Sony RM-VL1000 vs. Sony RM-AV3000
Written: Mar 28 '05
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Does all the AV3000 does, plus lighter, easier to use by touch, better energy saver
Cons: Changing/programming the default devices/macros initially is challenging; lost data more than once
The Bottom Line: For day-to-day functionality, don't bother with the larger, bulkier, battery-sucking AV3000; get a VL1000 instead.
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| cfkman's Full Review: Sony RM-VL1000 LCD Remote Control |
NOTE: the small photograph on the epinions site of the Sony RM-VL1000 is NOT the product being reviewed here. The RM-VL1000 has a small LCD screen at the top (not a touch-screen). Google the model number to find a correct picture.
I'm posting a review basically comparing two Sony all-in-one remotes: the RM-AV3000 and the RM-VL1000.
I originally purchased the larger, lcd-touch-screen RM-AV3000 (or equivalent) a few years ago for all the reasons people get an all-in-one: to cut down on the huge number of different remotes one has to use. I like and trust Sony, and the RM-AV3000 turned out to be perfect for me--it did what it promised, I could program macros, system on/system off, multiple components, etc.
However, after a year or two, I started getting frustrated with the remote. To watch television, I usually sit on the left side of the couch leaning against the left arm of the couch on my left side with my feet up on the couch to the right. In this position, it is most natural to use only one hand to control a remote. But the RM-AV3000 is so huge that it really requires 2 hands to operate. What I eventually ended up doing is just parking the remote on the top (back) of the couch and operating it with my right hand only. But this proved difficult because since many of the commands are on the lcd touchscreen itself, you really need to be looking at the remote to make sure you touch the correct area of the screen. I had even thought of putting little strips of paper or glue between the squares on the lcd screen so I could differentiate between them accurately by touch alone. Tried a couple things that didn't work.
Plus, I soon learned that this remote was quite a battery hog. Takes *four* double-A's; alkalines last about 6 months.
So when I saw the RM-VL1000 in a store, it looked like it would do pretty much everything the AV3000 would do, but in a lighter package with the ability to control the remote accurately and mostly by touch without having to look for an area on an lcd screen.
So I purchased the VL1000, and discovered that it indeed does everything that the AV3000 does (or at least all the things that I had programmed the AV3000 to do), plus it's in a remote that I can control by touch with one hand, and it only takes 2 AA batteries, which last at least a year (and I use the remote quite a bit).
Plus, the VL1000 is lighter, has a smaller footprint (and can be "stood up" on end), and it's cheaper, too. So if you are in the market for a Sony all-in-one remote control and are considering both models, I'd strongly encourage you to choose the RM-VL1000 over the RM-AV3000; no comparison in my opinion (the only reason you'd want the AV3000 I think would be to show it off to your friends and company you have over to your house). Trust me, go for day-to-day functionality, better price, longer lasting batteries and smaller/lighter over glitz. In the long run, you'll be happier.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
cfkman
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Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 0 members
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