Remote Control recommendations - Page 4 - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

Sylvain · 2008-01-20, 09:29 PM

I have had the Pronto 9600 for about a year now and am very very pleased with it. The possibilities are almost endless. I can even get a weather report at the touch of a button without having to turn on the TV or anything else (the remote gets the data from the Internet through Wi-Fi). It is a superb remote in a class by itself. I am not sure why it is not discussed very much in this forum... Pronto TSU-9600

TECHNOKID · 2008-01-20, 09:54 PM

Sylvain, why don`t you start a post yourself on that brand and model? Let`s see what potential users have to say about it as this may be benifial to new seekers of such type remote.

JohnnyCanuck · 2008-01-20, 09:56 PM

Very definitely a fan of Philips remotes. There's two really good looking remotes that they introduced at CES this year. There's not a lot of info on them yet, but there aren't branded as Pronto remotes, but rather as Prestigo.

Also a big fan of URC remotes (esp. the MX-900 and the new MX-810 which I reviewed here).

TECHNOKID · 2008-01-20, 11:15 PM

Thanks for the info Johnny, I like some of the comments!

Quote:

Prestigo universal remote control
Control 15 devices of up to 1500 different brands
No manual or PC needed
Easily find the keys you need

, I like the fact that you do not need to be a computer wizz to get it working!

Here is a comparision of the 2 models they offer:
http://www.prestigo.philips.com/en/u...fications.html

However, no dealers available yet (I have searched as far as 75 miles away!)

JohnnyCanuck · 2008-01-21, 12:29 AM

There are actually two other models in that line that were announced at CES but are not yet up on the Prestigo website. They look very nice. For my taste, the 8112 (not on the site yet) looks very sweet. But personally, I hate programming remotes manually and will never be without a PC-programmable one again so I wouldn't be considering one of them for myself.

TECHNOKID · 2008-01-21, 07:58 PM

From experience, I long would you say it would take for the newer models to be advertised on their site?

Sylvain · 2008-01-21, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TECHNOKID

Sylvain, why don`t you start a post yourself on that brand and model? Let`s see what potential users have to say about it as this may be benifial to new seekers of such type remote.

I may do that TECHNOKID, thanks for the suggestion.

JohnnyCanuck, I did not even know about the the Prestigo remotes; however they are not in the same class as the TSU-9600 or its new little brother (or sister) the TSU-9400. Not knowing about them, the Prestigo lineup seems to look more like the Harmony remotes with limited capabilities. The TSU-9600 is basically a mini-computer with a full VGA touch screen and built-in Wi-Fi (the MX-3000 is probably one of the few that comes close to it). Like you, I will never be without a PC-programmable remote ever!

TECHNOKID · 2008-01-21, 09:29 PM

Then Sylvain, why don't you start the thred a little more wider range: Phillips remote? That would allow for larger discussion on a brand of remotes that are not discussed/known so much on this site. A lot of people like me that are barely starting their room set-up and that will need proper remotes as gear add up! I will definitely keeping an eye on your potential thread! So far, you and Johnny seem to have a passion and knowledge for them, who knows who else!?!

Cheers!
René

JohnnyCanuck · 2008-01-22, 01:13 AM

Sylvain,

Never meant to suggest that they were in the same class as a Pronto (or a URC or an RTI TheaterTouch or a Nevo). However, not everyone wants to spend the kind of money some of us are willing to and I really haven't seen a remote I like from Harmony in quite some time (the new One may change that). I was just pointing out options.

Sylvain · 2008-01-22, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TECHNOKID

Then Sylvain, why don't you start the thred a little more wider range: Phillips remote? That would allow for larger discussion on a brand of remotes that are not discussed/known so much on this site. A lot of people like me that are barely starting their room set-up and that will need proper remotes as gear add up! I will definitely keeping an eye on your potential thread! So far, you and Johnny seem to have a passion and knowledge for them, who knows who else!?! Cheers! René

Given your technical inclination, I would definitely recommend the TSU-9600. There were only a couple of places that had them in the Ottawa area a year ago but there's got to be more now. BTW, were you wearing a Jimmy hat badge?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyCannuck

Never meant to suggest that they were in the same class as a Pronto (or a URC or an RTI TheaterTouch or a Nevo). However, not everyone wants to spend the kind of money some of us are willing to and I really haven't seen a remote I like from Harmony in quite some time (the new One may change that). I was just pointing out options.

Good point JohnnyCannuck, there's probably only a few of us that are willing to spend the money and the time to program it. Although, in the end, I can tell you the entire family likes it... BTW, what do you have currently?

JohnnyCanuck · 2008-01-22, 10:41 PM

I have a brand new URC MX-810 and a URC MX-900 that I haven't decided to get rid of yet.

TECHNOKID · 2008-01-23, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Given your technical inclination, I would definitely recommend the TSU-9600.... were you wearing a Jimmy hat badge?

Why the TSU-9600? Please explain. Yes, Jimmy, Kingston (Vimy) and all...

Sylvain · 2008-01-23, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TECHNOKID

Why the TSU-9600? Please explain. Yes, Jimmy, Kingston (Vimy) and all...

