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Philips Intelligent Remote Control - TSU500/ 160x100 Pixel Backlit 4-Shade Grayscatouch-Sensitive Screen/ 1MB Flash Memory/ Built-In Universal Brand Database/ Unlimited Macro Functionality |  |
Type:
Remote Controls
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| Product Reviews from Amazon.com (Rating System 1 to 5) |
| Review | Rating | Last Updated | Naysayers don't know what they are talking about
I have a relatively simple setup, combining a vizio lcd tv, a philips tuner/surround system, a philips dvr/dvd burner, and a motorola digital cable box. Unfortunately, the supplied codes didn't work for any of the components. I had to manually input all of the necessary commands and some of the original remote functions would not transfer to the Pronto Neo. Unfortunately, the system can be a little buggy. I tried to use several "economy universal" remotes, but they too had problems with the functions of the philips tuner and dvr. They can be odd and somewhat specific to those units. So, the typical univeral remotes just didn't have buttons for the functions I was looking for. The great thing about the pronto neo and other touch screen remotes is that you can basically design the button layout and make the remote do anything you want within its IR learning capacity. You get all of the functions of $300 plus remotes in a larger and less sleek design. But, you get it for a fraction of the price. The remote is not perfect. But, I was able to program all of the commonly used functions of 4 different remotes into this one unit, as well as install a channel logo database that auto tunes with the push of a button. This remote is great because I can control the cable box (guide, info, exit, page up and down, day+ day-, menus), the tv aspect ratio, the dvr functions (pause, ff, rw, rec) and the tuner volume and inputs without changing the device or screens. You can also program the remote to perform several functions with the push of a single button. I am able to turn on the tv, the cable box, the surround sound, the dvr (and select the correct input) with the touch of one button. While I believe that a professional could program the remote to work flawlessly and conveniently for any system, the remote comes with some software that will help you do it yourself. It has a steep learning curve. I spent about 5 hours total building my remote. But it was worth the effort for the ease of using my A/V system. | 5 | Today | Does not break easy
I read a few that this does does break very easy when it hits the floor. Well let me tell you. I have owned this for 6 years and this has fallen on to a wood floor from every point in my tv room. In fact the dog even chewed on the corner of it. The wife has sat on this and It's common to slid it across the floor from one kid to another on the floor and watch it hit the wall before they can stop it to change the channel. So if you find yourself breaking this thing, you must have bought a lemon. One thing to watch out for is the hard buttons get loose and break after awhile. I would recommend having a programer set this up with macros for 100.00. Its worth just hitting one button and then using the soft buttons to do the work. | 5 | Today | Great Product - Terrible Durability
The NeoEdit software takes some time. I spent maybe a week developing my entire setup, but 2-3 years later, I have only edited it twice since then and only to add some simple shortcuts - like displaying the time on the VCR and changing the tuner volume from any device screen: TV, VCR, DirecTV. I love this thing. In fact, I cannot imagine going back to having 8 separate remotes. The only issue I had with the IR learning was that sometimes I had to do it twice, but I tested all my "buttons" right after saving my configuration and it was easy enough to rememorize them and save it again. And, again, haven't had to re-memorize anything ever since. And, yes, the batteries last only 2-3 months, but I figure I save money replacing only 3 AA compared with all the batteries from all other 8 (or more) remotes.
On the OTHER hand, I am writing this with my fully reset SECOND - NEW Pronto sitting in front of me with my SECOND failed touch screen. If this thing drops on the floor in just the right way - not from great heights - not being thrown - just a simple fall off the couch or chair edge - it's done. I've dropped it before, and I knew this could happen. I cringe every time it falls hoping this won't be the time it fails.
If it's out of warranty, you CAN have it refurbished at your own cost. They also sell refurbished ones some places for a LOT less than a new one.
But, it's very discouraging. I wouldn't even consider fixing it or buying a third one...except I just can't see going back to 8 remotes. I doubt I would even remember how to use them all manually having lived with a remote that when I press a button that says "Use DVD player" - turns on/off my Tuner, VCR, DVD, TV, CD player, DirecTV and set all the inputs, volumes, sources exactly perfect without me having to do anything except put the DVD in that I want to watch. I spent almost all of my editing time developing my macros that switch between devices - from TV to DVD, from DVD to DirecTV. I even use this to control my Camcorder.
