ElectroNext.com

A great remote control for tinkerers (2010-02-11)
I bought this to replace a previous Philips touchscreen remote (the TSU3000 aka ProntoNeo). For me, this remote has just the right number of hard buttons -- enough that I basically don't need to look at the touchscreen while I'm using my home theater, but not so many that I have to hunt around for the button I want.

It is clearly aimed at professional installers (who program remote controls for a living) and at power-user types who like to tinker with tech toys. Luckily I am in the latter camp, so I really dig the fact that I'm able to write JavaScript code (they don't call it that, but that's what it is) to do fancy things like remember the state of equipment that only has power toggle commands rather than discrete "on" and "off" commands. I can also write code to control my computer thanks to the built-in WiFi connectivity. The editing software is pretty easy to use once you take a little time to understand the workflow it's built around, and there is a decent selection of user-contributed artwork and script source code out on the web.

If the previous paragraph does not excite you, this is probably not a good device to buy on your own. Buy it through a home theater installer who can set it all up for you and you will save yourself tons of frustration. This is not a good device on which to learn the technical skills you'll need to get the most out of it.

With that caveat out of the way, two things prevent me from giving it five stars. The first is that it seems pretty fragile. I carry it very carefully in the non-carpeted areas of my house because it feels like it would shatter to pieces if I dropped it on a wood floor. The second is that the software only runs on Windows. Not a problem for most people but for Linux or Mac users like me it's a pain to have to boot Windows just to program the remote control.

By the way, my remote control had old firmware and old PC software when I took it out of the box. Be sure to visit the Philips web site and get the latest files; the software on both the PC and the remote is much-improved over what ships in the box. In particular, you'll need a recent firmware revision if your WiFi network uses WPA2 rather than WEP.

Best Universal Remote in the Universe! (2010-01-11)
I had the previous version of this, which I loved. It finally died after 5 years of hard service and I replaced it with the 9400. Sure, there are cheaper remotes and a few more expensive, but NONE I have found can do so much. We have a VERY complex system in our home with 4 displays, multiple audio and video sources, and complex switching. The almost infinite programming capabilities that this remote has handles them all with ease so even the totally tech ignorant can operate the system easily.

Be aware this remote takes time to set up and a reasonable level of tech savvy to program so you will need to be able to handle these tasks to set it up but once set up, anyone can operate any system easily using the programmed remote.

One of the two best electronic products I have owned (the other is my iPod touch) - and being a gadget freak I have owned many!

Pronto TSU9400 pronto (2009-08-31)
1. User guide didn't match the software for Pronto Edit. I downloaded the latest version of pronto edit from the website because the software that came with the disk was an older version. The software was greta, but some aspects of the software were hard to learn. I couldn't find the latest manual to support the latest software but 99% of what I needed to know was in the older user's guide. For the parts I couldn't figure out on my own, I called customer support and they were attentive and able to help resolve some of those issues.

2. Apple TV. When using my apple TV, the remote learns the codes as expected, but I haven't figured out how to scroll down with it. With an extensive library, it is very painstaking to keep hitting the button because it only scrolls one at a time. I might figure it out later, but as for now I keep the Apple TV remote handy.

3. Channel Macros. For some reason, when I am using my cable box, if the last button I touched on the Pronto was a button that corresponds to any device other than the cable box the macro doesn't work. I have to press something like channel up or channel down, and then the channel button. I'm in Brazil, so it might have something to do with the cable box down here, or the remote...not really sure but I am still working the bugs out.

4. It takes a while to set up, but well worth it. On a technology knowledge scale from 1 to 10, I would say that I am a 5. Definately not the smartest guy, but able to learn. If you are willing to take the time and play around with it, buy it. Don't expect to have it ready to go within 1 hour of taking it out of the box. There are alot of programs you can copy from [...] or other places to make it a little easier.

5. I upgraded from an older version because the older version had a serial-port -vs- USB. If considering this remote vs an older version, Take a look at your computer first to see what kind of capabilities/ports it has.

6. I rated a 4 instead of a 5 just because it can be difficult to learn. For the capabilities/appearance I would rate it about 4.9...For user freindliness of learning...about a 3.

Get rid of all your remotes! (2009-08-16)
If you are tired of multiple controls, this is worth every penny. I have configured the PRONTO for our TV, DVR, stereo, CDs, DVD player, DirecTV. Programming can be complicated but if you follow the directions, you can make your entertainment life easier.

Coolest thing since sliced bread! (2008-12-22)
I purchased this remote when I put my new surround system in the house. The software (ProntoEdit)that is used to program the remote is very easy to use once you understand the whole process of the programming. Basically, you have screens that you put graphics [buttons] on and assign them functions. The easiest thing to do is to play with the templates that come with the system. Phillips has provided the remote codes for literally hundreds of existing remotes for industry products. For me, unfortunately, not one of my electronic pieces was listed probably because they are all very new and/or too esoteric items. This is no problem at all as the remote (software) can easily learn any code simply by attaching the USB cable that came with it to the Pronto and your computer and selecting to learn the code by pointing your old remote at the Pronto and pressing the key you wish to learn. You can have it learn an entire remote in 10 to 20 minutes depending on how fast you can type the descriptions. It's simply amazing how cool this thing is and the flexibility you have to make it do what you want and look how you want it. With the software, you can change anything on the remote any time and simply upload it to the remote. You will be using the remote and decide that you would like to move a key or have a new one on your layout. This is something that you can do easily. If you have a laptop computer, it's even nicer. You can sit in your easy-chair on a Sunday afternoon watching TV and get your remote programmed the way you like it. It will take more time than that if you have several remotes to set up as you will probably change the menus and button designs a time or two before you get things laid out the way you want them. At any rate, this remote will do it all. Be sure to upload the most current Firmware to your Pronto. This is very easy to do: go to the Phillips website and download the newest one and click on it. It will tell you the current one your Pronto has (make sure your remote is hooked to your PC via the USB cable) and if you want it to put the new one on. Click the yes and it will do it seamlessly. One word of caution: You will need a Microsoft based PC to run the ProntoEdit software and you MUST program the remote to use it - this is not for simpletons!