Dear Pronto enthusiasts,

Thank you for your ongoing support for the Pronto products. In our continuous strive for improvement we would appreciate your feedback on the factory database feature in ProntoEdit Professional 1.0.
Please post your questions, feedback and/or recommendations in this thread.

Thank you for your contribution,

Pronto Team

I hope you guy's are for real!

First, I must congratulate you for such a great Products. I alone have followed the Philip's Pronto family before the TSU-1000 (for those who know about other's remotes). And I have seen the transitions ever since, every time better and better! Now that you hit a milestone with the new hardware, is time for you to follow up your promised with a robust and flexible software.

With that in mind here is my two cents donation:

1- The database components label is awkward and hard to relate to the components: "####....extended." Why not called it by the component name instead?

2- The reassign function does not wok at all; you must go back and tackle each command individually defeating the purpose.

3- There is no way to test the commands in the Master Library; you must first assign the commands to "My Library," then you can proceed to test each command. That along could imply hours of work wasted if you must deal with different components per install.

In the editor: some time you can not address the individual buttons in some sources; it happen to me at least two sources component's (DVD come to mind). It some how pick up the whole lay out, lest say the transport, instead of the record button that I trying to delete out of the page.

The macro page assignment suggested to follow are way to complex and difficult to follow logic. Especially, when the "reassign" function does not work. My suggestion to the programmers out there: delete all the macros and page assignments and star from scrach. At least you know the logic to follow in every button.

And please, release the necessary tools to create IP / RS-232 2-way control for many products out there! It is a fact: Escient and Lutron alone will not cut it! I now there are many people who will not be able to work in this environment, but you must remember your slogan: "Design for Installer by Installer."

I agree completely with the above poster about 2 way communication, it is must for an installers base.

As for the database, I found it easy to work with but it is also not complete enough. Sony SXRD televisions are some of the most popular TV's on the market yet they are not in the code list. Denon's flagship 5805 is also not there. The Scientific Atlanta 8300HD codes do not work and I had to re learn them all. There are no codes for HD DVD and Bluray players which I am sure many who own this remote will also own. and there are many many more.

I think in a future release you guys should try as hard as you can to "Fill in the blanks" in the database. There is still much work to be done on this infant project and I think if you guys are commited to adding features in a years time this remote can be the best possible solution in it's price range and slightly above.

The factory database is a great idea, but it needs updating and cleaning for some of the UK kit.

For example there are dozens of entries for SKY and SKY+ satellite boxes but no entries at all for SKY HD (which is a likely component in a top end install here).

I agree that the reassign feature doesn't seem to work properly - I usually end up re-selecting the ir-code in the macro/screen.

It would be useful if you could set the location of the factory/local database in preferences. That way if you have multiple installs of the editor on different machines you can point to just the one.

I can't think of anything else for now. Great product though - blows the RC9800i out of the water completely - I almost forgive Philips for getting me to waste my cash on that!

Pronto Team,

You need to incorporate model-based lookup. I assume you are getting the codes from UEI???

Their Nevo SL has a model-based lookup, on-line, within the editor. Maybe you could incorporate this into your editor?

While the database is re-packaged nicely, the offering is really not much different from the database you have offered all along. While it has extended function codesets, it is still rather unusable.

All of the top 5 remote companies have model-based lookup, except Philips. I can't believe this didn't get low-marks during the design and beta stages.

Dave

I've got an outstanding issue which I've already forwarded to the Pronto Team.

I've been trying to use the discrete number codes for the Escient DVDM-100 Codeset 1 from the database and am finding that a single press issues one or more IR codes.

The discrete number digits 0-9 always issue, from what I can tell, at least 2 IR commands for a single digit and variations on duration have not had any affect. Maybe there's a toggle bit in use here and somethings up with that?

Lyndel

Lyndel,
I think you are running into toggle bits. The pronto ccf and pcf codes from the Escient website appear to be good. The factory AMX codeset for Escient also had the toggle bit codes in it. Apparently the codes given to some of these manufacturers were supplied in that form.

