Phlips PM525S 5 Device Universal Remote Conrol

List Price: ~~$14.99~~
Discount Price: $6.49

Brand: Philips
Binding: Electronics

Features:

Controls TV, VCR, DVD, Cable and Satellite; learns the functions of your original component remotes
Advance DVD and satellite specific functions; advance picture in picture controls with toggle
Sleep timer can be set to turn the TV off up to a maximum of 99 minutes after it's programmed
Battery saver deactivates remote if keys get stuck; code saver allows up to 10 minutes to change bateries without losing codes
Internal TV menu and controls; extensive code library and code search set up; glowing key pad

Customer Reviews:

Disapointing [Posted on 2002-12-10]
I was disapointed in this remote. It will control 5 devices and has learning ability so any equipment that isn't supported can learn from your old remote. The problem is, there is no way to control an amplifier. Most people who have need of a 5 device remote use an amplifier and external speakers so they can enjoy quality sound while watching TV. The only volume control (and mute) on this remote is the one that controls the volume on the internal TV speakers. At first I thought this would be ok, I would just program the volume controls with the learning function. But this would not work - the remote has a "punch through" design that will not allow you to program the audio controls for anything other than your TV.
When I purchased this remote I assumed that one of the 5 devices it would control would be an amplifier (aux on most controls). But instead it will only control TV, VCR, DVD, Cable box, and Satelite. Most remotes put both Satelite and Cable boxes on the same set of buttons since people either have one or the other. They should have put Satelite and Cable on the same buttons and that would leave a whole set of buttons left for an amplifier.
Note: Philips has a terrible web site. There is no information there about their products, so it is difficult to make good decisions before you buy.

How to control the volume [Posted on 2004-02-25]
Gary is correct, but their is a simple workaround.

Use the TV settings screen, to set the sound to thur the Auxulary output ( Aux ).

Set the TV speakers off and Variable output on. These settings
will vary according to the TV brand.

Tweak the volume on your amplifier / cd player / receiver etc. than you should be able to listen to the sound thru the receiver while controling the volume up and down and mute thru the TV.

All this assumes that the TV has a " Aux " out connection and the receiver has a " Aux " in connection, usually connected using an RF cable.

Hope this helps,
Richard

Great Remote! [Posted on 2004-03-06]
I've got an a la carte selection of electronic devices at home. An Apex tv, RCA DVD Player and receiver, Goldstar VCR, Philips Sat Receiver. This thing works on all of them but my Sat Receiver, which I've yet to find a single remote that does other than the boxed remote with the Sat Receiver.

It is programmable which means, I'm able to access just about any Home Theater Receiver option, from Dolby option, audio input selection, even adjusting the speakers! There's nothing I haven't been able to do with this remote, except program it for my Sat receiver. I've had the remote for a few years and am very glad to have it.

Get the PMDVR8 for 8 Devices [Posted on 2004-04-27]
I appreciated the heads up on the audio control problem. Get the 8 device remote at Best Buy or here at Amazon. It learned to control my stupid Aiwa reciever that Aiwa refused to give me the remote code for. Aiwa customer service sucks bigtime. BTW. The code was 585. I paid $25 and tax at Best Buy. I am tickled to death with it.

You CAN control audio function [Posted on 2007-02-10]
Just because it doesn't tell you how to do it in the manual doesn't mean that you can't control your receiver in all modes. All you have to do is hold "Code Search" press the mute button, press the receiver button, and press the mut button again. This remote works great for me with my Tivo and I love the learning capabilities. And for the price--you can't beat it!

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