After lots of investigative web surfing, I am planning to get my husband a Pronto for Xmas. We have a Dish Echostar 4700 and I am unclear on just exactly what the Pronto remote will and will not be able to do with the 4700. I have searched many threads but am now confused. I know there is a kit you can get to allow the receiver to accept IR (if it is the older model that did not have IR built in). I have seen the 3 downloadable files on this web site for the 4700 that contain either basic IR codes or are part of a complete system CCF file. I understand that discrete IR codes (for making macros)are not available. I have read that most people just leave the power on all the time. But I DON'T GET IT! Does this all boil down to the only thing that you can do with the Pronto is have the ability to toggle power to the 4700??? So then why do you need IR at all if you leave it on all the time? Are you able to use the Pronto to change Dish channels?

Could some kind person please explain this to me in very basic terms so I know what to expect BEFORE I buy the remote?

Thanks in advance!

You would use the Pronto to replace your dish remote. But first, you need to verify that your 4700 accepts IR (it probably does). You can do this by unscrewing the RF antenna on the back of the receiver and removing it. If your dish remote still controls it, then it is controlling it with IR.

The Pronto can do everything your dish remote can, including changing channels. (You'll learn each button from your dish remote into the Pronto.) The discrete power code thing just means you can't have a separate on and a separate off button on your Pronto for the 4700 power. You'll just have one power toggle button. If your receiver is on and you push power, it'll turn it off. If it's off and you push power, it'll turn it on. Just like your dish remote currently works.

In addition, you can have icons for your favorite channels, and have the pronto send the 3 IR commands (with a slight delay between each) when that icon is touched. No need to surf for a channel or remember the channel number.