Pronto owner's

[Timh]

OK, I've read the review's and this remote sound's great, but what do you think of your Pronto, you've had it a while, so what are the good and bad point's of this remote?
Is it really worth hacking out nearly 200 notes for this baby?
And will I have a nervous breakdown programming it? :rolleyes:

Cheers
Tim

[JohnS]

yes

yes

I've had mine for about 9 months now, its very cool. It has managed to replace about 9 remotes and make the system so easy to manage that anyone can use it and get everything to work right. The macro that can be applied to any button and its ability to jump to a diffrent screen so that the right control is always available makes it a very well spent £200. ;)

BUT, and its a big but, be prepared to spend 4-6 weeks learning the edit program and making it do exactly what you want or it will be the worst £200 you spent. :(

[Arthur.S]

Also, once you get into Pronto Edit, it's a sickness!! You'll find yourself forever 'tweaking' your configuration file. (Well I do anyway) Wouldn't be without the Pronto now though. ;)

[Vis Man]

ive had mine for nearly a year . never use the other remotes. To get the most out of your Pronto you have to use the edit software. Go to remotecentral and see some of the examples others have done. Worth every penny :)

I have owned one for over a year and wouldn`t be without it.It has replaced the clutter of 6 remotes and is also used by my children.I set up icons for the childrens channels on sky so that all you have to do is touch a picture and the pronto changes to that channel(it even plays the theme tune to the Simpsons when you select SAT from the home page).In short, the possibilities are endless, but be prepared to "play around" with the Prontoedit software, or you could always download a ready-made configuration from Homepage (http://www.remotecentral.com)No other remote comes close at the price.
P.S. Richer sounds are currently selling for £150.

[dUnKle]

I ordered mine along with the charger from www.letsautomate.com (http://www.letsautomate.com) this afternoon and so come Saturday I should have a new toy to play with.

I have found some of the picture samples of what the pronto can do and now im excited.

I was just wandering a few things....

< 1 > Can codes be downloaded directly from the net ( or better still pages specific ) for the equipment that I have, such as a Pioneer 919 DVD player or a Denon A1D Amp ?

< 2 > How do you get those really smart looking THX, DTS and such icons on the screen ? Have I got the wrong end of the stock or is it possible that I can have buttons looking like this that will be able to switch to that sound format on the amp ?

< 3 > Is the Pronto really as configurable as it looks in these pictures ? Some have TV logos or characters !

I have downloaded the Pronto Edit software in readiness but can I be pin-pointed to some files which I will be able to use

[ 24-04-2001: Message edited by: DuncanWardle ]

[Gordon @ Convergent AV]

Duncan, everyone.

Yes, you too can have endless or almost endless bitmaps of TV stations on your Pronto. Yes it's amazing for the money. Yes, it takes a long while to get layouts and programmes to the required spec.

The only thing wrong with it is the screen is too small. I've just bought two for myslef though. God it's cool!

Gordon

[dUnKle]

So can all this be downloaded from the net ?

say, for example, is it possible that I can download a page for my AMP which has the DENON typeface across the top and use the THX,DTS and DD logos for sound formats ?

I assume its just a case of cut and paste, to move these logos around and configure them into buttons, so it would be nice if I could make a start with the downloads now.

It would also be nice if I could download screens designed JUST for my equipment ( or close to ) to save me time and give me some idea what to do

[Desmo]

Goto the downloads section at www.remotecentral.com (http://www.remotecentral.com)

Grab a few files from there that other people have made. Look at them, change them, see how they are made up and get ideas from them.
That's what I did and it helps alot, showing you what can be done.

[Arthur.S]

Download Pronto edit & the PE manual from remote central now. It comes with an pronto emulator so you can see how your CCF looks/works before transfering it to the actual Pronto. Make sure it's the right version for your pronto. I've said this before, but PE is a steep learning curve. Stick with it though - it's worth it. ;)

[dUnKle]

Thanks everyone

I have downloaded samples for my amp, dvd player, tv and ondigital box along with bitmaps for all the channels on ondigital

Im getting very impressed with what this little gizmo seems to be able to do.

