Buying a universal remote control rarely requires justification. You know you need one. A growing population of cunning dedicated remotes that know to hide when they're needed is a headache. It's also a sure sign of gadget addiction, so a metagadget is just the thing.
The Philips Pronto and Harman Kardon's Take Control can operate almost any consumer-electronics device by learning to mimic their original remotes. What's new about these über-remotes is that instead of a plethora of buttons to accommodate many different functions, both sport a touch-sensitive, backlit LCD that displays a collection of virtual buttons.
Of the two, Pronto is the more flexible. Its built-in software allows you to define macros and electronic devices: Each component of a home entertainment system can be assigned multiple "pages" of control buttons as needed. You can relabel or redefine buttons using its learning ability, but you have to stick to the Pronto's predefined templates.
The Take Control's built-in software is very hierarchical, forcing you to traverse way too many decision trees to get to where you're going. The setup is also very regimented compared with the Pronto. What's worse, you must hook the remote up to your Windows PC to use many of the features.
In short, both remotes have first-generation-product malaise. The Pronto needs a more comfortable button and template scheme and some slimming of the physical case. And Harman Kardon should rethink the Take Control's hierarchical software design, its weight distribution, and its PC dependence. Both also need better tactile LCD feedback, without the first-press lag. But the Pronto is clearly the more successful execution of an LCD-based universal remote, and besides, you just need one.
Philips Pronto: $399. Philips: www.pronto.philips.com. Harman Kardon Take Control: $349. Harman Kardon: www.harman.com.
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