RTI's T2-C touchscreen controller

Either the industry players are way overestimating the market for $800 touchscreen home theater remotes, or it's a good time to be in biz, but RTI's latest, the T2-C, ain't no slouch for a clicker. Popping in with a 200MHz XScale processor, 16MB flash memory, cradle, and backlit keys and an interface that makes it look more cellphone than remote, is it really any wonder they want you to invest eight bills in this thing? Ok, so it's a bit of a wonder, but something tells us someone out there will be that patsy, er, happy and satisfied customer.

[Type-E @ Aug 23rd 2006 12:37PM]

This is a long remote

[justin @ Aug 23rd 2006 12:37PM]

i think it is good value, i know plenty of people who have spent 5-10 grand on control systems for their home theatres...800 for a remote is not too bad...

[Enzo @ Aug 23rd 2006 12:41PM]

The Pronto has been a popular (and expensive) remote for a long time now. There is absolutely a market, but this doesn't look anything special for $800.

[teknomusik @ Aug 23rd 2006 12:43PM]

"5-10 grand on control systems" LOL

[falcompsx @ Aug 23rd 2006 12:50PM]

i got my logitech 880 for $120. it has a color screen is full backlit, has inteligent device state, and bigger buttons to boot. no thanks.

[Andy @ Aug 23rd 2006 12:50PM]

Why does a remote need that kind of a processor? I have a Logitech Harmony H659 and the thing is awesome. I only spent $80 on it. I could never imagine spending 10 times that. Hell, this remote costs more than my receiver and more than my HTPC.

[Charles @ Aug 23rd 2006 12:52PM]

OMG....I almost shit myself looking at it....so shiny....want to touch.

[Eagle117 @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:01PM]

I have the Logitech 880 as well. I have no need for any more remote than that.

[Perrey Z. @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:01PM]

Damn! that resembles the remotes from the HP Pavilion LCDs and Plasmas from 2005. COPYCATS!

[T10 @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:10PM]

"5-10 grand on control systems LOL"

As hard as it may seem to view the world from a perspective other than that of a 13 year old. There are folks who have home theatres with motorized screens for the projector, automated blinds, dimming lights etc.. once you add up all the parts and labour for the installation and unified control...

[Spencer @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:11PM]

In large integrated systems remotes like this one are required. A harmony while
nice is not in the same ballpark as one of these things. And yes 5- 10 k is a low ball for a true control system, ie. Crestron, AMX ,etc. RTI is not gearing this towards DIYers.

[Eric @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:13PM]

Talk about something funny - comparing the usability of the RTI remotes to the Logitech and the Harmony remotes. Try setting up those remotes to have RS-232 control over lighting control systems, digital thermostats, motorized drapes/screens/lifts/projectors. Totally different level of product. Go play with one and you will understand! Looks amazing - can't wait to see it in Denver in two weeks!

[Alex @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:28PM]

when i was working in an architecture firm last summer i did specs for a project that had a $270,000 budget just for electronics. no, that is not a typo. I think the final price of the house was somewhere between $15-20M. they had a control base for every room in the house, including bathrooms. the bases cost $5k each, with remotes being $1,200. there were 50" plasmas in every room, with the bathrooms/utility rooms housing 1 or 2 23"-30" LCD panels.

$800 for a remote like this sounds very reasonable.

[Spencer @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:29PM]

Denver will be nice. anxious to see the msc-400 and the new pronto professional
as well.

[GC @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:34PM]

Okay, I really get that this is necessary esp. if you're a home theatre buff with tons of expensive equipment. But I just keep thinking about all the remotes I've lost in my lifetime ... at $800 a pop, this is one I'd have to keep tethered to a special ring set in concrete on the floor ...

[Rob @ Aug 23rd 2006 4:06PM]

Just a fyi- RTI programming software is not available to the public.

In order to get this remote, you will have to go through a dealer who will have to program it for you. $800 is for the remote only. Programming a remote like this (for a system that actually deserves control worthy of this product) will cost you several hundred dollars.

[Gio - NYC @ Aug 23rd 2006 4:07PM]

$800 for a remote? Another great reason why America is so fat and lazy.