I have looked at numerous samples and now have one more request, besides www.remotecentral.com (http://www.remotecentral.com) are there any other places to get the pictures from ? I only ask b'cos I saw one guy who actaully had pictures of all his equipment for buttons, this would make it rather easier to use but I just need to be able to find pictures of my equipment ( or similar )

Also is there anychance that those of you who have designed your own screens could e-mail me the examples ?

[Timh]

Wow! I've started somrting big here, and I dont even own a Pronto.

Dave Moran, you said (it even plays the theme tune to the Simpsons when you select SAT from the home page). Are you telling us your Pronto actually plays the tune, if so how does it do this?
I'll have to pop over to RemoteCentral and do some investigating before I creep round the Mrs, will have to be megger creeping, I've only just had some new Bipole Surround's.

Cheers

Tim

[StuartBooth]

Glad to hear you invested in a Pronto, Duncan. Top choice.

Like all the above posters, I've had mine for a few months (7 or 8 in my case) and simply won't be without it. Utterly, utterly brilliant. I STILL get a kick out of wiring up a new cool macro.

Just recently I found a sample of two panels that looked and worked like the Start button we're all familiar with (?) on the Windows Task Bar.

Home - a pretty background appears with a Start bar
Start - up pops an MS style Start menu with a few items "Listen to a CD", "Watch a DVD" etc.
Press Start again and it closes.

And with a bit of careful positioning of background DD/dts logos, it sure looks like a popup window even if it is actually just swapping between 2 panels.

Top tip though:

Create a 'macro group' and a new page in this group for each bit of h/w. Then store ALL the IR codes for this h/w on plain b&w buttons.

And whenever you want to sent an IR command, reference this button instead of learning an IR code.

This means your Pronto stores the codes ONCE and you just reference them, saving memory.

There are in fact many ways to apply good programming techniques in order to build up a modular set of commands in a sort of hierarchy. These can then be combined to perform more complex actions.

For instance I have:

1. a Turn-On-ONdigital macro (inc TV, Amp, etc)
2. a Turn-OFF-ONdigital (the opposite of the above).
3. a reduce volume to 0 macro
4. a increase volume by X macro

These are all reusable buttons stored in macro groups and then my actual pretty picture buttons reference them.

Suddenly I can do a timer macro that turns on BBC1 in time for the morning weather report (making sure the correct volume is set), and then after such-and-such a time, it turns everything off again. All from REUSABLE components.

God help me when I get a more sophisticated remote control with a programming language and *state information* -- the things I have in my dreams for that setup !!! (example, it can note the state of various items so I don't toggle something OFF when I meant to turn it ON, after already being on).

ByeBye

[Arthur.S]

Originally posted by StuartBooth:
<STRONG>God help me when I get a more sophisticated remote control with a programming language and *state information* -- the things I have in my dreams for that setup !!! (example, it can note the state of various items so I don't toggle something OFF when I meant to turn it ON, after already being on).</STRONG>

Stuart, The Pronto already does this. They're called discrete codes, & many examples can be found on that wonderful remote central site. ;)

Dunc, You can edit any picture for the Pronto. I use a free programme called Irfanview to modify them. (Can't remember where I downloaded it from, sorry) The steps are: Load pic into Irfanview. Under the Image menu, convert it to greyscale. Then change it to the size you want. (For a good idea, of size, look bottom right of PE when you select a button/pic.) Then decrease colour depth. Use 8 bit to save memory, although the Pronto will accept 16 bit bitmaps.

[ 25-04-2001: Message edited by: Arthur.S ]

[dUnKle]

Stuart thanks very much. My pronto arrived this morning and ill be playing with it very soon, pity I had to work :(

Is there any chanve that you could e-mail me your designs to give me some more ideas ? I would be most grateful.

My Pronto is currently charging and even with the quick play I have had ( yet to make it learn anything ) I am very very impressed :)

Thanks also to Arthur, ill hunt out that program, what I wanna do is get a picture of my equipment and use that as my front menu, can this be done ?

