Customer Reviews

Philips RC9800i Home Entertainment Remote Control

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have tried a multitude of various universal remotes some with better results than others. The problem I have always faced is that I have eight different components that I need to control. Some of which are fairly obscure components that traditional universal remotes and even learning remotes have never been able to control properly. Most recently I had been using a One For All Kameleon. However like most all the other remotes it too came up short of being able to properly control all of my components.

I received the Philips RC9800i about a month ago. My chief hope was simply that it would be able to properly control all of my components. Or, at least be able to learn the functions of all my other remotes. In the past, remotes have been unable to learn the functions of components such as my Netgear MP101 and my component switch. Since that was the limitation of every other remote I had used it was my primary wish for the RC9800i.

After spending an incredible amount of time programming I was able to more than satisfactorily control all of my odd ball equipment. So, now that I had a remote that would be able to learn the functions of my remotes, would it actually be easier to use than anything I already had. Ultimately this is where the remote really shines. After you program in your receiver, TV, DVD, etc. the remote programs the general activities you will performing. This involves it asking you which components will be involved in performing these functions, what input the receiver will need to be on, etc. It even will allow you to set specific parameters such never changing the input the TV is on, in the scenario that the TV is simply a monitor and all video switching is done externally (as is the case with my system).

The only real problems I had with the component setup were that the remote has fairly specific groups of device categories to select from. What I mean by that is that when I wanted to program the remote for my Netgear MP101 into the remote there was no category for network media players or any type of unlisted device category. In order to program the device in, I had to lie to the remote and tell it the device was a DVD player so that it would provide me a similar set of keys to what is on the MP101's remote. The ultimate result of this procedure was very good, but the description is very inaccurate.

The problem that was more notable was that with my component selector box. The selector is remote controlled and allows me to switch between multiple AV components so that I can have all my equipment connected to the very limited number of Component Video and Digital audio inputs my TV and receiver have. Since the remote didn't offer a component group that would be proper for this device I had to improvise. Ultimately what I figured out to do was program the individual buttons of the selectors remote as input buttons to my receiver. Problem solved.

With all the devices programmed in and the activities for the devices programmed the real joy of using this remote sets in. The first thing it asks you is whether you want to Watch or listen to something. So let's say I want to watch a DVD. I simply select the option to "Watch a DVD". The remote will automatically turn on the TV, DVD, Receiver and switch my component selector to the input my DVD is attached to. In case a component didn't receive the signal to turn the remote provides a "fix" button that will provide you with quick buttons to turn on the devices that didn't turn on the first time or switch to the proper input.

If you want to do something different such as watch cable, the remote will make the necessary changes to activate the addition components necessary. It is intelligent enough to realize that it already turned the TV on so it shouldn't try to turn it on again. This prevents a great deal of headaches. But it also won't turn off the devices that are no longer being viewed.

In addition to the activities controls the remote provides, it also gives you access to a number of other features that may or may not be useful to you.

One of the big things on this list is a built in program guide that is custom tailored to your local's cable or broadcast options. It gives you functionality with UPnP devices and can also function as a network media player all via its built in WiFi connectivity.

For me these extra functions are where the remote's short comings set in. The UPnP functionality is pretty well useless for me. The built in program guide is achingly slow and can be difficult to navigate properly (it occasionally will skip screens as you scroll through the guide). The media player needs to be refined considerably before it can be really useful. It is really only able to preview video and photo and can't actually play them back. The audio playback functions fairly well, but it's only useful when the remote is in its docking station which is connected to a receiver. The small speaker that is built into the remote is insufficient for listening to music. My biggest concern with the media playback is the server software you install on your computer. Once installed it began using over 100 Megs of RAM out of the 1 Gig my computer has and drastically effected how my computer ran. This is unacceptable. However, since music playback is not what I got this remote for I am not overly concerned with this function.

There are a few other nagging issues that could easily be fixed with something as simple as a firmware update. The remote seems to be prone to random lockups, occasionally these will happen during normal use but they are more frequent during learning functions. The remote also will not allow you to remove buttons that are nonexistent for your device. E.g. it lists a button for selecting an HDMI input on my TV of course my TV does not even have an HDMI input.

Earlier in my review I mentioned that the remote has a fix button that allows you to manually turn on components and switch inputs in case the command didn't work when the remote tried the first time. While this is a fantastic function, Philips sadly neglected to offer the same button once you have tried to turn off the components. If a component remains on you have to go into the menus for individual device control to turn it off. If another fix button was provided this wouldn't be a concern.

The remote includes a stylus that is tremendously useful for using the touch screen. Unfortunately they did not provided anywhere on the remote to store the stylus, so as you might guess, it's quite easy to lose. A clip or slot would have been a wonderful addition to the remote.

Shortcomings aside, this is the best remote I have ever used, hands down. It provides a level of control that nothing else I have ever used has approached. The activities functions are very well thought out and come close to seamlessly integrating the functions of all my components as if they were really one. If Philips is able to iron out the few small faults the remote has, this remote would be untouchable.

