Hi,

I have had a TSU7500 for ever now. I using Prontoedit NG do edits, etc. Pretty much created a theme like years ago when I first got it and just kept changing/editing as hardware changed over the years.

Now I have had a TSU9600 for a little while now and although I have been searching and reading here for but, I just cant clear up some questions.

I installed 3 versions on a Windows 7 x32 Vm I created (can backup the whole VM and it's fairly portable)

-ProntoEdit NG (for my 7500)
-ProntoEdit_Professional_1_1_20
-ProntoEdit_Professional_2_4_18

1. Can I use my configurations from my 7500 to keep my old codes but, they were not setup the best and a lot of them were learned ? Or should I start over and copy each IR config into the DB one by one ? What can I use this old config for ?

2. According to what I read, 1.1 is for importing and converting files. Where do you actually do the design of the new file for the 9600, should you be using 2 or start in 1.1 and import into 2 ? Trying to find the solid advantage for keeping both on my system when creating a new file ?

3. When I first got my 9600, I did the first thing, get the newest version of the software (3.0 beta) and updated the firmware. If I am importing in via 2.4 is this going to be a problem or do I need to DOWNGRADE the firmware if yes, is this easy ?

4. Can layers be used on 2.4 if so, how do you do this ?

Example, I want to have a see through PNG on the top layer. I want to have buttons on a strip (3 buttons) another clear PNG, So when a option is selected I could have the buttons slide across to move for the button selected.

So I would be looking at 3 layers on the home page, TOP, buttons then a background. Or should I just do the old method if creating pages for each stage, and one by one hop page to page for the animation(like I had to do on the 7500) ?

Just trying to understand the whole process of software and what I need to be doing for the BEST results and not spend days on something that I will have to stat over.

Thank you and sorry for all the questions.

Another quick question...

Can the power button be used as a toggle type thing by holding the button for like 5 seconds ?

For example,

Push the power button > macro runs to turn system on
Hold the power button for 5 seconds > Run a different macro to shut everything off.

How is this done ?

I've replied to a number of threads such as yours over the years per those migrating from a TSU7x00 to a TXU9x00. One of the better examples of this can be found here. Irrespective of which PEP editor you decide to use my reply in that thread will answer a number of the questions you've posted here. In the very early days of the TSU9600 I also posted a highlight reel of sorts per the advantages of the TSU9x00 over the TSU7x00. You can find that thread here. Recommend that you perform some forum searches as well. You'll find a number of forum threads similar to yours here which should be helpful.

Again, Thanks for your help... So far you have saved me a day or 2. I owe you a beer or 2 !

Trust me when I say it, I was searching this site to the hill. The power thing I could not figure out, so that is why I created a new thread.

I am using Pronto Edit Professional 2.4.18, I imported my file from my 7500 but, I guess I was not doing it right. So I had to manually copy my IR files.

I think I got things working now. So more questions I have...


1. How do I put system icons on another page ? I created a pull down menu, I want it to show status (battery, Wi-Fi, etc).

2. Pronto Settings. How do a create a link to the built in pronto settings ?

One big things I would like to figure out, is how to interface with Windows Media Center on the Pronto. There was a program/plugin called "ProntoMediaCenter" but, I emailed the dev and they no longer support it and wont sell it. I would love to get a feature set, like opening a movie on the WMC and see the meta data on the remote. or seeing music on the remote. etc... true 2 way support. I do know it's possible but, how is the big question.

I am created a theme based on Windows Media Center and created some animations that moves like media center. If any interest, WHEN I AM DONE, I will post it...Not easy to change tho..

Thanks again for your help !

I am sure I will run into more questions but, dam so far so good.

I only use PEP v2 to temporarily load my PEP v1 XCF into the Simulator per testing ProntoScript, so perhaps others will chime in on this as well. That being said, I know you can simply copy/paste any of the System Items on to other pages of your configuration file in addition to changing their appearance. There's no way to address them with ProntoScript as far as I know though, at least not directly. What you're looking to do may or may not be possible. Again, perhaps others will chime in. Also, there's no longer such a thing as the "Settings" special action as there was in PPENG per adding said action to a button's action list. This isn't even possible with PEP v1, something I made the Pronto Team aware of back when I was beta testing the editor for them. Sadly, it was never addressed. As I said before though, you can copy/paste and change the appearance of any of the System Items. And as far as two-way control of WMC, that's above my pay grade sadly. For my purposes I didn't need two-way control thankfully. I run My Movies for WMC7. That's all I use WMC for. It's my 10 foot interface solution per browsing my Blu-ray collection and initiating playback of a given disc. In any event, good luck with your configuration file. Sounds like you're well on your way.

I built my whole project in PEP 2... Figured as I would be starting over 100% and my old theme on my 7500 was a convert from my old 1000 with some minor updates. I did do it on a Windows 7 x32 VM so I made my whole remote build portable.

I tried My Movies... and gave it a valid shot for about 2 months, Had nothing but issues with it and support for basic questions for a non-free plugin was a pain to get addressed. I even did a full report when I was done as I gave up.

I'll try to see if I can "copy and paste" the system icons over to a new location. Is there a way to make a link to the Pronto internal settings ? I wanted to create a button that goes right there.

Ok, system icons and link to settings were easier than I thought.... I created a new panel, right clicked, then there was the options, After creating the new shortcut, then I just copied them over to the new spot... Although I wish I could change the graphics on them, they do work in the new pull down menu I created.

Settings tho looks like that wont be a problem changing it up a little. Cool...

Now 2 way interface on Windows Media Center and I think I would be exactly where I want to be :)

Here's another question. So I downloaded the MCE file using MCEController to use WMC over IP and after getting my 9600 on the Wi-Fi, it works awesome. I could be on the other side of the house and not have any issues controlling it.

