Philips Prestigo SRU9600 universal remote control

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By Philip Wong, CNET Asia
Dec 29, 2006

Unless you are still staying in the Dark ages, there will probably be more than one remote controller laying around in your living room. You could either line-up the ensemble on your coffee table and perform a The Matrix-style juggling or replace them all with a single universal remote control.

Not only does this versatile all-in-one stick simplify component operations, it also allow adventurous users the option for activity-based programming. With the ability to power-up your collective A/V gadgets and configure inputs and outputs all at the touch of a button; the Prestigo SRU9600 is certainly a fine example from Philips, the Dutch manufacturer behind the renowned Pronto-series high-end universal remote controllers.

Design
We have seen tonnes of remote controllers coming in and out of our labs and only a very selected handful is handsome enough for a second glance. The Philip Prestigo fortunately falls under this aesthetically appealing genre with its tasteful blend of glossy black and matt-silver facade. On holding it, we liked that the remote is beefy and well-built. It could probably survive some occasional drops as well, though this should be avoided due to the inbuilt LCD screens.

Measuring 250 x 55 x 21mm and weighting 250g, it is roughly a thumb length longer and moderately heavier than your typical home A/V box remote. The latter aspect could be a potential issue for the ladies and the little ones who may find the controller a strain after prolonged usage. Before you shun this Philips, do take note these figures are more or less in-line with most programmable controllers. The competing Logitech Harmonies reviewed earlier are no exception.

	The 3.5-inch touch screen is a highlight of the SRU9600. (Click for larger image)

By relying on a combination of buttons and a 3.5-inch touch screen, Philips is able to minimize the usual clutter without compromising functionality. The former is used for frequently used functions, while the latter provides different selections of controls based on individual device context. This is further optimized with a selectable two-page layout, giving users up to 36 soft keys at their finger tips. The controls could have been perfect if not for the non-backlit buttons.

Another interesting design of the remote is the unique implementation of a setup guide and navigation wheel. Systematic instructions are presented on an easy-to-read 4-line LCD display, with the user using the rotary wheel as an input interface. This approach differs from the PC-centric installation adopted by Logitech, which requires a computer and internet connectivity mandatory for initial setup.

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