Sony RM-AV2500 Integrated Remote Commander

Sony RM-AV2500 Integrated Remote CommanderSony's latest 12-device touchscreen offers plenty offeatures, but is it really better than the RM-AV2100?

A surprising thing happened when Sony’s RM-AV3000 remote control was released as the successor to the RM-AV2100: sales of both models thrived! In spite of the RM-AV3000’s fresh exterior and considerably more powerful capabilities, a new market had abruptly materialized – one that wouldn’t ordinarily have given the latest super-remote a second glance, but was perfectly comfortable with the more modest and now discounted RM-AV2100. A hypothesis: was there call for a model priced somewhere between the $79 RM-VL1000 and $199 RM-AV3000?

That question was answered when electronics retailer giant Best Buy commissioned a special batch of the RM-AV2100 to market at $149 alongside the $199 RM-AV3000 and was ultimately successful at selling both. One possible explanation is that the RM-AV2100 was already capable enough, and the RM-AV3000’s further upgrades significant enough, that the two models could be considered complementary, rather than competing.

Recognizing a golden opportunity, Sony has formally adopted the $149 price point with the introduction of their RM-AV2500 touchscreen remote control. Also released at the same time, an upgraded $199 RM-AV3100 (read our review) boosts Sony’s deluxe offering to new heights. Although the RM-AV2500 may look as if the RM-AV2100’s level of functionality has simply been wrapped in RM-AV3100 style clothing, rest assured that it is, in fact, a brand new model. Different screen, redesigned case, new button layout, more capabilities!

The Next GenerationSony’s RM-AV series of touchscreen remotes have a lengthy history dating back to the mid 1990s when the RM-AV1000 was first sold in Japan. Despite being a breakthrough product in both form and function, the endearingly chunky remote didn’t catch on. Perhaps the RM-AV1000 was too advanced, too complicated, too big, or just too far ahead of its time.

Whatever the reason, Sony wisely held on to the concept for a few years, eventually giving it another try at the end of 1997 in the more home theater oriented USA. This time the market responded quite favorably and the second-generation RM-AV2000 became the very first product reviewed on Remote Central. Finally, a high-technology customizable remote that could control almost anything – and it didn’t cost an arm and a leg!

Today’s RM-AV2500 represents the fifth generation and third physical design of Sony’s proprietary and unquestionably unique “armrest-sized” form factor. Although the shape and size can be an acquired taste for some, big, powerful and simple-to-operate universal remotes like the RM-AV2500 answer the call for a customizable control that’s able to operate many components with all functions displayed simultaneously. Everything you need, when you need it.
Sony does not use a fancy marketing or series name for the RM-AV2500 model, unless you count “Integrated Remote Commander”... and as my fingers don’t feel like typing that over and over, let’s stick to calling it the “RM-AV2500”. In addition, as this model is intended as a functional replacement for the RM-AV2100, comparisons will be made primarily to that unit, with references to other models where appropriate.

While most hard-buttoned remote controls are long, thin and narrow, the RM-AV2500 is the opposite: short, wide and thick, roughly the size of a paperback novel. Sporting a large landscape-oriented LCD touchscreen display at the top with a generous sprinkling of hard buttons below, the RM-AV2500 presents a “high tech” look that’s more current than the RM-AV2100, but not quite as sophisticated as the RM-AV3100.

The remote measures 7.0” long, 4.3” wide and 1.6” thick (17.9cm by 11.0cm by 4.1cm). This is about one half inch (1.5cm) narrower than any previous model, with a maximum thickness about halfway between the RM-AV2100 and RM-AV3100. The RM-AV2500’s control surface is angled towards the user and tapers to as little as 1.0” (2.6cm) thick at the bottom, but unlike the sleeker RM-AV3100 its face is perfectly flat without a slimming bend in the middle. This makes the RM-AV2500 feel somewhat larger than the RM-AV3100, with a midpoint measurement approximately one third thicker.

The RM-AV2500 is the lightest model in Sony’s touchscreen series, weighing 12.0oz (342 grams) with batteries or 8.6oz (242 grams) without. This compares well to the RM-AV2100 at 9% heavier or the RM-AV3100 with 12% more weight. Although those percentages may not seem like much on paper, the difference between the three remotes is quite noticeable when held. The RM-AV2500 feels about the right weight for its dimensions: not too heavy and not too light.

A new button layout.Rather than tweaking the RM-AV3100’s pre-existing design into a less expensive unit, Sony opted to start from scratch. Although one glance will tell you that the RM-AV2500 is still closely related to its siblings, I was intrigued by a few of the changes.
At the top of the remote is the RM-AV2500’s characteristic touchscreen, measuring 3.54” wide and 1.96” high (9.0cm by 5.0cm), with a 4.0” diagonal (10.2cm). This is about 14% less surface area than the RM-AV2100, a reduction that has been reflected in the remote’s narrower case. Since the LCD keys haven’t been made smaller, something else obviously had to be sacrificed – namely one vertical column of buttons.

