For what it's worth, I'd also be happy to work with Philips on implementing something here on RC to support hobbyists, if that's what they would like.

What I am pushing for is as follows: Two certification classes; for want of better terms, Hobbyist and Installer.

The material available to both would be the same. The difference would be something like level 3 which I do not think hobbyists are interested in (I know that neither Lyndel nor I are interested in "Level 3" as we understand it).

AFAIK Level 3 (what I would call Installer) does not give you any additional access but certifies you as an individual that Philips believes has all the proper training and credentials to do the programming and installation of Philips Pronto based systems for re-numeration. This includes the entire Pronto Pro family and covers network setup and troubleshooting of complete installations in a client environment.

It does not imply that a hobbyist isnt capable of doing those things, but states that the Hobbyist has not pursued the Philips certification that they are capable of doing those things. This allows dealers and custom installation operations to announce/advertise that their employees are trained and certified by Philips to program and maintain system involving the Pronto Pro Line of remotes.

I would have no issue if Philips restricted that certification (Installer) to individuals who are professionally employed in the custom installation vocation and can provide satisfactory proof of that.

I too am another Level 2 Certified user who is locked out.

However I am also a professional a/v technician with over 7 years experience. I have installed and programmed a wide array of remotes over the years. Pronto of course being one. I however work for a few different companies over the years. Moving up the ladder.From a smaller outfit to a bigger one to one of the top AV firms in the US.
I do not own the company currently most all installs are either Crestron or Savant and only a very small amount of universal. I choose to switch to using 2 Pronto's TSU9600 and a RFX9600 for my own home after owning the disco'ed Marantz RC9001 and RX9001. I also got screwed on that deal too. I like the ease of programming since I am not a crestron programmer but I do everything else Crestron related. Plus in is more affordable for me and I simply like the prontos look and feel and functions.

So I don't consider myself a DIYER or Hobbyist to say the least.

Where do I fit in? There isn't any written disclousure in any of the paper work that came with my units stating these restrictions. And I don't think Phillips is going to not warrantty there product since that would open up a huge amount of legal issues. So give back what you already gave many of use already as far as access to software updates and such or take back your product. I will gladly send it back to phillips for a prorated refund.

I upgraded from my Marantz to the Phillips to take advantage of the ongoing support in both software and firmware. Not to mention to purcahse Prontoscript licenses from legit programmers.$$$$$$Can I get a refunded from those guys. I don't think so.

You got to be kidding!!!!! Why not discontinue the units and screw everyone and come out with a whole new line.LOL

I guess its time to get rit of it all on ebay again and let phillips loose more of the market to the ipad and iphone.

You would think they would at least fix all the issues with the units first before starting in with this.

You all know these remotes aren't perfect so why treat them like gold!

I appreciate the help provided by Barry and the positive feedback from Philips. Here's my thoughts as this isn't resolved yet: The MSRP for my TSU9600 in Norway is 2200 usd (!!). There is currently no authorized dealer in Norway, the one listed is in Sweden. No amount of money would get an installer here. Do I feel that Philips should allow me to download software and firmware for my 2200 usd product? Yes, absolutely.

I do hope that Philips is serious in creating a service for the hobbyists. While software and firmware is available on this site for the moment, Philips might plug that hole very quickly if they are serious in only letting authorized installers and dealers access to the software required. Philips should think hard about how many potential customers they reach with their current installer network. I guess the number for Norway would be zero. Isn't it better to spread the Pronto line of products to everyone willing to take the time to learn it? Selling a few thousand remotes to tech-savvy home cinema owners is surely better than selling none?

I sure hope this works out for us hobbyists.


Also: If the Pronto team in fact reads this: Top tip for PEP3: Autosave and auto-backup files!


- Regards from a lvl 2 certified TSU9600 owner.

Count me in as a level 2 certified DIYer in Canada (Ottawa) with alot of time and money invested in Philips products over many years.

