Sony RM-AX1400 Eight-Device Home Theater Remote Control Reviews

• Great remote, if you have the right instructions [included below].

  
  By A2GZ3PAZ7LJL3G on 2007-07-07
  Folks,
  
  I was very concerned about this remote because of all the bad reviews, but after reading the reviews on epinions, it showed me how to use this remote better than the manual could. I can now recommend this remote.
  
  This remote has an XML back-end which is really an amazing step forward in technology and very customizable; and with a bit of patience and clear instructions, this remote delivers very well.
  
  Before you discount this remote from the other negative reviews, read this detailed review BELOW which helped me:
  
  
  ""
  by chrisell
  
  To program the unit, the software wizard steps you through a learning process. I'm told that it works quite well if it actually recognises your old remote. To do this, it will ask for a certain button to be pressed - play, power, something like that. Then it searches it's available preset device list for a matching code and configures the remote to match. Only it doesn't always work. Actually in my case, it didn't work for any of the 4 remotes I wanted to teach it. I'm not sure why but maybe if I'd installed the firmware update first, it would have been different.
  Given that it couldn't find any of my devices, I had to do each one by hand. A bit laborious, but not too bad, and I had 100% success rate when doing it manually. Basically, the software steps through all the keys it thinks you'd want to use for the type of device you're programming, and asks you to fire your old remote at the new one so it can learn the infra-red code. At the end of this you have a roughly-configured set of keys. I say roughly, because this is where the fun starts if you're a tinkerer like me. Once you get to the 'advanced' settings, you can pretty much make this thing do anything. All the buttons in the advanced view are colour-coded to let you know if they've got a predetermined code on them, a learned code or an alias to another key elsewhere in the remote. Keys that don't have a colour assigned to them are blank and waiting to be used.
  The process of manually learning codes from the advanced screen is a bit odd and the helpfile is bloody useless (you'll find that comment about this remote in ALL the reviews). Knowing how these reviews get propagated around the internet, I thought a quick how-to might be worth including here:
  From the advanced screen, click the button for the device you want to customise and click "Edit Buttons". The software brings up a picture of the remote. Click the button you want to learn a code for and then click "Edit Actions". This is where the helpfile falls apart but it's actually pretty easy. On the 'Edit actions' screen there's another 'learn' button right at the bottom - click it and go through a manual learn process for that one button and voila - done.
  The 'Edit actions' screen is also where the real power of the RM-AX1400 comes into play because here you can assign aliases to any other key already programmed and add delays. You can also stack up codes, aliases and delays together - effectively ANY key on the remote can become a macro. Clever, and nice for the technically-minded, but this precise feature is why this remote might not be great for the people who just want to pick it up and go.
  There's been a little discussion here and there on the remote forums about the Jump function of this remote. Simply put, it just changed the display and remote key functions. So for example if you want to create a macro to watch a movie, you can power on your DVD, power on the receiver, power on the TV, set the receiver to the DVD input and then Jump the remote to the DVD settings. It's a nice touch and it means that when you hit the "movie" macro, everything turns on and the remote ensures it's in DVD mode when the macro is complete.
  Most of the keys that you program can be assigned a name that shows up in the middle line of the OLED display when you push the button. One thing that's a little irritating is that by default, only the outer two of the soft buttons can be programmed for any device, and by default, they have their labels set to POWER and INPUT. There's no way to change this in the software, however, if you're not afraid of a little XML programming, your remote's configuration is all stored in an XML file called urmgui.xml. The way to manually override the default labels is to set everything up the way you want it, then assign some easily-identifiable name to the softkey you want to rename, like "ZZZZ1". Save the file out of the software and then open up the XML file in a text editor and search for "ZZZZ1". You'll find an XML button definition with two labels. The first label is the 6-character softkey label - the one that defaults to "POWER" or "INPUT". The second label is the name you can enter that shows up in the middle line of the display - in this case "ZZZZ1". Change both to be what you want and you're done.
  Why all this detail? Well my projector, for example, has a power button on the remote that turns the projector on. But to turn it off, you need to push the button, wait a moment for the confirmation on the screen, then push it again. So I assigned the two soft keys so that one was "power on" which issued the remote code once, the other was "power off" which issued it twice with a half-second delay in between (using the advanced editor functions). The problem was that one label said "POWER" and the other said "INPUT" so I changed them in the XML file to say "PWRON" and "PWROFF".
  
