I was just about to buy a Take Control from 'buyitnow.com' (only $246) when I started doing some research, found this site and subsequently found out about the Pronto.

Now I'm leaning toward the Pronto, which sounds great. I currently have a Sony 50es receiver. I'm wondering if anyone has used the Pronto with the 50es as the center of their home theater system. If so, whatta ya think? Goods and bads.

Also, just wondering if the Pronto can receive an IR signal from the receiver. The remote commander that comes with the 50es receives info from the receiver such as CD-Text and individual sound levesl for each of the speakers and sub-woofer.

Also, just to make sure, most of my reading indicates that the Pronto can be connected to a Win95 pc for editing, etc. Does the cable come with the Pronto? If not is a standard 9pin serial cable or something special?

Thanks in advance for any help or advice.

-Troy B.

The Pronto can NOT receive IR codes back from a receiver -- and will NOT work in place of a two way remote. (This is also true for the Take Control, I believe.)

The Proto does get connected to a Win95 computer, and does come with the cable, unless you find a unit that has been sitting in dealer stock for some time. (Unlikely, given its demand.)

I have the pronto and the 50es and I love the combination. The ability to program the pronto to display whatever configuration of commands that you want is great. Also, macros are fabulous. The pronto will learn all of the commands from the 50es remote, but it will not receive feedback on the status of speaker levels, radio stations, or anything else from the receiver. I don't miss them though. The pronto is a far superior remote to the one that comes with the receiver.

I'm using the Pronto with the STRDE925 (non ES version) and it too has the 2 way remote. I love the Pronto, haven't given my standard remote a second glance since I've had it . . .

- j