Sorry for the elementary question, but I don't want to buy the wrong kit.

I would like to buy a PDA that I can use ProntoEdit on.
I believe that means I need to buy PDAWIN right???

There is also something called NEVO. Is this a PDAWIN alternative or just a better IR transmitter.

The Compaq iPAQ H3970 looks like it could do the job.

Can anyone post their thoughts on which PDA would help me the most.
( I won't use any of the functionality - except as a TV remote )

Thanks in advance
Gaspode

Nevo is a HW/SW remote solution built into some PDAs, it is made by UEI the makers of one for all remotes. The Nevo SW is not compatible with CCFs (configuration files created in ProntoEdit or Tonto). The latest version from PDAwin can actually use the IR Transmitter that is part of the nevo HW and so negates the need for an added IR device (normal PDA IR is to weak to be useful)

OK, now where do I begin......

In principle, any of the Pocket Pc PDAs will do the job, but there some clear favorites.

To close the software issue first, PDAWin is the way to go if you want to continue with ProntoEdit and CCF files. It ain't perfect, but for $15 it's tremendous value. Forget ProntoLite, it has nothing like the same functionality.

Nevo is an alternative for the software, but it doesn't support CCF files. From the comments on other threads, the functionality for defining the user interface is not as good as PDAWin.

There are other software alternatives, but have a good look through the threads on this forum to get a broad view of what is going on. Me, I use PDAWin, and I'm pretty happy with it.

The key issue with the hardware is IR range. Most (but not all, see below) PDAs do not have the sort of IR range that you need to make a viable remote. To extend the IR range of the PDA, you need an IR Extender of some sort. The most popular seems to come from Electric Dog (see link on the PDAWin site), and this comes in the form of a modified Compact Flash card. If your chosen PDA has a Compact Flash slot (e.g. a Dell Axim), no problem. If it doesn't, like the iPAQ range, then you need to buy an expansion "jacket" with a CF slot. Not megabucks, but something to bear in mind, and it makes the end result a bit bigger.

Personal opinion (and I have an ipaq 3850, with jacket and IR extender), is that the end result looks a bit clumsy, bit it certainly works.

The alternative is to use a PDA with the right sort of IR range. Some more recent IPAQs have the correct IR. The most recent release of PDAWin has the following statement; support for iPAQ 39xx, iPAQ 54xx & iPAQ 22xx build-in CIR module.

Check out other threads for peoples exeperience with these. The issue has been complicated by Nevo trying to close down the market by having an exclusive deal with HP where only the Nevo application could access the upgraded CIR. But it appears that PDAWin has gotten around this.

So you could end up with ProntoPro functionality, on a current ipaq, with no bulky IR extender.

Sounds good to me, but expensive. The Dell Axims offer a budget alternative, but you need the correct model IR extender. Or you could buy an older model ipaq from ebay and add the jacket and IR extender.

Choices, choices, choices

Have fun!!!

it is not a deal, Nevo is a HW/SW package, and the CIR is part of it.

also as other software is concerned, there is something called NETremote (I think) it uses CCFs for the layout, and I have heard good things about it. It was developed as an HTPC controller and as far as I know it just does 802.11b

What is the general feel about the Axim 300mhz as opposed to the 400 mhz. Will PDAwin work fine on either?

I have a Pronto 2000 that has just about died on me and I am considering whether to get another 2000, get a 3000 or use an Axim and have color. The Axim will be used only as a remote control and maybe occasionally for wireless intent access if a SD WiFi card ever comes out.

I have just got an iPAQ 2215 which comes with the Nevo remote software.

A few initial comments:

- This thing is amazingly small, about half as thick as my Pronto TSU1000. The buttons are a little fiddly and the unit may be a little dainty for very beefy types.

- The Nevo software is very inflexible and unless they already have your kit in their IR library you are kind of stuck. It's really only suitable for very vanilla setups IMO.

- I have installed the PDAWin s/w and find it works perfectly (so far) with imported TSU6000 CCF's.

- The IR performance is acceptable in my main family room system at about 15 feet through a smoked plexiglass equipment rack door.

- IR performance is marginal to useless through remote room IR receivers connected through Xantech IR amps to the h/t system.

- Subjectively, the IR performance with PDAWin is better than IR performance with Nevo. Not sure why this would be the case but it seems to be so.

I'll give a further report when I've got the CCF finished but so far so good.

Hello

I got an Axim 300, PDAWIN and IR extender from Electric Dog. the combination works perfectly, and has a good range (I could test 30 feet, this is the limit in my appartment). A few bugs with the ProntoEdit soft, but I believe this is the same with any Pronto hardawre too. You can even use the hard buttons of the Axim. All together an excellent solution for the best cost (3 times cheaper than Pronto 6000, but with 32 Mo).

Hi! I have got a Compaq Ipaq 3870. Running with PDAWin. I am thinking of buying an x10 controller, but will it work? I know the X10 controlunits, are fully pronto compatible. But is it the same with PDAwin ? Will the IR stuff be the same, except for a bit less signalstrength?