  So apart from all the nauseating technical detail, what's it like to use? Well apart from the slightly odd form factor which makes it a bit clunky for smaller hands, it's a delight to use in a darkened room to control a home theatre system. All the buttons are logically placed, and a user-configurable beep lets you know you've pushed the button and it's sent the remote code. The buttons have a slightly squishy sensation to them but I prefer this to the horrible 'click' on the Harmony remotes. Unlike the Logitech Harmony remotes that have a weird delay on the volume controls, I can press and hold the volume controls on the Sony and my receiver smoothly ramps the volume up and down - something I could never get my Harmony remote to do. A couple of the buttons you'd expect to be illuminated, aren't, which is a bit of a mystery. Like the 'menu' button. Fortunately, it's placed right next to the arrow keys so it's easy to memorise its location, and that in essence is what makes this remote so nice for me - hard buttons. I don't need to look at the remote to know where the keys are. Philips Prontos are all very nice, but you always have to look at the screen to see what the buttons do. With the Sony, it's like a well-laid out TV remote, even if it is a bit brick-like.
  
  One last feature worth mentioning - the software has a backup facility which stores a binary dump of your remote on to your PC for safekeeping. So if you're messing around with the software and screw everything up, you can restore the backup and start again.
  
  So would I recommend this? I answered 'yes' to the epinions question and gave it 4/5 stars. It drops one star because my 'yes' answer really only applies for people who are technologically savvy and willing to give this remote the time it deserves to get the most out of it. Honestly if you want a "plug'n'play" type remote, you'd probably be better off looking elsewhere.
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• If you are a gadget geek, this is the last remote you'll ever need.

  
  By APMGX7IC0YY9V on 2008-01-16
  This is not the remote for everyone; this remote is made for a certain type of person. In response to the challenge of programming this remote, some people would likely lose patience, give up and blame the remote, calling it a "piece of junk." Others will see that it is a quite capable remote, but perhaps a bit beyond their expertise. Then there are those that will embrace it for its extreme flexibility, and actually enjoy meeting the challenge of programming it in a way to squeeze the most usefulness out of every feature. In short, this is THE remote for me.
  
  Only you know what kind of person you are. But if you are like me, then learning a new gadget is like solving a puzzle or figuring out the answer to a riddle. Not only do you have the patience for this remote, you will actually savor the challenge of figuring out how to make the four Xpress buttons (TV, Movie, Music and Radio) work as advertised, and when successful, revel at your accomplishment.
  
  The MSRP on this remote is listed as $149, but as you can see, it is being sold for much, much less. I would assume this is due to the reputation this remote has garnered among non-technophiles. But do not let the low selling price mislead you into thinking this is not a high quality, capable remote. In my book, this remote is worth the $149 MSRP and more. It is likely the last remote I will ever need. It may not have all the bells and whistles of a Logitech Harmony remote or other some such universal remote with a large color screen on it, but it is every bit as capable. And instead of shouting, "hey look at this gadget!" the Sony RM-AX1400 exudes a subdued elegance that, in my opinion, is more fitting of high-end componentry than the more expensive toys. The Sony remote simply says, "class."
  
  I have it programmed to operate all of my living room and bedroom components, and I have even programmed it to operate my Media Center PC. All of this was done using the included software, without having to edit the XML files as others have suggested. Editing the XML provides additional flexibility as far as naming the functions that appear on the OLED display, but is not necessary to get the most use out of this remote.
  
  The nitty gritty details:
  
  As is standard for learning remotes, the AX1400 includes the ability to remap any key to any command that you see fit, using your other remotes to send the signal to the Sony for it to "learn" them. It also includes presets for many devices, but in my case the only device that was successfully programmed with a preset was a Sony (go figure) TV. Programming a device using the learning feature as opposed to using a preset does take quite a bit more time as you must program each and every individual key one by one by learning the codes from the original remote control, but still, this is better than having a remote that knows only presets, where, if it doesn't have the right code for a component, then it simply can't be used for that component. The learning process is indeed time consuming, but it only needs to be done once. However, all of this is true for any learning remote.
  
  The highlights of the AX1400 remote are the OLED display and the four Xpress buttons.
  