Lastly can I just say how impressed I am with www.letsautomate.com, (http://www.letsautomate.com,) I ordered my pronto late Tuesday afternoon and it arrived this morning

[Timh]

Duncan... How's it going with your new toy?
I've also just cracked, and orderd a Pronto with docking station from www.letsautomate.com (http://www.letsautomate.com) :D :D :D
I guess I'll need the valium come Monday :)

Tim

[Family Guy]

It must just be me then. I brought a Marantz RC5000 a year ago this month and after 6 months it broke down. It just went dead in my hand as I selected Sky digital. It went of to Marantz and 6 weeks later they sent me a SECOND QUALITY replacement. I imterparated this as B stock at the time. % days later it wrong again and was returned to the dealer on Jan 2nd this year. I still haven't got it back. They have offered the "i" version (2mb memory instead of 1) as long as I pay the difference (£40 trade).
All this happened after I had downloaded files from Remote Central. Marantz try to discourage this. This is, however, the only case I have heard off. Anybody else have problems with remote central files? :mad:

[JohnS]

Stupid question maybe, but I assume you downloaded files specific for the Marantz and not pronto ones as they are not compatible.
I've downloaded loads of stuff from remote central and had no problems at all. ;)

[Family Guy]

Yeah, all Marantz files. I've still got them on my PC but I will be selling my RC5000i when I eventually get it back. I've lost total confidence in it. :)

[dUnKle]

I love it
I have designed an entite new front end menu and have ( with the help of Arthur ) got some great menus drawn up for my equipment.

Just need to program the last few buttons and the thing will be ready for use for tonights viewing of Superman

[Arthur.S]

Army bloke,
Philips tech support for problems like yours has been absolute ess h 1 t. Considering it was they who encouraged people to play with the PE software. I would say it's PE
which has made the Pronto so popular. It's probably a corrupted file which 'done fer' your Pronto. Also, a lot of people have killed their Pronto by interrupting while downloading a CCF to it. In fact (at last) there is now a fix to download on the Philips website to bring your dead Pronto back to life. Don't give up!! ;)

[Family Guy]

I might give it another go. Providing that is they don't take another 5 months to fix or replace it!! :(

[dUnKle]

Well stage 1 is finished. Ive just watched Superman and the pronto past the test.

I have it controlling all five pieces of equipment ( maybe invest in some of those I?R sensors so I can get the lighting under control next :) )

Arthur, I managed to get the DVD region change thing that you sent me working with my equipment, I now have full region change at the press of a button.

Another thing I am rather proud of are my pages of favourites for On-Digital, one button depicting each channels logo on the button with direct access to that channel.

I think that its just limitless to its uses. Next thing is designing 2 macros for turning all equipment on or off, ive copied the discreet codes and hope they work when time comes to create the macros.

Any ideas what else I could look at doing ? I still have 56% of memory left to play with.

Thanks to everyone for there help and recommendations so far

[Metric]

so how do you get pics into and out of the cf files? im just messing with the software and emulator at the moment

[dUnKle]

Go here for loads of files to download http://www.remotecentral.com/files/main.htm

and go here to get the graphics which make your buttons look like channel logos http://www.remotecentral.com/files/colbtn.htm

Once you have placed your buttons into the locations that they need to be you then right click on it and use the menu that pops up to assign what the button looks like.

Takes a bit of experimenting but worth it. It took me best part of a day to get mine like it is

[pop]

Get a PRONTO.
But keep it simple,
Dont try to put all ya other remote functions on it,
Its not worth it
Just put all ya basic functions of all ya zappers that u uze on an u will b fine.
If u need functions tucked away, use original zapper,
lot quicker.

[Black 5]

Had my Pronto since October 99 and have probably spent 00s of hours programming - it's a new hobby :) I bought a second one a year ago for the living room, as even my wife likes using it.

Duncan, if you right click on any graphic on a webscreen you can save it as a bitmap. Then you can work on it in MSpaint or similar, which most people already have, and save it as a bitmap to be used as a button or a label. I got N64 logos, THX logos, Anamorphic widescreen logos and all sorts this way. Have to be careful with the size of the button because they won't fit on the screen if they're too big.

