Just based on a company and service point of view - I was curious to know your opinions on who you prefer. Is there even any room for debate? Does Philips offer any customer support with their Pronto Remotes? At the last CEDIA, I only saw one little table in the corner of one of the front halls near the food court that had any Pronto equipment on display - I think there might have been a booth girl there, if anyone at all. URC on the other hand had a pretty large booth and seemingly had reps to help with any questions, complains or suggestions we may have for them.

Personally I kind of feel bad now that I think about it. The market is led by a company that really doesn't appear to have any relationship with the people who sell, program and use their equipment. Oh, I took that Pronto class last year - what a waste of time! The only reason people stayed in the class was to get a hands on with the iPronto. On the other hand, aside from the MX-3000, I'm not too crazy about URC's offerings in the way of hard button remotes from a sales point of view. It's much more user friendly to program icons specifically for each customer and product in the rack than trying to tell them what those buttons do. And I think Harmony did a better job at the ergonomics anyway.

Thoughts?

Each remote has its own advantages. In terms of customer service though HTM beats Philips hands down.

Call HTM and the phone is answered by a human, which then transfers you to tech support. They are usually available but if you have to leave a message they call back in short order. Their tech support is also very knowledgeable and will go the extra mile to help you solve a problem.

In contrast, call Philips and go through the menu system. Eventually, you will probably get a voice mail or an extended wait. Finally, talk to someone which tries to read the answers to your guestions off of a FAQ computer screen. After going through some procedures they soon realize you know more than they do and have to bump you up to the next level of tech support. The next level isn't available and you get their voice mail. After 3 days and a few more tries to reach them, they finally get back to you. Of course, now you have researched your problem on the various forums and other sources and don't need their help.

Bob

I had problems learning a code from Auton into an MX-800. I called tech, they said to send the original remote in. I did and received a working code in my email within a week. Hows that for customer service!?

Oh yeah? Once, I couldnt get a remote to learn and some guy from philips got on a Plane, came out to my shop, Learned the remote for me, then bought me lunch! Top That!!!!!!!

ok, that really didnt hapen..........

But they did have a pretty sizeable display at CEDIA last year... I remeber seeing a whole bunch of iProntos in a booth... Oh wait.. Maybe that was the caffateria... They do make great Coasters..........

Great sence of humor Impaqt. LOL.

I remember reading on this site that Prontos were first introduced with no fanfare at all, and sort of caught on due to hobbyist interest. Philips are just totally DUMB about this, and apparently always have been. Universal, on the other hand, is very smart, and is capturing market share in all price points. They actually have profits from sales through your local drugstore chain that helps them have a presence on the phone and at CES or CEDIA. How many posts could start with, "If Philips were smart....?"



Let's please remember, when we so rarely get to talk to people, that it is people WHO, not people WHICH. Unless, of course, they are the undead, but then they really don't qualify as people, do they?



At least you are equal-opportunity about referring to people as things. Donkeys, businesses, mortgages, are "which," but even idiots are "who." (I am NOT calling you an idiot, just pointing out the fact that idiots are human, so deserve a "who." I keep hearing advertisements where people are referred to as "which" and "that," and I am trying to get people to talk about people as people.)

Good point. Grammar wasn't my best subject in college and correcting it will only help me improve.

Bob