"activity"-oriented software; adaptable; easy to program with PC. Now my wife can operate the system!

Size, weight, toushscreen not tactile and somewhat inconsistent.

I'm using version 1.5+ of the software that came with the unit. It's apparently somewhat different from the original version (1.0), as the PC software first re-programs the remote's "firmware" before it will even talk to the remote.
Initial setup was a breeze. The setup routines are interactive and in plain English, right on the remote's touchscreen. There's no need to enter numerical codes for components; all you have to do is choose the brand of each one from the choices presented on the screen. All my components were in the built-in software except my JVC DVD player, and the remote easily learned the codes for it. It even shows you each key in sequence and you must simply point the remote at it so it can learn the code for that key. All the keys on my DVD remote were included.
Next is the really functional part. You group function keys from different components into "activity" screens. So, the "Watch DBS TV" activity screen includes the channel selection and on-screen channel guide and navigation buttons from the DBS remote, and the audio function keys from the receiver remote. There are dedicated, tactile buttons for volume, mute, channel change (a neat roller that also acts as a "click" button like a PC mouse), and "home menu."
All this is done easily without even hooking the remote up to your PC. But, it's the PC interface that really adds power to the unit. You can add or remove function keys, or move the keys around to suit yourself, on each "activity screen." This lets you put the most-used keys right under your thumb and to put keys with the same function in the same place on different "activity screens." Although the touchscreen is not tactile, this allows you a certain amount of functionality without having to look at it.
The PC software also allows you to program any number of macros. So, when my wife wants to watch the local news, the "watch local news" macro turns on all the necessary components, switches the receiver to cable TV input, changes the VCR (used to tune cable in my system) to the local news channel she likes, and ends on the "watch cable TV" "activity screen" so she can change things to her liking from there. The "Watch a DVD" sets everything up for DVD movies, including changing the brightness setting on my TV to compensate for the JVC DVD player's non-standard black saturation. The macros are programmed simply by dragging and dropping the component function keys, "navigation" keys, etc., in the right sequence. You can designate a command to be repeated any number of times (e.g., "down" three times to get to the right place on an on-screen menu), with any amount of delay that's necessary(in tenths of seconds or seconds) between repetitions. Neat. Initially, I spent a couple of hours in programming, and then added an occasional "tweak" to the programming for the next couple of days. That's all there was to it.
Some have felt that the IR output is too directional on this remote. For macros, I have found that the unit must be pointed only in the general direction of the bank of components, and held there until the macro is finished. But for commonly used functions, like changing DBS or cable channels or invoking DBS on-screen menus, my unit works perfectly even when pointed straight up at the ceiling, where you can see the touchscreen. Even so, there's no doubt that the touchscreen is not tacticle, and you must look to get the right button, with up to 20 on each "activity screen."
Even though the unit is rather large and heavy for a remote, I've found that it can be operated quite nicely with one hand.
Overall, this remote has achieved what I was after--to have all the functions of all my other remotes in one unit that's intuitive for anyone to pick up and use once it's programmed. If you're able to use a PC at all, you can program this remote to suit yourself. It has some shortcomings, and we'll probably see better versions of this product and better products like this, in the future. Four stars for value (at $259 plus shipping, its still a bit pricey for a mere remote) and five stars for being the best current product in this price class.

Similar Products Used:

One-for-All Producer 8; "universal" remotes that came with receivers, etc.

Well I called another local dealer today and luckily (well sort of) he had an IRIQ in stock. So finally I could touch and feel at least one of these two touch screens. But understandably he didn't
even have to have one open to sell them and he was on his last one. I told him I had every plan to
check out the pronto before I make my final choice. So he made a deal he had in the past with me
that has worked out well. That is, a promise to buy some remote and he'll let me try them all and
he gave me a 10% discount (when most dealers are getting list at the moment). He said he'd have
pronto's in a few days.

