Advantages: controls every device in your house
Disadvantages: its huge!, looks like a desktop calculator

...The Sony RM AV3000 is a dynamic peice of equiptment. It mimics the remote control of loads of devices. By using the touch screen control, it reduces the shown buttons to only the ones you require for the device you are controling, instead of having hundreds of buttons for every option which i found mind blowing on competitor units. Be aware though its a big peice of equiptment, it looks more like a desk top calculator on your sofa arm than a remote control, the clever boffins have made the infared so strong that you don't have to point it in any particular direction so it can just stay next to you on the sofa arm; your device will pick up the signal easily. I really like the ability to programme this unit, mine is set up to switch off my TV, DVD, Amplifier and projector all in one button press, or to set up for cinema (amp on/tv off... Read review

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Advantages: Completes complex source switching with a single keystroke
Disadvantages: Not much

...I have a complex AV system that has separate audio and video signal paths. This makes switching sources a nightmare that involves multiple remote controls and a lot of concentration. I have tried many programmable remotes over the years (three in the last 2 years) and this Logitech Harmony product stands head and shoulders above the rest. The set up requires a PC or MAC. I found the software excellent. Initially the software asks for the make and model numbers of the devices you want to operate. Logitech have a huge library of devices (they claim 175,000+). If your device is not there it has the ability to learn from the original R/C. Then you can set up activities listing the devices involved and the initial setting for each. For example watching a DVD may need the TV, DVD and AV amp with the TV source set to scart 2. If you need... Read review

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Advantages: Very versatile, most functions on one screen, customisable buttons, glow in the dark!
Disadvantages: Sometimes loses the plot!

...Sony have been around producing high-quality electronics for a long time, but they usually seem to go for the one-brand approach - make sure all your kit's Sony and everything will be wonderful. So I was a little surprised to see that they had released a universal learning remote control. I was even more surprised to see that it was able to hold enough devices, and enough buttons per device, to keep me happy - I like to have every single button from the original remote available to me. The picture doesn't really give you an idea of how big this remote control is. It's about as long as a large TV remote control, roughly three times as wide, and tapers from an inch thick at the front to about half an inch at the back end. It takes four AA batteries - more than most remotes. I've had comments that it looks more like an oversized... Read review

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Advantages: one remote for all gadgets, not got lots of remotes hanging about
Disadvantages: bulky to hold, expensive

.../down button and volume up/down button, it also has a mute button. It take 4 x AA batteries for the remote and 2x AA batteries for the back light. This operates from a maximum of 10 meters. In the package you get remote commander, instruction book and component code number list. Straight out of the box the remote is pre-programmed to control sony products, but with code number list this can be changed to use with most brands. Using the codes is the easiest way to programme the remote but to get the best from it you really need to use the learning funtion. Now down to how this works and what it does. This remote can be used to control your tv, up to 3 vcr's, dvd player,vd (ld player), satellite box, cable box, amplifier, cd player, md deck, dat deck, tape deck, radio and a home cinema amplifier. To use this remote you need to select which... Read review

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Advantages: East to use, well built, lcd screen.
Disadvantages: Slightly unresponsive.

...screen so they can also be used as arrows for navigating DVD's etc. Ihave found though that with the volume on my amplifier i have to press the volume up button lots of times to make it louder. It doesn't scroll the volume like the original remote did. But that's the only drawback i found. ~ It's main functions are TV, Satellite, VCR, DVD, CD, MD, Tape, Amp. These can all be renamed in the setup. And being a learning remote. It means you can set it to search for a signal of remote objects and programme functions into buttons. Hense control something that is not in the original making of the remote. I.e. a PC remote. by facing the 2 remotes together you can press a button on the original remote and learn it on the learning remote. It still has a code book which is very important as it contains codes for many manufacturers. These can... Read review

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Advantages: Control many devices using Infrared - easy to setup
Disadvantages: Can't control bluetooth or FM devices

...The Logitech Harmony 525 Advanced Universal Remote is used to control multiple devices in audio and visual systems (ie your tv, video, digital box, music players etc) Currently we use one to control an AV receiver, digital box and projector. Personally i think this is the best one i've used. Although initially to set up takes a bit of time (you have to load a program onto a computer and then add devices to the remote using the provided usb cable), the time it saves in day to day use and the practicality of one remote makes it a worthwhile task. If there is not a system listed that you want to control it has a neat feature which allow you to add other 'unknown' remote signals - its so easy - you just tell it you're going to add an 'unknown' and then point the 'unknown' systems remote at the logitech remote and it asks... Read review

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Advantages: Does everything you could want
Disadvantages: Small screen makes finding options difficult

...This is an absolutely great remote given it's cost. I used to have an One for All Kameleon which cost a lot more money than this. Setup was very very easy using the Software given and within 30 minutes I had a remote control which did exactly what I wanted. I use this to control my TV, Amplifier, BluRay DVD, Xbox 360 and Virgin Media Box. Every function of each device is catered for on the remote and the ability for the remote to transmit to more than 1 device at a time without having to switch any settings on it is fantastic. There are a couple of downsides to this remote. The first is the screen is very small in comparison to some others and scrolling through the pages to get to some of the more unique features of a device can be a pain, but overall this is great and well worth the investment... Read review

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Advantages: Simple to use, great interface, simple to program
Disadvantages: None

...can assign different functions to different buttons if you want. Very flexible and easy to use. There are more complicated and more expensive models but this is more than enough for an average household with 4-5 boxes under the TV. Logitech database is great and it is more than likely that your devices are already there and universal remote will pick up settings from their web site. Wholeheartedly recommended product. The cheapest I have found it (10/10/2008) is £38.5 at http://www.morecomputers.com/extra.asp?pn=966191-0914... Read review

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Advantages: Get rid of that army of remotes you currently use
Disadvantages: A bit bulky and takes time to setup

...before you buy the remote, you can download this software (www.pronto.philips.com) and start designing your screens. You can download screens that other people have already created, and download the codes for whatever equipment you've got (from http://www.remotecentral.com/files/main.htm). You can also set up macros, which are fantastically useful (e.g. switch on the TV, then 1 second later switch on the amplifier and change the TV channel). Overall, the Pronto is invaluable and although its not cheap, it's worth it.... Read review

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Advantages: Controls anything and everything
Disadvantages: Needs to be setup

...OK, I'll admit it, I'm a gadget-freak. A gadget-freak with at least 20 remote controls in the house.Everything I buy seems to have a remote with it. I've tried a five-into-one remote control before, with mixed results, so it took me a while to pluck up the nerve to invest in another remote-control controller. I had the opportunity to play with this model at the Live 2000 show , and found that it had potential to solve my problems. The biggest selling point for me is that it's touch-screen are all fully customisable - both text and button size, and as you can have four screens of button for each device, you don't need to miss off features. The box is a 'learner', so you point your existing remote at it's base, press the button to assign a command to, then beam it keypress from your normal remote. It's pretty intuitive, although... Read review

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