Question 1. The delay can by minimized by removal of the Activity Status Icon on the system page. This is the one that has the red arcs on the remote.

Question 2. Please search this forum and the legacy pronto forum for +X10 beginning with 6 months and extending up to 2 years. You'll find plenty of information. In short, I belive since you have the US model, you will be forced to use the IR543.