Philips Pronto TSU9600

If you want a excellent and a complete remote control, take this one, but you must know it isn't easy to program if you don't know java program and haven't a lot of patience to research in internet some… link to program this remote. See "[...] for more hints about programs and layout. After you programed it, you will discovery how good is to put all the remote controls in a drawer and use only one. Use the macro comands to make your life easy. Also, buy the RFX 9400 extender to enjoy the control with RF system. It is easy to comand your components that are inside or behind the furnitures. You won't need to point the remote control to the components to control them. The bad news is that Philips didn't have a complete library of comands for hi-end components, specially for Audio Research, Pink Triangle, some Krell, Bluenote, GamuT, some Integra, Jeff Roland, Electrocompaniet, etc. Logitech has a more large library for almost all the components in the market.

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This remote allowed us to not only replace all of our other remotes, but also get rid of our old TV. Now it sits on the wall mount where our TV used to be. We watch shows like "Burning Your Money" and… "How to Live Like a Moron" on its almost-HD display. Sure the screen size is a little smaller than our old TV, but this bad boy feels better because it costs more than the TV. We only wish they made a remote for this remote. Like what other reviewers said (or thought), the 640x480VGA screen is CRITICAL. Our previous universal remote was a piece of junk with only a 320x240 display. When I to used it on our stereo, the sound lost all the clarity. HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. "That's it," I told myself, "I'm getting a remote with better clarity." I'm very happy with this purchase.

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I have programmed and used this model for slightly over a year. The possibilities are literally endless- this unit can be set up to control pretty much anything. Graphics - Sound - IR or RF control -… multiple extenders - IR Learn capability - it's all there. Philips provides a well-done software suite to set up a code database and build the remote's user interface. The downside- this unit is not reliable- almost moody, if that's possible. It'll work fine for a few days or a week, then start rebooting- over and over, until the battery is dead. Or, the RF link with the extenders will suddenly stop working (usually in the middle of the film, with a roomful of guests). The only way to get it going again is to shut off the remote and extender, than power back up- and then wait several minutes (!) for the link to re-establish. Finally, a couple of the hard buttons quit responding, regardless of how they are programmed. I can't comment on Philip's customer service- they did not respond to any of the three e-mails I sent from their support webpage. This is an ultimate gadget, with a potential for greatness. But, with the odd technical bugs, and no factory support, it's a hard sell.

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This is great control only for expesive installations, you will need a week to learn how to use the software or hire an expert installer, there some pronto modules to control av and lighiting two ways, but… to download them you will need to be a pronto certificate one. i gave a three star because a compare it to ipod touch tecnology, that is more impresive than all the av controllers that are in the market. That will be my idea of a great controller a 7" ipod touch that could control av components. Mail, skype, music, internet, etc.

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