One night several years ago, I decided to "try" to learn the programming of a new device I'd acquired, a Pronto TSU1000. That night spilled into daybreak, as I found myself engrossed in the process. I eventually became reasonably facile at it, and programmed each generation of Prontos (and Marantzs), all the way through the Pronto TSU7000.

More than the functionality issue was the fun I had in "creating" with the Pronto. At the time, most of my system components were ensconced behind cabinet doors, requiring that signals be transmitted via RF or via IR emitters. That was a weak link in the system, and I was seduced by my dealer into getting a Crestron system.

The Crestron did prove much more reliable than anything I'd created, and its signal transmission over my home network eliminated the problems. And, now that I've moved and my components are in a different room altogether from the theater room, its network capabilities have proved indispensable.

But Crestron programming is a far cry from programming a Pronto, and I could no longer share in the fun of doing it. More fundamentally, each time I swap a piece of equipment out, it requires expensive new programming, often worth as much as the new piece of equipment itself. I can no longer be hands on.

So, while my Crestron program is still up and running, I've just invested in a TSU9600 and one RFX9600 to begin an eventual "hoped" replacement of the Crestron. I have a number of questions, so I'll begin by delineating my system and its components.

Here are the renamed inputs on my A/V surround processor, describing the functions:


"Movies 1"

Escient DVDM100 controls three Sony DVP-CX777ES 400 disc DVD Changers.

"Movies 2"

Escient DVDM100 controls three Sony DVP-CX777ES 400 disc DVD Changers.

"Music"

Escient DVDM300 controls three Sony DVP-CX777ES 400 disc changers, populated primarily by CDs (some concert DVDs). The changer also contains about 150 SACDs.

"DVD-Audio"

Escient DVDM100 controls one Kenwood DV-5900M 400 disc changer, devoted exclusively to DVD-Audio discs.

"TiVo"

TiVo Series 3 HD DVR, fed from cable.

"Blu-Ray"

Panasonic DMP-BD55K Blu-Ray player (when Sony releases a BD changer, which is expected, I'll go that route along with an Escient controller)

"HD-DVD"

Toshiba HD-A2 HD-DVD player.

A/V Preamp Processor: Denon AVP-A1HDCI

Amplifiers: Halcro MC20 (2), Halcro MC30 (1)

Speakers: PSB Synchrony One 7.2 Setup

Subwoofers: Velodyne HGS-18 (2)

Projector: Sony Qualia 004

Now, I was able to successfully program my Prontos to control the above system (or an earlier incarnation, which was just as complicated). And so, my questions go like this:

1. I'm assuming that my prior experience with programming my Prontos should make it fairly easy to pick up programming the TSU9600. True or false?

2. The problems I experienced in the past with RF and IR emitters, because the equipment was either not in sight or blocked (now by walls), should be eliminated, since I'm transmitting the signals in the same way the Crestron now does. True or false?

3. I am able to use Zone 2 of the Denon to pipe my system upstairs, and a portable Crestron remote permits me to do that from the upstairs. I should be able to duplicate that, although it may cost me the price of another TSU9600 unit. True or false?

4. Assuming I get things up and running, will I be able to use the programming with a TSU9800, assuming I eventually upgrade to that?

Responses and other ideas will be greatly appreciated. I'm hoping to once again have the fun I once did with my Prontos, and I'm likewise hoping that I never pay another Crestron programming bill.

Thanks,

Nick

1. True if you do NOT want to use Prontoscript.
2. Extender control is WiFi from TSU9600 to router. RFX9600 is hard-wired to router.
3. You will likely want 2nd 9600.
4. Yes, TSU9800 only adds 2 hard buttons above that provided by 9600. You should be able to move your config right into it - Presuming you are using PEPV2 and not PEPv1. (search this site/see sticky threads for tips on converting a PEPv1 config to PEPv2 - as codes must be inside "My Database").


EscientPronto will control any of your escients directly via TCP/IP and is reasonably priced. You will pay license fee per remote. See my siggy for link to documentation. Email me on Yahoo for more info or search this forum for EscientPronto.

All of my main theater equipment is in one room. Since the RXF9400 is cheaper, and since it is wireless, I've assumed that it is "preferable" to use the RFX9600 as a more secure connection than wireless. Of course, it's also more money. Am I wrong that I should be gravitating to the RFX9600, or is it overkill?

The upstairs connection should, I imagine, be the RFX9400, because I won't hardwire it to anything. I'm likewise assuming that there is no problem mixing and matching wireless and hardwired within the same system, because it's on the same network. Correct?

Can I start working on my program before getting the TSU9600? I'm assuming it's as simple as downloading the software and starting from there?

Thanks,

Nick

P.S. Thanks, Lyndel, for the offer, and I will take you up on it.

Nicholas,

The RFX9400 and RFX9600 can both be hardwired into the network. The 9400 simply offers the option of wireless. The RFX9600 also adds RS232 serial control as well as relay and power sensing options. At the core they both share the same 4 IR ports.

Yes a RFX9400 and RFX9600 can be in the same system with no problems.

On a side note the Philips Pronto Pro remotes aren’t very good at hopping between wireless access points so if you plan to walk around with it you might be better served with 1 very strong access point rather than multiple ones.

[Link: pakedge.com]
This is what we have had great success with.

Yes you can start programming without having the remote in hand. However you will be unable to learn an IR code directly into the software.

All in all a Pronto Pro remote can do a very large part of what a Crestron or AMX system is capable of. The reliability isn't quite up there but nothing a Panel/receiver reboot doesn't usually fix.

For controlling all your escient stuff, you don't even need an RFX 9600 unit. The Wi-Fi works just fine directly via your router or access point towards the escient units. Now as far as all the other stuff, I would suggest going for an RFX9600, TSU9400 for your home theater (you don't really need the 9600 since you are only controlling single room) and wait a bit more to invest on the TSU9300 (which you can see in another thread here). The graphics in the TSU9400 are not as good as the 9600 but that is up to you. If you intend to do basic programming, I would suggest going with the first generation of PEP because it does not require Prontoscript for RS232 commands (should you need 1 way commands towards your projector or AV receiver). Does you projector and AV receiver carry RS232 connections? Does your Blue Ray player carry RS232 connections? How do you power up your amplifiers or are they signal sensing? Is your screen lowered from a trigger of the projector or does the Crestron unit does that? If all of those are a no, you could very well invest on an RFX9400 unit and use just IR control on your other equipment and I bet that you can find discrete commands for your projector as well.
Demetris

PEP 2.X does not require prontoscript for RS232 commands either. PEP 2 does now allow you to save RS232 commands into the code database making it easier to assign 232 commands to buttons or macros.