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Topic:
How is this better than Pronto?
This thread has 13 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Tuesday May 16, 2000 at 18:31
Avi Greengart
Historic Forum Post
Daniel (et al),

OK, I'm a pretty happy Pronto user, but I like keeping my eyes/options open. Maybe I didn't read the review thoroughly enough, but I'd like to get a better feel for the comparative value of this remote vs. the Pronto.

For example, it seems like the Pronto is much better suited for any household where having a "watch DVD" button/macro sets up the whole system and jumps to an essential controls (for all relevant devices) page.

Even for the more sophisticated user, a big screen and programming flexibility have advantages. I have a Yamaha DSP-A1, with zillions of DSP modes. My "play CD" page has all the relevant DSP modes plus all the CD transport controls on one screen.

It sounds like the RTI can make non-discrete code components behave as if they have discrete codes. How on earth does this magic work?

It also sounds like the RTI software is much better designed than ProntoEdit. (I don't find that too hard to believe.) Is there any chance Philips is working on an improved version of their software?

I'm not trying to start a flame war - the Pronto is expensive, but at least I understand why. The RTI is even more expensive, but in your review you note that it includes features previously available only on expensive touchscreens. I always thought that the expensive touchscreens offered the big screen and programming flexibility that the Pronto now delivers. The RTI doesn't have the big touchscreen... I'm clearly missing something. What am I missing?

Thanks,

-avi
OP | Post 2 made on Wednesday May 17, 2000 at 12:32
DJ Garcia
Historic Forum Post
Avi,

For me (I also have a Pronto, mind you, as you can see from my CGF in the site) the main attraction are the hard buttons. All my devices except the preamp have cursor and menu buttons. I find the hard buttons much easier to use, especially under viewing conditions.

With some creative thinking you can use these buttons for other things too, although you can get too creative and totally confusing :-). For instance, in the preamp device I use the menu controls for the DSP settings and the numeric keypad for center and surround volume levels.

But the smaller LCD screen is made up for also by the instantaneous switching and is much brighter. It will be very quick to use because you don't need to hunt around for switching the frame. The next and prev keys are always in the same position, and the switch is instant.

Also the macro capabilities like you were mentioning are more flexible. And the "magic" switching without discrete codes does exist, albeit you'll need to shell out around $600-700 extra over the IR-only T2, and do a little work. For many people it's not needed, but it's there if you do. And other things like RS-232 controls.

Finally the IR-only version is pretty much in the price range with the Pronto, $430 w/charger and 2 batteries.

Of course you can't really "guide" someone through with prompts and such, and logos and bitmaps are much more limited if you want to do fancy artwork. These are trade-offs. You decide :-).

Hope this helps,

DJ
OP | Post 3 made on Saturday May 27, 2000 at 13:30
Tom Held
Historic Forum Post
So, please, how does this "magic" switching without discrete codes work? How does it make non-discrete code components behave as if they have discrete codes?
OP | Post 4 made on Monday May 29, 2000 at 18:32
Steve13
Historic Forum Post
Tom-
From what I've read the "magic" switching uses AC sensing devices in conjunction with programming that checks the A/C status before sending a code. If a device is already on, and you are trying to turn it on, it won't send the power command, so the device stays on instead of toggling off.
OP | Post 5 made on Wednesday May 31, 2000 at 17:38
Avi Greengart
Historic Forum Post
First, thanks to DJ Garcia for the thoughtful, non-flame response. It sounds like the "personal preference" factor (more hard buttons, faster screen switching) is a bigger differentiator than the functionality differences. I would like an RF version of the Pronto (heck, I want a color version, too) and the option to turn off the animation. But overall, I'm quite satisfied with everything about the Pronto other than cost (I'm sorry, I think $400 for a remote is pricey).

AC sensing sounds cool, useful, and too expensive to be worthwhile for my needs (VCR on and off - everything else in my system is discrete).

-avi
OP | Post 6 made on Friday June 2, 2000 at 14:27
Bill Hunsinger
Historic Forum Post
What about reliablity and ruggedness? Is it likely to suffer the fragility and lockup problems of the Pronto?

