The Sony RM-AV3000 : The Remote of the Gods
Written: Jun 30 '03 (Updated Apr 13 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Incredible control, easy to use, programmable to the max
Cons: Big, heavy
The Bottom Line: An imminently capable remote for a reasonable price.
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| AVaddict's Full Review: Sony RM-AV3000 LCD Touchscreen Remote Control |
A Little History
A while back I purchased a Sony STR-DA555 which I still own and am still immensly happy with it. One of the key features that made me choose the receiver was the remote. It was a touchscreen unit that had amazing versatility and ease of use. It helped me get rid of half of my remotes for all the major components' functions and looked great to boot. About a year ago I tossed my keys onto the couch and realized halfway through the toss that my remote was sitting right there. The 5 iron key chain thing I have gouged a nice hole in the touchscreen membrane. Although the LCD display wasn't cracked, it was definitely marred for life. It still performs all the primary functions, but do to the location of the tear, some secondary and tertiary functions aren't very easy to adjust.
I was able to deal with this for a while, but this situation has come to a head. I had to have something new and I had been eyeballing this series of remotes since the introduction of the 1000 almost three years ago. This might beg the question why didn't I just replace the remote I have from Sony or just get a new membrane installed by them. This option was easy to dismiss early on. Replacing the remote would ave cost me between $289-$375 depending on which model I got, i.e. the one for mine as opposed to the one sold with the 777 or DA4. Repairing the unit was out of the question too, especially at $159. The retail price of this remote is $199 however it can be had off the net left and right for a little more than $110. With all that in mind, getting the RM-AV3000 as a replacement was really a no brainer. In addition to all of this, the vast majority of my components are Sony which takes full advantage of this remotes full off feature, which turns off all Sony components with one simple keystroke.
Features and Use
The list of things that this remote can do is absolutely staggering. Short of getting you the popcorn, this remote does virtually everything. It has a stunning number of macros available, specifically 45. Of those 45 macros 15 are dedicated as full system macros, 18 to components, and another 12 to a timer system. Each macro set can spill a little to the next in the manner of functions executed, so it's not as restrictive as the number might seem, but FYI, it's more than I can find uses for. Programming the timer macros is a quick job when you get used to it, so the frequent reprogramming isn't too bad at all. The interface is as easy to use as my current model (RM-TP502) and is organized quite intuitively with regard to the menu flow. For those not in the know the macros allow you to program long strings of command, even with time delays for components with slow start up, such that 21 keystrokes becomes one. I find myself using the macros little more than I used to, which was almost not at all. They do serve a purpose though, especially if you have many different brands of playback devices.
This remote will learn any IR based command you need as well as offering the ability to individually name any signals which aren't covered by the included menu programs. There are actually over 250 commands that can be custom labeled, so it seems little has been overlooked. There are a few advanced functions that don't appear to be included like some tape functions and one or two DVD commands I have come across, but these are minor points that I came across only in passing, so they probably won't be a big issue. The VCR dubbing features are easy to use as well. I don't find myself recording to tape as much as I used to, but it is still easy to do and with three VCRs total, it's nice to have centralized management.
Just as so many cell phones feature, this remote has a lock feature to turn off the keys to prevent accidental activation of one of the many primary buttons on the face of the unit. The primary component buttons at the top are glow in the dark, but are similar to so many glow in the dark buttons on their other remotes, the glow doesn't last too long. The unit does have a beautiful blue backlight that can be activated easily, so the length of the glow buttons isn't too key to whole equation in my opinion. All the major buttons are there for easy use, like the volume, channel, component choice, assignables, menu, exit, muting, and recall. There is also a directional pad (actually four) and enter key. The screen is the same size as the touch screen that came with the 555, but a little clearer and easier to read. It is split up into 32 boxes and some dot matrix at the bottom for component and general info & functions.
The unit itself is really very large. This is not a handheld unit by any strech. It is twice the size of my 502 measuring about 7" x 5" x 2", so it generally sits on the table and I go to it when I need it rather than put it next to me on the couch as I used to. It's not the end of the world, I pick it up and use it in my lap on a regular basis, but as remotes go, it's a monster and rather heavy/bulky. I might sound like I'm complaining, but it's better than a monster sized "home controller" like a Crestron, but thats apples and oranges, just think laptop. Battery life is supposed to be very good, and I do not doubt it. I read review after review saying that the remote for my 555 would chew through batteries in no time, I average 6 months per change always, and that's since I bought it. If that is any indication, I have no doubt Sony's claim is valid. I can't recommend rechargables enough, but that's another review. There is a code list that comes with the remote so that you can have a reference of all the MFR code numbers you might ever need.
Real world use is a snap with this remote. You get very used to function locations quickly, especially if you use it often. The locations of the functions themselves on the screen lend to this with more commonly used functions in similar locations for many components. The number pad is like a phone key pad so just mashing and not looking is often effective. Just touching the screen after it's switched off will activate it without actually performing the function that was last located where you tap. This is a continuation of the feature first seen on the first ES touchscreens. It's amazingly useful and activating the backlight does the same thing, so operation in the dark is quick and easy. Range is excellent and output seems very good too. I can operate this remote from my kitchen, out of line-of-sight of the receiver and still get all my components to operate without fail.
Final Thoughts
It should not be construed that one has to have a Sony receiver to get the most out of this remote. This remote will control a plethora of components from almost every major brand out there. The Scientific Atlanta codes didn't work for my cable box, but I found one at random that did. Sometimes just a little trial and error will get the job done as it did for my 555's remote as well. This remote does everything I need to it to as well as plenty I don't but the bottom line is that I spent far less than MSRP for an excellent remote that does more than my previous touchscreen. On all counts I am totally happy with this unit and can't recommend it enough to those needing a huge quantity of assignable codes for a good amount of components, regardless of brand. It might seem that spending $125 or so on a universal remote is excessive, but in reality, if you have more than, say five components, this is an almost essential piece of hardware. That is a random nuimber, but think of how many remotes you have now, do you have more than you want? Consider the 3000, it's a real performer!
Recommended:
Yes
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