I'm working on a distributed audio set-up utilizing some ADA equipment and an Escient at the head end. Within each zone I am setting the hard volume buttons to control the ADA amps volume via an Extender. When using an Escient device and the updated Pronto Edit and updated 9600 firmware I now have access to the hard buttons, but I can not tell it to send the IR commands to the Extender because the Extender list is missing in the Device Properties/Settings.

Is this just an oversight when they added this hard-button/Escient functionality or is there another way to do this?

Thanks.

Alias (link) the hard button assignments under the Escient device to buttons under a different (Non-Escient/Lutron) device setting that device to use the appropriate extender.

Just to clarify a bit for you...
It's the device the actual IR codes are under which governs how those codes are sent via the remote. As such, most people have dedicated devices just for storing the IR codes for each peice of equipment they'd like to control with the remote. In turn, each device is set to use the proper communication method based on the physical setup of the corresponding peice of gear. From there one simply links to the IR codes under these devices throughout the rest of their configuration file. Following this approach the settings tab is not even used under the devices throughout the rest of ones configuration file. The settings tab is only used under each of the dedicated devices used to store the IR codes.

Very good, this will save some time too.

Unfortunately, it's not clear this is the preferred method when building from scratch and being a Pronto noob. The manual doesn't really help in this regard and the sample files are a bit too complex to grasp the intricacies.

Thanks again Low...

I guess I should have said that this is the preferred method among the enthusiast community here at RC and not what most people do, though they should. :-)

For all who may not understand how the Escient Devices on the TSU9600 function...

There is a Wi-Fi Extender in use for the Escient (defined in ConfigEdit.xml) that you are not aware of and that does not show up on the Escient Device Properties page. There cannot not be 2 extenders in use for a single device.

As a result, Philips now supports "Hard Buttons" properties page for the Escient device without also supporting an "Extender Page". This change allows users to create a sibling device where you may define Hard Button Codes and then link to them from the new Hard Buttons Page in the Escient Device Properties. The end result, although a bit quirky at first glance, provides for Multi-zone support for Escient devices.

Lyndel

Lyndel, I am going to be purchasing an MX531 series Escient and will have two TSU9600 is separate areas. The Escient will be hooked up to an amp that has 2 zones. While I don't want to be able to listen to different music from two locations, I do want to be able to control the music and have two way communicaton from either TSU9600.

Based on your post above, it sounds like I can have control from either TSU9600 by setting up the sibling device, but will I get the meta data on whichever device I am at that moment using to control the Escient?

The TSU9600 does not support multi-zone escient control. Yes, you can have 2 remotes talking to a single music/movie server. However, you would need 2 IP addresses for the Escient or multi-zone support in the pronto.

I don't think the problem you mention can be addressed at this time or in the near future unless Escient supports 2 IP addresses for the MX531.

FYI, if this is important, you might consider sending an email to the pronto team:

prontoteam at philips dot com.

Lyndel, when you say that the 2 remotes could talk to the mucis server, what do you mean? Would I be able to see meta data on both Prontos?

You would ONLY if each pronto is configured to communicate using separate IP addresses (1 IP address per zone). I highly recommend that to avoid speculation, you contact Escient directly. Unless you have 2 separate IP addresses, all bets are off.

With a single IP address, you should be able to see metadata on both remotes with limitations. If user A selects a song on Remote #1 and plays, and then user B selects a different song on Remote #2, the last person to select and play "WINS". The actions from both users affect only Zone #1.

Lyndel, thanks for your response. I have just ordered the Escient and once I get it set up, I will let you know how everything works together (or doesn't).