Thanks

Bill
OP | Post 7 made on Wednesday June 7, 2000 at 16:04
rk
Historic Forum Post
For me so far, is that the T2 can operate my sony 90esg and the pronto cannot.
OP | Post 8 made on Thursday June 8, 2000 at 13:25
Giovanni
Historic Forum Post
Well guys, the T2 comes from the same plant as the LExicon 500 & 700T and has always been the most Reliable touch screen on the market. Since the software is way more complex, yet easier to use than pronto, ET the higher price will result. The lexicon remots have been inthe field for over 4 years now and pronto ony for 18 months or so. I myself have used both remotes and prefer the Lexicon/T2 design purely from the software and reliablity issues over pronto. And now that Pronto is showing there true colors of Failing and having ZERO product avaliable here int he states, shows me that Philips is messed up as usual.
OP | Post 9 made on Friday June 23, 2000 at 13:20
Eric Johnson
Historic Forum Post
IMHO :-)

The Pronto/RC5000 is a dim, clumsy and hard to surf with remote. It often does not respond to taps on the touchscreen, prompting my wife to tap harder (making me very nervous!!!). It doesn't have any capability for automating stupid products without discrete on and off codes.

On the other hand, the screen resolution is 72dpi, it allows 4 tones/colors and bitmaps look great on the Pronto/RC5000. It has lots of COOL factor for that.
The new RC5000 software (coming this summer)enables some really exciting new programming to be done. I like that a lot - it adds tons more cool factor...

The RTI is extremely bright, very easy to read, but is lower resolution than the Pronto/RC5000. So, my icons are not going to look quite as cool.

However:
1) It looks to be a joy to surf with.
2) I am really familiar with the software from classes I have taught on the Lexicon 700T. This software is much faster and easier to catch on to. I can teach a dealer to use this software comfortably in a couple of hours, while prontoedit and RC5000Setup take 5 to 8 hours of training. It is far faster in actual use both learning IR codes and programming Macros.
3) The capability to do automate problem components (in my case a cable box) is a true plus.

I think this remote will succeed very well on the market because of its shape. Dealers will gravitate towards it because of the much easier PC editing program.
OP | Post 10 made on Saturday July 15, 2000 at 16:54
Vince Throckmorton
Historic Forum Post
Avi,

I have limited Pronto hands on experience but as mentioned above, the 25 hard keys and the RF interface which enable "if then" programming logic and sensing feedback puts this in a class with the Niles Intellicontrol only with a touchscreen. Many many home theatres use the Niles since it's easy and macros are difficult to get out of sync. I programmed my T2 with out any help (for ir only) in a few hours which for me was a much quicker learning curve than with the Intellicontrol.
OP | Post 11 made on Wednesday July 26, 2000 at 14:00
Tim Galian
Historic Forum Post
Prontos are easily given "IF Then" capabilities with creative programming. But the ultimate funtionality combo is a Pronto combined with an Intellicontrol. The Intellicontrol has always had the ability to teach its RF commands as IR equivalents. By sending out the IR commands to an IR Sensor hooked to an Intellicontrol, you can achieve The Intellicontrol's automation with the Pronto's configurable interface. I stopped selling Intellicontrols without Prontos some time ago. Solves pesky RF interference problems, and makes my systems able to be completely manual free. Writing 10 page manuals to go with an automated sytem like the Intellicontrol used to bug me alot!
OP | Post 12 made on Wednesday July 26, 2000 at 19:04
DJ Garcia
Historic Forum Post
Tim,

How do you "creatively" provide IF - THEN - ELSE control in a Pronto? I'd love to see that.

TIA

DJ
OP | Post 13 made on Thursday July 27, 2000 at 13:46
Tim Galian
Historic Forum Post
Well, the user has to be involved. I typically design a Pronto with one way to turn the system on or off. I came up with screens that asked the power status of the TV for changing modes, going to the CD as a source for example, the Pronto would ask "TV status?" ON, OFF, Override. IF on was pressed, the off command, or power toggle is sent to shut it off, and then the macro to switch to cd mode and jump to the appropriate page is sent. If the other two options are pressed, the Pronto just goes through the normal CD motions. Put in this type of screen to coincide with any type of mode switch, and also to go with the power off sequence. Works great, and customers love it. I, like Eric Johnson, work as a trainer in this field. The lights really turns on in quite a few installers when I present this in trainings.

T.
OP | Post 14 made on Thursday July 27, 2000 at 19:30
DJ Garcia
Historic Forum Post
Tim,

Sorry, but that doesn't count - you're not programming the Pronto, you're programming the user :-). But it's a neat gimmick for low-level users.

Cheers,

DJ


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