This comment was posted by Philips following a question I raised on the Connected Planet Support Forum for the RC9800i.
At least it implies that Philips are listening to our comments. Fingers crossed they may have a change of heart and provide users with some form of customisation!!


The RC9800i, unlike the Pronto Series, does not come with PC software, so only little customization can be possible.
****
At this moment the remarks of the users on customizing the device are being gathered and discussed, but since no decision has been taken yet, I cannot promise that it will be in with a next Firmware release.*****

For this I would like to ask you to check the Philips Support website regularly for Updates and
Release Notes (http://www.p4c.philips.com).

Regards,
Support RC9800i

So, this remote is basically a TV/MP3 guide with a volume control?

Basically, yes.
But quite a nice one, isn't it ?
Not to forget the universal remote part, of course...

Come on Philips read the comments that people are posting!!

Everyone wants and needs customization !!!!!!!

(History repeating itself?)

Philips please please make this remote customisable. I have just ordered a RC9800i as it looks so cool. This remote does so much so why can my RU940 be fully customisable, I hope that getting the RC9800i is not a mistake.

I dont care for mine, and I would not recomend it. The limitations make it almost impossible to use on a complex system. You cant even add a single button and you HAVE to use a prebuilt screens.

Everyone wants to be able to customize this product. I hope Philips is listening. You can't even re-label a single button. For the Price tag, this product should be better. I check everyday, in hopes that there will be a new firmaware release. If you go to the software companies site that developed it for Philips, it shows software for home automation, and many other nice to haves, so we know the hardware can do it, we just need Philips to step up and give their customers what they thought they were buying in the first place.

One more nod "yes" for customization. Unfortunately, this remote is really unusable as a universal remote. It's great for streaming MP3's and viewing pictures. I am back to my old pronto ru950

I have returned the RC9800i there is just no point in having this remote if you want to control even a 5 part set up. You have got to use discreet codes for getting every thing on and off together. This is a very short sited view of Philips, so many people will stay a way from this remote if they do not make it customisable. I can only imagine how many people will want to return this device.

Yup,
I'm also returning my RC9800i, it works ok with PMM, I can hear my MP3, watch my digital pictures (in low quality, but expected with the size of the screen, so ok).

BUT, the "no customization" is NOT ok !!!! I have a TSU2000, a "old product", but in many ways MUCH more advanced than the RC9800i, come on Philips, give us some customization possibilities.

(or set the whole sw free, so some of the "hard guys" can maintain the software for you......it's Linux, so there are something like 1 Zillion developers "out there")

Carsten

cgroen,
i am comtemplating the same move here. even my wife thinks i should consider returning it. i sincerely hope philips is reading these postings. if everyone has half a brain to do a little research before purchasing, philips' refurbish site will soon get a crapload of these units. the more is use this, the more i miss my primitive-yet-powerful MX 500.

Yeah,
It's a real pity !! I have a Sanyo projector, a Windows Media Center HTPC, Surround decoder, Sat box etc etc, and it's a no-go for the remote. No way I will be able to "teach" my wife how to handle that. The TSU2000, well, just make a few simple screens, "Watch DVD", "Watch TV3" etc etc, even my small kids understand that one. But the RC9800i, no way ! It's way too complicated when you are not able to make the customization.
I'm also doing development work for a high end audio company, and was looking forward to use the RC9800i as a "deluxe" remote for their products (today we use the RU950 which has kind of "plastic feeling" on it), but unitl (if ever) there is some customization possible, we will not use the 9800i. Instead I will begin looking for something else. What a shame.

I bought this remote control a good month ago and have the same problems and the same experience as all of you. The potential is there but it is not exploited yet. I will hang onto it (but not use it) as I believe that even Philips will understand that this one needs a programming ability.
I just hope that we, in the eyes of Philips, are considered as a representative group of users and not just the nagging innovators that per definition always have special demands.

I noticed that the website is visted frequently by the Philips team so i do hope that they can confirm that this will happen.....

R

calston,

Have you got the link to that forum please? I'd be interested to read it.