Just wondered if anyone had actually seen or used a RC9800i yet or know of any realease dates ( Europe and/or US ).

They've been shown at two trade shows so far. I have one as well. Any questions - besides release date, which I don't yet know. :-)

so what are your first impressions so far.

the biggest question... should I consider pawning my URC MX3000 for this?

Seems to me it will have a much higher "Wife Acceptance Factor" than either the Pronto NG RU980 or the iPronto, both of which I have ( and a wife ! ). May have to buy one just for that alone. By taking away the pc customisation element, Philips will have sorted out the issues and complaints with iPronto's and NG's caused by users f**king it up.

Just my thoughts for what it's worth.

I haven't been following this much so I'll be the first one to ask: What's it looking like the street price is going to be?

I have a ROKU Soundbridge for playing back MP3, AAC and internet radio streams. It accesses my iTunes library on my MAC via my wireless home network. It is a UPnP device. I was hoping to use the new RC9800i to control it as well as see on-screen on the remote what is playing on the ROKU. Will this be possible since the RC9800i is a UPnP device as well? Or is this marketing hype that will only come to reality if ROKU and Philips work together to make some type of software interface between the two products? Or it will only work if you buy Philips UPnP products? I downloaded the MAC version of the "Philips Media Manager" software that is used with the "Streamium" products. It isn't very good software. It performs sluggishly and will only allow playback of MP3, but not AAC (and I am talking about AAC that I ripped, not the copy protected AAC from the Apple iTunes website). The UPnP wireless feature makes this remote attractive but I am concerned that it is marketing hype that will never deliver just like the iPronto. Universal Plug and Pray . . . so to speak.

The Pronto site shows a suggested retail of $595 and a release of April 2005.

Hopefully, They will delay the realy if the OS isnt up to snuff. I can see this turning into another iPronto if they dont. THis Pricepoint and Packageing seems much more market friendly. and if it works... Could kil the 7000 quite rapidly. Looking forward to some real world testing.

don't forget no PC editor

Wait...... I have NOT been folowing this remote too closely....

Theres no PC editor? Its all done on the remote? How insane would that be?

All I can say is ..IT LOOKS KOOL.....If it works as good as it looks...Ill be getting one.

I'm a big Pronto fan and when my Pronto died last week, my first thought was to replace it with the rc9800i. Until i started reading the specs.... No PC editor, no home automation control....

So now I'll be waiting for the Nevo SL!

not sure, but that is the info that is out so far.

First off, the fact there is no PC editor is a blessing to me and may be a deterrent to others. If you want a remote with a PC editor, prontos across the board are the way to go for you.

If, like me, you are tired of spending 100+ hours on a ccf to tweak to your hearts content, then this 9800i is for you and me.

As far as the lack of home automation control I have a few comments. First off, we dont know yet. Second is that even if it isnt currently offered, it could be offered in a future software release because it really isnt a big deal, its like adding another component. Finally, even if it isnt there and never comes, the remote is a learning remote and the codes could be programmed into some other device and still used in macros or to control lighting and any other device you see fit.

Now wheres Daniels damn review?