I had great hopes for this remote. I was looking for a remote to replace my aging sony univeral remote. I checked out the Proto 7000 and the logitech 880/890 and decided to go with the rc9800i. When I opened it up it looked nice and was pretty easy to get up and running. I had a little problem updating the firmware but finally figured it out. Hooking it up my wi-fi was fairly easy and I was able to access the guide once I got the service established. It only took me about a day to figure out that there was problems. I had to reset the remote because it froze up. It became a daily task. Then I noticed that the channel and volume buttons weren't working real well. I would press and hold them and there was a big delay until the volume would go up or down. This is hard because then the volume would shoot way up after the system caught up to what you had pressed. I just ended up returning it after about a week. I think that there has to be a better remote for the money. I am really disappointed because I like the features it just didn't work the way it was suppose to.

I got the remote on Dec 7th and it ships back to where I bought it on December 11th.

It will not control their own DVD player (DVD 5140)
it will not turn off devices after they are used when you switch to something else.
I have had most of the remotes costing over 500.00 and am a pro installer and remote programmer.

I promise you, you will not like this remote. I have no clue how and why Philips thought they could bring this remote to market as they have.

What a waste.

Remember also that you have to use 2 hands to operate this remote, not like the 700, 900 960 from universal. may sound strange but 2 handed operation is cumbersome, but must be expected with a touch screen.

disclamer: use at your own risk. this is fair warning

I am on an eternal quest for the perfect family oriented universal remote. I bought the RC9800i hoping it would be that. Not quite. I works perfectly, does exactly what it is made to do, but still a little confusing for my wife and a little too odd shaped for me. And, there is no place for the stylus on the remote...who the heck engineered that??

This could be such a cool piece of kit. It's running linux, supports wi-fi & has a touch screen but, it's let down by the current firmware and seems unloved by Philips (they can't decide whether this is supported by their Pronto group or more generic support, and don't seem to have much support info on their web site).

I purchased one a couple of weeks back, it was easy to set up initially, but wouldn't talk to my xbox360 and couldn't work out how to change inputs (as part of an activity) on my, wait for it, *Philips* LCD TV. Basic control was possible, but activities (like "watch a DVD") would never completely work.

After a couple of calls to tech support (voice activated and useless if you have an English accent by the way) they stated that it wasn't going to work and advised me to return it and upgrade to a Pronto.

I upgraded alright, to a Harmony.

What a shame. Philips, if this is the runt of your family, do us all a favour and open source the whole firmware. Imagine the possibilities of a ~$200 wi-fi enabled portable linux box!

This remote is awsome and is easy to set up as long as you take your time and think out your hook up and device input modes. visualize the interactions between your components and the steps necessary to activate the functions you want to create. Once it is set up it works fantasticaly well without setting up macros as the set up Wizard does it all.What ever you do ,do not contact customer support, I called twice and spoke to 2 different techs and they both told me to return the unit as it would not do the functions I was looking for and was not compatible with my equipment. I have no idea where the company finds these idiots who are unqualified to handle their calls and they are probably losing tons of business because of these so called techs who are totaly useless. If you are patient and take your time and think everyyhing out you will have no trouble settung up this remote. The screen is bright and easy to view and the keys light up and are very easy to see in a dark room and the layout is excellent. I highly reccomend this remote. Dan G

This product works very well within its limits of customization. I have a projector and it requires you to press the power button twice to turn off, and the all off command for this unit only presses it once. So make sure you are aware of this limitation if you have a device with a similar configuration. Other than that it works great. I am able to access pictures and mp3's from the remote through the wi-fi. It is not a one hand operation though, but most remotes of this nature are made to be that. Battery life is a little lacking, but as long as you put it back on its charging station each night you should be fine.

Overall the Philips is a great unit. The only complaints that I have are that it wont read my remote for my A/V control center made by joytech and it also will not function with the XBOX 360. The other issue that I have had with it is that it doesn't always keep connection with my home network. It kind of chooses when it wants to work so to speak. Other than that all of the other functions do very well and its a great remote.

Using a universal remote should make things easier, not harder. I didn't find the Philips RC9800i useful at all. Ergonimically, it was impossible to use with one hand. To top that off, you needed to use the stylus for most activities since buttons on the screen were somewhat small (oh, and there's no holder for the stylus... so very easy to lose track of). Controls are not intuitive and setting it up right, while not incredibly hard, does not lead to an easy interface.

I'd suggest looking at Harmony remotes over this. It's just too 'clunky.'

not bad remote, especially the Wi-Fi Feature and the fact that it can view media center information (pictures, Music info) but unfortuantely its very weak on macros or multiple actions with one key stroke. the new version of this (Pronto) is much better but much more expensive so i ended up getting the Logitech Harmony 1000.