  The display lets you know which device (up to 8) is currently selected, and when a button is pressed, it will tell you the label of the signal being sent. For instance, if you press the volume up button, the display will read "VOL+". Where this becomes even more useful is when customizing the remote. For example, there are four buttons at the bottom of the remote marked A through D which can be used for assigning functions from another remote that don't match up well with other keys already on the remote. In my case, I use the A through D keys to control the surround sound settings on my receiver. When programming those keys using the learning feature of the remote, the software asks you for a label for each one. I labelled A "Surround Mode", B "Effect" and so on. So when I press A, the OLED display will show "Surround Mode" letting me know the function of the key I just pressed.
  
  The Xpress buttons are macro buttons that can be used to accomplish a specific task. Each button can be programmed to turn on the necessary components for each function (TV, Movie, Music or Radio) and select the necessary inputs on each component. For example, when I press the Movie Xpress button, the remote will turn on the TV, change the TV input to DVD, turn on the audio recevier, change the input on the receiver to Video, and turn on the DVD player and press "play." That is impressive in itself, but what is even more impressive is what happens if I then press another of the Xpress buttons. For instance, let's say I am done watching the DVD and decide I want to watch TV. If I press the TV Xpress button, the remote will press "stop" on the DVD player, turn off the DVD player, turn off my receiver, and change the input on the TV back to Cable. What's special about this? The remote remembers that the TV is already on. It knows what components are used for each function, and as long as you control the components with only the AX1400 remote, it knows what is on and what is off, and what needs to be on or off for each Xpress button. And if you don't use the Xpress buttons and decide to turn on or off a component using the individual remote commands, it still knows what's what. The only drawback to this is that if you turn something on or off with another remote or if you do it manually, or if a component fails to receive the power signal from the AX1400 when sent, then the remote is out of sync with the situation. However, if this does happen, there is a button labeled "Sync-Up" on the remote that is designed specifically to resolve this type of situation.
  
  In summary, if you are a technophile that actually enjoys meeting the challenge of learning how to operate gadgets, you should be thankful that most people cannot figure out how to get this one to work and use the ridiculously low price as an excuse to buy several of them!
  
  

• Un-ergonomic and somewhat inflexible

  
  By A345BS2X2UOUAV on 2006-07-04
  Pros: Compuer interface, heavy (doesn't feel toylike), bright OLED display, well priced
  Cons: uncomfortable in your hand and cumbersome software.
  
  My main concerns with this remote are that it just doesn't fit well in my hand. Unlike the Sony RM-VL900 I was hoping it would replace. It's too wide to fit comfortably in my hand and has sharp features on the edges which can be uncomfortable.
  
  Unlike other learning remotes, it REQUIRES the use of a computer to set up he remote and the provided software is a bit cumbersome requiring two clicks and a remote key press for each keycode to be custom learned. Some devices were rcognized by the software and only required one or two keys to be properly identified.
  
  

• Quite possibly the worst remote control ever.

  
  By A30FI2B97C4UQ7 on 2006-10-15
  Does Sony bother with any form of quality control these days? Used to be that I could pick up a product with the Sony brand printed on it and rest assured that it was just plain better than all the rest. This product, however, seems to have been designed by a committee of brain-damaged chimpanzees. Very little about this remote control works the way you would expect it to. Not to worry, it has software that allows you to program it yourself. Unfortunately, the software appears to not have warranted the attention of the chimp committee and was most likely outsourced to the same 1000 Monkeys with Typewriters who are hard at work trying to rewrite Shakespeare.
  
  I could restrain my anger at this point and give details about exactly what doesn't work in the software, but hey, the original authors didn't have time for something so unneccessary as logic, so it's all good, right? Suffice to say that your thoughts will quickly turn to why you didn't just spend 90% less on one of the simple, cheap learning remotes at the store. Should you be a raving masochist and dig in to FORCE the darned thing to behave the way you want it to, fear not, because some essential function will mysteriously cease working, and you can always go back to the software to have fun reading the useless hieroglyphics the unit has turned your learned function codes into. (Allow me one vent here - if the product LEARNED a code from a remote I already owned, and I assigned it to a button, how then, mere minutes later can said learned code be "INVALID".....!?????!!!).
  
  Seriously, save your money and blood pressure, get some exercise, and operate your electronics by walking up to them and using your fingers.
  
  

• Subpar performance at an OK price

  
  By A1OTMZVMGN3DJD on 2006-11-04
  I generally agree with the previous reviews on this item...
  
