RC User Reviews: Sony RM-AX4000 Remote Control (2)

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User reviews for the Sony RM-AX4000 from Sony Electronics.

Ratings	Reviews	MSRP (USD)
Average: 2.90/5.00 Median: 2.83/5.00	10	$199

Sony's RM-AX4000 upgrades the RM-AV3100 by offering PC programming via a USB port and AX Remote Editor software. It features a large backlit LCD touchscreen, control of 16 devices, 24 macros, a preprogrammed database, plus code learning and timers. It also features a more activity-based operational concept.

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Written by Kyle Federico from -.

The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 3 made on Friday January 13, 2006 at 9:56 PM.

Strengths:

Looks similar to my other 3100 and 2100

Weaknesses:

Difficult to use. Numerous software errors. Poor documentation, general pile of )(*)(*#@

Review:

I thought since I had gotten used to the other somy remotes, (Though difficult to program and lacking pre-set codes for most modern equipment) that this might be a welcome upgrade. If I was runnning all Sony Equippment, this remote might have been OK, My bad experiances with Sony equipment have resulted in discarding almost anything Sony ever purchased... Well, this remote is horrible when it comes to leatning via the software and there still are not pre-set codes for most modern equipment. Pure Junk.. Shame on Sony.

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Written by Ed Boyer from NY.

The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 2 made on Saturday October 15, 2005 at 12:48 PM.

Strengths:

Simple use once set up. Easy to modify settings.

Weaknesses:

Software isn't very easy to navigate for first set up.

Review:

I'll review pluses first as they far outweigh negatives.

remote has very good angle for activating components better then most of the original remotes that came with components.

buttons are sensitive enough for a light tough and easy to read also very configurable.

MOST importantly this remote is the first remote I have used that truly replaces all of my otther remotes.

Initial set up is frustrating there is no way to bypass the advanced setup is straightforward enough for simple commands but the onine text for setup is sometimes very cryptic.

The documentation that comes with this is rediculous it is two large mapfold pieces of paper that do not flow through well at all. The software help menu isn't very useful. The documentation alone might make some people put it back in the box for a return.

I wouldn't recommend programming this remote without the computer software there is a lot of buttons to remember and battery changes need to be fairly quick or you lose all your settings. The software will have you up and running again if you do a slow change in under a minute.

My wife who echos my mothers and several other ladies sentiments about the remote orgy you need to go through to switch components around gave it an "easy to use" comment which in my book is a very strong endorsement.

The remote feels solid and I felt no undo flex wheen pressing on the touch pad and none of that LCD blooming you sometimes see when you touch an LCD screen.

One last weakness which is minor but annoying to me, is Sony's continued horrible customer support. They really don't like thier customers. I had a heck of a time finding this remote on the corporate website. I wanted to buy a screen protector for it, which they do not offer. I'll find an aftermarket one or custom cut my own.

An MSRP of $200 I think might be a bit steep but I have seen it for sale on-line for 150 at that price the value rating goes way up.

I rated this remote fairly high despite it's horrible documentation and difficult initial setup. I am a very persistant person and felt the effort was worth, it which gives this an overall rating of 4. If you want it to work right out of the box this may warrant an overall rating of 2.

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Written by Jeff Broido from New Jersey.

The reviewer has used this remote control for 1-3 months.

Review 1 made on Thursday October 13, 2005 at 9:30 AM.

Strengths:

Easy to use once programmed, strong transmitter, moderately versatile.

Weaknesses:

Claims on box to have native support for TiVo but does not support TiVo brand Tivo. Very fussy reading all remotes I tried. Difficult to get past the intitial "Wizard" stage in programming.

Review:

The RM-AX4000 had trouble reading all of my remotes. I discovered by much trial and error that each remote must be positioned in a very narrow range of distances from the RM-AX4000. This narrow range is different for each remote. Certain remotes can only be programmed by varying advanced settings, such as loop iteration length. But it is impossible to get to the advanced settings without successfully programming at least one remote to get past the "Wizard" stage. I wanted to program my TV first but found that no matter what I did, in the "Wizard" stage, the RM-AX4000 would not read my TV's remote. It finally occurred to me that I had to find one remote it could read and, after many frustrating attempts, I finally got it to read the power on button of the remote for my Scientific Atlanta digital cable box. Then and only then could I get to the advanced options so I could spend an entire hour recording my TV remote buttons. Then, it took me an hour and a half to record my TiVo buttons as TiVo brand DVRs are not supported with native codes. Then, it took another hour and a half to record the buttons for my Sony (read that again) DVD/VHS combo unit. The Sony web site says that it doesn't support combo units due to unspecified technical reasons, but I was able to record all the buttons on the remote and the RM-AX4000 has no trouble controlling the combo. Technical reason? This makes no sense. This product is not ready for prime time. Calling Sony regarding problems with this product has proven utterly useless so far, even after escalating the problem two levels.

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