I just got a new job as a programmer. With this job I will be using the Phillips Pronto. I have a few questions reguarding the IR Database in this program.
The major question being:
Each item of equipment (a tv for example) has it's own product code, in the database for the Pronto it assigns a new code for that model (ie a Sony TV becaomes Sony1 or Sony12) is there a list somewhere that merges the actual codes with the proto codes or how do I get around that road block.

If someone would please get back to me that would be great. You can either e-mail it or message back.

Thank you.

I'm not a Pronto person or I would answer this question here. But, you should probably repost this in the Pronto forum. I'm sure you'll get plenty of help there.

CV, Why don't you stay after work every day for a week on your own time and program every remote from every brand of equipment you have on display at your new job. Make up custom pages for each remote and save it as a file. The model # of the remote would be a good name for the file to start. So say after all this time you have invested you will be able to bang out remotes left and right by cutting and pasting, and merging files together. Not only will your new boss notice you staying after to do he/she will see your dedication also. In the long run IT WILL benefit you as to making more money. I did this very thing. I can bang out a custom configured Pronto that has a Surround Receiver, DVD, 2 VCR's, a Tivo, a Satellite, CD, a TV, and a tape deck and do Lutron lighting in less than 20 min. And still Charge $400.00 for programming. The real only part of programming is setting up macros and testing them. Since I have been doing it this way for the past 2 years I have never had to go back for warranty work because I missed a button or I thought I programmed it and did not or I forgot to test a button. And I am sure your boss will love you knowing you charged $400.00 for only 20 min. of work.

Thank you for your replies. I realised there was a pronto page and posted a thread there too.

Larry: Thank you for your suggestion. I'm sure with your two years of expirence you may also be available for other road blocks of mine. ;) Thank you again.

CV, I have only been programming pronto's for the past 2.5 years and have programmed over 500+. For 11 years I have ben programming Home Automation Controller Systems like the PANJA/AMX systems. Really do what I said. With the AMX stuff when I write the code for it I always keep my RS232 protocalls as a separate file that I save as a file also. Alot of AV manufactures that sell equipment i.e. say a SONY ABCDEF CD Player that has a RS232 port that sells for $600.00 and the next model cd player that is a SONY BCDEFG CD player with RS232 most likely will share the sameRS232 Protocall where the 2 might have totaly diffrent IR codes for every button on the remotes. Point is it cuts down on programming time. And you can still charge the big bucks

awesome. i do plan on doing what you recommended. tahnk you so much again for your help. :) im very glad i found this site. id be up shit creek without it. (either that or working way to hard.)

Now that I have let the Best Keep secrect on how to make a lot of money in a min. amount of time, out of the bag. This goes for any programmers in the A/V world out their. Time is Money. The job is not so much on how great it sounds or how great the installers were able to get wires throughout the house without any holes to patch. Although the customers remember all that stuff. The thing they remember the most about the People they hire to install, sell, and program their new investment (AV system) is how easy it is to work. That is the Key. That's "what" 9the programming), is gonna give you all the referrals. The only other thing the customer will remember is if you drill a water pipe with a drill bit. But I hope non of us have ever done that.

:)

Every profession has these ways of capitalizing on previous work in order to make the next job easier/quicker/more profitable.

It's only the intelligent ones who use it to their benefit.

And even those of us who use the services of people like Larry, knowing full well that they may be charging $300 for 15 minutes work, realize that we are getting whatever our perceived value is for that work.

If a person is happy paying $300 to have his/her Pronto programmed, then it is a WIN/WIN situation. For a lot of people, that amount is better spent by hiring Larry than spending countless hours doing something they are not good at and get frustrated by, instead of spending those hours making money themselves at something the ARE good at.

Then there are those who just love to "play" around with things like configuring Pronto's. I'm one of them!

But, I'm glad there are intelligent people around who can maximize their experience in order to minimize the misery of we consumers!

... Greg :-)

(this editorial does not necessarily contain the views of the owner of this site, his family, or anyone working for the site) ;-)