I have bought a TSU9400 and quite like it. Fairly easy to program, etc.

I really bought it to control a HTPC. I also liked the idea that it had WiFi. I had read comments that it can (using WiFi), control a HTPC directly. Just what I needed!

My setup is very simple. It is all in one room, simply a plasma TV, receiver amp and a cable set top box. Oh, and the HTPC.

The problem is, I cannot see how the Pronto controls anything except via IR, which is the same as all remotes. How does the WiFi do anything, and more specifically, how can it control my HTPC?

I have read all the manuals - but they are very lacking. There is no manual for the TSU9400 itself (only a very basic Getting Started guide). There is only an old manual for ProntoEdit 1.1, not for 2.5. Nothing, as far as I can tell, that explains how the 'system' works overall.

It would be nice to know how all the units fit together. ie the serial and RF extenders, plus the 9400. Most of my information has been gleaned from this forum.

Simply having a WiFi connection to my home network does nothing to control anything. I presume that there has to be software on a PC on the network that actually receives the Pronto commands. I have been looking along the lines of Girder and EventGhost, but these do not seem to be TCIP servers, I could be wrong.

I am getting myself a clone MCE remote control, plus I have the PadOne software. I am hoping that this will get the IR side working at least. Again, this is all guess work as it is unclear what PadOne actually does (their website is woeful, even talking to them was unhelpful). I do not run MCE either (I am currently using XBMC). Or I could use the MCE controller with EventGhost.

It would be great if I could find documentation on controlling a HTPC with
- IR (ie the MCE remote control/PadOne)
- RF
- Wifi

Even the RF side is not clear. I have been using a URC MX900 with an RF blaster. This is just to save me actually pointing the remote at the TV. This is very important when you have long macros to send. Pronto has an RF Extender (and rather expensive as well). Is this also an IR blaster? The manual does not say. Is there any other RF/IR blaster that will work? I simply want to sit it in front of the HiFi rack and point it at the units. I do not want to use the stick on IR extenders.

If anyone can point me in the right direction, I would appreciate it.

IR & HTPC: works like any other IR application. Codesets exist on this site for both the Microsoft remote control and the Microsoft keyboard (although need sticky keys or equivalent for sending alt/ctrl/shift combinations). In addition, you can use install Girder or equivalent software on your PC and send commands to it.

RF: only relevant for the remote to communicate to an extender in standalone mode (if the extender is in network mode, which I think of as its normal mode, then the remote communicates with it via Wifi).

Wifi: needs a script on the remote to send/receive data and some software on the PC to process and respond to this data. In practice, unless you are an expert, you have to buy this from others. Padone is one possibility but, I think, its functionality is limited to playing music in media centre or media player. I use two scripts that I obtained from other people on this site: I use Slimpronto to play music in Squeezecentre and RPC to start/stop programs, both of which I can do from anywhere in the house.

Re extenders: the RFX9400 is simply a device which receives IR commands from the remote and re-transmits them via either IR emitters or mono cables. Thus, it allows IR control without line of sight. The RFX9600 does the same sort of stuff plus (I think, because I haven't got one) can be used for RS232 control of equipment plus power sensing. So, with the right equipment, it potentially offers some two-way communications. I can't really see why the RFX9600 would be relevant for controlling your PC (except, maybe, for powering it on and off).

I have just discovered SlimPronto and SlimSqueeze. I have the demo of SlimSqueeze running as I type this. Not bad. I actually bought PadOne, but that software seems rather useless and a waste of money now.

But I really want to control HTPC software - like XMBC, MediaPortal or GBPVR. I am currently using XMBC, and quite like it. These are basically keyboard driven, so it should not be too hard.

IR is not really an option - it will work, but you have to point the 9400 at the screen. I have been using a MX900 with RF extender for a year or so now - I am not used to pointing at the screen!

So I need to use RF or WiFi.

RF seems very expensive - ie getting the RFX9400 is almost the same price as the 9400!

WiFi seems the way to go. SlimPronto shows what can be done. I just need an
application that I can run on the PC to do it.

Girder can be used for this. I made a small LUA script for the server side in Girder, search for girder in this forum. I use it to control Mediaportal one way only and also to wake up the HTPC.

I have sent the girder script and the my pronto config to a few people but unfortunately not all has got it working. I use girder 4. Send me a pm if you want the code.

Johan

Pronto has an RF Extender (and rather expensive as well)

You have RC Mail!

I have been looking along the lines of Girder and EventGhost, but these do not seem to be TCIP servers, I could be wrong.


I was wrong. After much research I find that both of these programs ARE TCPIP servers. Just what I want.

I'm working on a module to control XBMC. This includes fetching coverart for audio Albums.

It's far from finished, but I'll give you a sign when it is almost finished.

Perfect!! Will wait with baited breath....

Hi,

At the moment I've got an X10 remote. It is very basic but having RF control of the HTPC (via Girder) without line of sight has been great.

So now I'm looking for a new control. There don't seem to be any solid, well designed and sleek finished X10 remotes out there. So I was looking for a Bluetooth or Wifi remote. This Pronto model sounds like what I want.

Of course it is a little on the pricey side, I have just seen this other one:
[Link: shop.remoteshoppe.com]
Seems too cheap to be any good, but I might give it a go once I've done some more research.

I would think that Philips would provide a Girder plugin for use with this remote since they are looking to provide wifi functionality. My new Pioneer LX509 has a network interface and so I might be able to interact with it too (which excites me - ok I'm a geek).

At this point I don't know if I can afford this (Pronto) remote, but I'll keep an eye on this thread and if you guys are able to get it working well I might look for one going cheap.

Cheers,

Jason

Save your rubles, comrad, and buy de Pronto, you won't regret it.

I'd be very interested in the XBMC module using TCPIP, too ;) Hope to hear from you soon devastator *grin*

Keep in mind that it is mainly targeted at the audio functionality (No movies/pictures yet). Although I will implement the buttons on the IR-remote too.

I'll keep you posted.

Hi Devastor,

may I ask to keep me posted as well?
Using an old XBOX with XBMC to watch most of our movies via network, served from a WHS. This would be really beneficial - especially for my wife ;-)

  ...oops, sorry.
Can I delete this -otherwise empty- post?

Same situation over here :-)