Hi

I have owned Prontos for the last 5 years, I've been thinking about buying an iPronto, but feel the following things will frustrate me:

1. The 13 hard keys on my TSU7000 are a godsend, going back to 4 will be a retrograde step.

2. The limited browser will really frustrate me as so many sites now have active content.

3. It real should allow browsing of content on a Media Server (e.g. MP3s on Microsoft Media Server) and allow the operator to stream this to AV or TV. But I don't think there is a way.

4. Does the EPG link into your devices? i.e. when brosing the EPG if I select a channel can I get the iPronto to change to the screen? If I select a program could I get a macro to add it to my Sky+ record programmes list?

5. Philips don't seem to be forthcomming with a great deal of software improvements.

6. Other more "open source communitys" like PDA and Simpad users are able to do much more because their devices are based on general operationg systems like Windows CE.

7. The NetX device is sooooo expensive compared to the RF extenders.

I love my Prontos so far, but am worried these niggles will lead to me no liking the iPronto.

Thanks

Barry

Yes. There's a special device in the ICF file that you learn commands to for EPG use.


Well, it is quite a bit different than a simple RF extender. I'm sort of surprised that there aren't more NetX style (network -> IR) devices on the marker - I've seen numerous prototypes at shows, but I think Philips is STILL the only one actually shipping.

Global Caché has been shipping their GC-100 for about two years. It costs about 1/3 as much as the NetX while being much more useful.

[Link: globalcache.com]

Interesting - hadn't seen that one. But it's not WiFi... :-)

The watch device changes channel OK, but is it possible to set a programme to record on sky+ directly from the EPG? Now that would be useful..

You didn't specify WiFi - only network -> IR. But, I communicate with a GC-100 from my PDA or laptop via a wireless router so while, the need for a network cable may restrict where the GC-100 can be located, it can be reached by WiFi.

If Philips were to enable the iPronto to send TCP/IP strings to any IP address, it could also communicate this way and become more than a pretty[,] expensive paperweight. [comma is optional]

What do you mean ?
Ipronto can communicate and feed back to/from any IP adress, if there is a web server attached to it ..

The GC-100 does not present a web server so you need to send it raw TCP/IP strings.

It should not be too hard to have a small web proxy, receiving commands over http from the ipronto and then relay it as raw tcp/ip string to the GC-100

What programs do you use on your PDA and laptop to communicate with the GC-100? Have you written them yourself or are they commercially available?

It would really be nice if Philips would open up their communication to the NetX. By that I mean document it so that what is being sent can be received by any device (e.g. PC) that is programmed for that protocol. The PC would listen at a socket and receive what is being sent on the wi-fi system through a WAP.

Such a capability would open the iPronto to a lot more use. Philips like many other vendors does not like the word OPEN. I remember all of the issues in decoding the original Hex format for representing IR, Philips would not help one bit, although there was AHP who I suspect had a strong relationship with Philips.

If someone would loan me a NetX, I would take a shot at reverse engineering what they are doing using a wi-fi sniffer. I am now retired and have the time to play.