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Topic:
Future expansion for the Pronto?
This thread has 7 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Wednesday November 11, 1998 at 06:04
Warren Ceppos
Historic Forum Post
There has been a lot of talk about the serial port on the side of the Pronto being used with a computer for creating custom templates, and storing the remotes commands. Is this someones wish for it's use , or has Philips led people to believe that is their intentions? The first DSS receivers had a highband data port on the back that was to prevent it's becoming obsolete. It was for use with HDTV. Now DSS manufacturers now say that you need a new receiver. My point is, until Philips says that they plan on interfacing the Pronto with the computer I am a little leery.
OP | Post 2 made on Wednesday November 11, 1998 at 10:45
Timothy Morris
Historic Forum Post
From th Philips press release:

"Ready for Future Home Electronic Components
As new technologies are implemented into future consumer electronic devices, Pronto can easily be expanded to meet the user's needs and requirements. New A/V components can be added to Pronto through the simple customization process and through the two-way RS232 communication serial port that uploads new configuration files."

According to Jack Schulz, who is a dealer who reads this list: "I know Philips is working on the software, it’s just a matter of timing. The current Prontos do have a serial port on the side to accomodate software revision changes."

So it is certainly planned. Philips would be mad to disregard this feature as 1. The Lexicon has it (and the Pronto should be able to compete against the Lexicon, even though it is $1500 cheaper), and 2. The Microsoft remotes have it.

Although the scale will be smaller I expect a similar battle to emerge between Pronto and the Microsoft remotes as we have seen between Palm Pilots and the PalmPC. I would not be surprised if Philips look at pricing too. The MS remotes do seem to be about $150 cheaper.

Tim.

OP | Post 3 made on Wednesday November 11, 1998 at 14:37
Daniel Tonks
Historic Forum Post
That would be neat - I can imagine the headlines: "Microsoft and Philips Duke it Out for Control of the Coveted Remote Control Market"! :-)

I do hope applications for the serial port come out sooner rather than later.
OP | Post 4 made on Sunday November 22, 1998 at 19:10
jack schultz
Historic Forum Post
The word I get as both a Philips and Marantz dealer is that Philips PDEG in Palo Alto is working on the software for release as soon as they can determine just what it should accomplish. My guess is that they've kind of been waiting to have a look/see at the HK piece 1st, but that is strictly my oppinion. I also get that Marantz wants software in place to package with their RC5000 version so there is certainly pressure coming from that camp as well.
As far as what the port will do, although this is still in the air, my info says that it will do saves and downloads. Very important to a custom installer like me.
I also believe that it will be an evolving software program that gets releases over time for more capabilities, perhaps like RF capability perhaps?
OP | Post 5 made on Monday November 23, 1998 at 15:34
Will Cunningham
Historic Forum Post
As a user, I hope for a few specific features.

I would love to have the ablitiy to re-order the control pannel's under each device. I tend to use pannel 1, 3, and 4 more than any other and would love to re-order them a little.

As easy as the on board keypad is to get used to, I think I would still prefer to do my labeling using the computer and a full sized keyboard.

I would also like the ablity to re-size buttons, and re-arrange them to create my own templates.

Though I am just a user (and won't need to clone many remotes), the ablity to load and save the configuration would be a great feature. I would have loved to download someone else's configuration and use that as a starting point for my devices.

I can live without any of those features, but it would take an already awesome product and make it even better.

BTW, if anyone hear's about any public beta test's, let me know because I would love to volunteer.

Thanks,

Will
OP | Post 6 made on Monday November 30, 1998 at 16:13
Patrick L. Coffman
Historic Forum Post
Does anyone have contact information for the philips group designing the software? I am in Palo Alto and I'd love to contact them to do beta testing or anything that might speed the product to market.

Thanks...
OP | Post 7 made on Monday November 30, 1998 at 20:38
jack schultz
Historic Forum Post
As to the software being vaporware, how do people think that the existing application is loaded into the Pronto's? Serial to all.

As to a contact in Palo Alto, the Philips people cruise this site from time to time and I will leave it to them as to whether they can open contact with the outside world. While I believe that they want such contact, I also believe that a forum like this is still probably the best method to obtain the best overall view. I still have not received any software so the subject is still open for review. I just know that it does exist in some form at present.
OP | Post 8 made on Tuesday December 1, 1998 at 00:54
Scott "popcorn"
Historic Forum Post
Actually, the software doesn't need to exist to program the ones coming off the line... All that's needed for that is a simple EE-PROM type burner (or something similar)... The consumer application programmer would have to be more complex AND more user friendly than a simple "upload this to the unit".


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