I have used several "high end" remotes, culminating with the TSU7000. I always found it strange that the vast majority of philips consumer products are average to below average in quality, performance and features, BUT, the pronto line was arguable the top of the heap. Well, as time has passed, the prontos have proven problematic with aging (in terms of quality of electronics for sure). This despite a steep price tag.

I find it interesting that the one truly high end Philips product (pronto remote) is no longer being produced. Philips has come back to its mean "very average products"

I wonder why this decision was made? I assumed they saw the challenge from tablets and smart phones and quickly bowed out. If so this decision has proven wrong, as of 2014 the tablet and smart phone apps are very ho hum and dont compare to a good high end remote. Several $million in sales left on the table over last 8 years for Philips.

I am in the market for the 2014+ version of the high end remote.
Not happy with the harmony brand or any others for that matter
I have read around the web that many high end installers are also miffed

so, I'm Stuck with a glitchy TSU7000 with a nearing end of life.

JMTC....

Kevin

If you haven't already you owe it to yourself to experience true Pronto greatest. The Pronto Professional TSU9x00 remotes and RFX9x00 extenders can be had for a very modest price used on EBay. I've been using the TSU9600 and RFX9x00 extenders for the better part of a decade now. The Pronto Professional line is a major step up from the Pronto NG line and will continue to be my go-to solution for the next decade to come despite the fact Philips discontinued the Pronto line. You couldn't pay me to use a different remote control solution and that goes double for the various mobile/tablet based remote control platforms out there. No thanks.

7x00 was a solid remote. 3x00 was crap. 9600 IMO, is the best form factor and excellend display (640x480 landscape) with the 9300 (does not support ProntoScript out of the box but 240x320 portait) is the next best. I never liked the way the 9400 (240x320 portrait) felt in my hand. The 9800 (yes, I still have one boxed up and not being used - only 640x480 and larger screen - a bit more grainy as pixels are larger) is a bit too big for hand but works well on a coffee table or conference room table.

Mr Moderator,
I have looked for a TSU 96 or 9800 review on this site. Figured the site never acquired one for review.... I do not have one because I did not see a remotecentral. com honest, complete, candid, and in-depth review....now I read that you have one or both....so I blame you for me not having one years ago..... I will look into a purchase in the coming weeks....

Hilarious! And I kind of agree...I didn't even know about that 96 or 9800 and for some reason, my perception was that Philips wasn't selling the 9 series remotes to end users, only dealers. Will be looking into these myself.

@ Kaf

Just because I volunteer to moderate, does not mean I own the site. I just checked and to my amazement, no reviews by Daniel but there are 4 user reviews of the TSU9600. There is a Philips Pro forum here for lots o' support and you can find these things all over ebay and in the marketplace forum.

Only meant as tongue n cheek
Your dedication to this site is immeasurable

1000% No offense taken. I have been on this site for almost 13 years and I never realized that Daniel did not create reviews for the 9600/9800.

Interesting thoughts and opinions - always nice to see.

I wholly agree with the OP that the decision to drop the Pronto is downright stupid - unless [unlikely] they plan to re-launch it sometime

I have worked my way up to what, in my opinion is the best one ever - an RU990.

I tried a 9600 last year and sold it pretty quickly as, in my opinion, the screen was no bigger or better and the landscape layout hard to hold and use....I don't want one you have to hold and operate with 2 hands.

I am trying to purchase a few RU990's on fleabay so that wnen mine eventually expire I won't be without.

My elderly father finds it a blessing as he only only has to press one button, what oh what were Philips thinking......

Something I'd like to point out is the value of being able to use the TSU9600 comfortably without actually having to hold it with either hand due to the form factor and docking station design. The TSU9600's I have in each zone of my home are docked the majority of the time even while in use and when not docked will spend most of their time resting on someones leg or beside them on the couch or whatever not having to actually be picked up to be used. Generally two handed operation is only used when it provides for better ergonomics based on the persons seating or standing position relative to the resting place of the remote or simply when the person would like the remote more front and center such as when performing on-screen related tasks which in the case with my configuration file rarely requires you touch the actual screen though that is always provided for. With rare exception I've maximized use of the hard buttons throughout my configuration file so that it's not required to touch the screen, the screen then serving as a visual aid only when going to navigate from one activity to another or when navigating a particular activity in general such as when browsing and selecting a DVD or Blu-ray from my collection to play or when browsing SiriusXM Radio channels for example. That being said, the form factor of the TSU9400 and its docking station don't provide for these things, not to mention the fact the TSU9600 offers a higher resolution screen, the TSU9400's screen paling in comparison. I also highly prefer the landscape orientation as it offers more flexibility in my opinion as far as the user interface goes and this is coming from someone that had used ProntoNG series remotes for years per the TSU3x00 and TSU7x00 series.

This is a fascinating discussion. It is sincere, but you're complaining and asking advice about several obsolete generations of products. From the very start...


You know....... I've noticed that the 1960s Fords aren't as good as those from the last ten years or so...

But I don't go to Ford forums to complain about it. Maybe this seems irrelevant, but I'm not the one who named this thread a rant.

Ernie,

Your analogy doesn't fly with regards to Ford, because Ford has continued to make new cars from the 60s to today and there are competitors out there continuing to make cars in the budget/style (with evolution, of course).

The crux of the rant is that there is really no "middle of the road" update to what the Pronto did. Either you're going to buy yourself a complete control system or you're going to buy a ridiculous low end version (eg. Harmony).