2 comments about Kameleon 8-in-1 Universal Touch Screen Remote Control.

1. Eats batteries like a fiend. Never could get it to work properly with all my devices. Junk!



2. Pros: Impressive (you'll get a couple "wow" or "cool"), Remote Finder, works well if you can get it working, Learn Feature, Macro Feature, able to download new codes.
   Cons:
   Like Most Universal remotes it doesn't have proper codes for every device, and it has the learn function (point an old remote at it and it can learn a new command) it doesn't always work (Depending on the remote).
   The Face Changing per device is cool but it doesn't always have the buttons you need.
   However you can work around it.
   First call their tech support, if you have a newer device they can Upgrade your remote over the phone (download an mp3 or hold your LAND line phone next to it and it hears beeps and downloads a new code, like i said very cool)
   But you'll still find some things not able to learn.
   
   Example Problems and solutions:
   My cable box code didn't come w/ the replay button and it couldn't learn it, i found out [Page -] is also the rewind button, i used a feature on the remote to 'copy' it to the rewind button.
   There is no [Day -] or [Day +] buttons. However i found out when viewing the grid on my cable box, Play and Stop do the same function.
   My Audio Receiver has different inputs and the remote had no buttons for it. But Since i didn't need the 4 arrows for my audio receiver, i just had each directional arrow learn a different input. (IE Up is TV, Left is PS3, right is Record Player, Down is Aux input)
   
   So if you're lucky you can get this working. The Battery life is short, but turn off the tilt Sensor (lights up under ANY movement, its too sensitive) and it doubles your battery. (Just press anywhere on the face instead to light it up and view buttons) The remote wont stay on when using it when the batteries start going by the way.

5 comments about Sony RM-V202 4-Device Universal Remote Commander Universal Remote Control.

1. Not only can I not get this to work with my TV (I bought it because my old TV remote finally died), I can't even tell if anything's happening when I try to program it because of a lack of activity lights/indicators. As a rule, I like Sony products, but this one really stinks.



2. Dish Network uses a proprietary receiver and this remote has no code for that unit. The remote's 'code search' capability cannot find a code for it. Calls to Sony support were worthless; hard to believe Sony isn't familiar with Dish Network, one of the major satelite TV providers.
   
   Connects well to the TV, VCR and DVD player, but that does little good when it won't control the reception and channels.
   
   Be nice if they'd tell you it doesn't work with Dish Network BEFORE you order it.



3. I was glad to find a remote for my VCR that was manufactured by the same company. I did not have to enter a product code, I just put in the batteries, and started using it.



4. Not the easiest thing to configure, but works pretty decently, and is pretty much the only UVR in its price range. Given the price, I'd say this is an excellent product, despite the difficulty setting it.



5. Bought this as a replacement for my Sony DVD player remote which was damaged by battery leakage (my fault). Works the Sony TV and DVD player well. Keep in mind that it does not control an open/close function for the DVD player like the original DVD remote. Bought this as an "open box item" from a Amazon vendor for a very nominal price so I have no complaints.

No comments about Philips PHBIG3 3 Device Universal Big Button Remote Control.

4 comments about Philips Prestigo SRU9600 Universal Remote Control.

1. The Sru9600/17 remote works great besides a few things. First of all the Favourite button did not work and neither did the sleep button. The touch screen was pretty cool. But I have not tried all of the different features but im sure some of the other ones dont work if such an easy on as sleep did not work. But overall the remote worked quite well.



2. The remote looks very cool and was easy to set up, but it the end it went back. The scroll wheel is isn't that smooth and while clever is really annoying since you need to scroll through the different actions or devices. Direct access to functions would be easier and quicker. Also, touch screen would shut down quickly (probably to conserve batteries) but it became annoying since it was too quick. Decided to try the Harmony One.



3. Documentation very poor if you wish to program t.v. to be to channel 3 and turn on both tv and dvd player together in order to watch a dvd for example. Same limitation to watch cable or satellite. No response from Phillips support in spite of repeated request. I believe you first jog the dial to tv activity, then select channel 3, then jog the dial to dvd, turn on dvd. Not what a remote this expensive and supposedly programmable should be so limited.



