Best Buy Ratings and Reviews

Best Buy Ratings and Reviews

Customer Reviews for Sony 8-Function Learning Remote

Sony 8-Function Learning Remote

Model: RM-VLZ620
SKU: 7689156
UPC: 027242780095
Control up to eight A/V components with this easy-to-use remote and eliminate the clutter in your living room.
Average Customer Rating:
4.39 out of 5
4.4
 out of 
5
(41 Reviews) 41
Open Ratings Snapshot
Rating Snapshot 41 reviews
5 stars
29
4 stars
5
3 stars
3
2 stars
2
1 star
2
83% of customers would recommend this product to a friend 
(
34 out of 41
)
Customer Questions & Answers:
31 Questions | 34 Answers
Customer Reviews for Sony 8-Function Learning Remote
Review 1 for Sony 8-Function Learning Remote
  • Featured

Reliable product

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: Haredawg
from Portland, Or
on 01/19/2011
Value for Price
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Set Up
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Durability
4.0 out of 5
4.0
What's great about it: Ease of use and versatility
What's not so great: Nothing yet that I've discovered.
I have a bad dog. He likes remotes and braziers. I guess that makes me a bad dog too. But I don't chew. Remotes at least. I was looking for an inexpensive but versatile remote to replace the one half eaten. A universal that operate my Dishnetwork and my Onko surround sound is easy to find. One that operates my Element TV (made for Circuit City, no longer in buisness) and my Samsung Blu-ray is a lot harder to find. This remote works on all four seamlessly with a very easy set up. I understand it is a learning remote as well, however, it can only learn from another remote if that one hasn't been chewed.
Great reliable product at a good price and I'm not someone who steers toward Sony products. I am impressed with this one. Anyone want a slightly used dog?
I would recommend this to a friend!
+26points
26out of 26found this review helpful.
Review 2 for Sony 8-Function Learning Remote

Great learning remote for the price.

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: sandycat
from Elgin, Texas
on 03/14/2012
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Set Up
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Durability
5.0 out of 5
5.0
What's great about it: Easy to program (requires reading the manual) and operate. Great battery life.
A great learning remote for the price. I was so impressed with the device that I own several of them.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 3 for Sony 8-Function Learning Remote

good universal remote

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: clags54
from Kensett, IA
on 02/02/2012
Value for Price
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Set Up
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Durability
4.0 out of 5
4.0
What's great about it: learning function
What's not so great: pretty large for people with smaller hands
This is a very easy to use and reasonably priced universal remote. The manual is usually very helpful with programming. The learning function is the reason for this purchase because the remote can be programmed any way you want. The picture is of the older model, which is also very nice. The newer model is very similar, but the buttons are rearranged and there are a few more.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 4 for Sony 8-Function Learning Remote

great for newer products

Customer Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Posted by: jazzone
from decatur,ga
on 02/02/2012
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
3.0 out of 5
3.0
Ease of Set Up
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Durability
5.0 out of 5
5.0
What's great about it: It works
What's not so great: NA
Not so impressive when searching for older codes. A bit time consuming
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 5 for Sony 8-Function Learning Remote

BluRay remote

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: tbond6123
from Rockford MI
on 02/01/2012
What's great about it: easy to set up
worked great after moving my daughter couldn't find her remote to her blu ray player went into the store found this and it was super easy to set up
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 6 for Sony 8-Function Learning Remote

Top Notch Remote Control

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: loch8534
from Chicago
on 01/16/2012
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Set Up
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Durability
5.0 out of 5
5.0
What's great about it: Easy of setup
What's not so great: Shape too straight, needs more contours
Great remote control. Easy to setup, macro function is awesome for programming consecutive commands. Has nearly every function covered with a button on the remote. Straight edges are not the most comfortable when holding, they could have contoured the remote better.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 7 for Sony 8-Function Learning Remote

Useful for projector!

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: iTeacher
from Scranton, Pa
on 01/08/2012
Value for Price
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Set Up
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Durability
5.0 out of 5
5.0
What's great about it: It just works!
I bought this for a friend who needed a remote for her Promethean board in school. Her remote was lost/stolen. The district never purchased extras and now the original ones are discontinued. I purchased this because of the learning feature. I was able to take another teacher's remote and program this remote to have full functionality. The learning function takes some practice to get the remotes at the right spacing and both remotes need to have new batteries for the best chance of everything working smoothly. I have already informed the tech guys about this remote if other teachers are having the same problem. Works very well!
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 8 for Sony 8-Function Learning Remote