I have macros for all my dvds on my Pronto which include the region selection, screenshape and menu navigation to get the thing working with the right soundtrack etc. Time consuming, but v. satisfying to have it all work for you.

You'll find tunes for a few films on the remotecentral site - indiana jones etc, but they get annoying after a while. Someone even worked out how to get a piano keyboard on there.

Wait till you've got some X10 equipment in the house, then you'll really have fun - I'm working on switching on the heating (zoned for my cinema only) with my Pronto so I don't have to stop watching a film and it goes chilly :D :D

[dUnKle]

Originally posted by pop:
<STRONG>Get a PRONTO.
But keep it simple,
Dont try to put all ya other remote functions on it,
Its not worth it
Just put all ya basic functions of all ya zappers that u uze on an u will b fine.
If u need functions tucked away, use original zapper,
lot quicker.</STRONG>


I do not wish to sound rude but whats the point then ? I did have the Marantz RC2000MkII and that was limited in the functions it could perform and the time it took to do so. If you want to have something simple like you say then you would probably be much better off buying one of the £30 one for all remotes.

The pronto edit software does take a little while to get used to, but if you downlaod some sample you can get it doing loads of real impressive things within minutes.

I really like the DVD icon idea, I suppose its something to try when im on leave in a few weeks along with lighting.


How much does the X10 equipment cost ? I would want to control my main room light and also a corner dimmer light, how much would this cost ?

[Timh]

Hi Duncan

I'm currently waiting delivery of my Pronto from Letsautomate, I have downloaded the ProntoEdit software and some ccf files which suit my equipment, can you tell me if these files include the ir codes or just the images?
Have you made up your own screens yet or are you using downloaded ones to suit your equipment?
Cant wait to get hold of it, should be here on tuesday.
I will have to read up some more on the edit manual.

cheers

Tim :)

[Arthur.S]

If you download a CCF from RC it will include all relevent codes to the equipment used in it. I'm currently working on a 'startup' intro. Whereby, when I push the 'admit one' button on my home screen, it'll not only turn on all the equipment, but also play a 'welcome to the Baldyplex' movie, using the VCR. (which will then rewind, ready for the next 'showtime') I've finished making the movie using 3D studio max & Ulead media studio, but as yet haven't had the bottle to do the voice over!

[Timh]

Thank's Arther...I can sleep a little easier now, I cant stop planning my Pronto in my head, my head will be buzzing come tuesday when I get my Pronto. :eek:

Tim

[ 29-04-2001: Message edited by: Timh ]

[dUnKle]

Mostly half and half. I have designed some screens myself ( of which im rather proud of :) ) but must admit that the AMP one was pinched and some of the rest is borrowed off ARTHUR ( to whom im enternally grateful )

Pronto Edit is very easy to use and if you are prepared to put some effort into it you will be rewarded ! I spent the best part of a day designing and creating my layouts before I even used the remote control. Start now, get some ideas into your head.

If you want I will e-mail you my config

[Timh]

Cheers Duncan, Yes you can email me your config, There's no harm in taking a peak at them.
By the way, I did get my Bipoles from RS I opted for the Mission 70DS, I think it was you who I discussed the bipoles from RicherSounds with.

cheers
Tim

[dUnKle]

yes it was me
glad you are happy with your rears#
i went for the mordaunt short ones

[Jeff]

I've just ordered a pronto, I'd had it with the Denon AVC-A1SE remote.

[Black 5]

Duncan,

Letsautomate is the best place for X10 stuff. They do a variety of simple starter packs that will help you do what you want. Once bought, download someone's ccf from remotecentral so you have some codes you can use (you can always change the buttons later and if you get stuck I can send you one) and hey presto :) I had great fun just switching on a light in another room using it - bit sad really :)

[dUnKle]

More help is now needed :)

I have done almost EVERYTHING I can with the pronto and now need just to create the last few buttons for special functions.

One of these will be a TURN ALL ON and the other TURN ALL OFF. The trouble is, is that if I try and turn something off that is already off then it turns on :(

I have downloaded the DISCREET codes which are supposed to be used for this very thing, but I have no idea how to program them into the remote, any ideas ?

