Sony Introduces Remote Controls With Built-In Speaker And Universal ""Learning"" Features
Remotes Reflect Demands Of High Tech Lifestyles
Sony has simplified controlling a home theatre system with three new remote controls. ""With home theatres becoming more and more popular, the remote clutter is overwhelming the coffee table,"" said Phil Petescia, Director of Sony Electronics' General Audio Accessories division. ""Our new remote line will consolidate remotes while taking advantage of the hidden, seemingly intimidating functions built into today's home theatre systems."" Bring TV Audio To The Couch With The World's First Built-In Speaker Remote Have you ever missed critical parts of your favorite television show because you could not hear what is being said? To compensate for the soft conversation on the screen, do you blast the TV with unwanted side effect of disturbing your spouse or neighbors? Sony's solved this problem, bringing TV sound into the palm of your hand with the new Remote CommanderÆ remote control, model RM-VS10TV. With the RM-VS10TV's built-in speaker, you can not only listen to the TV through the remote, but also plug headphones into the built-in earphone jack so you can turn up the volume on your favorite show without disturbing your spouse or neighbors. Running on either the supplied AC adapter or four AA batteries, the RM-VS10TV operates through an infrared signal transmitter, which connects easily to a cable box or a TV. This remote controls the volume on both the television speaker and the monaural remote speaker. It also has all the standard TV power and channel controls. The RM-VS10TV will be available in April 2000 for under $100. Control Blinds, Room Lighting And Home Theatre With A Single Remote Sony's Universal Remote Commander Remote Control (model RM-AV2100) gives you control of up to 12 components in your home theatre system - or other home systems - in a single remote. Instead of turning on your DVD-Video player, television, stereo system and dimming the lights one by one, the back-lit LCD RM-AV2100 allows you to create a ""macro"" to achieve control of all four appliances with a single button. The RM-AV2100 can be programmed with up to 15 macros for up to 16 consecutive operations at four different speeds, saving you time and effort by handling a complex series of commands with a single button. This universal remote is pre-programmed with settings for most major brands of TVs, VCRs, DVD-Video players, satellite receiver/cable boxes, amplifiers, CD players, MD/DAT recorders, cassette decks, AM/FM tuners, digital sound processors and other infrared remote operated components. The RM-AV2100 also ""learns"" how to operate many brands of other components that use IR remote signals, such as blinds, air conditioners and lights. With a wide selection of pre-programmed electronics products and the remote's learning function, almost any product with an infrared remote signal can be operated through this remote. The RM-AV2100 will be available in May 2000 for about $180. For a smaller home theatre system, consumers will find that the Universal Remote Commander remote control model RM-VL900 delivers many of the most popular functions of the RM-AV2100, except it controls eight audio/video component and does not have the LCD touch panel. With 11 macros that perform a series of up to 16 consecutive operations with one touch, illuminated buttons and memory back-up, the MR-VL900 is a good choice for those who want a compact remote for a home theatre system. This remote control is compatible with most major brands, learns from many other remote signals and is pre-programmed for most major home theatre components. The RM-VL900 will be available in April for about $60.