Philips New iPronto Redesigns Control of the Digital Home

Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Philips Electronics continues to revolutionize control of the digital home with the combination of audio/video, home automation, and home network control with the new iPronto introduced today at the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) Show. Specializing in media access and control, the iPronto combines hardware and software into one easy-to-manage device that offers consumers a new platform for the connected home. The lightweight and highly portable iPronto allows users to control home theater components, lighting, security cameras, home networks, climate control and other IR/RF/Ethernet home applications. Users can easily control devices through the high-resolution touch screen LCD, combined with a customizable user interface and exterior hard buttons.

"As the connected home becomes a reality, more consumers are demanding a simple and intuitive platform that will allow them to control their entire home. With the introduction of the iPronto, Philips is meeting this demand by providing consumers with the next generation of home control," said Lawrence J. Blanford, President and CEO, Philips Consumer Electronics, North America. "Based on our successful Pronto family of intelligent remotes, the iPronto provides consumers with a new level of home control. With the versatility of wireless connectivity coupled with the iPronto, users now can easily control their home theater, home thermostat, access their home security systems or control any other IR/RF/Ethernet devices, as well as access the Internet with the touch of a button from anywhere in the home."

The iPronto provides custom installers with a versatile solution to control home theater as well as the increasing number of electronic home automation products available. The iPronto gives the custom installer or consumer the ability to configure the touch screen with the help of the PC editing software iPronto edit. The product can be completely customized to the comfort level of the end user. The result is the flexibility to control multiple windows of information with simple dashboard finger navigation.

The system also allows users to view information about their favorite program with the Electronic Program Guide with Media Selection, access the Internet to check news and email, as well as utilize the multiple remote control functions. By utilizing wireless technology WiFi (IEEE 802.11b), iPronto is able to control devices out of their line of sight and has an always-on internet connection by which new features and software can be sent to the unit by customer request.

The iPronto also features other built-in components that enhance the entertainment experience. The system features a built-in microphone and stereo speakers allowing users to listen to MP3s from the Internet and to be future-proof for applications such as voice recognition and telephony. The iPronto also includes USB connectivity and a MMC/SD card slot for future applications and accessories. Battery powered, the iPronto includes a charger and a lithium ion battery. Available this fall, the iPronto will retail for $1,699.99.

About the Pronto Family
Introduced in 1998, the Pronto family of universal remotes boasts a single solution for consumers to control home theater and other infrared devices in the home including the Pronto Pro TSU6000, Pronto TSU3000 and Pronto Neo TSU500.

The fully programmable Pronto Pro TSU6000 features a 256-color, high- resolution touch screen and incorporates 8MB of memory. Until the iPronto, the TSU6000 was the most powerful product in the lineup with an incredibly comprehensive database of infrared codes. This combined with its code learning capability allows the system to memorize home cinema devices in seconds so it can control current and/or future devices that may not be in its database. The user can fully customize button colors, channel icons and even background color. In addition, the Pronto Pro features a pick-up sensor that activates the LCD screen upon lifting the remote. Plus, with IR/radio frequency capability, the unit allows the user to control infrared devices in cabinets or in other rooms with the simple addition of a Philips RF receiver, available as an option for $149. The Pronto Pro features a slim, ergonomic, cutting-edge design with a silver casing and includes a recharging dock. Currently available, the Pronto Pro TSU6000 has a suggested retail price of $999.

Featuring 4 MB of memory, the TSU3000 sports a stylish gray and polished silver casing and displays images on a 16 gray scale LCD. The TSU3000 also includes USB connectivity for quick and easy access to Pronto Edit and the same RF functionality as the TSU6000. The touch screen remote also features exterior controls for additional ease-of-use.

The four-directional navigation button allows users to easily browse through the menu screens, vertically and horizontally, to control their home theater devices. With a blue backlit LCD for easy viewing while watching movies with the lights turned down, the TSU3000 is the perfect universal remote for the home theater enthusiast. The Pronto TSU3000 has a suggested retail price of $399.99.

The Pronto Neo TSU500 offers a more affordable option for consumers who want the benefit of a universal remote control that is customizable and easy- to-use. The Pronto Neo features a backlit touch-screen LCD display so users can select their favorite TV show simply by touching the screen. The unit incorporates 15 hard buttons for basic functions and utilizes cursor control for easier navigation through satellite or cable-box graphic interfaces. With the on board universal database and included Pronto Neo Edit software, users can customize their touch screen by simply connecting or synching-up the remote to any PC. Unlimited macro command capability is available as well. The Pronto Neo offers an intuitive graphical user interface and holds 1MB of flash memory. The Pronto Neo has a suggested retail price of $199.99.

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Source: Philips Consumer Electronics

Web site: http://www.philips.com/