12 days into the 14 days Best Buy said I have to return it, I have decided to return the Neo.

I spent considerable time configuring the pages, and what I found after I did that is that the Neo is capable of learning only about half of the commands from my six other remotes.

I am in the market for another universal remote with computer connectivity, and learning capability. The Sonys I have heard, seldom fail to learn a function, however they lack the computer connectivity I would like to have for discrete codes, labels, etc.

I am open to suggestions.

Thanks,

Steve

the two learning remotes I have and that are PC programmable are the Pronto and the Harmony. And I think they are both good choices for remotes.

The best bet by far is the Pronto RU890, still available and now at rock bottom prices

I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM WITH LEARNING OR MACROS. THE NEO IS A FANTASTIC PRODUCT. YOU HAVE TO UTILIZE THIS FORUM TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OTHER USERS EXPERIENCE!

Steve,

I have had plenty of problems getting the Neo to learn. It's certainly not ready for prime time. When I bought it I thought I was getting a universal remote, not a new hobbie. I am keeping it mostly because of the hard buttons.

Jon

Push the button to be learned to, the push the OEM remotes button quickly and release. Release even before it says "learned." Just try it.

Stevestoy,
the RU890 is great, but not if you don't like the extensive programming part. It come as pretty much as a blank slate.

Franky,

Your are misinformed, the Neo's current firmware is incapable of learning some IR codes like the Lutron Spacer light dimmers. It's not just a learning technique issue. My last Pronto TS1000 had no problems with the Spacer light dimmer, which is why I assumed the Neo would work. I'm just praying Phillips will hurry along another firmware revision, because as it stands the Neo is a joke.


Jon

Howdy folks, this is my first append here.

Let me start off by saying that the NEO is very cool and I like it a lot. I purchased it 4 days ago after having studied this site thoroughly first. I have it controlling all of my components the way I'd like. Condsidering the power you get for the price you pay, it's hard to beat.

However, it is impossible to claim that as it exists now the Neo is a true consumer product. The NEOEdit software is appalling. It repeatedly hung or crashed my Win98 system. Last time it failed it sprayed my hard disk with bits completely wiping out my system (I wanted to upgrade to W2K anyhow, but not by losing GIGs of personal data...good thing it happened after filing my tax return). There are so many quirks that cause it to lose info you've configured that it's extremely frustrating to program. Certain devices are almost impossible to learn (my Panasonic A110 remote is maddening) even after learning all the "tricks" posted here. My NEO has locked up twice in the past 12 hours requiring a reset.

If you purchase it not knowing the current nature of it, you will probably hate it. If you go in with eyes wide open, have a basic understanding of what's going on with the programming, and are incredibly patient, you can set yourself up with a fine touchscreen remote for a bargain basement price.

Jon, I wasn't tring to say that anyone who couldn't learn their codes was an idiot. There are 3 codes on my panasonic remote "program director" that I couldn't learn. I was able to use the pre-programmed code. I tried many ways of learning though with much furstration until I accidentaly did it like stated above. Before the Neo was capable of uploading when we had to relearn all our code, I code learn 7 entire remote with this single method. While some remotes might require more effort, I believed that the success I had with it warrented passing the info along to others. I have on several occasions. I don't question that the Neo doesn't learn as well as a TSU2000, or won't learn Lutron dimmers. But did you try the method described on your other remotes before determining I was misinformed?

I tried all techniques of learning the Spacer codes, including converting my Pronto codes using the Pronto2Neo converter. Codes convert properly, however the Neo as it stand today is not capable of learning some codes. Probally sounds minor to you, but my home theatre has scene lighting. Having to juggle a second remote for the lights is stupid, especially since the Neo is advertised as a Home Theatre Remote. I'm just trying to be honest, I like my Neo but it's not ready for prime time and it has many major flaws. Buyer beware.

Jon

How would you compare the Pronto vs the Harmony? They both lok great but I am not sure if you can get the Harmony to add advanced functions to the remote.

I have both a Pronto (original TS-1000, not a Neo) and a Harmony. what do you mean with "advanced functions"

Advanced such as changing the mode on my receiver from Jazz hall to Stadium, accessing the built in TV Guide on my TV etc.

I guess this is not the right place to discuss the harmony (this is [Link: remotecentral.com] ). But it is a learning remote, so you should be able to teach it any command from your original remote. Also you can change the function of any button on the remote for each activity (and even for what activity screen you are on). For every activity there is a control screen (change activity ...) one of the choices on this screen is to have all the codes from the original remote available. So let's say you are watching TV, and you want to change from Jazz to stadium you toggle screens until you get to the control screen (you might have been on fav. channel, fav.shows, all ch., all shows) and you click to get to the full remote, then you pick the remote Receiver remote, and you then click on Stadium.