  Pros:
  - Bright OLED
  - Decent price
  - With time, becomes easier to use
  
  Cons:
  - Software interface is cumbersome to use (I recommend laptop in room with your home theater devices when you program)
  - Signal is relatively weak (need to point remote directly at device)
  - Not comfortable to hold in hand (although I don't hold a remote for long periods of time)
  - My wife and son won't have anything to do with it!
  
  I probably would pass on this if I was to purchase again.
  
  
• Major Disappointment
  By A1UH8TG863S4OY on 2007-02-15
  This purchase led to a major disappointment in the product, the Sony Website, and Sony Customer "Support". The Sony Website said the Sony RM-AX1400 was compatible with my Sony TV. (I went to sonystyle.com and used their search function, entering the model of my TV & "Remote Control". The RM-AX1400 showed up in the list (of 3 items). I clicked on the RM-AX1400 and opened the product description page. I then selected the "Compatibility" tab on the RM-AX1400 page, and confirmed that it listed my model Sony TV in the compatibility list. Sounds good... I ordered the Sony RM-AX1400.
  I received the RM-AX1400 a few days later, and as other reviews have stated, the product is useless unless you set it up with the included software. So, I installed the software, only to find that it asks you to use the "original" remote to program the RM-AX1400. If you don't have the original remote, you can choose the "Brand" of TV (i.e. "Sony), but that didn't work. The Website doesn't say that you must have the original remote for the RM-AX1400 to be compatible with the Sony TV Listed on the "Compatibility" page, so I called Sony, thinking their Customer Service could walk me through this. After several calls, talking to different levels of support and managers, Sony confirmed that the Sony RM-AX1400 was not compatible with the Sony TV which was listed as compatible on the Sony Website, UNLESS you have the original remote. When I asked why their website said it was compatible without stating you had to have the original remote, I was told that by the support assistant that he didn't know who did the website. I talked to a manager, and was able to get a "sincere apology." I won't draw any conclusions about deceptive advertising, I will just state the Facts: The RM-AX1400 did not work with my Sony TV, some/not all functions worked with my Samsung DVD Player (using the original remote to program it), and it did not work with my Onkyo Receiver. Sony did offer to sell me an "original" remote for my Sony TV, for around $100 (list price,) so I could program the "compatible" Sony RM-AX1400.
  
  Pros: I'm not creative enough to come up with anything.
  Cons: I don't have a sling and 5 small stones.
  
  
• Best for the money
  By A16QNR47PABU2K on 2007-08-14
  I bought this remote after reading all of the reviews here on Amazon and elsewhere on the net. The two biggest beefs seem to be the 'almost impossible to use software' and how the remote doesn't feel good in your hand.
  After I received this remote, I installed the software(very small program), connected my remote via the included USB cable, and within 15 minutes I had it almost perfectly configured to work with my Yamaha receiver, DVD player, Sony TV, and satellite receiver. It took an additional 10 minutes to program the buttons that were missed by the wizard. I am not a software engineer by any means.
  IMO holding the remote feels just fine. It doesn't cut into my hands, and it's not oblong or difficult to hold. In fact, the remote feels like quality to me. It isn't light like the cheapy remote that came with my TV. It has a heft that speaks to its quality construction. My wife loves this thing.
  I'm thinking this is one of those 'deep' products that turns a lot of folks off. The manual is not color-coded and you do have to have at least a rudimentary understanding of what a learning universal remote is. If you are willing to take some time and understand the software, you'll find there is very little this remote can't do. In fact, if you aren't scared of editing XML, you'll find this remote is among the most configurable ones out there!
  The only and I mean ONLY negative thing I can think to mention is Sony's choice to use small buttons for the up, down, left, and right navigation cross. These buttons are essential when surfing satellite TV and I would have liked to have had larger buttons.
  Bottom line is I couldn't find a better remote under $50.
  
  
• Bad feel
  By A35XPHBQ1TL3CC on 2006-08-27
  I totally agree with the prior review about the bad feel of this remote. It is very wide in your hand and has sharp edges. The most frequently used buttons start to wear on you fingers as well.
  
  What I find is that the signal is fairly weak. So, you have to press each button multiple times and for a long time to get most devices to react well (and I have all Sony gear).
  