4. I bought this as a sale item to replace a harmony 550 that has suffered from too many drops onto a hardwood floor and now has a dodgy lcd screen.
   The fact that I am still using the harmony after three months with the philips speaks volumes about how awkward the philips is to program and use.
   Whereas the harmony is a one touch everything on the philips seems to demand that everything be turned on separately, plus the default button selection is chronically poor, no page up or down on my cable box for example. Having to switch between devices using the jog wheel to alter volume whilst using the cable box is a pain, I believe there is a way to map controls from one thing to another but good luck trying to find it.

No comments about One For All 4 Device Universal Remote Control with Florida Logo and Colors.

2 comments about Accenda Surfboard Voice Interactive Smart Universal Remote Control.

1. I'm mostly bedridden so I spend a lot of time watching TV and using the computer. At one point I was having aches and pains to the point that it was painful to use the remote. I already had a collection of different types, but none with VR, so I got the Surfboard.
   
   The need for VR quickly passed, but I came to appreciate the ergonomic feel of this remote. I switch between this and a Sony universal remote and do not have any more repetitive stress problems
   
   By the way, I found the recharger sold separately to be not worth the bother, because I do not use the sound feature except when reprogramming. Then I turn on the sound and follow the clearly spoken and simple directions.



2. I got this remote for my limited-mobility, aged mother. She was having troubles even with the Hy-tek Partner big button remote because she could not point the remote at the TV and press the buttons quick enough to change to a particular channel. With the Surfboard, it worked, most of the time.
   
   The main problem is the voice recognition is "too particular". When my mother was tired, her commands were said differently and not recognized.
   
   Another limitation is the number of voice commands that the remote will learn: 12. This might be fine to control a TV only, but when trying to control a DVD too, at least 6 of those are taken (switch to DVD, play DVD, stop DVD, fast-forward, rewind, switch to TV). So this limits the ability to switch to a particular channel.
   
   To have the Surfboard listen all the time without draining the batteries, an external adapter is required. I tried to use a generic adapter, but it didn't work. (I called tech support and they said their adapter had special voltage regulating circuitry that most "generics" do not have.) So I ended up getting another Surfboard remote with the adapter from another vendor and this one will go back to Target. (Amazon/Target should offer the remote with the adapter...)
   
   One other concern is the "bright" blue LED when the room is dark. When it's bedtime, mother must turn the remote around from her bedside table because "old blue-eye is just too bright".

5 comments about Logitech Harmony H-688 Universal Remote Control (Silver).

1. I bought this to control a plasma, receiver, dvd, and my satellite. They all work well, and the remote does exactly what it's supposed to do. The internet programming is easy, (at least for me it was). I think the only "problem" I could think of is the small buttons. Other than that..... I'm happy. Oh, I've been using this for about a year now.



2. Spend the extra buck- this remote works with everything, however, the buttons are too small. The buttons have started to wear off after the first 6 months. Most numbers are completely gone and the weird thing is that I never use the number pad. NEVER - EVER! Why are they rubbing off? I wish I would have went with another remote model from Harmony!



3. Good remote easy to program. Only problem I have is that the buttons are a little small and the writing on them is smaller.



4. Best bang for the buck universal remote on the market. The internet setup, though confusing at first, is fantastic once you understand the configuration flexibility it provides you. The help function on the remote is so easy even my anti-tech wife finds it easy to operate. I listen to my neighbors who have Universal brand remotes complain they can't figure out how to turn their gear on. No problem at my house. I have four of these.



5. I've owned this remote for 3.5 years. Prior remotes have ranged from the Radioshack 1594 & Kameleon jp1 computer-programable remotes, to the Sony rm-vl900. This was my first Harmony, and it's one tough unit. It was dead-easy to program using the web interface (try programming a Radio shack using a home-built jp1 plug adapter, macros and an excel spreadsheet! THAT'S difficult!).
   
   My wife can actually *almost* operate all of our Panasonic AV-receiver/TiVO/SageTV & Girder HTPC/Philips DVD/SliMP3/Xbox360/PS2 components. And that's saying something -- she really dislikes gadgets. But she gets enough function out of it
   
   But the 688 shines when my son can operate our array of boxes. He's been doing it since he was 2! Now he's 5 and just learning to read, and he's better at operating everything than my wife is. Plus, I can't count the number of times the 688 has bounce off of the floor or been dropped by him -- even chewed on once by our dog! -- and it's never failed to work. Yes, it's case is cracked. And missing the lens on the IR recevier at the heel (still working last I sucked in an IR code from another remote). And the labels on some of the most-used buttons are fading a bit. And all the silver coloring has come off of the bottom, where it contacts your hand. But it still does the job and functions just fine thank you.
   