[Arthur.S]

Oooh Duncan, You haven't been reading the FAQs have you? :rolleyes: Good job you didn't post this on RC - you would have got flamed, good & proper! :eek:
Look here: http://www.remotecentral.com/files/use-ir.htm

[Timh]

:D It's here. Look's great it's even the identicle colour to my tv :)
:( The touble is I cant make my own Home page up, any tip's please.
I guess I wont be sleeping for another night.

Cheers
Tim

[dUnKle]

TIM the easiest thing to do is to download various samples that you like the look of ( there are 1000s of them at http://www.remotecentral.com/files/main.htm but the vast majority of them are similar )

Once you have found one you like, start cahnging the wording of buttons, delete those you do not like and remeber you can copy and paste all the stuff that you are using.

Once you have created your pages make sure you link them to the correct locations, then download to your pronto and start learning codes. If it does not work try again, after awhile you will get some idea of what needs tweaking !

I have just finished my first major draft of my pronto config. Each and EVERY function of my equipment is on there somewere. I am also able to access things such as macros for turning on and playing a DVD on all major pages. Not one page is overcrowded and even my girlfriend can use it.

One BIG TIP is to try using the TAB menus, they are real quik to move around.

I will e-mail you my config is you want

[Timh]

Cheers Duncan.... I will try that, I guess I just need to play a bit more with ProntoEdit.
I will have to find out how to overlay the pages, it look's so much better and faster.

Cheers
Tim

[Arthur.S]

Tim,
You don't actually overlay the pages. The tabs are just buttons that look like tabs, with a jump assigned to the relevent page.

[Timh]

Arthur, thank's for that, I will have to have another play with Photoedit.

Cheer's Duncan, Iv'e managed to make a homepage now, I just need to read the manual a few more times to get it to sink in, I have all my kit programmed now, I just need to spend time sorting out the Macro's, maybe at weekend :) Got your config now, will take a look later.

Cheers
Tim

[ 03-05-2001: Message edited by: Timh ]

[Arthur.S]

<STRONG>I have downloaded the DISCREET codes which are supposed to be used for this very thing, but I have no idea how to program them into the remote, any ideas ?</STRONG>

This is how I prefer to do it. Give it a try.

It's basically a simple copy/paste procedure. The trick is to create a panel first in PE with some plain old buttons, to which you're going to add your discrete codes.
So, in PE, with your CCF open. Go to Panel - Add Panel. If you hold down the shift key, you'll get a completely blank panel, which is what you want. Rename the new panel 'Discretes'. Now add a button. It doesn't matter what it looks like - it won't be seen.
Next, make this panel hidden. To do this, just right click it in the device tree & choose 'Is hidden'. This means that, although you can see it in PE, it can't be accessed once it's in your Pronto.
Assuming you've downloaded the discretes from Remote Central first:
Go to the discrete codes that you want to add. Highlight them by dragging the left mouse button over them. Now RIGHT click on them & select COPY.
Double click the new button in your 'discretes' panel. Under the 'Action' tab, click the RC5/6 button.
Click OK to the box that appears. You should now have [C]RC5 0 0 listed under 'Action'. Double click it.
There will be a line of code already highlighted. Right click on it & select PASTE.
Lastly, click on the highlighted text in the bottom left hand corner of the box, & rename it to what you want the code for. (DVD On or Off, say?)
Click OK, then OK again.
Do the same for all the discrete codes that you want to access.
When you create your 'All On' or 'All Off' macros, use these buttons for the actions instead of the originals.
That's it! Hope it helps.

[ 03-05-2001: Message edited by: Arthur.S ]

[kennydies]

I have had my Marantz Remote for about 18 months and it has started to sporadically reset itself. I will be using it then with a "beep" it goes off, after a few seconds it comes back to life with a double beep. Anyone else had this problem?

Thnaks

[Arthur.S]

Sounds like it's rebooting itself. Something loose maybe?

[Black 5]

Kenny,

Check the batteries are secure and making a good connection. Mine has slipped onto the floor once or twice and the same thing happens then

[kennydies]

Black, Have had the bateries out checked conections. It is a random thing, there is no set time before it resets itself. I shall try the shop. It shouldn't fail after 18 months.
Thanks

[Timh]

I have had my Pronto for 9 days now :), and would like to have a photo of my family on my homepage, can you tell me if this is possible, and if so, how do I do it.
The picture quality probably woudn't look to hot, but I would just like to try it.