So I brought the IRIQ home and it was a small disaster. The way I tend to try out a new toy is to
do a dry run first to get a feel for thing and then "reset" (what every that might mean depending on
the toy) and then start from scratch and do the serious install (for a new laptop that would be
format the disk :-)). So I just wanted to setup a couple devices with preloaded codes and a get
feel it. First I try the Pioneer DVL-700 (DVD/LD) player. Go to the DVD list and Pioneer was
not even listed (even though they have had several players since they were first available). So I try
the LD list and Pioneer was listed. It went through a test procedure to see which I had of the two.
It passed a test for one and failed another so I thought I was all set. About the only button that
worked was the power button used in the test. Then I did my Sony TV which seems to work fine.
As expected my Meridian 561 preamp was not even listed. I did not bother with the VCR yet and
usually have to find a JVC equivalent to get my Yamaha VCR to work (I'll do that on the "real"
setup when I'm done with the "dry run". I had no problems learning IR codes for the Pioneer
DVL-700 (just disappointing it did not have this rather popular player [I imagine all the Pioneer
combo players use the same IR codes]).

Learning the Meridian was where it started to really go down hill. First it would not learn at all.
But the Meridian remote has 2 IR emitters and I think the IRIQ was getting confused. So I
covered one emitter and it started learning okay. Then when I went to go use it and it did not
work. I've had problems with "weak" IR signal even with the standard Meridian remote (I was
hoping a "super remote" would improve things). So I got only 6 feet away from the Meridian 561
and the IRIQ worked. This is great it's weaker than the already weak meridian remote. Maybe it's
still a learning problem.

So then I tried to use it. The wheel is pretty nice and the back light is not bad. The unit is about
25% larger than the already large and heavy RC2000 remote (similar shape and feel in your
hand). I seem to have to often push buttons twice or harder than you feel you should have to. I
tried re-calibrating and it helped a little. The "famous" bitmaps (icons or symbols) are NOT button
shapes but are small symbols that sit on the button with the text about as tall as the letters (similar
to the Pronto but I think the Pronto Icons might be larger seeing Daniel's screen dumps). This was
a big disappointment that could be fixed in the future with software perhaps. The screen was not
great for reading. Since the Buttons are not "Icon Shaped" you have to look a little closer to pick
them. It's sort of the same complaint as the "thin font" problem on the original RC2000 Mark-I.
The fonts are not "thin" but is has similar reading difficulty. The back light has very similar color
and brightness of the RC-2000 as well.

Once you know something did not pass some rather simple tests (I had not done much of anything
very hard yet) you loose motivation to dig very deeply.

So regarding PC software I only glanced at it. Real strange though (especially where Microsoft is
associated with it). It did not have an install procedure, you just sort of run off the CD. I just
glanced at a few screens and it looked a lot like what was on the unit (just more extensive). The
software on the unit was pretty well done with lots of detailed instructions and walks you through
everything.

Oh yeah while I was learning the back light timed out. The unit locked up and I had to remove a
battery to bring it back to life. I did not loose anything and I extended the timer a little to prevent it
from happening again. The unit, as stated elsewhere can be sluggish at times.

The primary reason it's going back is the touch screen itself.

Cons:

Large (for screen size you get)
Heavy
Lack of IR codes for any Pioneer DVD player
No charger
No Stand
Not the easiest to read
Small "Icons"
Problem with my Meridian 561
Problem getting reassuring response from touch pad
Sluggish

Pros:

Wheel
PC Software exists
Activities or Device oriented
The procedure for learning keys was done very well

Not sure and don't care:

Didn't even get to the Macro capabilities.
Didn't really even get into the PC software.

You can program anything using IR signals

read on...

I bought the damn thing for $350. After I got it home and programed all my components is (including: Yamaha DSP-A1, Sony DVD7700, Sony DSS, Philips TV, Sony HIFI VCR, Kenwood tuner, and SONY 350 CD Changer) I realized a most annoying reality...

The lack of tactility is most annoying when you are in the dark trying to switch components or do other funtions. First you have to LOOK at the remote and turn the background light on, then go to the activity screen that you want to use, then LOOK and see what you need to press.

I miss just feeling what button I need to press. So now I'm selling for a more tactile remote contol.

