I'm thinking of replacing my RU990 with a 9600. I don't actually need RF / wireless (although controlling lights is tempting) but I do like the styling of the 9600 and I know the screen is much better. But I have a couple of questions :

1) I have no problem programming my existing pronto using pronto edit. I usually learn the codes and then upload to the PC - but I understand that upload is not possible with the 9600. So how do you learn? I assume that it can be done by prontoedit while the 9600 is connected to the PC? (I do have a couple of prontos so I can just cut and paste codes if it's all too complicated)

2) From the system files on here, it looks like it's possible to fit quite a few more buttons on the screen. Is the touchscreen accurate enough to make use of this? My RU990 screen is OK, but doesn't actually seem quite as accurate as the old grayscale pronto I still own.

3) How fast is the 9600? I downloaded the competition winner system file to run on the simulator. It was very impressive - particularly the spinning globe for the tv channels. I already had some "motion" on my 990 to show progress bars during some macros. This system file inspired me to jazz up my 990 config and make it a bit more exciting, with some motion to move buttons about dynamically. However - although it worked fine on the simulator - it does not work on the 990. The screen switching is way too slow - 100s of ms between screens - which makes any attempt at motion completely pointless. Is the 9600 significantly faster? If enough effort is put in with hidden screens to simulate motion (such as the spinning TV channels) does it really work on the real thing?

Any other things I should be aware of? If I buy a 9600 will I know I've made the right choice? I plan to create a system file before I order one (since the 990 one obviously won't work) - but the answer to 3) is quite important because there's no point putting a lot of effort in only to find it's rubbish on the very expensive actual remote.

Thanks,

Dave

1. You should be learning through prontoedit on your 990 - only do it directly if you have a problem. I have never had a problem learning codes in the 9600.

2. The screen is the same size as the 990 - it just has a higher resolution. Because of the higher resolution you can make smaller buttons that are still clear to read. But in general, you would not make the buttons much smaller. It is not a matter of accuracy. If your finger is bigger than the button and your buttons are close together. you could hit the wrong button. However, it does come with a stylus which you could use to press tiny, rarely used buttons.

3. I don't use animations, so I can't really answer that question, other than saying it does appear fast. And using Prontoscript would probably be faster. Note that you cannot test ProntoScript in the simulator.

Also, the WiFi is extremely reliable. Much better than RF in the old models.

Dave,

Having upgraded from a similar form factor as your device, the answer is a definate YES - YOU MUST UPGRADE. The TSU9600 is far far better, faster and the resolution of the screen is fantastic.

You learn the devices codes on the remote while connected to the PC and the learnt codes transfer to the PC - Its just a full config file that you cannot re-uplaod to your PC (Make sure you backup regularly!).

If you can program the 990 then you will have no problem with the 9600.

The touchscreen is sensitive enough to use all of its estate - I have never used the stylus, have big fingers and yet still manage to use small buttons. About the size of your small finger nail is the minimum usable size.

I think that motion can be described as good but not fantastic - If you want a 0% to 100% progress bar then all will work fine, but far more complex motion will show a little laggyness - But it still looks pretty good!

You dont say where you are but if you are in the UK then consider purchasing from the US and saving a hundred pounds or so, just be prepared to pay the customs charges and buy a 110 volt transformer!

Hope you enjoy you new purchase - I have never looked back!

...Jon.

Isn't the aspect ratio completely different? The 990 is "portrait" mode - the 9600 is more like landscape surely?

Yes, but the screen is still roughly the same size - just rotated 90 degrees.

When you migrate all of your images will appear 1/4 the size (because of the higher resolution). You will need to replace them with bigger images eventually.

Click here for the TSU9600 highlight reel over the Pronto NG line of remotes.

Thanks - that was a very useful (and I suspect, ultimately expensive!) link. It answered all of my questions.

One more question :

The 9600 has Wi-fi. I don't understand this - what is it for? I assume it doesn't include browser capabilities, so I can't connect to my wireless router and surf the internet?

Dave

I have one other question.

I understand that the 9600 has wi-fi. Does this mean it contains a browser, and I can actually use it to access the internet (e.g. tv listings)?

TSU9600 does not have a built-in browser. There have been some applications created that utilize the TCP/IP interface; search this forum for them. Also, Lyndel created an RSS feeder that is way cool.
You could write some ProntoScript to search the internet for TV listings but that would probably be very involved.
Before you try to connect the 9600 to the internet check out all the posts related to the wireless router issues with it. They are varied and tricky.