Philips Universal Remote
Royal Philips has Eyes Set on Universal Remote Market
The Dutch company Philips has been making a variety of consumer electronics ranging from TVs to kitchen gear. Philips has even joined with Korean manufacturer LG to make LCD based HDTV’s. In addition to its other suite of electronics, With its line of Philips Universal Remote controls, Philips manufacturers some of the most unique support devices for electronics equipment.
Philips' universal remote controls have just about every feature you’ve heard of in a Universal Remote. If you’re looking for a simple Universal Remote, and didn’t happen to get a suitable one with another device, Philips can set you up for around $20 - $30. If you are looking for more advanced remotes with LCD screens and PC connections, Philips offers devices that are attractive and easy to program.
The availability of online content for the remote means you will never be short on code for a brand new piece of equipment. Philips has a variety of devices that will satisfy all your Universal Remote needs. The prices for more advanced Philips Universal Remotes range from $100 to $500. There is even a style that costs as much as $1000.
At the top of the Philips line is the dreadnought of Universal Remote controls: the RC9800i. This is Philips no holds barred 802.11b, wi-fi supermodel. The Philips version of the wi-fi remote can stream media directly to your system from the remote itself. It runs the Linux operating system and is capable of running simple programs you can either write yourself or download scripts made by others. Philips calls the RC9800i and its TSI6400 models “Multimedia Panels.” The name is fitting as it refers to the high level of interactivity these devices have with your home entertainment system and PCs. Expect to pay anywhere from $800 - $1000 for these impressive devices.
Stepping down into the more reasonably priced universal remotes you can find a variety of IR Universal Remotes that fit a variety of budgets. Several models of LCD touch screen handsets cost $150 - $600. There is even a model that can control your RF devices. These remotes connect to your PC to ease difficulty of setup (this is really the most important breakthrough in Universal Remote technology). Connecting to the PC allows you to use a drag and drop interface, access Philips website, download codes for newer devices, and receive online help.
Once you’ve invested some time in setting everything up on your Universal Remote, even your mother-in-law will be able to operate your system. Hmmm… maybe you don’t need a Universal Remote after all.