  The software did have a learning curve, but does work okay. The wizard that it takes you through is worthless. It needs you to fully define every button you may use in your lifetime upfront or it errors out and can not proceed. I finally added a bunch of fake information just to get around the stupid thing. Once you get to the actual application, it is fairly straightforward and you can set it up fine.
  
  Pros: not sure I have any yet
  Cons: cumbersome feel, too wide and sharp, bad software wizard
  
  I would pass on this next time.
  
  
• Amazing Remote, Great Value!
  By A1O5NATOIPDBVG on 2007-10-19
  Read all the reviews, but for $21, said WTH and was prepared for the worst. Loaded the software on the laptop in front of the TV, gathered up all the remotes. Except for 1 remote, Onkyo HTS, RM-AX1400 had the codes. However, on the Sony DVD player, only the basic functions worked and I ended up assigning around 10 keys. It took about an hour to set up all the functions but afterwards, I was a happy camper. Xpress functions are awesome, I love the ability to customize macros endlessly.
  
  I suppose for those without the original remote, things would not go as easily. My wife doesn't appreciate it, of course, but it's a guy thing. Overall, extremely satisfied with the product. As some have mentioned, it is a lot bigger than most remotes, but not unruly,and it feels like an expensive product.
  
  
• I love this remote
  By A2PHXAIFIXN17F on 2007-11-27
  I got it for $10 and with all the bad reviews I figured it was worth a shot. Well I found that it didn't have the codes for all of my devices, but with a little bit of effort I was able to program the individual buttons to the device. It's now my primary remote. That said, I definitely wouldn't pay a whole lot for this remote. It does take a bit of effort to set up and if you don't have a computer near the TV then programming this can be inconvenient.
  
  
• Excellent Device
  By A2XQUUGRP69UNT on 2008-01-30
  For the money, this is probably the best remote control out there. Easy to setup with your computer, program up to 8 devices. It controls virtually everything, even my Playstation. However, there are some flaws: not all buttons are illuminated, hard to read the letters, some buttons are too small. Overall, this is a great product.
  
  
• If you love control this is what you need !
  By AWLQ68DGI4J55 on 2008-02-21
  But with great power comes great responsibility. This will give you absolute control over all your Audio Video components, Home Theater PC and other lighting controls if you can handle programming logic and computer interface. I love this and it work flawlessly and reliably. If it does not it is because you have done a mistake in programming. It does exactly what you tell it to do. If you are familiar with Learning remotes and macro programming you don't even need to look at the manual or help text. Computer interface is so neat I had so much fun programming this. It is so easy if you use your laptop to program in front of the home theater setup. Program let you test every step for accuracy right from the computer. I love its ability to switch from one activity to another without switching off everything first. Do not forget to insert delay after power on command as some equipments take few seconds to power up.
  
  Sony makes excellent remotes. I upgraded from SONY RM-VL600 remote which is another excellent remote I used for few years. That is less expensive and much more simple to program and if you do not need this much control and not computer savvy RM-VL600 is the best choice for you.
  
  
• Awesome capabilities at a ridiculously low price!!!
  By A2100X30DJ39IN on 2008-03-08
  As many have said, if your computer savvy and willing to spend the time to program this remote, you won't find anything as powerful as this for under $20.
  
  I first bought a Harmony 550 for $70 and quickly got frustrated by it's Q&A style software that never lets you actually see the macros. Plus, it uploads the config to Logitech's servers and then they send it back to the remote. I'll keep the Harmony but sure didn't want to spend that much for another one for the basement.
  
  Was hesitant to buy this one due to the negative reviews, but after reading the thorough review on Epinions I took the plunge. NO REGRETS!
  
  Pros
  
  - PC programmable
  - learning remote
  - macros!!!
  - software lets you see all the steps, re-arrange, add, delete, add delays
  - most keys have nice blue backlight
  - keys beep when command sent - no beeps means nothing programmed
  - OLED screen shows command sent
  - OLED screen is crisp and clear and very easy to read
  - ABCD buttons
  - no waiting for Logitech website to process and download config
  - direct programming of all buttons via nice GUI
  
  
  Cons
  
  - big and uncomfortable - square edges
  - database had none of my devices - had to learn all - took about 2 hrs
  - Menu, Guide, Info buttons too small and non-illuminated
  - no Next Chapter or Previous Chapter buttons
  - Num pad near top - prefer it at bottom since I never use it
  - range seems a little less on SOME devices - controls my rcvr from 20+'
  
  Bottom line: AWESOME, full featured, PC programmable, learning remote at a BARGAIN price. I like it just as much (maybe more) than my Harmony 550 and it was 1/4th the price. I think I'll order another before they're all gone!!!
  
