Ok folks. Got my T2 yesterday, let the battery charge overnight, and started playing this morning. I had already done a pretty complete configuration by downloading the software and using the "hidden" hex converter to convert codes for my various A/V components from my Pronto.

My original attempt to use pasted codes from the Pronto for my B&K Ref 10 and 4DTV didn't work, so I used the IR capture function on those remotes - and it worked fine after finding the right alignment and putting new batteries in each (the T2 seems to want the strongest IR signal possible; it simply wouldn't capture the B&K codes first time around with an old set of batteries in the B&K remote).

So far, the IR capture function has worked fine for me, although pasting codes from the Pronto software also worked with everything but the B&K and 4DTV (the rest of my configuration includes an NEC 6PG front projector; NEC IDC3000 line doubler; Sony XBR53 TV; Chaparral 100c analog satellite receiver; DMT1000 MPEG satellite receiver; Unity Motion HRD1000 HDTV satellite receiver; Mitsubishi 1000 DVD player; and Sony VCR; the Sony TV and VCR codes were included in the sample library with the T2). I'll be e-mailing my code library for these odd components to Daniel once I'm sure everything works correctly.

I've got to say that so far I think that using the T2 software is much easier than ProntoEdit - macros are a snap with this, and I have about 120 favorite channel macros for the 4DTV. I do wish the software offered a choice of fonts for the standard button toolbar, but you can get around this with the button bitmap editor (a bit clumsy, though).

The touchscreen has worked like a charm - even the smallest-size buttons I have no problems with, and so far the T2 has operated much more reliably on touchscreen button presses than my Pronto. But what I really like about the T2 is the programmable hard buttons - touchscreens are neat, but nothing can beat hard buttons for cursor and keypad controls. And the flexibility to assign different commands to a button press, double-click, or hold-down is incredible.

Overall: looks like my Pronto will be for sale soon. I'm very impressed with the T2.

John Colombo

Quick update.

The IR learning function is definitely a bit quirky; when learning the codes for my NEC projector, there was one exact spot in aiming the two remotes that worked, and if I moved either remote more than a millimeter, forget it. Once learned, however, all the codes have worked (no relearning necessary).

Also, the IR emitter doesn't seem quite as powerful as the Pronto. With the Pronto, I could aim the thing at the ceiling and it would operate all my components 15 feet away. With the T2, I pretty much have to aim it in the direction of the component rack to get things to work. Since I have an IR repeater system, it's not a big deal for me, but some of you may be relying on Pronto's "nuclear IR" and the T2 just isn't quite that powerful.

John C.

John,

How big is your HT room? Mine is 14x15x8 and I have no problem with aiming at walls and the ceiling. But I did notice it's easier to blind than the Pronto.

DJ

John / DJ

I have found the same (more limited IR distance than my pronto).

I am planning to go to the RF when available to make life simpler.

Steve

DJ,

My room is 30' by 30', but I really just use the front 15' for my A/V setup. With the Pronto I could aim the thing at the back wall and still control my components 30' away. Not with the T2, but it has plenty of useable range. Nevertheless, I'll probably go the RF route eventually, too.

John C.

Well, that's the problem with those virtual walls :-). I'll be going the RF route too, for some added control plus controlling the CD from my bedroom for that late night lullaby ...

DJ

Great now we have to spend an additional 300.00 just to make the thing work right.

Frank,

The remote works great as is, unless you want to have RF for out-of-room use (or your HT is in an airplane hangar and want to bounce off the remote wall :-), enhanced discrete control, or RS-232 commands.

All we're saying is that the Pronto has a somewhat stronger IR signal. The T2 is stronger than average, just not on steroids like the Pronto. As I clearly stated above, I have no problem bouncing the signal off any of my walls. John happens to have his HT in a huge room and can no longer bounce off his back wall. Don't make a mountain out of a mole hill :-).

DJ

Perhaps you didn't read my post in another section. I tried one over the weekend on my harman avr500 and couldn't make it work past 6 ft. On my sony products it was ok. This is the same problem on my original Take Control. The Pronto works fine on all the equipment.

When pointing directly at one of my components, the T2 has no problem controlling them from at least 15' away. It is also strong enough to bounce an IR command off my screen to my NEC front projector, which is set up about 10' from the screen, so that's about 20' overall (10' to the screen from my seat under the projector and 10' back from the screen to the front of the projector where the IR receiver is).

Off axis things get a bit more funky. My seating position is about 40-degrees off axis from my component rack (the rack is on the side wall about 15' away). I have no trouble controlling an Onkyo TX919 (which I still use as a video source controller and to power my surround channels) or a 4DTV satellite receiver that's at the top of my component rack about 6' off the floor even if the T2 is aimed straight ahead at my TV/Projection screen. On the other hand, the T2 won't run my old Denon CD player from that distance at that angle even if I point it in the general direction of the component rack (If I get up from my seat and point directly at the CD player head on, then I can control it from at least 15' away).

Like I said, the Pronto was on IR steriods, and would control all this stuff pointed backwards 30' away. But it is the only remote I ever tried that had that kind of range, and the better (in my opinion) ergonomics of the T2 more than make up for the slightly weaker IR. And if it is really an issue, you can get a complete IR repeating system with individual emitters for your components for under $100. I can't imagine that this will be an issue for 95% of users.

Face it, like DJ said, nothing is perfect - I looked seriously at a Crestron STS system before I bought my Pronto 2 years ago, and even the Crestron had limitations borne of the "touchscreen only" nature (try getting a full keypad, cursor controls and operational buttons on a single screen - not doable, but the RTI has everything right at your fingertips) And the Crestron would have cost $2500 for a gray-scale model ($3500 for color!). I bought the Pronto because for my needs it would do everything the Crestron would, but I've never really liked using a touchscreen for cursor or keypad control. Running a component like my 4DTV receiver is simply easier when you don't have to constantly scroll between control screens for the buttons you need. And I've been told by integrators that the AMX Phast system was a nightmare to install when it was first released (bad software).

Overall, I simply like the RTI's interface and software better than the Pronto, my wife and kids find it easier to use, and I'm willing to live with the somewhat reduced IR strength and somewhat higher initial cost to get these features. Your mileage . . . etc.

John Colombo

John Colombo