Thank's for any help.

Tim

I've had my Pronto for approx 10 months.
I wouldn't be without it, especially the Sky digital channel logos/macros.

[JohnS]

Tim, scan the photo at low res and get it into a paint package, convert to 8bit greyscale, save as bitmap. create frame in prontoedit and load bitmap into it. ;)

[Timh]

John, Thank's for that, I will give it a try later :)


Tim

[Timh]

John, I'm having trouble saving the picture as 8 bit, the option for 8 bit is shaded out, any ideas how to change it :(

Cheers
Tim

[JohnS]

Tim, which paint package are u using?

[Timh]

Thanks John and Arthur, I'm using Mgi-photosuite 8.06 I also have Adobe photoshop 4.0, I could load that and try again.
Arthur, I did convert to greyscale, but it's stuck on 24 bit, also where did you get irfanview from?

Cheers
Tim :confused:

[Timh]

Yes! as that annoying Culkin kid said, Iv'e done it.
Adobe photoshop worked, like I thought the image quality isnt to good, but it's a start.

Cheers
Tim :D

[Arthur.S]

Glad you've got success Tim :) If you still want it: http://www.irfanview.com/

[Arthur.S]

Tim, I use a free programme called Irfanview for this. it's excellent & only about a half meg download. Are you converting to greyscale before decreasing the depth to 8 bit? By the way, Pronto will accept 16 bit bitmaps, so for your homepage this would be a better option anyway. Don't use too many 16 bit pics though, or it'll eat your memory up!

[ 12-05-2001: Message edited by: Arthur.S ]

Frickin hell, when do you guys (no offense ladies but I think I'm basically correct in THAT assumption) ever get time to WATCH a FILM?
There's a wheel off here somewhere... we spend 100's - 1000's of pounds on AV kit then have to shell out again for a gizmo to control it all - it's frickin ridiculous. And then, to cap it all some people actually revel in the fact they spend hours
programming the frickin' thing. You're mad!

I've just bought a load of AV gear and I have to say I am now completely fed up of re-wiring it, changing region codes, input sources, speakers sizes, delays, encodings, cable types, video types, formats etc etc. No one else in my family can operate the thing and even I struggle. It is, quite frankly, ******** (alright then Mr Censor bolleaux).

There thats better.

[ 15-05-2001: Message edited by: Dave N ]

[Arthur.S]

Originally posted by Dave N:
<STRONG>I've just bought a load of AV gear and I have to say I am now completely fed up of re-wiring it, changing region codes, input sources, speakers sizes, delays, encodings, cable types, video types, formats etc etc. No one else in my family can operate the thing and even I struggle. It is, quite frankly, ******** (alright then Mr Censor bolleaux).</STRONG>

When you get fed up with the above Dave....buy a Pronto! ;)

[JohnS]

I've just bought a load of AV gear and I have to say I am now completely fed up of re-wiring it, changing region codes, input sources, speakers sizes, delays, encodings, cable types, video types, formats etc etc. No one else in my family can operate the thing and even I struggle. It is, quite frankly, ******** (alright then Mr Censor bolleaux).

But surely that is what this hobby is all about? :D

[Black 5]

Dave,

I've got just the recommendation for you - you need a Pronto to programme a load of macros so anyone can use the cinema gear :) That's what I did and my better half can now manage it which is a bit like saying I've learnt how to split the atom :)

Ah yes it's all clear now.
"Look darling, for a mere £200 I can get this gadget which turns all the equipment on & off, changes channel and adjust the volume." - "But we already have five remote controls, what the %^$& do they do then?". "Er"

Still I guess the question is Philips Pronto or a Fiat Punto? I believe the Punto supports iconised macro programming interface functionality with cascaded quasi-locking integration of time-based digital scanning which makes it a far better device than your puny Pronto.

And in the words of Roger Waters, all you end up with is "...thirteen channels of ****e on your TV to choose from.".