  
  
  
  
• This is a work in progress!!!
  By A2L9YPFUCRZ19G on 2008-03-26
  The Sony RM AX1400 is a real dog to program. I am still working on my third reiteration of programming. It works okay if nothing gets out of sync, but it does get out of sync and you almost have to resort to the remotes you are trying to replace to get it working again. If you enjoy a real challange, this is it.
  
  
• Good concept, flawed execution, great value
  By AUHF03TPTPAYO on 2008-04-01
  I've had this remote for about a month. I'm a great believer in hard-button universal remotes, and I'm happy enough with this one to buy a second unit as backup - no remote lasts forever.
  
  If you have done the three handed shuffle needed to learn codes with most universal remotes, you'll love the idea behind this one - hook it up to a PC via USB, select the key to be programmed, then, with only one hand, not three, leisurely point the original at this beast and press the button only on the original.
  
  It's a great idea, and it works well most of the time, but the particulars of the program will drive you nuts. The pprogram is simple enough to operate if you are used to modestly complex computer chores. If you are not reasonably comfortable around computers, the complexity will be what drives you nuts, as you can see in the negative reviews. If you are comfortable, it's the unnecessary tedium of re-entering coherent labels for the keys that will drive you nuts, but you won't have much by way of problems, just a lot of boring work that a better program would have avoided for you.
  
  But, for the computer and gadget types, the tedium may well be worth the currently very modest price of under fifteen dollars. Once well programmed (pant, wheeze, yawn) this works well, and I was quite happy to replace my dying 5 year old remote with this one.
  
  Although I've complained about the tedium of re-entering key labels (component custom labels don't make it to the Express keys, and have to be re-entered for the Express keys), the labels are a joy to have. Now you can have the most obscure, infrequently used functions, and have a reasonable way of locating them after months of forgetting which key has which function.
  
  The biggest problem I personally have with this remote that a bit of slogging through the job won't cure are the physical buttons - all round, and mostly similar in size - terrible ergonomics. The whole point of a hard button remote is to be able to use the major functions and perhaps a few of the minor ones without looking, locating the keys by touch. Sony got this completely right on their older remotes like the 900, but not this baby! After a month, my hand still can't find the channel up and down buttons by touch, or at least not reliably - up feels the same as down. I have no doubt that hand position will solve the problem eventually - it always does. But that shouldn't have to be the case.
  
  In summary - if you have reasonable computer and gadget skills in terms of sorting out imperfect interfaces and don't mind one-time extra setup work, this is an unbeatable value. But if you are not sure what I mean by that, you should probably look elsewhere.
  
  
• The All In Wonder
  By A3MM89LLS2GXTN on 2007-06-23
  This remote has it all you can assign up to 8 components and you can program up to 4 Express buttons to preset your home theater system to do what you want.
  So If I want to watch cable and my sound is connected to my 5 channel audio receiver I can assign an express button to turn on the TV, Cable box and receiver. The remote then knows that the volume buttons control the receiver and the other buttons are assigned to control the cable box.
  If I want to watch a DVD another express button can be assigned to set the TV input to DVD, the audio receiver to DVD input and then the remote buttons are set to control the DVD player
  In setting this up you connect it to your USB port on your computer and you really need to have your computer in the same room as you do a lot of testing to insure it works.
  In setting up the express I had to edit everything that the setup wizard did.
  It was strange that I have a Sony TV and to change the Input you need to push the Input button, a menu comes up and then you select your source. The wizard asked me exactly how does my TV get the input and then in operation it only just selected input and never selected anything in the menu However in edit mode I can fix this.
  The other problem was that the wizard didn't take account that it takes 10 seconds for the TV to turn on, and it's sending the signals and not waiting, however in edit mode I can put delay times in
  The Computer software was upgraded to Ver. 1.1 and is still cumbersome to use. The simple way to copy your remote into this system is to use the original that came with your component but it does have it where you can select by manufactures and code.
  If it does not recognize your remote you can still manually input any remote. Not all buttons may not be available tho.
  I liked the fact that the remote was on the large side so pressing the buttons would be easy but the Menu, Guide, Info buttons that I constantly use on my cable are so small I have to push it with my fingernail. So all in all it works but it could be better.
  
