I see that PEP v2 installes a Windows system service "Pronto Data Server".

That means even when I don't work with the Pronto editor, which is most of the time, it uses valuable system resources. 50 Mb Ram and 57 Mb Virtual memory on my computer.
Anyone know for what reason there have to be a server active even if PEP v2 does not run?

This service is required for Database functionality.

I too wondered why the service could not be set to Manual Mode instead of launching when requested by the editor. I suspect the answer is due to the amount of data that must be processed and readily available to the editor as well as the fact that SQLLite database engine that is used under the covers.

It can be turned off but you MUST start it prior to launching PEPv2.

On XP, you can turn this service off via the Service Control Panel. Start->Run->services.msc

I know how to turn it off but why is it always running? Why doesn't PEP v2 start this service on program start?

If it doesn't do anything when PEP v2 isn't running Philips should not install it as a Windows service.

Email Philips if you like.

Done.

Yes, I noticed this one too - it's rather a lot of memory.

My video editing software ties into a database and starts up services whenever the software is loaded, but unloads them when it's finished. It takes rather a while to start, but it leaves no footprint when not being used.