Philips Pronto TSU9400 Universal Remote Control Reviewed

Published On: October 12, 2008
Last Updated on: October 31, 2020
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Philips Pronto TSU9400 Universal Remote Control Reviewed

The new TSU9400 from Philips is a big, high-end remote control with a 3.5-inch LCD, IR (but RF-capable) and even has RS-232 and Wi-Fi. It's sold by custom retailers, so they'll program it for you. We give it a full test here on HomeTheaterReview.com.

Philips Pronto TSU9400 Universal Remote Control Reviewed

By Author: Adrienne Maxwell
Adrienne Maxwell is the former Managing Editor of HomeTheaterReview.com, Home Theater Magazine, and HDTVEtc.com. Adrienne has also written for Wirecutter, Home Entertainment Magazine, AVRev.com, ModernHomeTheater.com, and other top specialty audio/video publications. She is an ISF Level II-certified video calibrator who specializes in reviews of flat-panel HDTVs, front video projectors, video screens, video servers, and video source devices, both disc- and streaming-based.

pronto_tsu9400.jpgOne of the higher-end models in Philips' popular Pronto line of universal remotes, the TSU9400 sits just below the top-of-the-line TSU9600 and offers much of that tablet-style remote's features in a vertically aligned, handheld design. The TSU9400 ($899.99) combines hard buttons with a three-and-a-half-inch color touch-screen that has 240 x 320 resolution. It has 64 MB of flash memory; within the confines of that memory, you can configure it to control numerous A/V devices and multiple systems around the home. The remote uses line-of-sight IR technology, but it is also RF-capable. Add the RFX9400 RF wireless extender (sold separately) to control equipment located in a cabinet or separate room. The TSU9400 is also compatible with Philips' RFX9600 serial extender for more advanced control of equipment, connected via RS-232. One of this remote's marquee features is its built-in 802.11g functionality, so you can control IP-enabled equipment and access digital media files from a Windows Media Center PC, with viewable metadata on the remote's screen. The TSU9400 comes with a matching docking cradle that recharges its Lithium-polymer battery.

Additional Resources
Read more AV remote reviews from everyone from Philips, Logitech, Harmony, RTI, Crestron, Apple and more.
• Read a review of the Philips TSU9300 Pronto Remote from Dr. Ken Taraszka.
 

The TSU9400 is a higher-end remote that is sold primarily by custom retailers, who have been trained to program it using the ProntoEdit Professional software. However, the TSU9400 is also sold through some direct-to-consumer outlets, and ambitious do-it-yourselfers can program it on their own. The system is built around creating activities, such as Watch TV or Watch a DVD, and the software offers a lot of flexibility to design the touch-screen pages to look exactly the way you want them. Philips recently upgraded the software to add ProntoScript, a JavaScript-based software tool that lets you view real-time feedback from devices connected via RS-232 or IP. For instance, you can view and adjust the current volume level of any audio system around the home, get song/artist info from a satellite radio in another room, or pull up lighting/temperature status.

On its own, the TSU9400 is a highly configurable universal remote that can be programmed to control a wide range of A/V devices in multiple rooms. The form factor strikes a nice balance between touch-screen control and hard buttons for basic tasks. A wi-fi ability is a nice perk for those users who wish to remotely access and control digital files on a PC. The TSU9400 is at its best, however, when mated with the optional RF and serial extenders to provide more robust whole-house control.

Read The High Points, The Low Points and Conclusion on Page 2

pronto_tsu9400.jpg

High Points
• The TSU9400 can control numerous devices and multiple A/V systems. 
• Its touch-screen is bright, colorful and detailed, and the hard buttons are nice for basic tasks like volume and channel changing.
• The ProntoEdit Pro software offers a lot of flexibility and customization options.
• When mated with the optional extenders, the TSU9400 offers much of the functionality of more expensive control systems.

Low Points
• The ProntoEdit Pro software is designed for use by trained programmers, so consumers who buy this remote direct may find the remote more challenging to set up. 
• The RF extender is not included in the $899.99 package.
• It would be nice if Philips added Web-browsing functions with that 802.11g ability.

Conclusion
The TSU9400 is a fully-featured universal remote that offers the customization of a tablet-style touch-screen remote in a more convenient handheld form. It's a great choice for the more advanced consumer who wants to completely customize the user experience and has several systems to control. Mate it with the optional extenders and enjoy a robust whole-house control system.

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