  
  
• Stymied, but hopeful
  By A2H9CSJBN44N3H on 2007-09-30
  I bought this item last night and tried to program it and it's a nightmare. The software is more difficult to use than Logitech's. I was going to return it tonight after work by the Philips touch screen model, but no one sells it around me. Anyway, I called Sony Tech SUpport and they assured me that they can help me this evening over the phone. Also, Chrisell's review is just about the most helpful review I've ever seen posted anywhere about anything. Even if Sony can't help me, Chrisell provided enough information that I think I can get it working. I'll post again after I see what happens tonight.
  
  
• Good Remote
  By A1X0Y6YWLZ0AXD on 2008-02-29
  I bought this remote because I lost the remote that originally came with my TV. The programming function was very easy to use, but had a little bit of a learning curve. The remote, sadly, did not have the codes for my tv, so I had to find someone with the same tv and borrow their remote. It has worked perfectly since, and almost every button on it can become a macro, which is nice. It is by far the cheapest remote like it, and has been pretty great. My only complaint would be that the remote powers on and off, and when it is off, occasionally, you have to hit a button to turn it on, but, other times, you don't. Its really not a very big inconvenicence, but proves the otherwise quality of the remote.
  
  
• BEST value among all SONY remotes
  By A2IRF39YHWJ7ZX on 2008-04-25
  I agree 100% to other opinions regarding the rock-bottom price and top-drawer performance of this remote. It is NOT a plug n' play controller and it is NOT the right one for a lot of people. But for those to whom this remote is aimed (somewhat tech-savvy), it serves their needs extremely well. I just want to add that the material and finish of this unit is top-grade. I love the OLED display and the blue illumination on this controller. Its design and tactile feel exudes a sense of class and quality. I have used remotes made by Phillips and Logitech before but I love this SONY the most. At the current price (new on EBay) of below $10 due to bad reputation and poor consumer reception, the AX1400 may well be the best deal around in this market. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (w/ caveat)...
  
  
• remote view
  By AENS33M7GG02W on 2008-03-18
  remote programs and operates great. best remote on the market for the money. only reason it only received 4 stars is that the range of the remote is not as good as i would like.
  
  
• Not compatible with 64bit Operating System, go for a much simpler VL600
  By A3T0AACWW9NFNQ on 2008-04-18
  I bought this remote and a simpler one Sony RM-VL600 8-Device Universal Learning Remote . The first drawback of this RM-AX1400 is that it is not compatible with 64 bit Operating system, neither it's available on Sony website a compatible driver for 64bit. Bad bad!
  
  When I got in hold of a 32 bit OS I started the programming process of the remote, it is REQUIRED a PC to program the remote. This remote could not encode the buttons for source select on a Sony HT-SS 1100 home theather receiver. Bad bad!
  
  I tried also programming the Xpress function buttons, but it does not work on my setup (an LG TV, an LG DVD-Recorder, a Thomson DCI-1000 digital cable box and the Sony HT SS 1100 receiver). It does not send the commands to the devices with sufficient timing for them to activate and then receive the change input signal. I guess I could program lots of pauses, but as I had the other simpler VL600 remote on hand it was much easier and suits perfectly my needs.
  
  Positive things:
  Nice lights and nice display.
  
  Bad things:
  Not compatible with 64bit SO.
  Not useful for the Sony receiver with multiple input buttons on the remote.
  
  
  
• Sony RM AX1400
  By A1ECTYU9MUH6CD on 2008-05-10
  This product is just what I was looking for. It controls All of my components with very little programming effort. The macros are great and turn on my amplifier/tuner, LCD TV and DVD player at the touch of a button. Best of all I only paid a total of $16 for this product. This product retails from $100 or more from other retailers. What a deal!!!!
  