It's heartbreaking, but refurbishing costs about $50 or so. And...I'll probably pay it...gladly. | 3 | Today | 2nd BROKEN NEO - EXTREMELY UNDEPENDABLE
This is my second Pronto Neo. The first one was refurbished and lasted four months, while the second one lasted a little over a year. Would you like to know what Philips told me? They told me tough luck buddy, please buy another one of these thing so we can rip you off again. Of course, I am kidding about what they said but they would not fix either of them because they were out of warranty. I will never buy another one of these things again. I AM DONE GETTING RIPPED OFF! DON'T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I DID, TWICE!
| 1 | Today | Don't waste your time or money.
I had been told this was an excellent product, so I was very excited to receive it. However, when I got the item, I was very disappointed in the quality. It feels light and cheap. Buttons stick, often requiring 2-3 presses to work. The "learning" function says it captures a code, but when you attempt to use it, it doesn't work. Despite the claims of Philips that it can learn any remote, it won't. I tried to "Revert" the remote back to factory settings, as directed by Philips Service department, but it wouldn't reset. All in all, spent 2 days trying to program and 1 1/2 hours on the phone with tech support. | 1 | Today | Works seamlessly
I have used this product for the last 6 months, and am happy to put away from remote controls for DVD, TV, Amplifier and VCR. The panel light helps operate when we sometimes watch movie under dim lights. | 5 | Today | Crap
I had a Pronto NEO for less than a year before the touchscreen failed after I dropped it 1.5 feet onto a hardwood floor. The unit has a very cheap feel, especially for the price. I wasn't at all surprised when it stopped working. The PC software that you use to customize the touchscreen is crap. The touchscreen is very tedious to customize (I write software for a living, and I still found it cumbersome to customize the touchscreen). I can't imagine the average consumer being able to customize this unit, given the effort that it takes to struggle with the software and to transfer the information from your PC to the remote. The whole point of the Pronto NEO is that you can customize the touch screen. Unless you are VERY comfortable with computer applications, do not buy this unit. Aside from the touchscreen's fagility, is not sensitive enough to the touch and the area of the screen is too small, given the size of the remote. Did I mention the batteries did not last more than 2 months? In short, this product is crap. I might consider buying another one if it sold for $30 or less. | 1 | Today | Useless for its real purpose
Purchased after reading mixed reviews, was convinced that the problems people were having were due to technophobia, etc. Figured I'd try it. What a huge waste of time and effort. Upgraded to most recent firmware, spent time carefully familiarizing myself with instructions, etc. Code set is nowhere near complete, does not have, for instance, ability to control my 4 year old Sony AV receiver. No problem, I thought, I'll teach it with the Sony remote. Impossible. Its learning function is not at all up to snuff. Will not learn from or activate newer Samsung equipment (their remotes are finicky anyway) and will not learn from several others, even though they transmit on a frequency that the remote is supposed to work with. Tech support is not very helpful, limited to "upgrade firmware" replies. I am quite comfortable with complex tech. stuff, arcane computer applications, etc. I, at least, am convinced that the problems lie with the Pronto and not the end users. For simple applications, this works fine, especially if your equipment just happens to (luckily) mate with what this remote can natively handle. But I could buy a cheapo universal remote for $10 at Wal-Mart for what this does. | 1 | Today | Piece of Junk
Despite some of the cautionary reviews from other purchasers, I decided to take a risk on this product. Don't do it. Among other things, it claims to have successfully "learned" a remote code, but then doesn't actually transmit the code. Tried 15 times to teach it the same set of codes, and it never worked. When I tried to teach it how to operate my digital cable box, I found that it couldn't transmit a sequence of numbers ("1-8-0" for channel 180, for example). This prompted a call to tech support, which informed me that the product cannot, in fact, transmit more than two codes in sequence -- which means, for all practical purposes, that it can't control most cable boxes. What is the point of a "universal" A/V remote that can't control a cable box? I actually liked the interface and the NeoEdit software -- the concept here is good. The basic problem with this product is that it doesn't do what it is supposed to do. Back to the drawing board. | 1 | Today | this thing does everything
I've been using this remote for two months now with my rather complicated A/V system, and I love it. You can make this thing do anything you want; I've even got it controlling my lights and air conditioner. However, do not buy this if you want to pull it out of the box, press a few buttons, and watch it go. You'll need to program it on your PC, and the software is pretty anti-intuitive, buggy, and requires quite a bit of tweaking for good results. On the other hand, if you like that kind of thing... you're in for a treat, just be sure to check out www.remotecentral.com for invaluable resources. This is a cheap programmable remote with no limitations as far as flexibility and customization. | 5 | Today |
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