You won’t find the customary selection of system macro and device buttons below the LCD screen; instead Sony has pushed up the [Menu], [Volume] and [Channel] buttons. The [Volume] and [Channel] toggles have been placed on the right side of the remote and paired with [Mute] and [Recall] (AKA “Jump”) keys. Although I wasn’t expecting this change – Sony has always placed those particular functions in the bottom right-hand corner of the remote – it makes perfect ergonomic sense. Now whenever the remote is held in my right hand, the oft-used volume and channel keys fall naturally under my thumb. And, since the RM-AV2500’s weight is centered perfectly under those keys, I no longer have to play a counterbalancing act as I did when sliding down to reach those controls on previous models.

To the left of the toggles is a standard 5-way cursor key arrangement with matching [Menu] and [Exit] buttons. Below are three direct-access macro keys marked [A], [B] and [C], plus one labeled [More] for further on-screen macros. Next to those keys are [Light] and [Commander Off] buttons, used for turning the LCD backlight on and the remote off, respectively.

The array of 12 buttons in two rows at the bottom of the RM-AV2500 is used to change modes – each key corresponds to one of the remote’s built-in devices. These buttons are labeled [TV], [Cable], [Satellite], [DVR], [VCR], [Amp], [CD], [MD], [Tape], [DVD], [M1] and [M2]. Note that the remote is capable of operating any mix of components, so the button labels don’t necessarily need to relate to the type of device controlled.

Another shade of silver...The top of the RM-AV2500’s case has been painted the same light metallic silver as the RM-AV3100, which more or less matches most modern Sony A/V equipment. In a change from the RM-AV3100, a large portion of the control surface just beneath the LCD has been finished in matte charcoal grey plastic. I’ve commented in the past on my preference for darker colored remotes – they look cleaner longer – and this seems a decent compromise!

Half of the remote’s hard buttons are black rubber topped with white silkscreen printing, while the rest are white rubber with black printing. All buttons have the classic soft and flexible feel that’s found on a large number of other remotes. I particularly like the RM-AV2500’s large, angled channel and volume toggles – right up a volume-tweaker or channel-surfer’s alley. Little effort is needed to push keys, and overall tactile response is minimal but adequate. Several button groupings have case indents molded around them, which helps to give a visual and tactile separation.

Like many of Sony’s recent remotes, the back of the RM-AV2500 is made out of matte light grey plastic. The battery compartment’s large but simple slide-n-snap style lid securely conceals four AA batteries (not included). Battery life is estimated at 5 months, but without excessive backlight use a longer runtime should be possible. A low battery warning is provided. All sides of the remote taper in from the top surface to the bottom, creating a smaller footprint that’s reasonably easy to hold in one hand. A concave indentation has been carved into the back of the remote’s thickest portion, big enough for the remote to sit comfortably on an armrest or leg.

Most of the front end of the remote is taken up by a large curved plastic shield covering the dual infrared emitters. On the opposite end of the case is a place to attach a lanyard – a curious inclusion on almost every Sony remote. I really wouldn’t want to swing this remote by a cord!
The RM-AV2500 is constructed differently than the RM-AV2100 – a welcome change as the RM-AV2100 had the unfortunate reputation of quickly developing “creaky” characteristics. This time, the back half of the case is fitted into the silver top. This improves general rigidity and completely avoids the connecting seam that normally runs around all edges. Topped off with 5 screws, the end result is a solid feeling remote that’s resistant to lateral twisting (although perhaps not quite as sturdy as the 8-screw RM-AV3100).

Overall, the RM-AV2500’s new design is a significant improvement over the RM-AV2100.

Even with the introduction of modern graphical remotes and sophisticated all hard buttoned models, Sony’s RM-AV series of combination touchscreen/hard buttoned controls retain strong consumer appeal by offering a good price/performance ratio. Although the RM-AV2500 isn’t alone at the $150 price point, it’s the only model to offer a touchscreen and full control of 12 devices.

The lack of hard button backlighting and large form factor could be issues for some, but there are more than enough compensating pluses – large backlit screen, excellent learning capabilities, loads of devices, plenty of macros, a good measure of customization – and it’s a Sony!

Even better, it’s so simple to operate that users won’t be left hunting through multiple pages to round up a single device’s commands, or picking their way through numerous selection menus. If you need a no-nonsense remote that’s able to deal with complex home theater systems, the Sony RM-AV2500 should definitely be on your short list.