   The only reason that I'm looking at replacing it now (with another 688) is because one of the falls in the last 6mos or so seems to have broken the usb interface on it, and I can't program in a new activity that I'd like to add.
   
   I've looked at the range of current offerings, including the Harmony 880. But to be honest, life is too short to wrestle with marginal charger interfaces. I figure I use a set of AA bats every 3-4 weeks. That's much less hassle and much more dependable than diddling with balancing an 880 on a fiddley charger base.
   
   So, another 688H it is! And, it appears to be running for half what I paid for my first one. Good value, even three years later.
   
   For folks that complain about the component's On/Off values getting out of synch in the remote (which my wife & son do and have learned how to correct): it's generally a simple matter of covering the IR emitter while pressing OFF, and then turning off the components (via the Device menu, or manually on the boxes). That will bring everything back into sync in an OFF state.

2 comments about Maxell P-21 Portable iPod Remote Control.

1. I really miss the iJet remote on my old ipod, it is much nicer but is not compatible with my new 5G video ipod. My ipod mostly lives on a shelf feeding my stereo though I'll occasionally use it in the car on long trips. This was the only compatible remote I found that had a small wireless transmitter.
   
   The transmitter buttons are very flush and it's easy to hit the wrong one. No way to easily put it on a keychain. The assorted faceplates are pretty pointless though I did stick the black one on there to make cleaning any dirt from my hands easier over time. Note that this does NOT come with batteries; you'll need to go buy a coin type CR-2032 which is easily available. -1 star for transmitter.
   
   The receiver unit sticks out like a sore thumb from the bottom of the ipod, especially if you have a power cable plugged in. It can be hard to keep seated if the ipod is in a case since it doesn't click in like the cables do. Might be a problem for joggers or those moving it around a lot for whatever reason. I really like the pass through feature, but that doesn't work so well if the entire thing loosens up. Once seated, it's worked well with anything else I plug in, such as power charger or FM transmitter. There is a jack in the receiver for listening, and the transmitter volume controls only work if you use this jack instead of the ipod's jack. But since it loosens so easily, I prefer the one at the top of the ipod and just forego using the remote volume controls. -1 star for the receiver.
   
   This also comes with an armband that I don't think I'll ever have use for. There is also a plastic box to make it bigger in your hand if you want (I don't), and the neck string is hidden in a compartment in the back of of this box.
   
   Not as nice as the iJet, but for my uses it's defintely better than nothing!
   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
   
   -1 more star now, but I apparently can't edit that. I'd still give it two because it did do exactly what it's supposed to do, if only for a year.
   
   It's now been one year + one week since I purchased this and I find myself shopping for a new remote. Recently all the buttons have stopped working, except the volume controls (I did eventually plug into the Maxell receiver) and it's not the battery. Granted, I probably abuse it more than most, but the old ijet on my 3G ipod is still holding up perfectly at work.
   
   Griffin doesn't have pass through power, ABT doesn't make anything like this for a 5G, and the Apple remote has some pretty sour reviews on their site (seems not all the buttons work?). So until someone makes a suitable alternative, for this kind of price, this Maxell model will have to do for me. At least it's now half the price and as much as I use it, I'll spend the $15.



2. I bought this remote, because my car stereo has a aux in and my ipod battery is not good any more, need to charge in 15 minutes.
   
   When I received this remote I have a good surprise it is better than I expected, because I can use it in my steering wheel.
   The only thing I dont like is that the volume control is not the ipod volume, it is the volume of the accesory connected to the ipod.
   
   But if you want a good remote control, this is what are you looking for.

2 comments about ZENITH ZN-501S 5 Device Universal Remote.

1. I needed a no-frills, easy-to-use universal remote. The ideal remote would control at least four devices. I'd seen ads for Zenith's "ZN-501S 5" device, and it seemed to fill the bill. I also sought a bargain price tag. That requirement meant comparison shopping, bringing me to Amazon.
   
   When I noticed the Zenith prices at Amazon Marketplace, I couldn't believe my eyes. No control could beat Zenith's combination of features and price. Also, the Zenith closely resembles a Philips PM435S universal remote that we already have. The Philips unit is excellent, and very easy to use. Yet the less-expensive Zenith can control one more device. I wondered if the Zenith could equal the Philips' performance. Maybe they both came from the same Chinese source?
   