Nice concept- but unfriendly for practical everyday use.

Similar Products Used:

Actually my unit is the Madrigal/IRIQ remote- but it's essentially the same thing.

Good paper-weight.

Many, touch screen difficult to use and hard to see. Not easy to set up if you are not a whizz with electronics.
Too big.

Someone wrote earlier that their wife can operate their system with this remote, well send her over to my house so she can show us how!
The touch screen is a good idea gone bad. You need to physically look at the screen to touch the correct function buttons. I like not having to look at the screen but rather accomplish using a remote by "feel". You must then press the screen with your fingernail to get it done!
I can not stand this unit. You will see it on ebay unless someone wants to make me an offer. Unit is too confusing to operate.
While programing, it did not have my new Harmon Kardon DVD pre-programed, I had to do this manually. Wish I read reviews before I bought this. One word of praise, I did eliminate all of my other remotes, but it is sometimes easier to dig out my old remotes to get where I need to go.

Similar Products Used:

None.

Saw the unit in person and figured this was a must have. Got it through One Call and had an excellent experience. Saved $100 dollars over the locally available unit.The turn it on and go element of the unit worked but immediately exposed the limitation of 20 buttons on a screen at a time. This is quickly overcome with customization. The customization process is very easy! However, the refinement process may continue for weeks. A tweak here or there can make a world of difference. I found the ability to create special screens with regularly used features by members of the family particularly valuable. This is the type of remote that allows you to change the specific behind the scene functions of your system without confusing everyone in the house.
It is surprising how I can hand this remote to anyone and they are able to operate my system to its fullest. This is facilitated via the customization of button titles, e.g., Watch HBO or Listen to Jazz. You get the idea. This is something that becomes a problem for most other remotes. I can edit the macros easily and change the button titles with tremendous ease.
Major bene is the fact that all the information is saved on the hard disk. I won't loose configuration if the batteries run out or if the HD crashes. They sync each other.
It has learned everything I've taught it, including the cursor movement functionality of my new JVC XV-501BK.
Refining this configuration has actually been half the fun. But then again, I like fountain pens and don't mind filling them with ink. This unit great and I recommend it highly--$300 well spent dollars. I'd do it again without hesitation.

Powerful! You can custom build menus to suit all of your needs!

Screen is a little small, a bit heavy

I love this remote! I was struggling with the little $100 remotes. I could make everthing function, but the wife couldn't remember that 1L is to switch to DVD, or that 3L is to adjust the rear volume. I custom did all of my menus, renamed everything, and layed it out great! I used the Pronto's editor, just messing around, and I love the freeform of it. I wish that the software to set up the Harman Kardon was as flexible, but rumor has it that they are working on it as I type this. I would highly recommend this remote if you can get it for about $200.

Similar Products Used:

One For All

Replace the mountain of remote controllers on your table.Very pratical and fun to customize.

Hight price,hard to make it work like it should,touchscreen is hard to see even with indigloo on.

I don't realy understand people that complaining about they can't customize the remote like they want.If you realy take the time to understand and play with it,you can do almost what you want.I got myself to erase lots of time some devise cause i was doing mistakes.finally i got it right and now it's works like a charm.But you absolutly got to have a computer so that you can costomize it like you want with the cd that comas with it.

Now for the bad part.
First,the price i paid for it is astronomical,especially if you think that it's only a remote controller.

Second,even when all is set-up,after long period of use,i have to recalibrate the touchscreen that do not always respond like it should.

Tird,the touchscreen is very hard to see,even with the indigloo light on.And thats a problem cause it takes lot of batery power.I pass trought a set of 4 AA batery in asmost 2 months.

For conclusion,i'm realy happy with it cause it's makes just one controller for my huge stereo and home theater system,and it's fun to operate.

intuitive, easy to customize, pc software

poor touchscreen response, poor contrast

I bought this remote control to operate my Tivo, Sony VCR, JVC Tv, JVC jukebox, cable box, and Sony 777ES receiver. The remote is capable of controlling all of these devices, though several of them had to be learned manually by capturing each individual button.

