Programmability
Robust

Button layout
No backlight

Great remote! The ability to program almost any button into a 16 step macro is nirvana! That's besides the 3 already allocated as macros.
The setup could be a bit easier, and a more clear manual would help the most.
Learning other remotes is works well and fast.
Range is excellent, but the lack of a backlight is a little bother. I am used to just glancing now to find a button, and even in the dark, that is good enough.
The buttons could have been laid out better also. I can not fault it otherwise, especially for the price.
It's a little intimidating to other remotes you may still have on your coffee table. But it's not easy to lose either!
No touch screens to mess with, or fancy programs to load. It just gets the job done!

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crisp Solutions UC515
Cinema 7

Flexibility, ease of programming, ease of use

Could use a few more programmable buttons

I purchased this remote after reading favorable reviews here, and am extreme happy with it. It is easy to set up and program, and I have yet to find a function it can't learn. I would prefer a couple more programmable buttons, but for the price this remote is an excellent buy. The Sony remote has allowed me to completely retire my TV and DSS remotes. I still use my Amp and DVD remotes occassionally for more complicated functions, but 80-90% of the time this is the only remote I need. If you find yourself juggling two or three remotes to control your HT system, consider this remote instead.

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Manufacturer's remotes, hard-coded univeral remotes

Actually controls all my components!
Per-button learning mode
Wide IR beam

I need about 3 more buttons (A,B,C) to make this 'intuitively' compatible with selecting devices.

I just upgraded a good number of components in our home theater setup and was having a horrible time in just the first day trying to figure out all the different remotes -- let alone trying to explain it to anyone else!

I don't like touchscreen remotes and this was a very nice alternative. My previous V60 remote was 'fine' but never could access the VCR menus. This remote did via a preprogrammed code!

The cable box did not recognize but no problem -- I found a similar code (that did power, channel and recall) and then just reprogrammed the guide and transport keys. I mapped "page up and page down" to the logical fastfwd & rewind keys.

Macros up the wazoo and super easy learning combined with 60 minute 'memory' for battery switching and it's easy to see why all my other remotes are now in the drawer! I may even give this to some of my not-so-technical family members for Christmas so they can program their own systems, it's that easy!

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Sony RM-V60

Attractive silver case, logical button layout, easy to operate/program, Affordable....

Cannot punch through to "AMP" volume when operating DVD player....

I picked up this gem up couple of days ago and the home theater is now much easier to operate. The VL900 is very easy to operate and program, in less than an hour, I had complete control over my Receiver, TV, DSS Box, CD Player, VCR, and DVD Player. The only quibble I have is the weakness I listed above. For the price though, this is the best out there.

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5 remotes that are not used anymore......

Versatile learning remote, good ergonomics

No LCD readout, component buttons not backlit until pushed

I've gone through any number of disappointments with "universal" remotes, ranging from failure to operate key components to inconvenient button assignments. But a low-budget home theater setup in the bedroom left me with six remotes and a lot of frustration.
The Sony RM-VL900 just showed up on the shelf at my local Best Buy last week for $59.95. I wasn't expecting miracles -- but that's what I got.
Like the other remotes in my collection, the preset codes didn't offer full functionality with my General Instruments cable box or Kenwood receiver. But unlike the others, it could learn individual commands for every button I wanted and then string them together in macros as complex as I needed them to be.
For example, one button now turns on the TV, receiver and cable box, configuring the remote for channel hopping. Another single button turns on the VCR, switches the receiver and TV to that signal and reconfigures the remote for playing tapes. A third button does the same for DVD movies.
Learning button commands and programming macros is much easier than I thought, and now operating the unified system is simple and much less frustrating. Every day I find a new way to customize the setup and do more with fewer button pushes.
The remote is a bit on the heavy side, but has a good feel. The buttons are laid out sensibly for one-handed operation. Though not backlit, they glow in the dark and with a little familiarity I find I don't even need to look at the remote to accomplish everything.
Touch-screens are the rage these days, but this traditional remote with full learning capabilities can do it all with less effort, and for a lot less money.
As a step-up from cheaper remotes with little or no flexibility, this one was a bargain at the price. It is especially attractive for those with children or non-technical family members who just want things to work without a lot of hassle.

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Universal Electronics Millenium 4, various "universal" remotes

Easy to program. Does most everything well. Has replaced five remotes.

None

If you're thinking that maybe you don't need the $129 model, you're right. Buy this you won't regret it.

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RCA