I've had my RM-AV200 for about 2 months now. It is by far the greatest remote I've ever owned. It does all the functions for my two CD players, two receivers, two vcrs, dvd, tape deck, dss receiver, and tv. And the lcd screen is really nice because the button labels change depending on what unit you select. I do have, however, three complaints: 1) there are only 3 macro buttons, 2) the backlighting isn't automatic (you have to hit the LIGHT button, and 3) it would be easier to hold if it was a little longer and not as wide. Besides those problems, I wouldn't trade it for anything...

Firstly, thank you to the person who gave me the tip about Computability's low price for this remote. I too got the AV2000 for $109 and they were delightful to deal with so again - thanks! I love this remote. I've been through so many low end models and they don't compare. This unit is fabulous. Easy to use and easy to learn other components' commands. Very few remotes can do this successfully. And another thing - it's so cool looking! I have this great Sony flat screen tv and finally I have a remote that's as state of the art as the rest of my equipment.

I just bought the RM-AV2000 to got with my Sony STR-DE925 receiver and Sony STR-600D 5 DVD changer. I was hoping that the DE925 remote would serve as my universal remote, but it would not control my General Instrument digital cable box. The AV2000 solved that by allowing learning and controls the rest of my components well. Overall, it is a great remote and has solved my 6 remotes problem, but there are still a few complaints:
1. You must use the backlight to even read the display in most light conditions
2. This really is a big remote and should be for table top use rather than hand held. You can't really lay on the couch and comfortably flip channels with this. I still use another remote for this scenario.
3. I cannot program a button for the sound genre type for my receiver due to the way the DE925 remote works
4. There are only 3 macro buttons
5. You cannot relabel the touchscreen buttons
6. Fast forward and rewind for my DVD player does not work correctly since the original is a jog type remote. Instead, the remote activates the still frame mode

I also picked one of these up for $109 at Computability. I am completely satisfied. It learned all of the commands from my other remotes without any trouble and it controls everything in my system. It's so great not having to fumble around 7 different remotes any longer!

I purchased the Sony RM-AV2000 about 4-5 months ago. I have to say it's one of the neatest gadgets I have. It gets a lot of comments! The construction is grade A++, as with most Sony products, and the price is great given what it does ($129 from computability.com).
Real life functionality: When I first got it I used it non-stop. It was the neatest thing I had ever seen, but once the novelty wore off I realized how cumbersome it could be. I find myself using my old remotes more than the RM-AV2000 because of special features not built in (Speaker & Surround Volumes, etc). Sure you can learn any function to any button, but who would remember that your rears for the amp are on the "1" & "4" buttons? (Just an example)
I often find that, in the dark especially, I fumble over the TV, VCR, DVD, Etc buttons trying to find the right function to switch pages the LCD display. It would have been nice to have those buttons back lit as well.
Most people complain about the size, but I like it. It sits nicely on the couch next to me, and looks really neat on the coffee table. It kind of brings a “High Tech” look to you current system, and most people who have never seen one before are pretty awestruck. I guess the looks on other people’s faces are worth it alone. Hehe.
I know there are many loyal RM-AV200 users out there and trust me, I am a Sony guy, all my equipment is Sony, so don't get me wrong. The RM-AV200 is MUCH more flexible than about any remote on the market, especially in this price range. It's very easy to program, but if you want true flexibility with custom pages designed FOR YOUR system, then look into the Phillips Pronto. The Pronto has a programming suite (Pronto Edit) to totally customize the buttons, look, function, & layout. This isn’t something I would expect out of the Sony RM considering the Philips is almost $300 more.

For the price (you could find it for $109 on Computability.com last I heard.) and flexibility you can't beat it! It’s an excellent buy! But, if you want more flexibility and don't mind the hefty price tag then buy the Philips Pronto (I have both & still enjoy goofing with the Sony.).

For the price & flexibility I give the Sony a 5, but Due to the cumbersome interface (It's very easy to accidentally fat-finger the wrong button on the LCD) and lack of more customizable buttons (Renaming ,etc.), I give the Sony RM-AV2000 a 4. Over-all it gets a 4.

