UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROLS

Philips iPronto

The more components you have in your home theater system, the more remote controls you accumulate. And it's not just remote clutter that's a problem; for many operations you have to turn on the TV, switch to a specific input, turn on your A/V receiver, switch to a specific input there, then turn on the playback device and press play. This type of multi-stage operation typically involves three (or more) individual remotes, which is a real pain in the palm.

A better solution is to use a universal remote that can operate multiple devices and be programmed for multiple-step operations. That's what we'll look at in this section, starting with this remote that looks (and acts) more like a tablet PC the Philips iPronto.

No question about it, the iPronto is the hands-down winner for the most sophisticated consumer-grade remote control today (not counting big whole-house models sold by home theater installers, of course). This funky unit combines a color touch screen remote control, a wireless Internet browser, and an electronic program guide into a single device. A big device, mind you, but a single device nonetheless.

The biggest piece of real estate is occupied by the 6.4'' color VGA (640 x 480) touch screen display, which has a fully customizable user interface. Arranged around the perimeter of the display are eight direct-access buttons you can use to navigate screen layouts, as well as five programmable control buttons for volume up/down, channel up/down, and mute.

Because the display is fully customizable, you can design your own interfaces. You do this via the iProntoEdit PC editing software, which lets you create your own pages of controls for each of the devices in your system. You can also add channel logos and other multimedia content you download from the Internet, which is uber-cool.

But the iPronto is more than a simple remote it's also your own guide to what's playing. It uses WiFi wireless technology (connected to any always-on broadband Internet connection) to acquire TV programming information for its built-in electronic program guide. That same WiFi connection also lets you use the iPronto as a tablet web browser to surf the Internet and send and receive email. Also cool is the fact that the iPronto includes built-in stereo speakers, a microphone, and a headphone jack. It's almost like a mini-media player.

Naturally, the iPronto replaces all the other remotes in your house. It learns infrared codes from other remotes and has an MMC slot and a USB port for future upgrades. It's a power hog, as you might expect; good thing it uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and comes with its own external charger unit. But man oh man, will the neighbors be impressed when they see this puppy sitting on your living room coffee table!

Model: TSi6400 Manufacturer: Philips (www.pronto.philips.com) Dimensions: 9.4'' x 7'' x 0.9'' Weight: 31.4 oz. Price: $1,699

Philips ProntoPro NG

Okay, the iPronto is probably overkill for most folks, but you gotta like the idea of a customizable color touch screen remote which is what you get, for half the iPronto's price, from Philips's ProntoPro NG. This is a sleek unit with a high-resolution 3.8'' color LCD touch screen display. Like the iPronto, you use Philips' proprietary software to create your own screen layouts on your PC and then download them to the ProntoPro NG. And, so you don't have to worry about replacing batteries all the time, it comes with its own docking cradle/charger. Cool!

Model: TSU7000 Manufacturer: Philips (www.pronto.philips.com) Dimensions: 6.1'' x 3.6'' x 1.1'' Price: $999.99

Philips RC9800i WiFi Touch Screen Controller

This Philips remote isn't part of the Pronto line; in fact, it takes a different approach to the issue of control. First, its activity based rather than component based, so it uses a lot of multiple-device macros. Second, it doesn't just control your audio/video equipment, it can also control a variety of Universal Plug and Play devices on your PC system. Third, it works via WiFi in addition to traditional infrared. And fourth, because of the WiFi connection, it displays its own electronic program guide. In other words, it's like a blend of the iPronto and the ProntoPro, but in a traditional remote form factor, sort of.

Model: RC9800i Manufacturer: Philips (www.homecontrol.philips.com) Dimensions: 5.86'' x 3.97'' x 0.94'' Price: $499

Home Theater Master MX-700

As popular as the Pronto line is, some people (like me!) prefer hard buttons to touch screen controls. That's why I'm such a big fan of the Home Theater Master MX-700. It has a big LCD screen, but it's just for display, not for touch-screen control; instead, operation is via traditional push buttons. The MX-700 can control up to 20 components, and each component can have up to four pages of controls. Programming is easy enough with the Windows-based software; the MX-700 can learn commands from other remotes, and be programmed for multiple-step, multiple-device macros. Best of all, the unit's backlit GemStone buttons are tougher and more responsive than traditional rubber buttons and much, much better IMHO than an unresponsive touch screen.

Model: MX-700 Manufacturer: Home Theater Master (www.hometheatermaster.com) Dimensions: 9'' x 3'' x 1.3'' Weight: 8 oz. Price: $499

Logitech Harmony 880

The Harmony 880 is unique in two ways. First, you program it via a series of forms on Harmony's website; just fill in the blanks with the equipment you have, and all the appropriate codes are downloaded via USB. Second, it's activity-based rather than equipment-based; press the Watch DVD button and the remote turns on your TV, switches to the proper video input, turns on your DVD player, and starts playback. You also get a nice color screen and rechargeable battery and docking station and it costs about half the price of other high-end programmable remotes.

Model: Harmony 880 Manufacturer: Logitech (www.logitech.com) Dimensions: 8.1'' x 2.3'' x 1.3'' Price: $249.99