[Spencer @ Aug 23rd 2006 4:31PM]

The comments which originate from this site are so hypocritical. Instead of embracing new tech (what engadget enbodies), most of the comments deal
with complaints about cost. Newly released tech is not cheap. Ever. I think that I will start a blog called " Marginalized Commodity Electronics Available for Less than $100" I think most would feel better about that site. There are plenty of people who have and are willing to spend far more money than most would deem
acceptable. That is who companies like RTI design for. Those who desire complete
integration built to spec not to price.

[Eion @ Aug 23rd 2006 4:35PM]

"$800 for a remote? Another great reason why America is so fat and lazy."
Surely the cheap ubiquitous remote controls that come with everything contribute to this far more than expensive control systems? At $800 a pop, it's not like many people are going to have one of these.

[Douglas @ Aug 23rd 2006 8:24PM]

$800 for a remote like this is not bad at all! Currently, I use a Marantz RC9500 Color Learning Universal Remote... It retails for $1099.99. The house I am having built will have a control screen in every room of the house though.

The only people who complain about the price are the people who can't afford it.

[b-money @ Aug 23rd 2006 10:22PM]

i work at an audio visual integration firm and 800 is a small price to pay for a total control. Anything above this would need a specialized rack to acompany it, ie: a crestron system)

[Frangible @ Aug 23rd 2006 11:24PM]

I remember back in the day, when I had to actually get up and expend 0.3 calories to change the channel! Oh, the agony and suffering that produced. I'm glad I can now spend $800 to not relive that hell on earth, that cruelty of nature.

[michael @ Aug 24th 2006 1:22PM]

i'd rather spend an extra $200 and get the remote i have, the mx-3000 by universal remote. touch screen and fully programmable.

[Johnny Boy @ May 13th 2007 5:25AM]

The reason they cost so much is, b/c this remote is part of a partnership between AVAD (supplier for your installer) and RTI. AVAD get's a hefty hefty cut for bagging on Harmony and URC.
The remote is probably $150. They sell it to AVAD for $300 who then sells it for $450 and your installer sells it to you for $1000 programmed if it's an easy setup. More if it needs RF or more programming.
I am sure it is a great remote, but get real for most people.

The Harmony 880 is cheap feeling but works if you have a regular setup. Not many enthusiasts would like it and it's small buttons. Old people can't read it or press the buttons. Just b/c Dell and Logitech and AMazon blow them out every so often does not make them a great remote. Their software interface is not good and seems to get worse with the updates.

URC is notorious for being a company like RTI and then F'ing dealers and selling through EBAY and pretending they can't control their grey market. They make a somewhat good product (durable), but their RF stuff is weak. Their 850 and 900 are nice. That's it. RTI takes them up top and Harmony takes control of the bottom feeders.
For those lucky few of you for whom money is not an option, but your ego is : there's some RTI and Crestron and AMX.

I sell all of them + some.

[tony foo yong @ Jul 20th 2007 2:42PM]

RTI products are inconsistent with quality.

This particulare remote should have came out about 2 years ago, it's the best one they have.

The T3 is an antiquated p.o.s. and it's ugleeeee.

I agree the markup on these is ridiculous, and then you have to buy either a rp1 or rp6 processor, for an additional outrageous fee...power blocks...expansion ports if you have several pieces of equipment, and then the software used to program it is shady.

Oh, and RTI guys if you're reading this...your U1 waterproof remotes really really need some major overhauls...they kinda suck too.

[Clifford Quinlivan @ Oct 10th 2007 11:13PM]

I was sold an RTI T2 remote. I live in Australia and it cost me $1,499.00.
I was told how user friendly this unit is. I got this whizz bang device as it would make using my sound system easy to use. He set up all my dvd's etc to the remote and showed me how easy it is to control all my components. The dealer did NOT tell me that the softwear was only available to dealers and that any future programming of the remote would have to be done by an authorised dealer.

I recently found out the hard way, when I wanted to add another component to my remote. I got the operation book out only to find I would have to always get a dealer to program it for me, at a cost, everytime I replace a dvd player etc. This is because the enduser is not allowed to have the softwear to program this unit.

So much for user friendly. Very angry and dissatisfied purchaser. It sucks that full details before purchase were not disclosed. I know now nerver to purchase or recommend this brand to anyone.

[John Delahunty @ Dec 30th 2007 5:33PM]

Clifford,

Another Aussie, I am in a similar boat to you. I was sold an RTI T2C and *two* T3s for a whole-house video system. I was not told the remotes would be unprogrammable. Worse the dealer's programmer is hopeless and has already damaged one of my receivers by programming it to set volume to 0 when the mute button was pressed (0 is loud enough to damage eardrums!) Finally, I live with 4 kids, my teenage boy dropped a T3 on a wooden floor (from hand height), the case cracked and I find the thing is not covered by warranty!