Same thing happened with NuvoTechnologies products. I was lucky to have completed all my project goals before they locked all DIYers out - otherwise I would have not continued to purchase their products as the support here in Ottawa was horrible (at the time - not sure if thats changed). -gh

If you contact Qualifi in Melbourne you shoul be able to obtain the necessary
passwords

Unfortunately, Philips have got the completely wrong idea with the Pronto. If, from day 1, they had made all the information about configuring and programming it public they would have got more hobbiest programmer (people like Barry Gordon) to start coding for the thing. More people would have bought it, and it would actually cost less and have mass market appeal. I got my first Pronto back 10 years ago because I broke some remotes in a move and decided to try the Pronto. The TSU9600 set-up I use now is primarily a result of my earlier experiences. I don't like normal universal remotes because they are always missing some specific config that I want. However, recently I was expanding my AV set-up to the gym and went with a Harmony Remote. The key reasons were the hassle I have with the Philips device, and the cost of the devices. The only thing the Harmony doesn't do which I want is integrate with my Squeezebox setup (ironic heh?). But now I can get my Android (or iOS) device to integrate with Squeezebox. All I need then is a simple IR blaster, or a device like the RFX9400, and I can get rid of all my remotes and just use the Android devices (maybe an Android tablet with a home coded app?)

This debacle has further worsened my opinion of Philips. The recent problems with wifi reliability after the Dec 09 firmware updates has made me much less enamoured with them, and this set of problems mean I am highly likely to go the Android route.

Further to that, has anyone had any experience with IR blasters and/or serial devices that connect to wifi?

I've just started to look into different products. And so far I find "Global Caché" to be an interesting produkt. With the Irule apps for Iphone, Ipod, Ipad and soon also for Android. Not to expensive either. I've just started to read about it on swedish forum.

Check this products that could be interesting for you

WF2IR
Global Caché WiFi to IR

IP2IR
Global Caché IP to IR

WF2SL
Global Caché WiFi to Serial

IP2SL
Global Caché IP to Serial

Stop calling yourself "hobbyists" or "DIY". Since you were able to buy the product with software and promises of future sofware upgrades you are a customer. A not so satisfied one at the moment I might add.

+1
This sucks.
I bought my pieces of hardware (9600, extender and older 7000) all over the world. Where shall I go now?

Besides, I passed some basic certification exam (level 1?) that Philips made available on-line.. Well, I hope they will re-instantiate my account..

I agree.

This could be part of a larger drama demanding that the distributor reach a certain sales level in order to maintain pricing incentives or continue the line. It may have been in the distributor's best short term interest to dump a few units. In the pre Internet past the dumping had been done quietly and did not cause any great damage. A few people got a good deal and everyone was happy. Now that this sort of deal can be shouted on the Internet, the damage to dealers and manufactureres can be huge.

I've lost whole system sales because of this. A potential customer will stumble across a Pronto priced near or below my cost and conclude that I am attempting to rip them off and walk away. The whole experience creates ill will towards me and other similar dealers. This is too bad because they'll probably go on to get a great deal on an inferior system that will not meet their objectives.

Last week I had a potential customer (refered to me by my distributor) open the conversation by asking if I minded if he purchased his own units because he could get a good price on the Internet. This was before he even asked for my price or gave me complete details about the scope of his project.

If you follow the link in the email received you can activate your account and keep your cert levels. Try again or contact the Prontoteam.

There is currently no authorized dealer in Norway, the one listed is in Sweden. No amount of money would get an installer here. Do I feel that Philips should allow me to download software and firmware for my 2200 usd product? Yes, absolutely.

Peculiar you found a price ibut no dealer in Norway ,and that price is well above the recommended end user price.

If you contact Glenn Norli Jörgensen at Mono AS www.mono.no they will direct you to the nearest installer reseller.
Mono is our subdistributor to supply Prontos in Norway.



Peter Altavox/ Pronto sweden/denmark/norway

All due respect Mike, this is the Pronto Pro section.

OK we have now a well defined critisism and we all know that Prontoteam are monitoring this forum and I believe, this thread in particular.

Give them a chance to digest this feedback and take a cup of coffee and concetrate on all the good stuff thats availible. All the published firmware and software is still availible as we speak.

Many of the people here with good contact with the team have given their input and we have to await their response.

I dont believe any more flaming is needed, your point has gone through, so rest your case for awhile and wait for the outcome.