[Link: files.remotecentral.com]

This brings up another question. If Wi-Fi is down for some reason (it does happen time to time) or the Pronto is not connected because of timeout etc. This will cause this part to NOT control the WMC at all and the buttons to do nothing.

Is it possible to do a script in the jump command to CHECK if it's connected to Wi-Fi, if not, go back to a dup page that has IR codes (so it still works). Something that takes a split second, not a 1 min check.

Or should I just get a RFX9400, put everything on the IR blasters and call it a day ? I have a RFX6000, can this be used with the 9600/9800 ?

David,

I will answer working backwards.

3) The RFX6000 cannot be used.

2) Using ProntoScript, there is a way to tell if not connected to Wifi. You have to check Wifi status with script and then act accordingly. You mention use of RFX9400 and IR. What you should note is that if WiFi is not working to MCE, connection to an RFX9400, unless in standalone mode, will not work either. If you put the Pronto into Standalone mode, you will not be able to access the internet because the RFX and Pronto enter into a 2 node ad-hoc network.

1) From Dev Guide, you will want to see Appendix A - Note that firmware 7.2.22 or higher is required on the TSU9600 for the 2nd function System.getNetLinkStatus():

A.1.1.9. activity.wifiEnabled
(available since application version 5.0.3)
Purpose
Allows restarting, enabling and disabling the network interface, if it is enabled in the configuration file.
Read/Write : RW
Value : Boolean
Reads out true if the network interface is enabled, false if the network interface is disabled.
When writing true to this property, the network interface will be restarted.
Setting this property to false will cause the network interface to be disabled (conserving battery
power), until an activity switch is performed.


The above allows you to turn network on/off to see if interface is enabled
and this allows you to retrieve current netlink status. You will also want to have a look at System.addEventListener() and System.removeEventListener() if you want the control panel to report status changes without you having to query using System.getNetLinkStatus().


A.12.1.11. System.getNetlinkStatus()
(available since application version 7.2.4)
Synopsis
System.getNetlinkStatus()
Purpose
Obtain the control panel's network interface status.
Parameters
None.
Return
String
Either “disabled”, “sleeping”, “wifi-disconnected”, “wifi-noip”, “wifi-standalone”,
“wifi-level1”, “wifi-level2”, “wifi-level3”, “wifi-level4”, “ethdisconnected”,
“eth-noip” or “eth-ok”.

Thanks for the ideas, I will spend some time with the Dev guide to see if I can figure this one out.

Right, if I get a RFX9400(I don't own one right now) and use standalone mode, switch my codes to IR for everything (remove the MCEController program) and set up IR blasters. I should not have a problem here IF Wi-Fi goes down for a reason.

Just want the remote to WORK even if Wi-Fi is down for some reason (rare but it does happen)

Remember that RFX9400 and TSU9600 form an ad-hoc Wi-Fi network. So, if your issues are due to a neighbor incringing on your channel or other types of interference, your ad-hoc network may suffer the same fate.

Also, when you do this, you cannot access anything on the outside network such as weather.com for weather feeds, etc...

So, the RFX9400 creates it's own Wi-Fi network ? In remote control, my first priority is to have it control devices. So that will be standalone and at this point it's exactly what I am looking for.

It's not that I am worried about interference from external networks, I am worried about the crappy Wi-Fi router I have, or sometimes taking my server down (AKA: No internet) to do work on it, where the remote does not control everything. If it works on it's own, if there is no internet, then it should still control devices.

I ended up picking up a RFX9400 for $20 on ebay (score !!!!), so I'll have to read through the manual to get it setup in standalone mode, remove the MCEcontroller codes and put in IR codes for it.

I did find out the hard way by depending in Wi-Fi and using the MCEcontroller codes, I watched a movie (after selecting the device on the remote, not using it for about 2 hours), it lost Wi-Fi (sleep ?), and the Media Center controls no longer worked, I had to back to the home pages and re-select to get it to work again. This is unacceptable for a remote control and a "check for Wi-Fi option" would not help at all here.

If the RFX9400 will get it's own network, and not have to worry about dropping out like that, then it will resolve my issue then it would be worth it.

As for external sources (weather.com etc), if plug the network cable into a router to the RFX9400, will that allow internet based options or going to the 9400 kill all 3rd party options like that ?

Thanks again for everything !

WiFi routers are easy to swap or bypass. As you setup your RFX9400, use channel 1, 6, or 11. It is probably best to use a different channel than your WiFi, but in very cluttered areas same channel may work best.

As Lyndel indicated, in ad-hoc mode, the TSU9400 has no access to the WiFi network nor will the RFX9400 provide network access for the TSU9400.

If you continue with the TSU9400 in WiFi mode, experiment with your router's b/g/n compatibility settings. You might find a combination that is more compatible with Pronto, but at the expense of speed for the other clients.

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I'm not doing much with Pronto at present, certainly not any new Pronto systems, but just this week I'm swapping a customer's DVD player and adding ROKU to a Pronto controlled system. Yes, that slow WiFi logon issue is growing stale. The system is located in an urban, crowded WiFi area and the TSU9600 is struggling. Once the connection has been established, it works well -- till the connection times out. We plan to swap out the Pronto. We'll be using a pad. While I can certainly get a more modern looking user interface on the pad, I miss the hard buttons. Curiously, customers don't seem to miss the hard buttons -- especially the younger ones who are always looking for excuses to stroke their pad.

I don't have a TSU9400, I have a TSU9600...and I am looking for a TSU9800 once I find one for the right price I will be upgrading (I am assuming the 9800 was the best pronto made)

That was a typo, but the TSU9600 is the same as the TSU9400 with respect to WiFi.