Philips TSU500 Pronto Neo LCD Universal Touch Screen Remote Control | List Price: $199.99
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Brand: Philips
Binding: Electronics
Warranty: 1 year warranty
Features: - Extensive infrared code database for any device or brand
- Perform multiple commands with one touch of a button
- Greyscale LCD displays realistic, easy to see buttons
- Programmable hard buttons for access to popular functions
- PC software to create your own user interface
Don't waste your time or money. [Posted on 2004-11-12]
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.
2nd BROKEN NEO - EXTREMELY UNDEPENDABLE [Posted on 2004-12-09]
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!
Great Product - Terrible Durability [Posted on 2005-04-18]
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.
Does not break easy [Posted on 2006-11-04]
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.
Naysayers don't know what they are talking about [Posted on 2007-03-16]
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.
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