I'm still torn between a pronto and a rc 2000 II.
I like buttons and I have lots of X10.
Anyways, I have a question to those with DSS/DISH. I have a 2 tuner sony TV and I LOVE the PIP. I'm always surfing and I watch 3 channels at once. One on the main pic, one in pip and one on the last channel recall, so I'm always switching...
How will DSS/DISH work with my TV?
I haven't seen the TV screen on the pronto, can it be easily programmed to do my nervous channel switching? How will DSS/DISH comlplicate that?
Oh, I don't have dss, but I'm sick of TCI and I'll be getting a dss/dish soon.

TIA
Ziad

Ziad,
Sick of TCI? How absurd.[not]
As far as RC2000's vs Prontos is concerned, being a dealer (and user) for both, I find the RC2000 mkII (or I) to be a hands down second class citizen. Perhaps like last years model I suppose, which really is what it is.
When the PC software releases for Pronto, it will no longer be any sort of a contest in my oppinion. The Pronto is far easier to program, fully graphic, more memory, and easy to read, regardless of lighting conditions. Have I missed anything?
My experience of our clients is that they generally like the power of the RC2000's but hate the difficulty in reading and operating. The Pronto on the other hand can actually have different menus available to different users if you'd like to do so.
Again, the PC software unlocks the full capability of Pronto far beyond the limitations available in the direct internal interface.

Jack,
You may have answered this previously, but does the Pronto interface become a "blank slate" when using the software to program it? In other words, do you still use templates with pre-defined button locations, or is the interface totally customizable?

Thanks.

As the PROUD owner of a Pronto and previous owner of an RC2K (which I broke when I kicked it into the fireplace watching football), I have to be honest, at the risk of taking some flack. The RC2K is better at ONE thing. Once you've memorized it you can use it without looking at it. This is something that I have not been able to do with the Pronto. That being said, the Pronto is better in every other respect, as others have attested to quite truthfully.

Jake,

The software provides default CCF's as they're called which contain the exact program that the Pronto ship with, at least the version I have.
However, this of course is only a starting point at which to leap from as everything is fully customizable, from buttons to icons to pages to jump statements after a button push.
So, you may choose to use some of the predefined buttons (also available in a library aka gallery) or you may combine with your own custom icons/buttons/artwork?
Remember, you can import 8bit B/W bitamp files and use them as buttons....very handy indeed.
You can also create your own library files should you choose to do so.
If you're not into icons at this point, have a look at ZDNET.com and scope out iconedit program avaialble as shareware. I use it from time to time and when combined with an old Logitec image edit program, I have all that I need to do whatever I need to accomplish. The Logitec program is especially useful in resizing a bitmap before importing to Pronto.
I hope this answers your questions.

Jack,

I was playing with all the network icons and had them in adobe photoshop. Why cant we save the images in grey scales? I noticed that the b/w isnt as clear. Any tips would help.

Joe

That is goingto need some clarification Jack. B&W is a 1-Bit image. 8-Bit is a grey-scale image.

Also, a further question as to the software. Is if possible to exchange IR codes ad macros back and forth between users? If so, has anyone thought of creating a repository on the net for such codes? This would be very powerful and allow for a complete library to be built for the more obscure devices.

Peter

RE: Bitmaps

ProntoEdit can load any Windows bitmap that has 1,4 or 8 bits per pixel and is at most 240 x 219 pixels (the size of the panel). ProntoEdit will automatically convert color bitmaps to a reasonably close grayscale version.

As far as IR code trading, if Philips can't create a section on their site for legal or other reasons, we will be happy to do so as a subsite on our site (safesound.com).

RE: Bitmaps

ProntoEdit can load any Windows bitmap that has 1,4 or 8 bits per pixel and is at most 240 x 219 pixels (the size of the panel). ProntoEdit will automatically convert color bitmaps to a reasonably close grayscale version.

As far as IR code trading, if Philips can't create a section on their site for legal or other reasons, we will be happy to do so as a subsite on our site (safesound.com).