak and too directional, my remote works from 18 feet away and at larger angles than the original remote could.

Bottom line is this remote can learn every function without you having to memorize any buttons, you can use it by feel (unlike touchscreens), it's cheaper than most touchscreens, and it looks cool to boot. And by the way, my wife, who could barely turn the receiver on with the Denon remote, is already operating every component with the RC2000, with very little instruction.

Highest recommendation.

Similar Products Used:

universal remote with Denon receiver

Learns anything!!! Easy to use at night. The best party favor ever!!

Big, put I'm a big guy so it really doesn't seem that big to me.

The best remote I have ever used or seen! (except for the rc-5000)When I get a new component, in less than ten minutes the rc-2000 has learned every command. I can change the names on the display, write macros, what more could you ask for in a remote. For those of you who say it eats batters, I agree, they had to be changed once a month. One tip, if you go into the setup menu, set the light time to 0 this saves the batteries because the light doesn't come on every time you hit a button, it has been almost 2 months on the same set. The macros are a little hard at first, but after the first 2 or 3 they are no problem. One last note, this remote comes with Marantz receivers >$1000 makes the higher receiver worth buying.

This product is the first of it's class that I've used which really made the grade.
The key to the strength of the RC-2000's concept is the "double-click" function for the mode-setting buttons. You can press a mode button ("VCR" or "TV", for for example) and the personality of the remote control changes to control the selected device. But the input selection to the receiver or preamp only changes if you double-click the mode button. This is ingenious and it makes this product extremely easy to program and use.
The excellent ergonomics and clever button-design allow your fingers to learn the feel of the remote and you can use it very easily without even looking at it (although the display is nicely back-lit when you do need to look at it). I noticed that I use it now mostly without looking, which is the reason I am hesitant to "upgrade" to the RC-5000, with it's touch-screen totally lacking in tactile feedback, even though the RC-5000 programming is easier and far more flexible (computer-based).
Also, it's nice that is has an IR input at the bottom, so it learns "head-to-tail" instead of "head-to-head", it's faster and it means that you don't have to turn the "teaching" remote upside-down to program the RC-2000.

It is a bit top-heavy, which can be alleviated somewhat by buying lithium AA's which weigh a lot less than alkalines (also last longer but cost more).
More importantly, it would be very nice to have some sort of computer interface, even if it was only via IR. The only way to back up your programming is to buy a second unit and "clone" it. This makes it a good idea to jot down some notes once you program it to your liking, in case you lose it or somehow it gets blown away (I've never had any problems with mine in over a year).

A superb product which works as advertised and really lets you put all your other remotes in a drawer.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha, Pioneer (this one was pretty good for it's day).

After a few months of using the Marantz RC 2000 Series 2 Universal Remote Control. I conclude it is the best available. There are some other good ones out there by Sony and Home Theater (I think this is the name). But, this one is the best. To program your components into it, you just point it at the other remote with the button (s) your programming into the Marantz pressed down while pressing the Marantz button that you're planning to dedicate to that button. I have 10 components and the only one I could not put in here is the turntable because it had no infrared. To do all 9 components and ALL of the commands it took me about 1 hour to do, including figuring out how it is done.
At first I though it was complicated and was a little intimidated. But, after I read it and understood it (instructions are VERY EASY to understand and follow), I loaded it with commands.

The Marantz also has a bright green illuminating feature that lights up when you press ANY of the buttons on it. After you let go, it still displays illumination for about 5 seconds, which is plenty.

I have changed batteries only once since February, 1998 and have NO PROBLEMS whatsoever. I love it as it has allowed me to put 9 separate remote controls into storage. It is so easy to work that my wife can even work it without calling me to help.

One of the coolest features are the Macro modes. You can program it to turn multiple things on with specific modes in mind. For example, I have it where the receiver turns on, the DSS Satelite turns on, the TV turns on, the receiver then selects DSS mode, DSS turns to 507 Jazz channel and the TV goes to the S-Video mode. All of that with one press of a button.

If you have at least 2 components in addition to a receiver, get this soon.