The greatest strength of this remote is how it allows you to create custom activity screens. For example, I can create a tivo screen that integrates the controls of the Tivo, Receiver, and Tv all on one screen. Buttons are a easy to customize and can include two text lines plus an icon for each button.

The PC software makes life very nice as using a computer to configure the remote by dragging-and-dropping buttons is much quicker than trying to configure such a device through a more restrictive touchscreen.

Macro capability is handy and intuitively programmed via the PC software.

The unit does suffer from a few problems:

1) As received (and if "reset"), the remote defaults to a contrast setting that I cannot read. The handy manual refers you to navigate to a page on the control to set the contrast (does anyone see some circular logic here?). By holding the control at just the right angle, I was able to navigate to a help screen and see it well enough to read that the contrast may be set by holding the backlight button and rotating the control wheel. Once it was set, I had no further problems. (My 777ES remote just has a contrast dial on the side of the remote -- sometimes simpler is better!)

2) I would categorize touchscreen response as "fair". Maybe I just have big fingers, but it is sometimes difficult to hit the right button all the time. I have better success using my fingernail to pinpoint the exact center of a button. I have calibrated the touchscreen, but this has only made a minor improvement.

3) Due to the touchscreen response problem, I have a little bit of trouble using the fast-forward on the Tivo. When using the Tivo, you use one button to fast forward (up to three clicks for super-fast-forward) and another button to resume playing. I find it takes a hair-trigger to stop the Tivo when it is fast-forwarding. The tacticle buttons on the Tivo remote are much better than the touchscreen of the TC1000.

4) The infrared signal is not as strong as some of my cheap factory remotes. It's distressing that I can point a cheap factory remote at just about any angle in the room and operate my equipment while the TC1000 needs to be pretty close to on target.

5) The PC software lacks some essential features such as saving multiple backups of the configuration -- it would be nice to save a "known good" configuration before screwing around with new ideas. I believe I've figured out the file on disk where info is stored and have backed it up myself. However, I think this should be built into the program.

I would recommend this remote as it did solve my problems and it is very easy to use. It has allowed me to replace half a dozen remotes with one nice package. I'm even considering buying more of them for other rooms in the house.

However, I do wish they'd have done some more testing to solve the above problems before releasing it to the public. I suspect that the next generation of this product will be spectatular.

Similar Products Used:

factory remotes

flexibility, programming, macros

size, IR strength, unable to change icons

after struggling with a half dozen factory remotes (and dealing with a much-frustrated wife) I decided to start thinking about a good universal remote. My friend had bought a TC1000, and after barely using it, got a Sony reciever with a universal remote that worked well for him (he has ALL Sony gear) so he suggested that I try it out and see how it worked for me.

I brought it home, and started playing with it - it worked for about 80% of everything right out of the box.. but the fun started when I downloaded the 1.5 software and hooked it up to the computer.

After learning the additional functions to my reciever (Denon AVR3300), which it did gracefully, I started programming macros and activities.

Short story - my wife loves it.
One button turns on the whole theater.
One button switches everything for DVD, VCR, etc..

My complaints so far are...
touchscreen is a bit tough to get used to (but I find that I don't love touchscreens anyway)
IR is a bit weak compared to other remotes - though it varies by unit being controlled (I suspect that some units use strong transmitters, others strong recievers) and I will probably remedy this by using IR repeaters (a good idea anyway)

Overall, I have found that the ease of use and consolidation of my remotes is well worth it - and far outweighs the inconveniences.

Similar Products Used:

lots of factory remotes

Versatility,looks,Programability

IR signal little weak

Ok now Ive read all the reviews and was quite unsure about this purchase.But when i got it home and screwed around with it I realized the following.........
1)this is real nice to set up for all functions
2)you dont need all those rediculas fixes everybody says
3)If the screens too dark........get your eyes checked
4)nothing in the price class is even close

I recomend to anybody that is looking for this remote to buy it........be patient with the programing,hold the light button down and scroll up to bring up the brightness,enjoy the freedoms of a quality remote

Similar Products Used:

factory remotes.........all7