  
• Good, for the price
  By A3N7Y3OKHADXB5 on 2008-05-11
  This remote is a great deal, but it's not perfect. As noted in other reviews, it is very customizable but the software interface is pretty clunky. The remote has a tendency to forget what state your devices are in. For example, you should be able to switch from watching a DVD to watching TV with a single button push. The idea is that it knows what components are on and what inputs they are set for so it will switch the receiver to TV, turn off the DVD player, and switch the TV input to "TV". However, the remote often forgets to switch the TV input from "VIDEO" to "TV." There is a "Sync-up" button which goes through each component and tells you to set it properly, but then it still doesn't remember that the TV is now using the input "TV" and when you switch back to the DVD player it won't flip the input to "VIDEO". This is annoying, but overall the remote is a time saver and works pretty well. For under $20 (shipped), you can't beat it.
  
  
  
• Too hard to program
  By A2Y0WGC571GII0 on 2008-06-13
  I purchased this remote because I needed one to control all my products, and because it was much cheaper then other remotes that did the same thing. I guess you get what you pay for. This remote is far too hard to program I made a mistake going through the program and I can not figure out how to go back. It will NOT control 2-3-4 things with one button, and you can not delete any comands or start over again. I will dump this in the box of unused remotes I was trying to replace when I brought this, and keep looking. I definity do not recomend this product.
  
  
• great remote
  By A37H10F1XYKOWQ on 2008-06-18
  I use the remote for my tv, receiver, dvd player, even my mac. everything works incredibly well. My only problem with it is the software only runs on windows.
  
  
• Great replacement remote
  By A22S260CPTMVD2 on 2008-06-23
  Programmability is great. It recognized codes for most of our electronics, and it was easy to have it learn specialty buttons that it did not know. We especially liked the fact that you could override any existing button by deleting the pre-programmed assignment and assigning/learning a new code. Note we haven't gotten in to the "one button to control everything" programming, but that's because we were looking just for a replacement remote for the current remotes that are starting to fail. And for that purpose, it's great, and so is the ridiculously cheap price. In fact, we're so happy with it that we just bought another one for our downstairs setup.
  
  
• Excellent product
  By APVFWP0EAHMP0 on 2007-02-03
  This product runs everything in my home theater. Setup was easy, the software recognized most of my components immediately. The one component not recognized was easy to setup using the learning function.
  
  Setting up the "Xpress" functions was also easy, although I had to tweak the settings a bit. Fortunately, the software makes editing the controls simple.
  
  The only downside: you really need to have your computer in the room with your home theater while setting up this remote. It is possible to disconnect the remote to verify your settings, but it is much easier to test while connected to your computer.
  
  
• Great remote, great price!
  By A1PLI2XPHDG036 on 2008-04-13
  I was looking for a good universal remote that wouldn't break the bank. Being a tech geek and based upon various reviews, I picked up the Sony RM-AX1400 remote from an Amazon seller (Capital Electronics) and have been really pleased with my purchase. I found the remote easy to configure. Install the software and connect the remote to your PC using the supplied mini-USB cable. The software walks you through setting up the basic features for your components through pre-set codes and IR learning.
  
  After the initial setup is complete, you'll want to go back and use the advanced tab in the software to add more features from your remotes via IR learning. Thanks to the Sony RM-AX1400, I've sidelined the remotes for my Olevia 242V HDTV, an Aiwa receiver, a Symphonic VCR/DVD combo unit, a Technics 5-Disc CD changer, and my home theater PC (which uses a version 1 Media Center remote). Since it won't control my Dish Network 500 (because that compnent uses RF instead of IR, doh!), I'm down to two remotes instead of seven.
  
  If you're tech savvy, don't be afraid of the bad reviews out there. This remote works great if you take the time upfront to configure it properly. I'm going to revisit the macro feature and see what kind of neat stuff I can cook up. The only negative thing I can add is that the remote isn't the most comfortable design out there, but it's not that bad either. Who watches movies or TV while constantly holding the remote? A solid five stars based on functionality, quality, and price/feature ratio!
  
  
  
• IT SEAMS ITS A GOOD PRODUCT
  By A2K5L2D6KZPINC on 2008-04-21
  It seems its a good product i bougth it couse my home thearer remote control were broken, i hope all the functions could work on the future.
  
  
• Sony RMAX1400 Remote Control
  By A1T23BPYP1LJ3W on 2008-07-27
  Sony's RMAX1400 is a great product and I'm using that in both bedroom and living room. I would recommend Sony to add more makes and models in the preset codes list as I have to mostly use the learning function of the remote to program my multiple remote control units. I find it's button illumination feature very useful in the darkness of night when I watch TV and operate the remote control from bed. It's stylish design is very attractive.
  
  

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