Just received my TSU3000 and can't wait to get this baby humming. I've downloaded few PCF's (thanks Archer, et al), and gotten some ideas about what I want, but can someone point me to a site or thread which can give me decent step-by-step instructions on how to get going? (PENG manual is a little lite).

For example, I know I want to punt the system interface in exchange for one of the formats created by one (or several) of you guys. But those PCF's come with learned IR commands, devices I don't have, etc. What's the best way to customize one of these formats to my system? How do you bring in different elements from different PCF's? How do I export a button (BMP) so I can customize (change DISH to DSS, cassette to SACD, etc.)

If there is a good "getting started" thread or web sight, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks

Kirk

If you have a PCF that you want to use or even if starting from scractch, I believe the first thing you should do is create a device for your IRcodes (name is something like IRcodes). Now create a page in this device for every piece of equipment that you will use that has a remote. Lets say your first page is for your TV, you will need to put a button on that page for every button on your remote. You can make two pages if you need, just label them TV1 and TV2. The buttons you put on these pages don't have to be anything fancy as they are only going to be used as a holding place for your IR codes that can be linked to. Once you get all your remotes placed in your IRcode device download the PCF to the remote. Now use the remote to remote learning feature and learn the IR code for each corresponding button. Once you have learned them, test them out to make sure they do the command they are suppose to. Now upload from the remote to the computer software PENG. Now you can start designing your layout. You can make a device called TV. Then create a page in the TV device and design the layout with the buttons that you need to control your TV. These buttons now can linked to the IRcodes TV page so that they will function. You can create macros that will do several things at one time by linking to more that one IRcode.

Look at other peoples pcf's and study how they are laid out, how they create links, how they jump to another page, and etc.

Don't worry about making it fancy at first, just get it so that it functions the way that you want, then you can start on the fancy buttons and pictures.

Archer

I think the unstated advice here is "don't use the built in code sets. Instead, learn every button on every remote."

Archer/Testname -

I too am like kirkus and had no clue where to start (why isn't there a ProntoEditNG manual?!). Thanks for your 'kickstart.' I still haven't read any other threads, but I came here looking for info on how to start, and boom: I saw this thread :-)

I am new to the pronto, starting with the NG - so I don't really know how much different/harder/easier/etc.. this is, compared to the older CCF file-based units. I'm pretty excited to clear off the 6 or so remotes I have on my coffee table (I just hope my friends/girlfriend will understand how to control it :-)

Thanks for the tip, keep em coming,
Leo

Ok, that was a good start. I have the above stuff done and working. I would like to get into the fancy stuff (designing my own buttons). I read the word document in the files section. Is this the easiest/cheapest way to go about designing buttons? Using this software we are looking at at leat $200 to get started. Has anyone designed some fancy buttons using more "off the shelf/cheaper" software?

have not done any designing for the 3000, but created all my buttons using MS paint, powerpoint and visio (tools that I had on my PC) better software will make things easier, faster or better, but you probably have stuff on your PC that can do the job.

Archer's info is right on the button. I might stress one point: Testing: BEFORE you start adding buttons to the pages, TEST all of your ir codes from the actual IR page that you made. Ideally, you might have one device called IR codes and then, INSIDE THAT DEVICE, you might have 5 device pages such as TV IR, Receiver IR, SAT IR, etc. Do your testing here after you teach it your ir codes. Then, once you work all of the bugs out, then design the actual pages that you will see and use everyday. The IR codes are there, ready to be linked to the buttons you make. Doing it this way will make your life much easier, trust me on that.

Vette - I did my button work using Microsft Photodraw 2000 V2. If you are a big Microsoft user, you might already have it included with some other software. It does what MS Paint does and more so. You can open any .bmp and modify, etc.

It's not quite as sexy as Liatro button maker but it does a good basic job, especially if you are going to borrow your basic button and then add your own touches. One thing for sure, designing your own buttons and managing all of the titles and multiple sizes you will need is a HUGE job. It certainly makes your unit look very custom but it will extend your development time by 2-3x.

Dave

Thanks all -

So, substance before form - get the buttons you want on the pages you want before "making pretty". That probably just saved me 75% in time (a lesson I didn't learn on my mx-1000).

And, learn all the IR remote codes? Is the 3000 decent on advanced codes that aren't on the actual remote (at least the discrete on and off functions)?

ddarche -
Your certainly right about the time for making buttons. I spent countless hours making buttons. They are posted in the file section, and they look best when you darken the contrast one notch.

Jon

You guys are talking hours for designing buttons, for me it was days, My PCF's that have been posted have been a work in prgress since PENG was released and I mean just about every day for several hours a day. But hey I enjoy it or otherwise I wouldn't be doing it. I have spent over 4 hours on getting just one button the way I want it to look and then end up scrapping the whole idea. For every button that I use I probably have 10 others that just didn't quite make it.

Archer

I too went through several design changes before finding some that I was satisfied with (for now). I'm still not completely happy but they are enough to get me started. I still have to make buttons for the actual devices and work on the layouts. All my time so far was spent making home page icons. I did go overboard and made them for every device I could think of (I program a lot of these things for work). I must again thank Archer. If it wasn't for his how-to and email help I wouldn't have known where to start to make all the buttons that I have.

Jon

Where do I find descrete codes for my equipment? Is there some sort of master list, or do I have to ask about every piece? I'm glad they have this site makes things a lot easier.

Pat

Nevermind, I hate searching.

Pat