The following page was printed from RemoteCentral.com:
Before you continue!
This file area has been replaced with a newer one! As of 2011, this section is no longer being updated, and some files may show as unavailable. For free access to all of these downloads and many newer ones, visit our NEW file area at: http://files.remotecentral.com
You are currently browsing through the Philips Pronto NG TSU3000, TSU3500, RU950, RU960, ProntoPro NG TSU7000, TSU7500, RU980, RU990, Marantz RC5400 & RC9500 file area. To return to the beginning click here.
Ever get tired of the same old graphics on your Pronto? My design is theme based: each user can have their own theme! Or, a user can change themes every week or month. The button colors and backgrounds change, but the button placement is the same for all themes. My design has elegant buttons, a simple navigation system, and can be easily customized for any user.
This PCF design is based on LCARS (Library Computer Access and Retrieval System), the graphical computer interface seen on certain Star Trek TV series. There are control pages for a TV, DSS receiver, TiVo, ReplayTV, Receiver, DVD player, LaserDisc player, 2 VCRs, CD player, tuner, tape deck, video games, lights, and curtains.
A few of the standard system items have been replaced to take advantage of the whole LCD and create a complete design:
The activity icon is now a Star Trek phaser and pops up while the Pronto transmits.
The battery gauge is a functioning LCARS-style battery gauge.
Pressing and holding the circular blue logo for 3 seconds takes you to the Pronto's setup pages.
Additional Info:
To go to the Home page at any time, press the lower-right "Home" hard button.
I tried to leave all device functionality as generic as possible, hopefully allowing most people to use this PCF in their own system without much customization beyond programming their device's IR codes. To simplify programming, a "Codes" page under each device contains buttons with the IR codes for that device. The actual device buttons link to these buttons for their IR codes.
SECOND PLACE WINNER! Chloe is a device oriented PCF for TV, DVD, VCR, AMP and LIGHTING. The file has a unique colorful 3D interface with transitional animations. Each device has a single page and makes use of the “firm” buttons, which are labelled on the LCD screen. Included is a template page for other devices or to flesh out included devices. All buttons have “delay” placeholders. Try it in the simulator to see the animations!
My system design is based in a completely custom operating environment with all custom graphics and animation. It was designed for ease of use and to have a high WAF rating. (That’s Wife Appreciation Factor!) It can operate on either device or action based depending on the user’s preference.
Device based operation is accessible by simply touching the device banner at the top of the screen and selecting the desired device from the list. Action based operation, including system power, is accessed by pressing the home button. The lower left hard action buttons are direct access to a surround mode and a multi zone page. All page navigation within each device can be accessed with either the side toggle or the 4 screen hard buttons, which have selection feedback to identify each page. All page transitions use a simple morphing animation. I believe that the design’s best feature is that my wife actually uses it to control my bedroom system without my help and with very little explanation of how it works.
Inviting splash screen introduces the location of the remote, the designer, and features inviting background art.
Color-coded functionality, allowing easy discernment between video and audio functions. The user may simply glance at the remote to find where they are.
Directions are provided on pages that may need instructions to continue use.
Subdued background art demonstrates the selected function without overpowering displayed buttons.
Latching source buttons that glow to let the user know exactly where they are.
Pages are titled to further assist the user in navigating through the remote.
Sides of the touchscreen and hard buttons are reserved for consistent mode buttons. The center of the remote is the active use area.
Maximum icons are used to minimize required reading. Text is provided only when icons will not suffice to explain the button’s function.
Well-placed and sized buttons allow a wider variety of finger sizes to use it.
Button placements are consistent, regardless of the function, source, or mode selected, allowing less required reading for the user during normal use.
An all-new design with device specific buttons, backgrounds, and bottom “activity” bars for the four hard buttons at the bottom of the touch screen. I personally prefer pages with as few buttons as possible, so my PCF file reflects this minimalist approach. The way one changes devices in this PCF is by using the “NavMode” hard button at the bottom of the remote. On every page this button will take you to the “Device Overview Template” page, where you can then switch to different devices.
I have reworked the majority of the buttons I created for the TSU3000 in color for the TSU7000. I’ve also created several new color buttons as well. “Action buttons” for a variety of activities are included as well as logo “panels” for labeling specific devices from a number of different manufacturers. New color television station buttons are included in the “Surf” section of the Tivo device and the Hughes DSS device. Hope you enjoy my work!
Special credit goes to www.DigitalBlasphemy.com for the background anemone images included in my .PCF file.
The result of my design: 134 custom-made buttons (not counting spacers & labels)! My favorite button is the volume toggle in the lower right page. Here's what's unique about my configuration:
Consistent frame-based GUI with three button groups in frame: TOP: device selection with trinary button states - pressing a pressed button in the main page of a device executes a setup macro with auto-power-on, etc. LEFT: device specific buttons, e.g. TiVo: Favorites, Thumbs Up/Down, Slo-Mo BOTTOM: “orthogonal” (e.g. X-10 & Amplifier are always needed independent media devices), or common functions (Keypad)
Modifier buttons, when pressed once, lead to an extra screen – when pressed again they lead back to same device
Eye pleasing “soft” design with fairly correct lighting (shadows, etc.) and well balanced colors
Simplicity – one page operation with most common functions
No confusing clutter (I put in time, date & battery for completeness only... I actually prefer it without those items, but it's easier to erase them than to integrate them later)
The activity signal is still visible, though barely taking up any space now
RUNNER UP! This PCF is a modified version of the one I use on my remote. It has continued to change and be enhanced almost every day for two months! Most of the buttons have been redone several times to look right on the actual remote. Things you might miss a first glance are:
Buttons that blend into the background (on the side and top bars).
Shadows on some buttons and text. On the actual remote the home page buttons actually seem to float above the background.
In the “Power Center”, rocker switches that seem to work when pressed.
All buttons have a “pressed” state.
“Filmstrip” Dish Network TV icons on the favorite pages
“Visual” independent lighting control for the Home Theatre.
Password protection lockout sample on the home page; click on the padlock.
Animated countdown timers runs in macros, giving user feedback to wait.
Magnifying glass on help page.
A tools “mini remote” page for the basic TV and AV receiver functions from most devices.
Cursor buttons on the screen as well as the hard buttons. My wife likes the soft buttons and I like the hard buttons. One remote does it both ways!
If you're looking for animations and wild colors, then this PCF is not for you. It was designed with the older generation in mind, with nice big buttons, large text and a simple but effective layout. All buttons have a pressed and released state image. As on all of my PCFs, I have included the cursor buttons on the screen as well as the hard buttons. XaraX was used entirely for the design.
I decided to do something a little different on this PCF! You will find very few buttons that are ovals, circles or rectangles. Each type of button has its own unique shape and shading. Most of the text is on a curve to match its button. Almost every button is semi transparent to some degree using the PNG alpha-transparency. Most buttons have a pressed and released state. The pressed and released buttons are interchangeable, so you could change the color scheme of the PCF by changing these two buttons around.
There are sequences of lightning strikes that can be "animated" into your macros, so it looks like a lightning storm when the macro runs. The cursor buttons are both on the screen and the hard buttons.
