I have a project where I want touch screen remotes but not Crestron. Each remote would be no more than 15' from its respective base, but this project is in a high rise so there's that to consider. An opinions and real-world experience?

Marantz has good remotes but if you're going to go RF dont use the RF module that comes with the Marantz , buy it seperately , it will work fine if 15' is the farthest distance but its not one of the best out there . Remember to try and keep the RF module as far away from power and any components as possible as you will get much better results .
ps the 9200 used to come with the RF module , not sure about the new 9500 . The Marantz web-site shows it as optional .
Good Luck !

That would be the components I'm trying to control?

Blame it on manufacturers of a/v components taking too many shortcuts to reduce price points on their products. The sheilding is inadequate and low level RF emissions from these cheapened up components like DVD players, cable boxes, sat boxes, DVRs, etc can wig out the processors in the cheaper RF base stations if they are placed too close.

You may be able to turn the components ON every time without a hitch, but when these consumer grade crap boxes are operating and throwing off all these extraneous emissions, the reliability control gets spotty.

If it gets too bad, you could always use emitter extensions and get another 6-8 ft. which is usually enough distance so the RF station picks up the remote's output over the hash coming from the cheap components.

Plasmas emit non visible spectrum emissions that wreck IR...
Cheap consumer grade A/V components emit too much crap and wreck RF...

Is it any wonder we still look up to serial control??

Theaterworks ,
If you really want good reception put your RF module in the center of the room in the ceiling . It will be away from any gear and closer to your remote . Like 2ndRick said get some emmiter extensions or get some cat-5 and make your own emmiter cables and you should have enough length to get into the lid . If possible keep it somewhere you could get to it later i.e.( by an in-ceiling speaker , attic access etc.) if service is ever needed .
OnEcRzY

Another good spot if you get the application is in the cabinet behind a grille panel or door with one of the speakers.
You can just run the leads back to the rack alongside the speaker wire, and you will have ready access to the base if you need it.

I use the RTI for control in many instances, and now I can just locate an HGA-418 antenna module wherever I need it and wire it back to the RP-6 right on the rack.

Not to start a flame war, but I hate that Philips seems to not be concerned that they have left us to debug their control products in the field at our own expense, knowing that we will come here to share the issues and wait for a firmware update that should have been fleshed out in beta before it came to market.

I agree with you, and Philips is not alone in this. This is almost endemic in our industry; you and I can cite examples going back to Day 1.

The RTI remotes are purportedly solid now, from what I've read on the forum, but I've got a stack of the old T-2's that my customers have made me buy back; it is my most-returned remote control. I'm not picking on RTI particularly, but they have certainly done the "dump it on the market, let's see how it goes", too.

I've done tonnage in the Marantz remotes, but always in IR. I've stayed away from the RF part in large part because of the things I've read here. In this instance I cannot move the rf base far away from the components, but the remote will be close. I had good success with the HTM MX-850 and the rf base on a job last week, and may try that if everyone thinks the Philips/Marantz will be a gamble.

The RX-77's Suck big time, but if you need a little extra distance i have taken the module apart, drilled a small hole in back, straightened the spring antenae out brought it through the hole and made a short whip out of it. Not the prettiest solution but has saved me on a few occasions.

The pronto can be iffy in the RF dept. We are now switching to the MX3000, and the MX850 from home thatre master

They keep trying to switch at work but I guess I am the problem. I have spent years on Prontos and comeing up with ideas for operations.

To switch to another interface means I loose all my old work. I could live with that except for the fact that I just can't really wrap my head aroun the interface for UR.

I have stood there and mocked UR users as they would trip over a problem like... no code for that. While they bitch I go to remotecentral and dig it out of discret hunter. Or from the database. Or from the years of CCFs and PCFs I have assembeled.

"Hey you have the code for a pronto? Well we can use universal browser to import it."

I have no problem with that... here is a PCF.

"Uhh won't work with PCF. Can you make a CCF?"

Sure

"Ok... load this, link that, blah blah blah."

Umm doesn't seem to work.

"Well the Universal browser can get a little flakey. Here can you send the code and I will learn it."

Fine (transmitting code)

About 10 mins later we find the remote can't learn the code.

I really don't have time for that sort of crap in the field.

The universal browser seems like a great feature but I have seen it fail more often then work. Please keep in mind I have not commited to spending the required time to get good at URs interface. I wish I could import my PCF stuff. I mean I have nearly 1.5 years of remotes in that format. BUt the graphos don't work on the URs.

Maybe I will waste today infront of my computer and see what I can learn. I just have little patience left for things that don't work. And I guess pronto tools are so ingrained into my mind I sort of tink like here is where I need to CTRL SHIFT. Ohh I need a link here... why not paste some hex there...

Yes, I don't want to walk away from my installed base of work. We too have Marantz remotes down to an art, and I recognize that moving to a new remote means I won't make money on the first dozen or so we do as a company, and the first two or three each installer does. Nonetheless, I need to explore new stuff from time to time so my proposals are not eclipsed by someone who has explored and found something good to sell.

Just because something can be done... does not mean it should be done!
:)