harmony vs Pronto

[lankor]

hi,

i have purchased a harmony 895 last week, and is working well but i think the built feels a bit plastic and also icons are not very sharp.

i am looking at alternatives such as philips pronto TSU9600, cost is generally not an issue.

However, will pronto generally have better built quality?
Also, are they easily customisable to setup macros etc, a large database of products code as i find the harmony series setup extremely easy.

many thanks

alan

[Bimbeemer]

oh no...not the Pronto vs Harmony question...quick everyone run and hide...this could get ugly..

[lankor]

not trying to arouse a fight, genuinely just want to know what other options are available in the market and ease of use.

[Paulie-W]

Tons of info over at remotecentral.com

Having had both, i think they have pro`s and con`s but i do prefer Harmony just for the one handed operation and hopping about.

[cerebros]

I recently went from Pronto to Harmony (well,still got the Pronto)

I can't believe the full RRP of the Harmony is £180 (ok I know no-one pays that much). Compared to the Pronto it feels cheap and insubstantial.

I also don't really like the feel of the buttons for around the screen - you have to look at the remote to figure out which one you're pressing, and the fast text buttons are too small.

I also don't like the way you can't do macro's on the Harmony - before all Harmony fans jump up and down, yes I know about activities, but there's still a need for macros to be available within those activities (for example to adjust dynamic range on my amplifier whilst in the "Watch DVD" activity). I haven't been able to get the supposed work-arounds to work yet.

[Paulie-W]

Originally Posted by cerebros

I also don't like the way you can't do macro's on the Harmony - before all Harmony fans jump up and down, yes I know about activities, but there's still a need for macros to be available within those activities (for example to adjust dynamic range on my amplifier whilst in the "Watch DVD" activity). I haven't been able to get the supposed work-arounds to work yet.

Slightly off topic, but have you tried learning the macros from the pronto to the harmony? Bad gramma lol

[cerebros]

Yeah, that's one of the work-arounds I've tried, but as I say, I've not had any joy yet in getting it to work

[Paulie-W]

hornydragon bought mine off me to do just that. I don`t know weather or not it might be worth pm-ing him about it.

[czzer]

Originally Posted by cerebros

I also don't like the way you can't do macro's on the Harmony - before all Harmony fans jump up and down, yes I know about activities, but there's still a need for macros to be available within those activities (for example to adjust dynamic range on my amplifier whilst in the "Watch DVD" activity). I haven't been able to get the supposed work-arounds to work yet.

How about having 2 "Watch DVD" activities...one for each dynamic range setting you want.

[Crustyloafer]

Originally Posted by lankor

not trying to arouse a fight, genuinely just want to know what other options are available in the market and ease of use.

I can highly recommend the NevoSL which I use myself. It is hugely flexible and easy to use and program and has a considerably nicer display then some of the Harmonys. If cost is not an issue as you say then you owe it to yourself to try one of these out.

I am also a qualified installer and programmer for these units so if you did need any advice on programming it I'm sure I could help out.

Here are a couple of pics of some of the screens from my own personal unit:

[clockworks]

Originally Posted by lankor

hi,

i have purchased a harmony 895 last week, and is working well but i think the built feels a bit plastic and also icons are not very sharp.

i am looking at alternatives such as philips pronto TSU9600, cost is generally not an issue.

However, will pronto generally have better built quality?
Also, are they easily customisable to setup macros etc, a large database of products code as i find the harmony series setup extremely easy.

many thanks

alan

Prontos certainly have better build quality, but they are too big for most people to use one-handed, and the touch screen means you actually have to look at the remote.

Programming is a lot more complex than with a Harmony, unless you can find a config file that includes all your equipment - loads of sample files at remotecentral.com.
There is no comprehensive official code database - you either learn all the codes, or rip them from other people's config files.

On the positive side, a Pronto can be made to almost anything. The limitation is your imagination and patience. Expect to spend a few weeks getting everything "just so". For some people, owning/programming a Pronto becomes a hobby in itself!

If you want a top quality, easy to use, simple to program (your dealer will program it for you), remote, look at the Nevo SL.

[lankor]

cool, i will look foward to purchase a nevosl