Dear ProntoTeam,

Until now I've worked with the TS9600 for about 120 hours. And I've used the Pronto NG before this.

I really like the database, but the models incorporated aren't up to date, the european Pioneer models (example PDP-436RXE) are missing and so are the newest Denon models (example 4306, however is uses the same codes as the 4806) and even Philips tv's, where is the 32PW9520 and as you can see in my discrete code topic I still can't find working discrete codes for AV1, which is my only RGB scart port and the side input.

What I also miss in the database are rs232 commands. Tomorrow I'll receive the RFX9600 and RFX9400, but using rs232 with my Denon DVD and Receiver will probably still be needed to add manually, this while Denon, Pioneer and more have well documented formats.

Two way (bidirectional) support should have been in the product when released and while the importing company states it will be added as do some posts on this forum, nothing has been acknowledged by you. Could you tell us any timeframe or even a yes/no/maybe? If this is a longtime project, will there be Escient like configurable pages for common rs232/tcpip devices such as amp's, dvdplayer and Windows XP MediaCenter? Playlists on the remote, guide on the remote and feedback like the current show/song/ end time etc would be possible using the MCE SDK.

Wouldn't it be possible to make the remote use plugins? This way integrators can provide anything that the standard Pronto can't (yet) do.

Why hasn't Philips add a browser?

What I'd also like to have are conditions. So buttons and pictures can be displayed only in some events. Also variables would be nice. Example when a device only has a power toggle and no remote output, it would be nice to set a variable when powering it on, so it can be used as a condition and by that knowing wether a device is already on or not.

Another thing that's frustrating is that learning codes isn't smart. Why isn't the learned code analysed and converted to a more correct code? Splitting it up in the frequency, burst once, repeated burst, lead in, device code, function code, lead out would be an easy function and looking for best matches for the once and zero's and replacing the within reach hex codes isn't that hard to be automated.

And while I really enjoy creating my own pictures, the stock gallery should be a lot bigger, most buttons are only available in blue.

Overall it's a good product, but Philips should make sure to bind customers by adding the features and catch up with Crestron. The only advantage over the Crestron at this time is the fantastic display.

Knowing that this ended up more like a wish and question list I'd like to thank you in advance for answering my questions and I'd like to complement the team for communication with the integrators. I really hope that you will remain to do so in the future.

Hi Pronto Team,

I hope you don't mind some other issues in this thread. As I come up with items, I will toss them in here.

The multiple Shift-Select is spotty. It is missing some buttons both when used in a vertical fashion and/or a horizontal fashion.

Hard button labels are not always showing up in the editor. It seems this occurs when labeling at the device level, expecting the labels to show up on all pages. They do show up in the remote when downloaded. It seems there is a bug, even when you tell it not to use the System label attributes. Sometimes, when doing Device-level hardbutton labels, you have to uncheck the "Use System" hardbuttons for every page. Sometimes, it works for all pages when you uncheck the first page. Sometimes not.

You need to spend some more time developing graphics and button sets. I would not wait for the community to develop them for you. The sets here are ok, nothing overly exciting and there are not enough good ones. More device icons which are clean, without all of the fancy swirling items, music notes, etc, for more devices. You need to include device icons for many more types of devices. Cable, SAT, etc.

I'll drop more notes as I find things.

Dave

This doesn't pertain to the database but if the Pronto Team is reading this thread how about the ability to choose different fonts. Not just size and placement but to pick from "Times Roman" or "Greek Script" or something like that.....Right now you have to creat text in something like Paint Shop and import it, which takes too much time I think.

Hi,

1.The Dutch channel; Dbase is not complete most dutch channels are not present.
2.The escient music server functions are very basic and don't contain the radio functions.
3.When you have IP problems or other problems related to wifi the green wifi leds got out. It looks like you have a connection problem with your station but it could be caused by other issues.
4.An internet brouwse function would be very handy !

