By
Philip Wong, CNET Asia
29/12/2006
URL:
http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/home_av/others/0,39037618,39732820p,00.htm
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.
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.
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.
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.
Performance
For the most part, setting up the controller was a walk in the park involving a series of questions and answers displayed via the backlit LCD display. As an illustration, we managed to narrow down the infrared codes for a Samsung LA40F71B LCD TV well within 2 minutes. However, we had little success with some mainland Chinese brands and ended up searching the entire database for 30 minutes--with our finger stuck on the Ok button throughout the process.
Ideally, we would like to present the battery life delivered by a fresh set of alkaline batteries. However, this proved to be a tall order with the onboard power management system as it shuts down the controller after 15 seconds of inactivity. We even tried exploiting common loopholes such as jamming the buttons but to no avail. Just for an indication of its battery performance, we have yet to encounter the low battery warning after two weeks of regular usage in our lab.
Philips has officially pen down the effective range of the Prestigo at a staggering 10 meters. Coverage-wise, the remote was able to interface with the above-mentioned Samsung and our reference Pioneer DV-S969Avi player even at extreme angles.
The stylish Philips Prestigo SRU9600 is an easy-to-use package offering the best of both worlds with buttons and a touch screen. At
S$239, it's pricier than the key-laden
Logitech Harmony 525 which retails for
S$40 less. For causal users favoring versatility and simplicity over compatibility, this Philips is a fine choice to begin. Anything else, you are better served by the more affordable Harmony.
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