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Template Samples
This thread has 11 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Thursday December 10, 1998 at 18:09
Keith Barrett
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First; let me say it is a great pleasure finding other advanced IR control people. I was beginning to think I was the only one that played games like mappping (quickly) 2-3 remote functions to a single key in one learn session, using X10 lights, etc. It's nice to read other clever solutions to the same problems I've had.

I'm planning to get a pronto and am already mapping out my menu system in my head :-). Could someone post on the web a snapshot of all the templates? Not having one yet I have no idea what all my choices are. For example; I would like to have one opening screen that's nothing but several "screen wide" buttons containing text (similar to a selection list). Is there a template for that? If so; how may buttons are there and how many characters can each hold? Can the text contain spaces or carriage returns?

I'm also concerned about a posting I read where someone said X10 "dim" and "brighten" commands don't work because the pronto doesn't hold long commands. I have seen this before, but have a remote now that handles it (it just uses a lot of memory for those commands). I really need this to work. Anyone try making up for it with a repeat macro or by trying to load the command from another programmable remote instead of the source remote?

And finally; for those playing with the computer software -- does it allow you to design or change templates (not template contents), or are you still forced to live with the templates provided?

Thanks!

OP | Post 2 made on Thursday December 10, 1998 at 18:14
Keith Barrett
Historic Forum Post
A silly question (for Ivan Luk)...

When you tried to program the X10 Dim/brighten commands, did you hold down the button on the source remote so it continously repeated?

I'm betting you did that, but I have to ask because I'm gonna be in the same boat as you.


OP | Post 3 made on Thursday December 10, 1998 at 19:13
Ivan Luk
Historic Forum Post
I tried it several ways, and found that the best way to program the dim/brighten buttons were to hold it down for about a second and a half (1.5 seconds). Too short, and it won't work. Too long, it won't work.

As is now, it's difficult to program the dim/brighten buttons on a macro, because there's no way to specify how LONG the Pronto should transmit any particular signal.
OP | Post 4 made on Thursday December 10, 1998 at 20:07
jack schultz
Historic Forum Post
As I have stated in other postings, I suggest doing a basic design NOW and waiting for the software to do the "pretty" bits.
The software makes life very much easier.
It is also possible to import your own library of icons, etc. so again, the sky is really the limit.
I loaded a few mfr logos today and showed the Pronto to their national mgr with his logo on the "start" screen. He was happy to see that someone has finally crossed the bridge into the new world of graphic based, easy to program, make it simple, make it elaborate, remote controls.
Hang out for the software...it's worth it.
OP | Post 5 made on Thursday December 10, 1998 at 20:47
Daniel Tonks
Historic Forum Post
Keith:

I see others have answered your other questions, but in regards to posting all templates there's more than could be reasonably posted. Also, the only way *I* could do it is by scanning the actual remote. If I had the software I'm sure I could post some examples beyond what's already on the page, but until then there's nothing I can do.
OP | Post 6 made on Thursday December 10, 1998 at 21:44
Jay
Historic Forum Post
Jack,

You really make the capabilities (with the software) sound too good to be true! Would bitmaps, templates, and codes be readily transferrable between users?

Obviously, we all have different types and combinations of equipment, but I'm fascinated by the possibilities. Engineers and product designers do a great job, but it's staggering to think of what could be done when you consider the ideas of the actual users. Just a few adaptable ideas of someone else's (or someone else's ingenious bitmaps) would be invaluable. And it's not like any of us would be reluctant to share what we've found/created.

Is this kind of software customization really possible, or is this not as easy as it sounds?
OP | Post 7 made on Thursday December 10, 1998 at 22:04
Keith Barrett
Historic Forum Post
We are all starting to build a case here for a web site library of bitmaps, templates, etc.
OP | Post 8 made on Thursday December 10, 1998 at 22:22
Clay W.
Historic Forum Post
Hi,
Another question to Jack about Logos and Icons....where did you get them? I searched through several TV-related sites and was able to download some graphics files (Fox logo, HBO logo, etc.). However, to be useful for Pronto, they would need to be "cleaned up" and reduced in size a bit. I am not a "power" computer graphics user; is there an easy way to do this?
Thanks,
Clay
OP | Post 9 made on Friday December 11, 1998 at 01:57
jack schultz
Historic Forum Post
Hi all and thanks for the continued interest!

As far as icons are concerned, I use ICONEDIT which is posted on PC MAG website...ZDNET.com I think. It can remove any icon from a multitude of programs including .exe files which can be saved in many formats, including /bmp files. I then just adjusted the size with a scanner program, like one I have from Logitech, but many will work. There are max bitmap sizes (X x Y) spelled out in the software docs.
As far as "sharing" files, yep, this is definately something that can be done (across the net of course also) and has been suggested to the powers that be as a very powerful tool. Of course they may choose not to sponsor/participate directly which one can understand and of course this just means someone else just has to do it instead. No problem that I can see but lets wait and see if they do it directly.
As far as setting up to do "X" times of a command, I expect that this may have to wait for future revision and considering you can have many commands listed, I can live with this for the moment considering all the other issues. PLUS, we do want this to become available sooner rather than later don't we?
As everyone knows, if we wait to make it absolutely perfect for eveyone, it will never come as it will always be a moving target that is unobtainable. So the best approach that I see is to take it as soon as it's available and make suggestions for future possible revisions. Could become a bit like Linux as I see it, especially if mfrs get directly involved.
OP | Post 10 made on Friday December 11, 1998 at 13:33
Will Cunningham
Historic Forum Post
Wow, the icon stuff sounds particularly awesome! I don't know if there is any chance we can convince you to look up what the max dimensions available are?

Thanks for the great info! I suppose there is a downside to all the info you provide, my saliva glands are starting to get a little tired. :)

I love hearing how other's have used the templates, and am anxiously awaiting the software so we can have even more control. It would be so nice to be able to download the setup's other people have used.

Though it is not reasonable (or particularly worthwhile) to put up scaned images of the various templates available right now, I think it would be neat to hear how other's have used the Pronto. I found some of the disscusion's people were having about macro's to be particularly cool and think that it would be nice to see some people post what kind of macro's they have made so that we can share ideas.

For example, I remember someone wanting to make a macro for each of thier favorite TV stations, I had not even thought of that sort of macro! I will start a new thread with my Macro's since it is a little off the topic of this thread.


OP | Post 11 made on Friday December 11, 1998 at 17:31
Jay
Historic Forum Post
That's exactly my point, Will. I never would have thought of the station macros either. If you're used to only having a few macros to work with, why *would* you think of something like this?
OP | Post 12 made on Friday December 11, 1998 at 20:39
jack schultz
Historic Forum Post
Max current dimensions: 240 x 219 pixels @ 8 bit B/W.
I stress this is CURRENT and therefore perhaps not the end result on release. In addition, I can add that if one goes to runco.com and looks at their logo, I have this logo occupying about 1/3 the screen width and proportional size and it is clearly readable at more than my arms length, including the vertical lines above the name.
I hope this conveys some idea of the display resolution capabilities.


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