That's it

Pronto Team,

Here are a few more thoughts about the database.

From a workability perspective, you should keep in mind that while some installers will leverage the My Database and frequently install the same brand/model of equipment, many others do not always install the same brands/models and will be adding many code sets to My Database, continuously.

With that in mind, you should concentrate on saving mouse movements and repetitive labeling. Especially the repetitive labeling!

1)When creating a new device within My Database, one can either label each code manually for fast learn or chose the code name from the pull down. Getting labels from the pull down is rather slow and cumbersome, simply due to the vast quantities of labels.

2)While preparing for Fast Learn and adding manual labels, please allow for an enter key to finish the label and automatically open a new label so one can keep typing continuously, without needing to go to the mouse to click to continue, after every label.

3)Adding My Database codes to the IR Code page: I really like the function using My Database Quick Access and the function to include the label when dragging from here to the IR code page. Vary fast! However, once the IR code page is completed and one wants to Link codes to the display buttons, using Alt-Shift-Drag, the IR code label should come over with it, otherwise, many buttons must be labeled manually. You could save installers a lot of time (Time=Money!) by adding this functionality.

4)Also, per typical Windows conventions, please allow all windows, dialog boxes, etc. to be increased in width or length.

5)The entire linking concept should also be reviewed. This remains a significant extra effort, if it is not necessary. Is it still necessary versus simply populating the display buttons with the actual code from My Database Quick Access? I mention the entire linking process because Philips is still the only remote company which requires this step. Nevo SL allows putting the actual code into the button without any concerns for linking and no other ramifications Same with RTI and URC. I would like to hear your current opinion about Linking and if it is really still necessary and if so, what is the down-side for not Linking? Can it be avoided?

6) Device Screens within the editor. With the 640 x 480 screen, 50% is too small to really read. (For example, my computer screen is 19”at 1280 x 1024.) 100% is nicely legible and comfortable but it takes up too much screen real estate. I suggest you create a 75% view.

Feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss.

Thx Dave

A few thoughts about the Gallery.

I don't know why but sometimes when you open the Gallery, it does not display any icons. It just displays the name but no graphic???

All of the TV, XM, Sirrus icons are great however it is impossible to find what you want there, due to the sheer number. The file names "bmpxxxx" does not help.

The icons should be named in some reasonable manner and a filter dialog box needs to be added so someone can find them easily by name. Nevo SL provides a filter dialog to type in the name you want, ie; ESPN and all of the various ESPN icons show up. Someone needs to go through this lengthy process.

I also think you should segment the Gallery into smaller categories, such as US, Other Countries, Direct TV, Cable, XM, Sirrus, Dish and the particular cites you had created so they are easy to find.

Dave

Hello everyone, I read what every one wrote and agree with all the blogs. I found one of the worst parts to be the new format not compatible with the older formats such that the buttons and backgrounds are useless. The gallery is very limited and any other buttons have to be imported and resized---very time consuming. Does anyone use the Request Music servers and if so is this compatible with the TSU9600 like the Esient. I tried to connect using a Request, a wired 5 port switch and the RFX9600 but was not able to get the remote to connect. After reading the instructions more, I'm going to try and use a wireless switch to see if I can get the connection I need. I would rather have something interactive compared to standard remote access. I also found I had to relearn alot of what was supposed to be in the data base, and because learn only works some of the time this also was very time consuming. Is there a pronto team tech help phone # rather than going to the consumer help line?

thanks for listening, Greg

After an initial play with the 9600 over the weekend I very much like the database.

However, as others have already mentioned it needs a lot of work tidying as well as adding new devices.

Quite a few of the items I needed had several code set choices with no reference at all to what model numbers they pertained to. For example on certain TVs I was presented with "0580" or "0580 Extended", "0731" or "0731 Extended" etc. There was no other way to know which to choose other than trial and error.

M.