Price Paid:  $125.00 from Pawn Shop

Summary:
About time someone did a remote justice. I have been using the Pronto for over two years, and it just keep getting better and better. I have set up custom icons, sizes and shapes, and have all commands for a specific component fits on one screen. Great product

Strengths:
Custom design, and ProntoEdit. Versatile enough to control everything.

Weaknesses:
Have to look at the keypad to operate. Battery consumption (recommend a charger).

Similar Products Used:
N/A

Price Paid:  $350.00 from ebay

Summary:
Once you have this unit programmed, it is GREAT! I worked for approximately 40 hours learning how, and programming the remote. It is a steep learning curve, but once you catch on it is easy. Now I can make minor changes with ease. Remotecentral.com is a must web site. There you can ask questions, check out FAQ files, find your particular piece of equipment preconfigured, and download discrete codes. The DISCRETE CODES are what make this unit so appealing. "Discrete codes" are seperate codes for "on" and "off". When you create macros on most other remotes, you have one power button memorized for "on" and "off". So if you are watching TV and decide to watch a DVD, you select the DVD macro and the "power" button doesn't activate turning off your TV, but the "on" button is activated leaving the TV as it was. Even as I read this back it sounds confusing, but it's not.

My 71 year old dad spent some time at my house while I was out of town and it only took me 5 minutes to show him how to work my entire audio and video system using this remote. Without it he would have been relegated to watch cable in the bedroom.

I am looking forward to adding the Pioneer Elite DV F07 301 DVD player so I can list my DVDs alphabetically and choose a movie or CD with one touch of the screen.

If you need to simplify your system or just want to unclutter your room, this unit is for you. It sounds difficult to program and before you learn it, it is. But the rewards are worth it. Get one and enjoy.

Strengths:
Programmed it and put my 7 other remotes in the closet. Let's the wife enjoy the home theater. Charger is a must.

Weaknesses:
It took all weekend to program.

Similar Products Used:
Sony RM-VL700, and some cheap universal

Price Paid:  $200.00 from Circuit City

Summary:
If you visit www.remotecentral.com, you will find a thriving user community for this product. You can download hundreds of files and "discrete codes" and read a detailed FAQ that will tell you everything you want to know about it.

I bought Pronto to do three things:
1) Let me use one remote instead of three
2) Create one-touch commands, such as "Play DVD", which would turn on the TV, receiver and DVD player, set the TV to S-Video IN, and set the receiver to Dolby Digital IN.
3) Design a cool-looking interface to impress all my friends.

It worked!!! It is so cool to be able to hit a button and have the whole system "kick in" to the right mode, or press one button and turn everything off. My wife thinks it's great!

To make all of this happen, you need to use Windows software called "ProntoEdit." It takes patience to get good results. The best thing is to download a bunch of "CCF" files from remotecentral.com, and then pick one that you like. You then program the keys so that they match the IR commands of your equipment.

Once you have screens set up for controlling each piece of equipment, you then create the macros I described. Remote Central then helps by providing you with lists of "discrete codes" that you need -- for example, IR codes that will always turn your TV on, never off, and codes that will always set your TV to S-Video. For my Sony gear, these discrete codes work great!

It can take a couple hours of trial and error to learn and set the thing up, but the results are fantastic.

Strengths:
Programmable, learning remote. Supports "macros" which can chain together IR commands. Totally customizable GUI.

Weaknesses:
Steep learning curve (for a remote...)

Similar Products Used:
Various Sony remotes

Price Paid:  $275.00 from ebay

Summary:
If you have multiple remotes lying around and can never find the one you need, or your wife cant operate the equipment due to this same problem. BUY THIS REMOTE!! Once you've mastered the prontoedit software, there is absolutely no competition for this remote, and you'll wonder how people manage without it. There's tons of available help online at phillips and remotecentrals website that provide you not only with software advice, but also sofware downloads that you can pop right into the remote for instant use. Some of these available programs are great works of art. You can mix and match these programs any way you want, by taking your favorite pieces from each available program. With a full understanding of 'prontoedit' software, you can design a program for this remote that could have your grandmother operating the most complex system imaginable without any instruction. This is not an exaggeration. If you hate to learn new things or, hate spending time reading manuals, just go buy a cheap universal remote. Because there most definitely is a slow learning curve with this product, but if you're an enthusiast you won't be disappointed.

Strengths:
Unbelievable flexibility, ability for unlimited customization, upgradable, etc..

Weaknesses:
no direct RF capability, must learn how to use the software mostly on your own

Similar Products Used:
many

Price Paid:  $300.00

Summary:
I just wanted to say that the Prontoedit software issues need to be put in context. Pronot edit was NOT really intended to be sued by the general populous; this was an afterthought by Philips I believe.

This software works and feels like a design ap, specifically for installers. It is not THAT hard to use, you just have to spend some time getting to know the inteface and playing with it. It isn't some "hold your hand" completely automated wizard with a little doggie assistant Microsoft crap.

But don't let the software stop you from buying one; it can be used without it. However, the true power of the remote is only unlocked with the software.

As afr as touch screen type remotes go, this thing is amazing at a price under $300. Keep in mind that before the Pronto the only way you could get this much cutom control was for $1500+

If you're fed up with "universal" remotes that don't have all the functions, don't have the buttons labelled correctly or aren't layed out the way you like; get the Pronto and build you own remote exactly to your liking!

Best addition to my HT I've ever made, one of the coolest gadgets that guests love. Check out remotecentral.com for help programming, and to borrow other people's files to make yours cooler. Even check out the music area to see my custom written songs for your Pronto.

Strengths:
Excellent universal remote, completely custom, excellent price for a full feature touch screen remote, strong IR beam, the perfect HT accessory for those of us under 6 figures!

Weaknesses:
Could be more durable. Fingerprints on screen from us guys with oily fingers.

Similar Products Used:
Many, have worked in HT installs with super expensive products.