Philips RC9800i media streamer

Posted by T3 Online on Tue 30 Oct 2007

Cool remote that streams MP3s too.

On the face of it, this looks like a standard high-end universal remote control - touchscreen, eerie backlight, impressively-large price tag. But Philips has added a little kicker - wireless photo and music streaming.

Setting it up is a lengthy but pleasantly simple process, thanks to the easy-to-follow on-screen instructions. Any devices that aren't already in the extensive database can be added through a learning function. Once done, you'll no longer have to juggle 20 remotes to control your digital home, as everything from DVD players to Media Centre PCs falls under your command via the colour LCD touchscreen.

There's even a stylus for the screen, so fatter-fingered fellows don't need to worry about flipping channels when they're trying to lower the volume. £350 may seem a lot to pay for a remote, but as universal models go, it's good value. That's especially true if you've got a Wi-Fi network at home, because then you can make use of its streaming capabilities.

Once you install Philips' Media Manager software on your Mac or PC, you can view your photos or listen to your tunes via the zapper. That's right: the remote plays music through a tiny speaker. It sounds pretty pitiful, but thankfully the charging dock doubles as a media adaptor that can be connected to an amp or hi-fi. Now you're cooking!

The streaming ability isn't perfect. The photo viewer is fine, but not many audio formats are currently supported, and you can't stream Internet radio stations. Even so, it's a cool bonus.

As hybrid products go, this might seem akin to the combined coat-hanger and cigarette lighter, but the remote is excellent - the Wi-Fi's just gravy.