...recently purchased this pup to replace that damn battery-sucking, low-light remote that came with my sony DA50ES receiver. aka the RM-TP501. well, love it so far. easy to operate and program. lots of preset options as well. i mean, who in the world is Dimensia? i never knew half of those brands even existed. one of the main reasons for getting this remote was its learning function. i have a cd burner and no remotes i have found will operate the thing except for the one that came with it. my main goal was to have ONE solitary remote on the table. yeah, i know it's a tad on the HUSKY side, but folks, think of it as a coffee table accessory piece with a function. also, a battery suggestion...i use the duracell ultras. they cost a bit more, but last longer. on the scary side...the thing can control your air conditioner! i noticed someone mentioned that they couldn't get it to control their dvd player because it has a shuttle jog remote. i have the sony s500d and "tricked it" so it does the same thing as the shuttle. i had to use that feature in the OPTION button while keeping the chapter advance in the DVD button. email me and i can tell you how i did it. i have one question for everyone...does anyone know how to make that series of beeps when you turn everything off at once (pressing commander off for a few seconds) stop? do i need to turn off the beep before i do this? it might be in the manual and i am not seeing it. well, i recommend this remote to anyone who has "odd" components, anyone who like "toys", anyone who wants to downsize their ever growing remote control collection, or anyone who likes the ability to turn everything on and off at the press of a button!

I grew tired of the five remotes that littered my small coffee table. The funtionality that I craved just wasn't there and the aesthetic was all wrong. A friend of mine suggested the RM-AV2000 and my life has changed forever! I love the learning function, very easy to use. That was a good thing since it had no code for the Harmon Kardon AVR40 or for that ever so noisy Proscan 8680Z. Par for the course it handled both beautifully. There are enough "buttons" to go around and the channel + & - keys are can be cleverly reassigned to functions such as fast forward and reverse in the case of VCRs or to track skip in the case of CD players. The system control keys are a fantastic feature for the weary body to strike up some entertainment after a long tedious day, just push a button! Even though you can theoretically push that same button again to power down, I wish that SONY would have been more kind to allow non-SONY products to participate in the power down feature. A shuttle-jog dial would make a great addition as well.
I do have to give them credit even though they can't spell "field." This is one hell of a remote so far, (we'll see just how long the 6[!?] Duracell Ultras last...)and it looks mighty cool on the old coffee table.

Backlight display

Source commander keys should be backlit. "Sound Feild" spelling

Great remote for $105 at J@R Musicworld.
Works with all my gear. I no longer have to fumble with eight remotes. Invest in some good rechargeable batteries.

Macro programming
Remote learning function
Best universal remote in this price range

Backlight almost always needed to see LCD
Requires 6 AA batteries
LCD button labels cannot be customized
Bulky
Lacks tactile feel of traditional remote
Only 3 macro function keys
Initial setup is rather cryptic
Mediocre manual

This Sony remote is the best universal remote in the $100-$200 price range. There are other remotes in the $300+ range, but their elaborate and animated menu systems make them slower. However, you gain programmability and customization for the more expensive models.

The Sony remote allows you to quickly access any of 12 devices and their function keys.

The LCD display comes with preset labels for each function key, and the labels cannot be modified. For example, you might have to assign VCR Line Input function to an unused button labeled "WIDE". While you might remember that you assigned this function to "WIDE", someone else using the remote for the first time will not know this assignment unless you tell them.

It would be nice if the backlight turned on whenever you press a device button because it is nearly impossible to see the LCD without the backlight under most TV viewing conditions.

Picked this remote up in Canada this weekend as it is now availible here. I paid a bit more than if I had bought from Computability but I have a Canadian Warrantee. This is a great remote for the price. You sacrifice the ability to properly name your buttons but most of us don't have to even look at our remotes after using them for a few months anyway. I do wish there were a couple more macro keys... I'd like the wife to have a power-up and down sequence for watching VCR and DVD... Still it's great for the coolness factor and I have been able to program any button that I needed to. A great product overall.