Pronto TSU3000 from the states ?

[mrmcdean]

Hi

Ive had an old Pronto for the past 5 or 6 years and love it but as my system has been upgraded ive lost the ability to change my configuration mainly because I no longer have a serial port on my PC.

I know I could get an adapter but it sounds less than reliable and it would be nice to get a newer model.

Ive been looking at the TSU3000 as they seem to be a good price as long as I can find someone willing to ship from the US, I assume that although they were for the US market I woudnt have any problems using one over here, is that correct ?

Also, I If got one with a docking station and battery how would I go on using it (If indeed I could) in the UK? Im not up on the different power systems here and in the states, could I just plug a UK adaptor from my old pronto (assuming the connector is the same size) into a US dock or would this "blow it up"?

Cheers

[hornydragon]

£15 USB to serial adapter from Maplin?

[cybrey]

The man is looking for an excuse to upgrade must you trample on it with a cheap alternative.

[mrmcdean]

Thanks for the responses,

Indeed I do really want to update and thought i'd found an excuse

Ive read a little about the adapters to convert to USB and they sound a little hit and miss, some people report that one particular type works more often than not (but not 100%), im not that technical so if the adapter doesnt work out of the box I dont have a chance and its £15 - £20 up the swaney.

Ive seen a couple of TSU 3000 for sale in the UK so I assume that they are pretty much the same as the UK version, as long as they cope with the same signals and work with UK equipment, I can always use normal rechargeable batteries if the charger doesnt work.

[stoobie]

My colour RU990 (TSU7500) has a Philips adapter that says

Input 240~50hz 60mA

Output 12v===400mA

And although my remote is an RU990 the docking station that came with it is a DS7500 so I assume all the docking stations are US/EURO and it is just the adaptor that plugs in that is different.

My Marantz RC5400 (same as the TSU3000) has exactly the same adaptor.

Take a look at your Pronto power supply on your old adaptor and see if that is the same.

There are loads of threads on remotecentral.com that say the only difference is the adaptor and if your old one fits you don't have the expense of getting one.

One thing I should add is the built in database of codes is very US/EURO biased, but 99% of people don't rely on that and rather download the codes from remotecentral or learn their own.

Also if you plan to use RF they are NOT interchangeable! So you will need to buy the matching RF extender if you plan to go that far.

Lastly, if you use X10 here in the UK the EURO Pronto can control that out of the box, if you use the US pronto you need an IR to Euro RF converter.

So in essence, although a US Pronto may seem a cheap alternative, as long as you plan only to use IR it is OK.

If you are more adventurous, by the time you have bought a power adaptor, RF extender and the IR to RF converter, you may be in the realms of the UK price in any event.

The USB to Serial adapter thing is a different ball game and I think some have missed how it works. You STILL NEED you old cable (or replacement) the USB to serial discussion is regarding new PCs/Laptops that have no serial port to plug the cable (the one you lost) into, so you get a USB to serial and plug that into the computer and then plug the pronto cable into that.

That must be the best excuse ever to upgrade as you need to buy two cables to do anything

A bit long winded but hope it assists

Stoobie

[mrmcdean]

Hi Stoobie

Thanks for your reply.

Ive checked the adaptor and its got the following power ratings:

230~50 81ma

12v===700ma

So would this be OK to use with a US dock ??

To be honest the RF feature didnt really occur to me as I dont think I use anything like that at present. I just use my old pronto to point at the TV with all my stuff on the stand underneath. In fact im not too sure about the RF stuff anyway. I assume its for when equipment is out of sight ? Not really a problem for me.

Apologies for being a little thick but am I right in saying that RF is used to get a signal from my new Pronto (assuming I get one) to equipment that I choose to keep in a cupboard. The RF signal goes to an RF extender in the same cupboard with my equipment, this would then convert the signal back to a signal the equipment could understand ??

If thats correct then im not too bothered about RF to be honest, I have big plans for the future (dedicated room etc.) but they are just pipe dreams so im not looking to spend huge amounts on a remote at present (just bought a DVD recorder & Panasonic TV so the wife would kill me !!).

If I can get a reasonably cheap remote that I can try to programme myself that will work with my kit (mostly Panasonic now) and ideally just plug in my old adaptor to a US docking station then that would do me fine.

Thanks again for your help.

[stoobie]

I'd say providing the polarity is correct and the plug fits, you should be OK

The RF issue is sort of how you imagine. Yes, the Pronto and RF extender were initially used to control items that were in cupboards and you are correct in saying they translate the codes from the Pronto IR to RF sending to the extender which translates it back to IR.

But here in the UK the RF is the same frequency that most RF equipment uses, such as remote control lights, remote control powered sockets, cordless central heating thermostats, remote control curtains and blinds, remote garage doors etc. In theory the Pronto can control all those if you know the codes to send (you cannot easily learn RF codes). So don't just go and buy any old RF remote control stuff as you may never work out the codes.

But having said that, X10 is becoming popular here and you can get all sorts of control modules that the Pronto can control very easily with the codes that are easily obtained.(X10 uses the electrical circuit in the house to send signals) For example, I use my Pronto to turn sidelights on and off and dim them using plug in controllers. I have my video equipment plugged into controllers so that when I turn off at night they go off at the wall. I have my down-lighters set up with an in-line controller that dims and turns on and off. I also have my outdoor light on X10 so that I can turn them on/off from my chair especially if I hear a noise outside. And I even have the kettle in the kitchen plugged into a controller so that when I'm watching TV etc I can turn the kettle on to boil before the ads and it is ready as soon as they start

Your home theatre room control can easily be achieved by using X10 and it is not too expensive. All you need for dimming and powering on/off for 2 sidelights is an X10 plug in reciever (you have to have 1 and it also has an on/off plug socket ) a plug in dimmer module at about £20 to £25. You can also retro fit X10 to your overhead lights for about £50 and the modules for on/off (no dimming) are also about £25. (all are even cheaper on ebay). So you can star building up to it all now.

Take a look here to get an idea of what you can get!

http://www.letsautomate.com/index.cfm?&Nav=X10&

Just remember if you have a Euro RF capable Pronto don't let anyone talk you into buying the IR to RF converter for X10. you do not need it and not everyone realises it!

Excuse me trying to spend all your hard earned cash for you but if you are going down that route eventually give it some further thought. I didn't buy it all at once, but each time I had a few £ to spare I bought another socket or whatever.

Good luck and I'm happy to help further!

Stoobie

[mrmcdean]

Hi Stoobie

Thanks for your response again, you've certainly given me more to think about. I had heard of X10 but didnt really look into it (I sort of thought it was a half baked way of adding certain control elements but ive obviously been rather hasty there).

I may well go for the adaptor route then and save up my pennies for a more sophisticated remote later on.

Thanks again.