Philips Pronto.. who uses one?

pjdami

I finally got frustrated having six device remotes laying around and two "universal" cheapo remotes that do almost but not quite all of the "universal" functions and purchased the Philips ProntoNEO TSU500 today.

Just figured out how to use the software with the computer serial port to custom configure the thing. Looks promising. The only thing I worry about is durability. You know, remotes get accidentally dropped, sat on, crushed in between the recliner joints when the chair is closed, etc. I guess I'm going to have to be extra careful with this one.

Looks like this thing has it all. Any positive comments about this thing out there?

Paul

brettw22

I know that Mantis has 2, but they're the full sized units (not sure of the models that he has).......might want to PM him if he doesn't see this thread anytime soon.

How much did you pay for that thing, and what other Remotes did you consider before you went for the TSU500? I had considered buying a touch screen before, but when I went to test it, the bottom line for me is that I liked feeling the buttons, not looking at the screen every time I wanted to push something.

I don't know what your price range is (if you are/would consider something else), but I have a Home Theater Master MX-700 that I haven't ever used that I'd sell for $225, which is about $175 below retail on those things. I bought it with the intention of using it with my current system, but I think that I'm going to be upgrading soon and won't have a need for it.

PhantomOG

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pjdami

Brett,

I currently have two universal remotes that I purchased earlier this year ( a Sony and a "one-for-all") that do not have learning capability and I got screwed when I got into Rotel gear because they don't have codes for the Rotel. These were the $20 variety so I don't expect much from these.

This past week I purchase three remotes to see which one I like the best and I will return the other two.

Right now I have the "one-for-all" Kameleon (URC9960) which is a universal / learning remote with a rugged aluminum frame surround and a touch pad. This remote can be had for $89 from Best Buy. It does most things very well and has a motion sensor that lights up the display when you pick it up (well sometimes at least). My quirk with this remote is exactly what you describe, lack of hard buttons especially in the volume and channel buttons which are used the most. This is a very ergonomic remote and has learned all of my other remotes.

I also bought a RCA RCU1010 for $99 at Best Buy. This one is going back this week. I don't like it at all. Heavy and just not very ergonomic for me. It does have hard buttons but they are awkwardly placed way at the bottom of the remote.

Now the ProntoNEO may be a new remote. Price is $199 from CompUSA. It does have the hard buttons for channel and volume / mute that one will use the most. It also allows the user to change what is displayed and customize everything. This is one thing the other remotes lack. You are stuck with what comes up on the display when a mode is selected. The ProntoNEO feels ergonomic and "right" in my hand.

I have a week to make up my mind before I cannot return some of these remotes since I purchased the Kameleon last week. The Kameleon is not a bad option though if you want to stay under $100.

Paul

PhantomOG

i'm buying the One For All 9910 online for ~$50

it has hard buttons (don't like touchscreens), learns and even has an RF extender

there are many places online that sell the one for all remotes much cheaper than Best Buy/CC/etc.

acdds

I have a Sony RM-AV3000 Intergrated remote commander (controls 18 components) and I hate that damn thing. It took 2-3 hours to set up and I still have to press 5 buttons to change the channel on the TV. I have heard good things about the Pronto (never used one though). From what I have been told it is one of the easiest to use.

PhantomOG

Originally posted by acdds
I still have to press 5 buttons to change the channel on the TV.

that's what I love about the One-for-all / Radio shack remotes.

they have a "theater mode" where volume always controls the volume on my receiver, chan UP/DOWn always controls the cable box along with the numbers, the play/stop/pause buttons always control the dvd player etc.

the only time i need to press a "device" button is to turn things on/off, and even then i could program macros and do it with one button press.

ezc

pjdami
Did you try using the remote that came with your rotel? I got the newer reomte the 10xx or somthing the one after the RR-969. I use that remote to control all my gear for HT. The remote is a learning one & it took some time to set up over a few days, but once trained it works well. I looked at the prontos & other universal remotes but just couldnt decide. Im leaning to the pronto but still not sure which model. Costco has the TSU3000 for $229.99 regular price is $399.99 I saw on the Rotel site there is also a download for the pronto remotes. Im not sure which model it was for but there was a bunch of downloads for pronto remotre with rotel codes, not sure which pronto the downloads were for either. Let me know if you keep your pronto & if you like it! I had the pronto program for my palm & it was ok the IR in the palm wasnt strong enough so id need to be close to the equip for it to work. Only thing I didnt like was each equipment had its own page & on the plam it had two or three other pages which came up as buttons were tapped. Damm after a few beers it got kind of hard remembering where I needed to go to get the right button. I dont know if that is the case with the regular pronto remotes.

warlocks1

I use the Pronto 1000 for my main setup and the NEO for my family room. I definitely prefer the larger 1000 unit. I believe the 3000 will be a perfect remote because it has the larger face and has the the extra hard buttons like the NEO. They take a while to program and can be frustrating at first. After you figure it all out, they become an addiction. I had a hard time convincing myself to drop $200.00 on a remote, but it was the best $200.00 I spent on my HT. Go for it!

AreBEe

I've had the NEO about 4 months now and I like it a lot. It's my first touch screen remote. I had a OneForAll 8800 which was a mammoth thing that would lose it's back light for months at time. The NEO does seem a little more fragile though. The 4 hard buttons directly under the screen have a tendency to break from what I heard so don't program your most common functions there.

My NEO controls:

Hughes E86 HD STB
Yamaha HTR 5490 Receiver
Panasonic CP-72 DVD Player
Mitsubishi 55807 RPTV
Technics CD Player
Toshiba VCR
ChannelMaster 9521A Antenna Rotator

I have several Macros set up to make the HT more wife friendly such as pressing the logos for our local stations will change the channel and rotate the antenna to the proper position.

The user created software (NEOHacker and NEOSynch) is key. It really opens up the remote. You better be a tweaker. If you are, it's pretty fun, if you are not, it can be frustrating. Check out www.remotecentral.com for more info.


AreBee

mantis

Yes,
I own 2 Prontos currently,the TSU1000 and the TSU3000, and almost 3.The New I Pronto was looking promising but right now it's not ready.........

The Neo is a nice little affordable remote.It's easy to program and clean.The downside is that it's limited to the small screen.For the money,it's a no brainer.

If you ever need any help,I know it inside and out.

Good advice from above is www.remotecentral.com

Dan

O tip of the day.......know your gear is knowing your remote.....

TucsonWill

I'be had one for over a year, have dropped it several times with no damages. It's a great unit! Only problem is no code for the Sony plasma TV I just got, haven't had to "teach" it anything but will be figuring it out. Anybody got a code for a Sony KE-42TS2?

_______________
Receiver = Sony DB-950
DVD = Toshiba SD-4800
Fronts = LSi25's (biwired)
Center = LSiC (biwired)
Side surrounds = LSiFX's
Rear surrounds = LSi9's
Sub = PSW650
TV = Sony KE-42TS2 Plasma