Easier to set-up than a Harmony 700

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: LM7777777777777
from Mpls.,Mn.
on 12/15/2011
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Set Up
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Durability
4.0 out of 5
4.0
What's great about it: Teaching it new functions
What's not so great: It is rounded on the back (battery cover) so i can't let it lay on the end table and push the buttons without it sliding
I was a little sceptical about this remote because i had bought a different learning remote last year and i thought that one was
really difficult to set-up and use. That remote retails for $119.99 I bought it on sale for $99.99. I have some channels that use a decimal point, such as 4.1,or5.1,or9.2 etc. I could not get the old remote to learn the decimal point,so i always had to use the channel up/down button to change channels. The RM-VLZ620 already has that programmed in. I think the RM-VLZ620 is also alot easier to teach other commands to as well. It even works with my polk audio sound bar.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 9 for Sony 8-Function Learning Remote

Excellent quality ! Great Sony product.

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: djbutler
from East Bethel, MN (Minneapolis)
on 11/16/2011
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Set Up
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Durability
5.0 out of 5
5.0
What's great about it: Excellent quality, great price.
This was very easy to set-up and is excellent quality. Works great ! This is just another Sony product that I am satisfied with. They have by far the best customer service on the phone or online "live chat". Will definitely buy more Sony products.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 10 for Sony 8-Function Learning Remote

Good but you'll want more

Customer Rating
3.0 out of 5
3.0
Posted by: Pxpx976
on 10/12/2011
Value for Price
3.0 out of 5
3.0
Ease of Use
3.0 out of 5
3.0
Ease of Set Up
2.0 out of 5
2.0
Durability
4.0 out of 5
4.0
It's fine. It will work, but there are way better remotes out there. If all you need is the minimum then you do just as well getting a cheaper remote.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
0points
0out of 0found this review helpful.
Review 11 for Sony 8-Function Learning Remote

Good if your equipment is on its internal list

Customer Rating
2.0 out of 5
2.0
Posted by: PBDetroit
from Detroit
on 02/14/2011
Value for Price
2.0 out of 5
2.0
Ease of Use
3.0 out of 5
3.0
Ease of Set Up
1.0 out of 5
1.0
Durability
5.0 out of 5
5.0
What's great about it: It's an ok universal remote that deals with the volume and channel buttons always going to the right place
What's not so great: If your device is not on its internal list, it takes 7 button presses on the sony to learn *each* button on existing rem
My mother in law has a new tv, a relatively new cable receiver and old DVD/VCR player. While the universal remote that came with the TV knew all of the devices, she was frustrated with having to switch back and forth to adjust volume and channel. It was also hard to swithc to the dvd and vcr and back again.
The sony did not know 2 of the devices, the TV and samsung dvd/vcr. I figured I would use the teach function to teach the sony buttons from the other remotes.. Unfortunately, there are an angonizing number of buttons to press, 7 in all on the sony, to get the remote to learn *each* button of the unknown device's remote. Repeat: 7 button presses on the sony to learn 1 button of an existing remote. Since I had to remotes to learn all buttons from, I stopped there. I called sony, who spent 5 minutes trying to collect marketing information and 1 minute to tell me how we were going to have to do the painful - 7 buttons for 1 button learning. I stopped the call and took it back to bestbuy who traded it for a different brand/model of remote.
If it doesn't have one (or more) of your devices, its quite painful to set up. If you get past that its an ok device from what I can tell. The problem is, how do you know if it knows your equipment??
I went with the logitech 300 as I have its big brother already for my tv. You can validate all of the devices online before you buy. Bring it home, plug it into your pc and tell it what devices you have. It had a few questions about the buttons on one of the existing remotes, and to validate all I had to do was aim the existing remote at the logitech, push the requested button, it took care of the rest. It programs via the usb cable in a minute or two
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
 
Other Best Buy Products I Recommend
 
-2points
2out of 6found this review helpful.
Review 12 for Sony 8-Function Learning Remote

Very good remote

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: Sviki
from Jacksonville, FL
on 01/24/2011
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
3.0 out of 5
3.0
Ease of Set Up
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Durability
4.0 out of 5
4.0
What's great about it: Good price, has most buttons that you'll ever need plus programmable ones
What's not so great: Sensitive to certain batteries, fairly long remote
I am starting to like this remote after initial frustration. Out of the box it works great with my Comcast DVR and Sony Bluray - no setup needed. Setting up my TV was quick after trying few programming codes. But learning function I couldn't get to work for some reason. After some research I found a post online mentioning changing batteries. As soon as I changed them it started working as it should. I am pretty sure my rechargeable batteries were fully charged but for some reason it didn't like them. And strangely, everything seemed to work except the learn feature. Now I can control my Xbox and basically teach it any control I want.
I also like buttons on it, they are big and easy to use.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+3points
3out of 3found this review helpful.
Review 13 for Sony 8-Function Learning Remote

Great Remote for a Great Price...

