Just tell the Prestigo the manufacturer of your device, and there's a good chance it already has the control codes built in.
Once you lock in, you can further customize buttons by "learning" them from your existing remote. For instance, we were able to add our cable box's zoom function and TV's sleep function with ease. Reassign any of the hard buttons as you'd like, or use the screen and corresponding buttons to add up to 26 additional commands. Likewise, if the codes aren't built into the Prestigo, the learning function will let you add pretty much any device to the remote, so long as you have access to its corresponding infrared remote.
The Prestigo can learn the codes from any old remote, thanks to this IR receiver.
Setting up the customized channel lineups is just as easy. You can use any of the existing favorites lists, or rename them to your liking--HD channels, movies, news, whatever. There are dozens of channel icons, covering channels from the major broadcast networks (ABC, NBC, Fox, CBS) to more esoteric fare (Speed Channel, Noggin, Current). For the most part, the icon database was surprisingly up to date, but a few key networks were M.I.A.--dead or dying channels such as CNNfn and CourtTV were found, but the newer MyTV and MOJO networks weren't. Because of that--and the fact that you can't update the logo selection--there are some generic icons (stars, balloons, music notes). Alternately, you can just input an alphanumeric label (such as WWOR or ch09). Parents will appreciate the parental control mode, which lets them lock a preset number of kid-friendly channels (as programmed by the 'rents) as the only ones accessible from the remote.
Multistep macros can be programmed on the Prestigo SRU8010 as well--but they're limited to one device at a time. So while you can set an AV receiver to prep itself for DVD playback--power up, switch to the right input, engage midnight mode, or whatever--you can't utilize the sort of multidevice task-based macros found on the likes of a Logitech Harmony remote. That's not a criticism per se--that sort of sophisticated programming ability is pretty much beyond the mission statement of this particular Prestigo model. The remote is also a little beefy--it's 8 ounces when the three AA batteries are loaded up--but its permanent memory retention means that you can swap in new power cells without having to reprogram from scratch.
In the final analysis, some hardcore home theater users may scoff at the Prestigo as gimmicky (the His and Hers buttons), underpowered (no multidevice macros), or a little too "senior friendly." And that's fine, because this remote isn't for them--it's for their significant others, or even their parents (older folks will love the big numbers on the keypad and the superbright LCD screen). If you don't need the advanced macros or if you're frustrated by the Harmony remotes' need to be tethered to a PC for programming, the Philips Prestigo SRU8010 may be just what the doctor ordered.
