There was a post over in AVSFORUM where someone considering purchasing a TSU3000 was asking about it. I replied indicating from the time I cracked open the box to the time I considered my first config pretty much complete it was 100 hours.

Now that included activity based menue's, help screens, hunting down descrete's, and adding macro's.

Someone else commented that 100 hours was well in excess of what it should take unless you are creating a truly uniqued config or very slow.

Knowing I am slow as well as a little obsessive compulsive maybe 100 hours is a bit on the high side.

I'd like to here from all of you out there. Think back to your first config, the first time you got your Pronto any model and comment how many hours you spent on your first config.

For all of you newbies like myself it should still be fresh in your mind and for all you vetrans think back way back.

This message was edited by fontabg on 01/08/05 14:52 ET.

I have a TSU2000. I am also obsessive. I did activity based menus and set up all devices as activity based. The only graphics that I didn't draw myself were a group of B&W channel icons. Many of the graphics that I drew I ended up editing them pixel-by-pixel. I also spent quite a bit of time annoying my wife asking her how she'd like to use it and what she'd like to be able to do.

As I think about it, I figure I have about 70-80 hours in mine.

My very first TSU500 configuration (was a complete newbie) took probably 50 hours. That was learning the system and getting it up and running. Very simplistic layout, though. A year later I bought a TSU3000. I spent another 50 hours making it look good. A more stylish configuration, but mostly stolen from other contributors. I have recently purchased a TSU7000. I probably have 50 hours in it so far. It is mostly done, but not yet complete (I am sure it will be ever evolving). Again, much is taken from others contributions, but I have now started working with Photoshop and doing some things myself.
These remotes, once you get past the steep learning curve, are very addictive. The possibilities are endless.
This forum makes all the difference for people starting out. I know it has helped me tremendously.

It took me 50 to 60 hours, and that's after borrowing elements from other people. My biggest mistake was assuming others had proper IR codes for my componants. Even with matching componants, I had to re-learn codes numerous times.

I can't remember how long it took to program my 2000, as it was done about 5 years ago, but the conversion from the 2000 to my 7000 was pretty quick, although I have added CD jukebox lists and cd cover art, and this is ongoing, and I think 100hrs is probably a conservative guess...

Mark

Too damned long!!!!!

LOL..I would agree with that, Lyndel. I have an interesting question though. How many did it with and without The Guide?

In the Guide, I mention the following time estimates. It is in a table in the Guide but I can't format it here:


New configuration, 1st Level, simple, basic, using built-in buttons & backgrounds; 3-4 Devices, from scratch. Little to no customization.
30-50 hrs.

2nd Level, adopting most, designing little, no custom buttons or backgrounds, 3-4 devices. Mostly Borrowed, not built
30-40 hrs.

3rd level, more custom, lots of Jumps, 5-7 devices, slick, some custom buttons and backgrounds. Lots of Macros. Built & borrowed
40-70 hrs

4th Level, almost completely built, very slick, all simple custom buttons and backgrounds, 5-10 devices, Activity-based. Mostly built
60-90 hrs

5th Level, very custom, original artistic buttons, original artistic backgrounds, very slick, 7-12 devices, lighting control, original artistic graphics, lots of original thinking. Activity-based. 1st class build. Original artistic design & creation. 100-200 hrs.

Any thoughts on this?

Dave D'Arche

Not counting the time spent going thru the entire Ultimate Pronto Guide. I'd say in 30 hours I had a config for 5 devices. Activity-based, jumps, shortcuts etc but only used standard buttons and backgrounds.

High degree of functionality, low degree of artistic creativity.

"It aint pretty, but my wife, kids and dad can all use it"

Thanks to Dave D"Arche's Guide and files downloaded from this site I was able to configure 4 devices in a basic first level setup in less than 10 hours before I even got my TSU7000. When I got the remote last night I downloaded my configuration and it worked like a champ. I am looking forward to following the Guide even further and using more ideas\files from this site to build a beautiful looking seamless config with macros this weekend. Based on my experience so far the TSU7000 is already money well spent and I would not think twice about doing it again. Thanks again to Dave and the folks on this site who have posted their files, without them I imagine I would still be scratching my head.

I would say it took me about 100 hours or more. But I wanted the pronto to work with my computer, receiver, and lights right away. In addition I added a calendar, important dates, pictures, and a split screen function to the remote.

My first config for the TS-1000 took me about 250 hours - including lurking at the forum, downloading other people's stuff, creating ragged edged graphics, trying to understand the program, going over the required steps to get my system running (I remember, sitting there with a stop watch, turning on all devices, timing how long it takes for all components to fire up) - and it didn't even look good LOL
My 2nd for the TSU-6000 about 150 hours, including "vocational adjustment" (looked that up ;-) ) for 3D Studio Max. I still like it.
The 3rd - and last - complete setup for the ProntoProNG 7000 took about... dunno... 'bout 3 weeks every minute I could spare - and there are still loads of adjustments and improvements I would like to accomplish.
A Pronto Configuration Will Never Be Finished ;-)
André

I had a "functional" configuration that controlled my pre-amp, RPTV, HD cable box, DVD, and CD-Player with macros that would turn on and select everything I needed for a particular activity in 4 or 5 hours. I used a combination of preset and learned codes, it was very ugly, and the only one that knew who to operate it was me. I used it for a while to figure out exactly what I wanted to do.

Thanks to a lot of fellow forum member's buttons and icons I am slowly building my first real configuration. I probably have 50-60 hours into it, it looks pretty good, I am using it for I while, finding bugs and thinking about the interactive functions and how I might want to improve it.

Dave, as far as your time frames, I think your level 1 time frame might be a little much, but the balance is pretty good if you pretty much know what you want from the beginning as far as function and format. Me, I keep changing my mind, plus I don't really know how to make my own buttons, so I will likely take longer.

Shawn

My original 1000 config took about 200 hours, mostly spent on working around the limitations of the 1000. When I migrated my CCF to PCF on 7000, I built my user interface from scratch. That took around 40 hours.

By the way, the correct spelling for your subject line is Poll not Pole.

fontabg: never meant it as an insult, it is just that let's face it, you can spend an eternity on a config if you want, but it does not mean that it needs it or has to have it before it becomes functional.

as for my answer, I can't remember, way too long ago. The longest part (if I remember correctly) was trying to find the discrete codes for the Tandberg videoconference equipment that I knew existed but that my dealer could not get for me (posted them here when I got them)


if we include time on this forum I don't want to know how much time I spent :-)

Hear! Hear! Time spent on this forum cost me way more $$$ than I've spent on any remote.

Lyndel