   For the great price, I took a gamble and ordered the Zenith. When I received the Zenith, I noted that it was about an inch shorter than the Philips unit. In fact, size was the main difference. When I compared the two manuals, I found much duplicate language. The two units have to be related. In tests, I discovered that at least some Philips codes work with the Zenith!
   
   The Zenith can operate our odd mixture of components: Products by a spectrum of manufacturers. The remote includes buttons for TV, VCR, satellite, DVD and cable devices. The product design is thoughtful. Despite the small size of the remote, the buttons are well spaced. Programming is logical and reasonably simple.
   
   +++ Small Gripes: On some DVDs, the chapter up-down controls don't work. The remote also can't turn off our old Fisher stereo. The Philips remote has these same minor quirks. The Zenith includes a "shift" control that I find slightly annoying. That is, some buttons serve two purposes. I'll get used to this feature. Still, the Philips performs just fine without a shift key. Score one point for Philips. Avoiding the shift key was a wise choice. At least Zenith lights an LED when you're using a button's shifted function.
   
   +++ Big Positives: Both remotes allow you to use any memory for any device besides a TV set. For example, we control the stereo with the "cable" button. This "any memory" feature enables extraordinary flexibility. Another plus is the "punch-through" feature. For example: Even though you've set the control for "TV," you can operate the DVD directional buttons.
   
   If you want a basic remote at a nice price, I highly recommend the Zenith. It's definitely "the little remote that could."



2. I bought this remote after receiving a DVD player for my birthday. When it arrived, I was excited to set it up, but when I opened the manual, if I remember correctly, it was misorganized and written in poor English, so I ended up finding out how to use it on the internet or something. From there, it didn't support either my TV or my DVD player.

5 comments about Sony RM-AX4000 Home Theater Remote Control.

1. I was skeptical about buying this based on a few terrible reviews. But I was pleasantly surprised with how well the software works (v 1.1 running on WinXP), and how easy it is to program the buttons to do everything imaginable. It took a couple hours but now I have my whole system working perfectly with a single remote. If you're looking for something simple that will work out of the box, look elsewhere. But if you're comfortable with computers and like to tinker, this product offers incredible flexibility. Highly recommend.



2. Just a quick post to tell you, DON'T USE THE PRE-SETS OR WIZARD.
   
   Add a device. Go to Advanced. Pick the button. Learn the function. It will save you a tremendous amount of time. And, it's really no different then setting up an older remote, like the Sony RM2000.
   
   My only issue??? ALL OFF doesn't work either. So, I set a macro to button 4 instead.



3. This is the third of the latest of the Sony Remote Commanders I have purchased. This by far is the easiest to program and use. It took less than 30 minutes to find the codes and to insert my own programmed buttons. My first one took 6 hours, the second 2 hours. So, it's definitely improved since 2001. My friends call it the "Star Trek" remote because of the size and design.



4. This is an excellent product from Sony. it works, is nice and easy to use.



5. I have owned and used 3 universal remotes before (2 Denon & 1 sony). As with its predecessor, this is a great piece of hardware. It can learn/present all of my IR controlled devices I have - Amp, plasma,DVD, LD, VCR, Tape (!), MacMini, lights, aircon, tower fan. In addition, it now saves all the learned codes on the PC's HDD, so if it ever loses the volatile memory, it can reload the whole thing from PC. Don't assume to have it working with all your equipment out of the box - it takes about a day (in my case) to learn and program this thing. The PC interface allows it to do even more than the older models, including the ability to assign a macro to every button, soft or hard. The new AirSlide is cool, and it is thinner than the old models. Its ability to record IR codes and store it as a text file is interesting - I look forward to swapping codes with others.
   
   
   On the downside, there are a few glitches:
   1. The lack of the component select hard buttons means changing 'mode' is now 2-click. You have to press "component" and then the soft buttons for Amp, DVD, etc appear. It can, however, fit more components since they are soft buttons, and the labels are now programmable.
   
   2. In Xpress screen and Component select screen, the volume buttons don't work. So if you movie is too loud and your remote happens to be in these 2 screens, you might fumble for a while.
   
   3. In the 4000A model, somehow there is no setting for the hard volume button to always control the amp. The manual says it can, but the menu on the controller does not have the option. I had to get around it by setting all components' volume control hard button to macro to the amp's volume up/down.