Of course at this stage I have a houseful of RTI RF equipment and the whole thing is essentially useless from a resale perspective, plus I am dependent on an incompetent dealer, who I have to be nice to if I want to get an anyway acceptable outcome.

This sucks.

[Dougals @ Nov 2nd 2008 1:00AM]

Hi Everyone,

I have RTI's T2-C. It is a wonderful remote. The av technician I purchased the remote from has gone out of business and become unavailable. We where left without and books or means of contacting anyone about it. I just recently switched TV providers and am in need of a reprogram. Where do I go about finding someone to do this? I'm in southern California.

If anyone can help that would be great.

[TheaterPro @ Feb 13th 2008 11:57PM]

I am so sorry to hear all of these shall i call them "jaded" remarks about RTI products. Most recently the complaint about incompetent installers. That situation is most unfortunate and if you were even close to my market i would gladly assist you and "properly program your system". But your not even on the same continent, so i'm sorry.

My integration company sells almost exclusively RTI remote control systems purely for one simple reason; the program efficiently, easily customizable, and work reliably. This has been the case for well over 100 systems installed within the past 18 months. We used to use URC, and briefly looked at Harmony, and found them to be cheesy and unreliable at best. The product isn't to blame, as it is thoroughly thought out and well engineered. It is the careless, lazy, and incompetently useless so-called installer.

Let me explain what I as well as my clients EXPECT out of a $2,500 remote: for them to be able to pick it up, turn their system on by pressing one button and to be able to watch any source they desire in their system within only 2 more button presses. In addition they expect it to work 99% of the time. And in addition, for the entire system to be completely wireless and not require them to point their remote at an IR repeater target. If it doesn't meet those expectations, then why did they just spend $2,500 on a control system for their $15,000-$35,000 Flat-panel and surround sound entertainment system?

You need to understand, most of the people who are on forums are amateurs, and hobbyists... don't think that means incompetent, because that is not what I am implying. Merely that this product is not intended nor supported for use by "The D-I-Y A/V guy". This is a "Custom Integrator" product. This product is NOT FOR "most people". It is to be sold by someone who actually SELLS IT FOR FULL RETAIL and in addition CHARGES for programming. This is obviously a foreign concept for most people on here. Otherwise you would be paying someone to installing and integrating your system for you, instead of whining about how a product costs "too much".

I have sold well over $125,000 in RTI systems and can honestly say it is the best "bang for your buck" control system that exists today.

As far as the additional modules, how else would you expect to have additional solutions for different "problematic" devises such as "toggle" commands. I am grateful for a solution to the problem, not complaining about another module that has to be purchased. In the end of the day it's all about a reliable, easy to use, intuitive solution. To the people whining about additional modules, when your buy a computer does it always come with ever part and peripheral that you ever will need? Last time i checked... no.

As to the complaint about the software being not available to end users... Honestly, they have no business programming these remotes; and should go hire a certified professional so that it is programmed CORRECTLY the first time.

As to the complaint about AVAD's partnership with RTI: that was their business decision and it is irrelevant to what profit is made by each party involved. Last time i checked "Profit" wasn't a four-letter-word. How do you expect companies to stay in business without it?

So, if you want a reliable RF-based control system that integrates with any IR, RS-232, RS-485, IP, 12v trigger, and relay based product, then go find a reputable integrator who has experience with RTI and be happy; expecting to pay RETAIL for it. Otherwise, go bid on a harmony or an URC on ebay, program it yourself and be quiet and stop bagging on a great product and company with a fresh and innovative perspective on custom programmable control products.

thanks,
Erik

[SUSAN @ Aug 3rd 2008 7:10PM]

COULD SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME..I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL 52" WHITE SONY ON THE WALL, I WANT TO HIDE THE COMPONENTS IN MY CABINENT AND USE A REMOTE CONTROL TO CONTROL THE BLUE RAY AND CABLE BOX....WITHOUT SPENDING A FORTUNE ON T2-C SETUP, AND WITHOUT RUINING THE SLEEK WHITE LOOK OF THE ROOM, WHAT IS MY BEST OPTION? SUE