[Black 5]

Dave,

But nobody ever laughed at me using a Pronto :D

[Timh]

I've had my Pronto for 2 weeks now, and I'm still improving it all the time, endless hours of fun, but no time to watch dvd's :(
Get one and tell the mrs it was £20 not £200.

Tim :D

[mjn]

Dave, no doubt at some point in your life, you've bought something cos you wanted it, not because you needed it!!! the same with a pronto, it's not essential, but what the hell, it looks great, you can customize it, and it's useful!!..only had mine for a few months, but had a Cambridge Audio A1 before that..for over a year...and the girlfriend is happier..as she doesn't have to remember loads of different settings for different bits of av equipment...she knows if she presses a certain button on the pronto, she can watch DVD without hassle...

[delta]

Originally posted by mjn:
<STRONG>Dave, no doubt at some point in your life, you've bought something cos you wanted it, not because you needed it!!! the same with a pronto, it's not essential, but what the hell, it looks great, you can customize it, and it's useful!!..only had mine for a few months, but had a Cambridge Audio A1 before that..for over a year...and the girlfriend is happier..as she doesn't have to remember loads of different settings for different bits of av equipment...she knows if she presses a certain button on the pronto, she can watch DVD without hassle...</STRONG>

How do you rate the Cambridge Audio A1?

[Arthur.S]

To be blunt - it's not in the same league as the Pronto :(

[mjn]

the cambridge A1, is a good basic touch screen remote, it is a learning remote, with 8 devices, but the screen cannot be customized, with different logos or redesigned. However if a button is unsed, it can be hidden to conserve battery life and memory space. Also has 10 step macro ability. also has backlight..but it does eat batteries as, the screen is "always on"

[delta]

Thanks mjn, can the Cambridge truly replace any other remote or are there limitations?

Dave

[mjn]

Well for me, it controlled Sony Widescreen TV, Sony VCR, Pace and Panasonic SKYdigibox, Technics CD, Sony DVD, Yamaha A/V amp, Sony A/V amp. It learnt all these, but with some complex function buttons, you needed to perform learning function 3, 4 or even times 5 to get it right. But i've seen the remote for £50 now in various places, under different names aswell, such as the Angel M1, which is slightly improved aswell. goto www.remotecentral.com (http://www.remotecentral.com)

[delta]

Thanks for your comments and advice mjn.

Dave

[dood]

got my pronto recently from letsautomate - they sure are doing good business from this site!

Initially I didn't think I would get very far with it, the whole programming thing seemed so daunting to a computer ignoramus like me. Anyway I am pleased to say that I have succeeded in getting some CCFs from the remotecentral files in, but I need help with some stuff:

1. How do I get into pronto.ini to change the size (I have the 2 meg 940 unit)

2. How do I save icons into my gallery, they keep going into my home page.

3. Can anyone give me a nice looking home page like Duncan's ie with pics or logos of my equipment - Denon 3300, Sony S525 DVD, Yamaha S700 DVD, Philips VCR, Panasonic VCR, Satellite receiver, Sony TV, Daewoo bedroom TV, Arcam CD.

4. Can someone send me the CCFs for the Philips VR888 VCR, the files I've downloaded from remotecentral come up as "not valid pronto files". Similarly I need a CCf for the Sony TV (34 inch 4:3 not flatscreen).

5. Does anyone have any logos for the South African DSTV Multichoice satellite channels?

I am sure that I will have loads more to ask of you all, any help is immensely appreciated.

[Arthur.S]

hey Dood - where's my car? :D
No seriously, You'd best go to www.remotecentral.com (http://www.remotecentral.com) that's the place to go to learn about the Pronto.
Stick with it, 'cos it's well worth it ;)

Best of luck,

Arthur.

[dUnKle]

I found a hardware site like www.empiredirect.co.uk (http://www.empiredirect.co.uk) had good range of pictures

[mjn]

to edit pronto.ini goto www.remotecentral.com (http://www.remotecentral.com) and goto the utils page...and they have a little program which will edit the pronto.ini for you..so you can change the settings to 2mb...and enable all font sizes etc...