Customer Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Posted by: ReMoTeCoNtRoLlEr
from Haymarket, VA
on 01/21/2011
Value for Price
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Ease of Use
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Ease of Set Up
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Durability
4.0 out of 5
4.0
What's great about it: Easy to set up, great price
What's not so great: Nothing as of yet
Does everything I ask of it. I have been able to program every device on it with ease.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
Review 14 for Sony 8-Function Learning Remote

Don't buy this Remote

Customer Rating
1.0 out of 5
1.0
Posted by: 56DeSoto
from Denver, CO
on 12/30/2010
Value for Price
1.0 out of 5
1.0
Ease of Use
1.0 out of 5
1.0
Ease of Set Up
1.0 out of 5
1.0
Durability
1.0 out of 5
1.0
What's great about it: It's Cheap
What's not so great: It doesn't work with Sony Blu-Ray Home Theater Systems
My problems began when I selected a Sony Blu-Ray BDV-E570. It turns out there's a difference between the Blu-Ray PLAYER & the Bu-Ray Home THeater System as far as Remotes are concerned.
THe E570 is an HTS. The HTS doesn't seem to be compatible with ANY Remote Control Device EXCEPT for the one included in the package.
I struggled for 2 days with the Comcast Motorola Remote. The Remote allows the use of the Aux Button to control other Devices. No luck with the E570 however. Comcast says Sony changed something & they don't see a need to address it.
I checked around & found that the Sony Universal Remote will run the Cable Box, TV & Blu-Ray. Wooo Hooo!
I research on CNet, Best Buy & several other sites. Customer Reviews loved it. The RM-VL600 was universally recommended with 5 Stars. I bought one & brought it home, anticipating the "Final Solution" to my Remote Control Blues.
Then the Headaches REALLY started. I read the docs, "RM-VLZ620 comes pre programed for Sony Products, Just sit down & use it." Or not. In 10 Seconds I had the Cable Box functions working fine. The TV, a Sony Bravia, also worked fine.
Then I started trying to get the E570 to work. No Luck in the 1st 2 Hrs. I went to ESupport Chat. After much Polite dancing around they came back with "The VLZ620 is not compatible with Blu-Ray HOME THEATER SYSTEMS. It is compatible with Blu-Ray Players however.
Please Note the fine difference here. No where on the Packaging, Documentation or anywhere else is this differentiation made until you call Tech Support. They act all innocent, like they are gong to help you, then your done. "Is there anything else I can help you with?"
BE WARNED!! THe RM-VLZ620 & probably EVERY OTHER Remote is NOT Compatible with the BDV-E570. Welcome to Orphan Land.
You would be well advised to buy a Philips or any other brand Blu-Ray (Player or THS) than to buy a Sony. You could be joining me in Orphan Land.
Good Luck & Buy some thing else.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
-6points
2out of 10found this review helpful.
Review 15 for Sony 8-Function Learning Remote

Simple but not so great

Customer Rating
1.0 out of 5
1.0
Posted by: Moe1982
from Washington, DC
on 12/05/2010
Value for Price
1.0 out of 5
1.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Set Up
3.0 out of 5
3.0
Durability
1.0 out of 5
1.0
What's great about it: Simple
What's not so great: Not all Sony equipment can be used
Not all Sony equipment can be hooked up to this remote.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
-7points
1out of 9found this review helpful.
Review 16 for Sony 8-Function Learning Remote

I've had mine for 4 years-buying another tomorrow

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: CloudyRetina
from Portland, OR
on 12/04/2010
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Set Up
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Durability
5.0 out of 5
5.0
What's great about it: Lights up component button you are controlling, simple, easy to handle, layout makes sense.
What's not so great: I need to buy a new one b/c my 4 year old unit is getting fickle.
Simplicity:
There are a few things that I found most important. First off... it is a simple remote to use. This is very important. It is easy to navigate around, and you can hold it in one hand and control it. I have had curvy remotes, shiny slick remotes, this stays put and doesn't slip in your hand.
Lit feature: Ok, I just returned another remote that worked perfectly well. It was a GE 8 with LED backlighting. The problem with backlit keys is that you still can't read the printing around the buttons. Also, and more importantly, just because all the keys light up, doesn't mean that you can tell if the button your pushing is working and controlling the unit you want it to control. This Remote will light up the TV button when you push any button to control the TV. Same for the DVD, etc. This is actually important for your own sanity. Nothing worse than pushing the same button over and over trying to figure out if it is working correctly, and if you even if you are controlling the correct unit.
Durability:
I've had this remote for over 4 years. We use it every single day, we have dropped it, we have worn off the printing on the buttons, and the thing will not die. It has outlasted our last tv... so it is durable.
Functionality:
I've used it on an old Sharp TV, a Vizio LCD, and a Sony LCD, a Yamaha receiver, a Comcast cable box, and a Sony DVD player. It controls everything, and it most definitely is programmable. I programmed a few buttons on it for some special functions on my receiver that it didn't control in the standard set up.
Finally, I am a big fan of Sony video products. I always seem to go back to Sony, particularly for TVs and DVD players. If you own a Sony TV and/or a Sony DVD player, I recommend this remote even more. Other remote brands don't work as well on Sony units.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+12points
12out of 12found this review helpful.
Review 17 for Sony 8-Function Learning Remote

