CES 2009

The Acoustic Research XSight Touch AARX18G (with cradle) may give Harmony a run for its money.

(Credit: Acoustic Research)

Acoustic Research (a brand of Audiovox) has unveiled two new universal remotes that users can program directly (using a built-in code library) or via a PC. Both new models--dubbed "XSight"--look to be worthwhile contenders to our current favorite universal remote, the Logitech Harmony One.

The XSight Color AARX15G is the step-down model, but it still packs a wallop.'

(Credit: Acoustic Research)

Like that Logitech model--which costs between $200 and $250--the designs of the Acoustic Research XSight remotes mix hard buttons and color screens, and allow for task-based macro programming ("watch TV," "watch Blu-ray movie," etc.). But the XSight models one-up the Harmony with multiple user profiles and favorite channels lists, and the flexibility to be programmed directly from the remote or via a PC, depending upon the user's preferences. The built-in setup wizard lets you choose the make and model of your components, and cycles through possible control codes until it hits the right one.

The top of the line XSight Touch (model ARRX18G, $250) includes a 2.2-inch color touch screen and controls up to 18 devices. It includes a rechargeable lithium ion battery, and the included charging cradle is angled so the remote can still be operated even while it's docked. But the big improvement over the Harmony is the inclusion of built-in RF capability; add the $100 RF Extender Kit, and you can operate components outside your line of sight (such as those in a closed cabinet, or even in another room).

The XSight Color (model ARRX15G, $180) is the step-down model. It's the same basic design, but it controls 15 devices rather than 18, its color screen isn't touch sensitive, it uses standard AA batteries (no charging cradle), and it's got no RF option.

Both remotes should be available in the spring of 2009. We'll have complete reviews of them once they're released.

(Credit: Logitech)

When Logitech released the Harmony 1000 in 2007, we were disappointed that the tablet-style remote wasn't easily customizable and that the response time of its 3.5-inch LCD touchscreen wasn't quite as zippy as we would've liked. Two years on, it looks like Logitech has finally taken those criticisms to heart. The new Harmony 1100 includes the ability to customize the on-screen buttons, and its new Flash-based OS (and faster processor) should make for a smoother user experience. Those improvements--plus the black color scheme--look to be the only major changes from the 1000, so the new model should have all of the now-standard perks we've come to expect from Logitech's Harmony line (Web-aided programming via Windows and Mac PCs, task-based control, compatibility with tens of thousands of devices). Unfortunately, the Harmony 1100 will retain the original model's sky-high $500 asking price when it debuts in February 2009--and anyone wanting to take advantage of the remote's RF control features will need to invest another $100 or so in a separate RF-to-IR dongle. Meanwhile, those of us waiting for an update of the Logitech Harmony One that offers RF (or maybe even Bluetooth, for those pesky PS3s) are out of luck; the Harmony 1100 is the company's only new remote for now.

Note: This post has been updated to correctly reflect the features of the original Harmony 1000 model.

(Credit: Philips)

The Philips universal remote line has a new top dog. The Prestigo SRT9320 combines a 2.8-inch color touch screen on the top half with hard buttons on the lower portion. The screen handles both channel favorites (replete with familiar icon logos) and customized commands. The SRT9320 can control up to 20 devices, and it's completely programmable as-is--including learning modes and multidevice macros--without the need to connect it to a PC. (A USB port is included only for future software updates--presumably things like additional channel icons.)

While the Prestigo SRT9320 has a premium $249 price tag, it's missing such high-end niceties as RF control and a charging cradle. And while Philips touts the fact that you don't need a PC to program the SRT9320, we've found that to be a big advantage when dealing with sophisticated multidevice macros (something the task-based Logitech Harmony models handle with aplomb). By comparison, the Logitech Harmony One also has a touch-screen/keypad design (and a rechargeable battery), and it can be found for less than $200.

The SRT9320 will be available in the first quarter of 2009. In the meantime, a trio of more affordable Philips Prestigo models are currently available, all of which include a color LCD screen: the SRU8008 (controls 8 devices, priced below $100); the SRU8112 (12 devices, scrollwheel, also sub-$100); and the SRU8015 (15 devices, scrollwheel, wider form factor, under $180).