What high-end home theater would be complete without a touchscreen controller? Who wants to shuffle through a table full of remotes or grope around in the dark for the right button? When home theater aficionados think touchscreen, they usually think Crestron or AMX, the two leading high-end touchscreen suppliers. These manufacturers do offer the most capable controllers, but their products demand the services of a highly skilled programmer, which many custom installers do not have on staff. Furthermore, if you want to alter the touchscreen’s operations, you cannot do so with Crestron or AMX—not without the services of a professional programmer, anyway.

There are alternatives, though, and some of the best are the Pronto series of remotes from Philips Electronics. They are no substitute for the versatility and reliability of a Crestron or AMX system, but for such locations as a bedroom, a playroom or a vacation home (particularly one far from a custom installer), they provide a taste of touchscreen luxury with a fraction of the complexity.

The latest in the line is the iPronto, which edges Philips closer to Crestron/AMX capability than do the earlier, PDA-like Prontos. The iPronto literally opens up a whole new world—the online world—because you can access the Internet right on the touchscreen.  You can check a player’s statistics during a ball game, take a quick look to see what program is on next without distracting family members from their sitcom, or track your stocks during the commercial breaks in your favorite cop show.

The iPronto is a tablet-like device with a 6-inch color liquid-crystal display panel surrounded by a silver frame. It sits flat on a table or your lap, or stands up at a 45-degree angle. A built-in universal serial bus (USB) port supports a plug-in keyboard, which you may find useful for writing e-mails to complain about this week’s docudrama. However, neither the built-in stereo speakers nor the memory-card slot work as of yet; their functionality awaits future versions of the iPronto software.

The iPronto requires a wireless computer network (using the WiFi/802.11b standard) for the initial installation and to access its TV program guide and Web browser. I experience no problems in connecting the iPronto, right out of the box, to my wireless network. Customizing the unit for my system takes a bit more effort, in part because the review unit does not have the latest software update. According to a Pronto forum on the Web, this update prevents the unit from acting like the lead character in The Exorcist, so I install it without delay.

The top of the iPronto (left) features a headphone jack, a power jack, a memory-card slot and a USB port for connecting a keyboard. However, the memory card and headphone functions are presently inactive. (Click images to enlarge)

With the software update complete, I download a simple application to configure the iPronto from a PC. (Unfortunately, the device cannot be programmed from a Mac, which is surprising since Macs and the iPronto are both based on the Unix operating system.) In about five minutes, everything is all set up. Admittedly, most consumers will—and should—leave the programming to their custom installer. But technically savvy people can actually program iPronto themselves—and might even enjoy it. Like previous Pronto versions, the iPronto enjoys a cult of devotees and hobbyists who design all manner of software for their remotes and post their work on the Internet for others to use.
I design a fairly simple interface for my system, which allows me to have control buttons for four devices on screen at once should I feel the need. Unlike some control systems, iPronto’s display is sharp, just like a state-of-the-art computer screen. You can match the display colors with your decor and create your own look for the on-screen buttons and labels. (Please note that you may want to have your custom installer consult with your interior designer before setting it all up.)

The iPronto’s TV program guide resembles the guides provided by digital cable boxes and satellite receivers. Using the guide, it is fairly easy to access show schedules and tune to the show you want. I simply tap my program on the iPronto screen and my satellite tuner switches channels.

I encounter a bit of a lag between the moment I tap the screen and the instant the channel changes.  The delay does not particularly bother me, but it does force me to be rather deliberate in how I change channels or switch sources. Because you cannot flip quickly from channel to channel, you want to make sure you choose the right one in the first place.

When I switch to Monday Night Football, I use iPronto’s Web browser to enjoy what ABC calls Enhanced TV—an interactive Internet package of in-game stats and other factoids I like to have at hand while watching the game but do not consider worth the hassle of pulling out my laptop.  With so many TV programs offering online features, I find it handy to have quick and simple access to the Web without further cluttering my coffee table or sofa. In many ways, iPronto, aside from its abilities as a system controller and program guide, delivers on some of the promise of interactive TV.  The Web browser works fairly well, but pages load more slowly than they do with most PCs.
The iPronto uses infrared light to control your audiovisual components, just as an ordinary remote control does. The disadvantage with infrared is that a refreshment-seeking guest might get between you and your satellite receiver when you are attempting to change the TV channel. However, Philips offers the NetX NTX6400 accessory, which essentially turns the iPronto into a radio-frequency remote that works from any room in your home, just as a high-end touchscreen does.

Without question, the iPronto makes sense in many situations where a full-featured touchscreen control system might not. As far as I am concerned, the Web surfing and program guide functions alone make the iPronto tremendously useful.

DESCRIPTION
Color touchscreen universal remote control, with built-in Web browser and electronic program guide

CONNECTIONS
AC power input, USB port, stereo audio minijack for headphones (not functional
in test sample), MMC/SD card slot (not functional in test sample)

DIMENSIONS
7 x 9.4 x 0.9 inches (hwd)

PRICE/CONTACT
PRICE: iPronto, $1,699; NetX NTX6400, $399
CONTACT: 800.531.0039 www.philips.com