Check which version before you buy at store

Customer Rating
3.0 out of 5
3.0
Posted by: jasperp
from austin, tx
on 11/29/2010
What's great about it: layout, feel, buttons, macros, extensive list of universal codes
What's not so great: defective out of the package
This model is superseded by the RM-VLZ620 which is identical except cosmetically. Bestbuy.com said the item was available when I searched this product, but it is the newer model that is in stock. The remote I picked up at the local Best Buy has one issue that makes it no better than the lower level Sony remote. It will not LEARN. It just flashes its SET light rapidly when you press the button you'd like to set to your other remotes button function and kicks you out of LEARN mode. Being able to customize the commands was the main reason for buying this remote so it is disapointing to waste a lot of time on an inexpensive device that has such obvious quality control issues.
Giving 3 stars because I really do like this remote, and may just have to return them until I find a fully functioning unit. Also, I love the macros you can set-up to turn on TV+DVD+Receiver or TV+Receiver or other combos of buttons. Sony customer support is not very good, as they are just trained to read the manual to you and lack and magic knowledge to really help you (at least in this case). The accompaning list of codes is nearly all encompassing, It appears if it is IR this device will have a code for it or you'll be able to search for it.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
-1point
1out of 3found this review helpful.
Review 18 for Sony 8-Function Learning Remote

Excellent product makes life easier!

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: Lyndon
from Houston
on 09/18/2010
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Set Up
5.0 out of 5
5.0
What's great about it: It does what was advertised and it is inexpensive!
What's not so great: Haven't found anything so far.
I have 5 remotes in use, all for different hardware brands. I could manipulate them, but my family hated to try to use the multimedia room and called me in to start things up for them. I have a new Sony BD player, as well. The remote for that device does NOT have an "open/close" button (go figure!) but this multi-remote DOES! Now, everything works "automatically" through consolidation of multi-function one-button setup with this one control. Took me about an hour to program the most used function sequences into 4 one-touch operations such as "Watch TV," "Watch BD," or "Invoke NLDA Photo Slideshow." All the different devices spring into action as if by magic. Now, everyone is happy, including me!
I would recommend this to a friend!
+5points
5out of 5found this review helpful.
Review 19 for Sony 8-Function Learning Remote

Best ever

Customer Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Posted by: Adirolf
from Florida
on 05/25/2010
Value for Price
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Set Up
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Durability
5.0 out of 5
5.0
What's great about it: Will control anything
This little gadget became my favorite toy immediately. I bought another for my other TV room.
I use one with only a Vizio TV and a Motorola cable box.
Another supports an LG TV and an LG Blu-ray player as well as a JVC receiver.
The Macro buttons are very handy for common multi-button operations.
This remote accurately controls all functions of all of the devices and even adds some the the original remotes left out. Like a sleep button. Now I do not have to go through menus to access that function!
Get one while they last! Or two!
I would recommend this to a friend!
+4points
4out of 4found this review helpful.
Review 20 for Sony 8-Function Learning Remote

Nice remote for the price, could be better

Customer Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Posted by: NevoGamer
from Westerville, OH
on 01/13/2010
Value for Price
4.0 out of 5
4.0
Ease of Use
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Ease of Set Up
5.0 out of 5
5.0
Durability
4.0 out of 5
4.0
What's great about it: Price, easy to set up
What's not so great: Doesn't support the "colored" special buttons on the DirectTV remote
I purchased this remote after reading the other reviews. For the price, I am quite satisfied. It was very easy to program this remote using the learning mode. I am using it to control our:
- Panasonic plasma TV
- DirectTV receiver
- Panasonic DVD/Blu Ray player
- Sony sound bar amplifier
So far, the only functions I haven't been able to make it learn are the four (red/green/blue/yellow) colored buttons on the DirectTV remote. Unfortunately, these are very important as they support special functionality in the guide and allow for some very cool features like showing an on-screen summary of sports scores for various professional and college sports.
The documentation was decent. Overall I'd rate this a very good product that exceeded my expectations.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+3points
3out of 3found this review helpful.
1 2 3 next>>