I assume many Pronto users made the transition from a more traditional fixed-button remote to the Pronto. Can anyone comment on this and provide advice on the pros and cons between the two formats?

I’ve used a Marantz RC-2000 for the past few years and am eager to upgrade and would appreciate the advice. The Marantz has been a good remote but I’m looking for something more user-friendly and customizable. What I’d really like is for my remote to be more “activity-based,” where switching between devices in kept to a minimum. I also simply want the remote to be easier to use for my wife. I’ve narrowed it down to two choices: The MTR MX-500, or the new Pronto TSU-3000.

I like the MX-500 for its wide array of fixed buttons and size, which seems to lend itself to one-handed operation, as well as operation “by touch” rather than having to look at the screen. On the other hand, the Pronto appeals to me for its customizable screens. It seems I could create different interfaces which would make the “activities” (watch TV, watch a DVD, listen to a CD, etc.), more straightforward and user-friendly. I do like the hard-button remotes, and am only now strongly considering the Pronto because of the addition of the cursor on the 3000.

So, there is my struggle – any comments or advice? Thanks in advance!

Well, I own both, a Marantz 9200 and an Mx-500. These are, IMHO, the best remotes of their type and price point that are out there. The Harmony probably fits in here too, but I've never messed with one. Having said that, there's no way I'd give up my Pronto for an Mx-500 or even Mx-700. However, you got to like touchscreens (many people don't) and you've got to be willing to invest A LOT of time to get it programmed like you want.

The advantage is that the touchscreen can be customized more, and will always be more flexible than the hard button remote. Oh yeah, and the graphics are waaay more cool.

The drawback, takes lots of time to learn the software and create your masterpiece.

Jim L

I have a Pronto 2000 and MX-500. My wife likes the Pronto because it has just the buttons that she needs for whatever viewing she is doing. The MX-500 was fairly easy to set up. To set a Pronto up takes a lot of time and effort (to do properly) but is well worth it. I like the buttons on the MX and the one hand useage but the Pronto is the one that gets used everyday.

I am looking forward to the 3000 with its new cursor buttons. For our TV viewing (Dish Network) the cursor gets the most use and the hard buttons will be a welcome addition. If you would like to see a PCF file for the Pronto 3000 that controls two dish network receivers, a Sony DVD, a Sony 57' HDTV, VCR, Sony Receiver, Lights, and a Audio swither for my headphones, just send me and email.

David Shaw
[email protected]

eldredge,

I was in exactly your quandry recently. I own the MX500, but wanted as user-friendly (read: Wife/Baby-sitter-friendly) device as possible. The allure of the touch-screens is in the customization of the interface. You can make them "self explanatory."
Whereas virtually every push-button remote I've seen must come with a little lesson on which buttons do what (although the touchscreens don't necessarily avoid this totally either).

I was thinking of spending some big bucks on a touchscreen, when I don't even particularly like touchscreen remotes for everyday use. You can program the MX500 to switch "Activities," but then you have to explain which buttons do what. And then, as with many remotes, people have to remember to go to a "Main" page to select devices etc. I just wanted a button for system on/off, and once it was on, I wanted to be able to access an activity directly from any other activity, WITHOUT toggling through pages or MAIN screens or directories.

Then I realized a simple way I could tweak the MX500 interface: Labels.

I borrowed a label maker, got some nice gold-on-black labels, and off I went. I programmed my MX500 "M1, M2,M3" buttons with the desired "Activities," (luckily I had just enough discrete codes to make them work reliably), and then I labeled each button (M1 swithes to TV mode, M2 is DVD mode, M3 switches to VCR mode).

I programmed the main POWER button to switch the system on or off (using the plain old toggle codes).

Then, I put a label on the BACK of the MX500 with simple instructions. This works even better than I dreamed. I've handed the MX500 to about a dozen people and simply said: "The instructions are on the back." They turn it over and see an instruction label reading:

- Press POWER to turn system On/Off
- Choose M1, M2, M3 for desired activity.

Then they look at the remote and see each "M" button with a label for: "TV" "DVD" "VCR."

That's it. Every single person, without a word from me, has been able to understand and operate my system within about 15 seconds.

Here are two pictures of my remote with the labels (sorry, kind of ugly flash pictures):

[Link: pbase.com]

Click on the thumbnail pictures for a closer view.


Rich H.

Thanks guys for the advice. I've still been going back and forth for the past few days. I guess it's a good thing the Pronto's not available yet - it gives me time to think about it.

Rich - I like what you've done with your MX-500. I was actually thinking of doing a label on it with instructions as well, but hadn't thought of using the macro buttons like that. Nicely done!

For you Pronto users - once you get used to it, can the Pronto be a "one-handed" remote, or is it just wide enough to require two hands for operation?

Also on the Pronto - I envision creating an "activity," such as "watch TV" which incorporates the TV and Satellite controls. Would I basically set up a new device, perhaps titled "Watch TV," that incorporates controls for both the TV and Satellite (i.e., channel change functions for the SAT, volume controls for the TV)?

To tell you the truth, I'm wondering if I should get both! Thanks again for the advice!


This message was edited by eldredge on 01/17/03 10:04.

I have the Pronto TSU-1000 (going to be upgrading to the 3000) and have no problems using the Pronto "one-handed". I'm just your average 5'9" geek with "normal" sized hands.

And your ideas about "activity" is spot on. I have a "Tivo living room" activity that has tivo commands, but the volume and mute control the amp (actually, mute also pauses the TiVo... just in case). I have a "Tivo bedroom" activity that has volume and mute for the TV. I even have a "TiVo/VCR" activity that has some VCR controls and some TiVo controls on one panel. This allows me to dub tapes from programs I've recorded without jumping between devices to get it done.

the shape of the original Pronto made it easy to use as one handed, but I am not too sure with the new one. The old one used to curve inwards at the back

that meant that you did not need to wrap your fingers around the remote and it would be stable hanging half of your hand (or sitting on your leg or arm rest). The new one looks to be shaped more like a traditional remote, and I think that it might make it harder as a one hander.

old remote screen-> [( <-back
new remote screen-> [) <-back

The new back is actually perfectly flat, except for a vertical grove where fingers can get a grip. Though, as Anthony points out, it's not as comfortable as the original design.

got to look at those pics again :-)