Philips Prestigo SRU9600 universal remote control

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Features
Out of the box, the SRU9600 supports up to eight devices with an option for a second TV and VCR. The provision to cater for more than one TV is a fine touch from the Philips, though we are rather puzzled over the choice of another obsolete recorder. To ensure device compatibility, the company has loaded 774 sets of infrared codes onto the onboard memory. These, it claims, makes the remote compatible with most consumer electronics brands.

The flip side of storing all the command codes within the remote is that there is no viable way to upgrade. While this is a valid concern for future product releases, the Prestigo does workaround this limitation with a self-learning capability. This enables users to teach the remote as a last resort, relaying infrared signals from the original remote bundled with the A/V boxes. A tedious procedure nonetheless, and certainly not meant for the impatient due to the manual button-to-button mapping.

To allow one-touch operating for movie screening or CD playback, the remote also features activity-based programming. Though there is no mention on the number of commands configurable for each activity, a simple test revealed the cap at 12 inclusive of the optional 1- and 3-second delay. The integration of two long-range infrared transmitters also ensures extended coverage, in case your equipments are fairly spaced apart instead of being clustered on an A/V rack.

	The Prestigo is powered by three standard AA-sized batteries. (Click for larger image)

As with most entry- and mid-range universal remote controls, there is no provision for rechargeable batteries and dock. Power supply in the Prestigo's case, comes in the form of three standard AA-sized cells housed under an easily removable battery compartment cover. Well, you may lament on the chore of replacing expanded batteries on a regular basis, it's not difficult to appreciate the affordability and wide-spread availability of these non-proprietary cells.

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