Philips TSU9400 Pronto is perhaps one of the most expensive universal remote on the market. Pricing in at over $500.00 at most retailers, the Pronto is not for average users. It’s aimed at professional installers or hardcore home theater enthusiasts. The Pronto offers limitless customization and options. This makes it appealing to more advanced users but not so for novice users.

Features

The Pronto boasts 3.5 inch QVGA color touch screen and is somewhere between tablet and conventional remote control. The remote control can control both RS232 or IP devices as well as IR. It also comes with built in wireless capability, 802.11g. This is helpful if you have HTPC set up as you can control HTPC via this remote without any additional equipment. You can access files on your computer via the touch screen. The remote control is essentially a mini computer disguised as remote control.

Design

This not your every day remote control. The remote control itself has large LCD screen and very few buttons. The directional pad, volume, and channel buttons are few that are present on the unit. The primary method of operation is via touch screen. The focal point of the remote is the touch screen control and not the button control.

Ease of programming

The programming is lot more complicated than the Logitech’s programming. You connect the remote control to the PC via USB. You can set and download configuration with the included software called ProntoEdit. Philips provides various templates you can modify. You assign graphic buttons to do various functions. You can assign various macro functions to run several devices at once. In that sense, the programming is similar to activity based programming of Logitech's remote. The learning curve is a lot steeper for using ProntoEdit as it requires more understanding. If you can’t find the code, the remote can learn all the functions from existing remotes. Novice users can learn to use it but setting up can get difficult.

Ease of use

Out of the box, the remote is glorified paper weight. You cannot start using it without configuring it first on your PC. Once you program it, it takes good few days to get around all the menus and options to properly use this remote. You can purchase optional RF extender if you need the remote to reach hidden or stowed away devices. With the large LCD display, the battery tends to drain pretty fast. You will need to recharge it every night if you intend to use it more than few hours at a time.
As I’ve said before, this remote is not for everyone. The programming might get too complicated for novice users. Also, the actual usage takes some time getting used to. If you are tech savvy, you will really appreciate all the options and flexibility of this remote. Average users will most likely want to stick with Harmony as it is lot easier to program and use.

Pros

• Large LCD
• Flexibility
• Plethora of options
• Rechargeable system

Cons

• Battery life
• Complicated
• Expensive

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	Philips TSU9400 Pronto Universal Remote Control List Price: $899.99 Sale Price: $775.00 Average Rating:

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Philips

In the home theater industry, few companies have the tradition and experience as Philips. While this company is famous for the development of the Sonicare toothbrush and DVD standard, some of their finest work can be found on your coffee table. Thus, the Philips Prestigo SRU8015 universal remote is more than just an all-in-one control unit, but an entertainment command center.

Flashy and Beyond

The 8015 features a bold 2.0-inch high-resolution color screen. Specifically, the resolution is 220 x 175, ensuring that every single icon and line of text is easily readable. The remote is all-black with a silver trim that complements any stylish media room. A navigation wheel is placed in the center of the device, with a keypad and other controls below.

Resilient and More

We found that the Prestigo SRU8015 was a reliable device that rarely seized up or faltered when flipping through menus. This device is IR-based, so there were a few missed commands here and there, but overall the 10m range is great for communicating with an entire room.

Easy to Use is an Understatement

The 8015 uses an activity-based control system to manipulate multiple components at to achieve a common goal. Individual components can be adjusted if needed, but when playing a DVD for example, the remote would first turn on the TV, then power up the receiver and adjust the input settings, then finally turn on the DVD player and begin the movie.

To navigate the device, a rotary cursor is incorporated directly below the screen. This cursor functions similar to an iPod wheel, turning left and right to cruise through the longest of menus.

When in the darkness of your home theater, the backlit screen and keys make controlling the unit a breeze. In addition, the 8015 utilizes electroluminescent lighting for an even distribution and full illumination of all keys.

Battery Power: Amazing

The Philips Prestigo 8015 utilizes 3 standard AA batteries for power. While other units have complex docking ports and short charge times, the 8015 persisted for a long time. Furthermore, the remote will automatically shut itself off if left unattended.

Features: Now That’s a Long List

Perhaps one of this remote’s coolest features is the ability to set channel icons rather then enter the channel by hand. Channel logos are set via the icon library and then the lineup can be accessed by the LCD screen and rotary cursor.

To setup the device, the remote has a built-in IR code database that adds devices by a step-by-step wizard, rather than inputting a 3-digit code. If the device does not have the required code, then it can learn it manually from the original remote. This model does not use a computer to enter the codes, which can be a drawback as no updates are available and the library is smaller than other devices. Once the devices have been added and the activities programmed, the user can customize function and activity names to eliminate confusion. Specifically, the remote can handle 15 devices at one time, from TVs to Laser Disk players.

It’s Amazing!

• Electroluminescent lighting for easy control in a dark room
• Easy setup and device programming, built-in code database
• TV icons for easy navigation
• Rotary cursor
• Bright 2.0” LCD screen
• Able to handle 15 devices at one time

It Could Have Performed Better

• Uses IR instead of RF
• Learning codes manually can be tedious
• No way to update code database or channel icons

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	Philips SRU8015/37 Prestigo 15 Device Universal Remote List Price: $179.99 Sale Price: $58.88 Used From: $35.00 Average Rating:

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