4 x 10 macros
4 screens of 8 functions for each component
Number of programmable keys
Good sive keys
Backlit keys

"Ugly"
Intimidating number of keys
Top heavy
4 character labels
After Macro is run, function is returned to the component set before macro ran.
Bulky, requires 2 hand operation for some keys.

Since there is no review page for the Marantz RC1200, I thought I would enlighten RC2000 mkII users and potential users with a comparison to the Marantz RC1200.

Strengths and weaknesses stated above are for the RC2000 mkII.

I am very pleased with the RC1200.I have set up this remote to control my Home Theatre of TV, DVD, VCR, CD, and AMP.

The RC1200 is regarded as the smaller brother of the RC2000 mkII, but from what I have read of the RC2000 MKII on this site, I consider the RC1200 a superior remote to the RC2000 mkII for my situation. My reasons are:

1. It is an elegant slimline "elongated mobile phone " design compared to the "ugly" RC2000 mkII - as my wife puts it.
2. 11 Macros on 11 hard keys, each can hold 10 steps. (less than RC2000 mkII)
3. 11 function keys each with 37 programmable keys = 407 commands max.
4. Ability to assign up to 3 commands to almost any key and also thumbwheel soft keys i.e. mini macros, limited by 407 command max.
4. 5 character labels versus 4 character labels on RC2000mkII
5. Majority of keys at bottom of remote, weight is not top heavy. Being light, it's easy for one hand use.
6. After macro is run, last component of macro is set as current component.

To me, the best thing about this remote is I was able to use macros to achieve a one-key press to start and set all components required to:
1. Watch TV (amp on/tv on/set amp input to vcr/vcr on)
2. Play a DVD (amp on/set amp to dvd/dvd on & play/tv on, set to av2 ch for PAL)
3. Play a VCD (amp on/set amp to dvd/dvd on & play/tv on, set to P1 for NTSC)
4. Play a Video (amp on/set amp to vcr/tv on/vcr on & play)
5. Play a CD (amp on/set amp to cd/cd on/set cd to random repeat play)
6. Listen to radio (amp on/set amp to tuner)
7. Access Teletext (tv on/vcr on/set vcr to teletext ch/send 1 2 0 for news page)
8. Play Karaoke (amp on/set amp to dvd/dvd on/start karaoke/tv onset to P1)

I also have a one-key press to turn off all associated components for each of the above uses.
1. Watching TV, Video or Teletext (amp off/tv off/vcr off)
2. Playing DVD, VCD or Karaoke (tv off/stop dvd/dvd off/amp off)
3. Playing CD (amp off/stop cd/cd off)
4. Listen to radio (amp off)

Many would not like the minimal number of keys on this remote as well as the thumbwheel. These are precisely the features I like about this remote.
All the primary-use functions such as volume, channel, play, stop, ff, rwd, and pause dominate the remotes face, along with the 11 function keys and the number keys. The thumbwheel gives access to 10 other commands. This creates a clean and uncomplicated, uncluttered face. I really like the layout of the cursor keys and the larger channel and volume keys on the sides. The large screen with light is also very nice.
Also, the effective one page of 10 commands access by the thumbwheel would not appeal to a lot of potential RC2000 mkII users. But I found I was able to program all functions from my 5 remotes.

I think the RC1200 follows the 80/20 rule i.e. you will use 20% of the keys 80% of the time and so divides the functions between the hard keys and the thumbwheel.
I do not think this remote is for everyone, but for the money I spent Aud$250 (approx US$135) I think I got exactly what I wanted and am very happy with the control I have over my HT.

Rating below is for the Marantz RC1200

Similar Products Used:

Marantz RC1200

Full featured and logical design

Durability - suffers from a degenerative condition. Weak IR signal

When I first got this remote, I programmed it and it worked well. The memory capacity was excellent and it it was able to learn the necessary items.

Over time however, it has started to fail on me. Often used buttons stop working and a call to Marantz confirmed my worst fears: not reparable, out of warrenty, out of luck.

The remote was never dropped or immersed in liquid etc. It's just not well designed for long-term ownership. If it were just one button, I'd accept this as a freak problem, but now four buttons are out of comission.

So caveat emptor. You may end up with a $200 paperweight.