Interesting René; Vimy Barracks, been there too. To get back to your question; because the 9600 is the ultimate toy for the tech-savvy person. Not only will it control anything using IR but it will connect to a computer network (via the built-in Wi-Fi) and control other devices, a receiver for example, through RS-232 (with some gear that you have to buy separately from Philips). It has a full-VGA screen that even the non-techno people in the house love, including a teenager (who got her own screen with buttons that are icons of the logos of her favorite stations). I actually have a full weather report (on the screen of the remote) by hitting a single button. I also control a computer that I am using as a music server through that remote and I can see the album art of the music playing on the screen of the remote. Setting up this remote and improving it over the months/years is always interesting and rewarding. I guess the same would apply to a few other remotes (such as the URC MX-3000) But, I believe the Philips TSU-9600 has the edge at this time. Having said all that, you have to be comfortable at a computer keyboard to take advantage of it and, as you seem to be way beyond that point, that's the remote you must have.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyCanuck

I have a brand new URC MX-810 and a URC MX-900 that I haven't decided to get rid of yet.

Hmmm, it would be tough to justify to the house authorities the purchase of (yet) another remote but if you are like TECHNOKID (and I), you'd love something like the TSU-9600.

JohnnyCanuck · 2008-01-23, 10:20 PM

I don't particularly like that form factor ... I much prefer the fits in one hand and I can reach all the buttons approach. Personal preference.

I also don't like touchscreens much. I tend to prefer that the majority of regularly used controls (channels, navigation, number pad, guide, info, volume, menu, etc) be hard buttons. That's based on my experience with touchscreen remotes (I've owned a Microsoft/Harman-Kardon TC1000 and a ProntoNeo).

TECHNOKID · 2008-01-24, 12:25 AM

My goodness Sylvain, those aren’t remotes! Those toys look like wireless version of automates such as CRESTRON or other similar! I bet those are pretty pricy! Probably cost as much as what I paid for my receiver! The only place I see would justify the expense may be in a small conference or boardroom controlling toys such as Interpretation system, videoconference units, microphone systems, PA, screens, projectors and all eliminating the thousands of dollars spent on such systems as CRESTRONS! I can just see Mr. President or chairman having such a remote in front of them for full control of the boardroom without the assle of cabling!

2008-01-20, 09:29 PM	#46
Sylvain Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Gatineau Quebec Posts: 203	Pronto TSU-9600 I have had the Pronto 9600 for about a year now and am very very pleased with it. The possibilities are almost endless. I can even get a weather report at the touch of a button without having to turn on the TV or anything else (the remote gets the data from the Internet through Wi-Fi). It is a superb remote in a class by itself. I am not sure why it is not discussed very much in this forum... Pronto TSU-9600

2008-01-20, 09:56 PM	#48
JohnnyCanuck Moderator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 4,645	Very definitely a fan of Philips remotes. There's two really good looking remotes that they introduced at CES this year. There's not a lot of info on them yet, but there aren't branded as Pronto remotes, but rather as Prestigo. Also a big fan of URC remotes (esp. the MX-900 and the new MX-810 which I reviewed here). Last edited by JohnnyCanuck; 2008-01-21 at 12:31 AM.

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2008-01-20, 09:54 PM	#47
TECHNOKID Veteran Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Gatineau Posts: 2,944	Sylvain, why don`t you start a post yourself on that brand and model? Let`s see what potential users have to say about it as this may be benifial to new seekers of such type remote.

2008-01-21, 12:29 AM	#50
JohnnyCanuck Moderator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 4,645	There are actually two other models in that line that were announced at CES but are not yet up on the Prestigo website. They look very nice. For my taste, the 8112 (not on the site yet) looks very sweet. But personally, I hate programming remotes manually and will never be without a PC-programmable one again so I wouldn't be considering one of them for myself.

2008-01-21, 07:58 PM	#51
TECHNOKID Veteran Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Gatineau Posts: 2,944	From experience, I long would you say it would take for the newer models to be advertised on their site?

2008-01-21, 09:29 PM	#53
TECHNOKID Veteran Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Gatineau Posts: 2,944	Then Sylvain, why don't you start the thred a little more wider range: Phillips remote? That would allow for larger discussion on a brand of remotes that are not discussed/known so much on this site. A lot of people like me that are barely starting their room set-up and that will need proper remotes as gear add up! I will definitely keeping an eye on your potential thread! So far, you and Johnny seem to have a passion and knowledge for them, who knows who else!?! Cheers! René

2008-01-22, 01:13 AM	#54
JohnnyCanuck Moderator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 4,645	Sylvain, Never meant to suggest that they were in the same class as a Pronto (or a URC or an RTI TheaterTouch or a Nevo). However, not everyone wants to spend the kind of money some of us are willing to and I really haven't seen a remote I like from Harmony in quite some time (the new One may change that). I was just pointing out options.

2008-01-22, 10:41 PM	#56
JohnnyCanuck Moderator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 4,645	I have a brand new URC MX-810 and a URC MX-900 that I haven't decided to get rid of yet.

2008-01-23, 10:20 PM	#59
JohnnyCanuck Moderator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 4,645	I don't particularly like that form factor ... I much prefer the fits in one hand and I can reach all the buttons approach. Personal preference. I also don't like touchscreens much. I tend to prefer that the majority of regularly used controls (channels, navigation, number pad, guide, info, volume, menu, etc) be hard buttons. That's based on my experience with touchscreen remotes (I've owned a Microsoft/Harman-Kardon TC1000 and a ProntoNeo).

2008-01-24, 12:25 AM	#60
TECHNOKID Veteran Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Gatineau Posts: 2,944	My goodness Sylvain, those aren’t remotes! Those toys look like wireless version of automates such as CRESTRON or other similar! I bet those are pretty pricy! Probably cost as much as what I paid for my receiver! The only place I see would justify the expense may be in a small conference or boardroom controlling toys such as Interpretation system, videoconference units, microphone systems, PA, screens, projectors and all eliminating the thousands of dollars spent on such systems as CRESTRONS! I can just see Mr. President or chairman having such a remote in front of them for full control of the boardroom without the assle of cabling!