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

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

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

Similar Products Used:

N/A

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!

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

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.

Similar Products Used:

Many, have worked in HT installs with super expensive products.

easy transfer other remote code

the damn stupit pronto edit

If anyone here live in L.A or Orange County. Please email me. I having major problem trying to used prontoedit to program my layout and key.. Thank....

Able to learn the vast majority of remote controls

Not enough display contrast, incompatible with IrDA, too few tactile keys

My review of the Pronto is not going to be quite as enthusiastic as the others here.

On the positive side it was able to painlessly learn the vast majority of my remote controls including components by Sony, Marantz and Toshiba, and I like the look of the unit. Not too overstated, and a bit sexy. But that's where the kindness ends.

Unfortunately I think it takes far too long to get everything sorted exactly the way you want on the screen. You can spend too much time configuring it. ProntoEdit for the PC is not a particularly user friendly program, there is no on-line help (it forces you to the Internet) and the interface is not as intuitive as it should be.

The Pronto has a few tactile keys such as volume control and channel up/down which can be programmed individually, however I don't think these are enough, and would have preferred some more tactile keys on the Pronto that are common to the vast majority of remote controls, such as arrow up/down/left right keys, and a numeric keypad, so that these don't have to be drawn and positioned for every single panel of every device you want.

For every other function, you must use the touch screen. This is OK, but it doesn't have enough contrast, and I keep finding that I have to adjust the contrast with the little wheel on the side of the unit. Many times I find that even after I have found the perfect level, when I come back to the unit after a while the contrast has changed all by itself to a worser setting.

Every time you touch a key on the Pronto it emits a high pitched beep to confirm the key press. This is OK to begin with but it gets on my nerves after a while, unfortunatly there appears to be no way to turn it off!

There were problems learning the remote control of my Wharfedale DVD player, because the remote control for this uses a ridiculous alternating code system, which must be specially compensated for, however despite all of ProntoEdit's options, there is no easy provision for dealing with these types of remote systems. Fortunately another user has found a way to "bodge" a solution by exploiting a weakness in the Wharfedale DVD player itself.

The Pronto absolutely will not learn properly the remote control of my Pace Digital Cable box here in the UK that uses IrDA (a completely different infrared based system), therefore at the very minimum I am still using two remote controls - not quite so universal after all, then.

However, I do think that it is the best of its type for what it does, and if you have a PC (which you should have if you want to get the most out of it) you would be well served downloading ProntoEdit first before you buy the product.

The price might be seen by others as being excessive, try and shop around.

I am looking into buying a One For All instead.

Available product versions very confusing which is one of the reasons for the "one" star rating. Also, the "one" star rating was selected because I was forced to submit a rating in order to post this query.

Can anyone tell me the differences betweent the Green Pronto and the Silver Pronto (U.K) units? The silver one only cost $30 more, but what concerns me is the "U.K." part.

I'm told that the U.K. version will work here in the U.S. with no problem. Is this true?

Also, does anyone know if the warranties are the same? If not, is the U.K. version's warranty valid in the U.S?

I'd appreciate any information anyone would share with me so I can decide which unit to buy.

I was really hesitant to buy the Philips Pronto. After all, I had what used to be the best "under $400" remote, the RC-2000. My girlfriend liked it, I liked it, and it actually did replace all my remotes. Well... it replaced all my remotes until I got a new DVD player and a receiver, and found that if I wanted to use digital coax, I couldn't just use 1 source for everything (previously VCR and DVD fed audio into the TV and the TV fed the audio into Video 1). I had to switch to a different device. I could use Macros to do the switching, but the RC-2000 only executed macros with 2 key presses.
So after doing a little research, I decided that the Pronto was the way to go, if only for its much talked about macro abilities. But I was definitely worried about getting the unit set up -- unlike the RC-2000 (where you have physical buttons), you have to sit down and actually BUILD your new remote, screen by screen, and button by button. So I downloaded ProntoEdit to check out the remote a bit more.

Here is the BEST ADVICE for people that are going to buy this remote:

Download ProntoEdit FIRST, and spend a few days planning things out and getting it set up. ProntoEdit is NOT the friendliest software in the world, but once you get the hang of it, you can make really make the Pronto sing.

If you cannot live with ProntoEdit, cannot figure it out, or otherwise, this remote isn't nearly as powerful, and you may as well get an RC-2000 Mk2, or something else. Seriously... don't get this remote unless you can deal with ProntoEdit.

All the people out there (including me) who always want everything thing Next Day... forget it. Get the cheapest shipping you can... spend a lot of time LEARNING, DESIGNING and SETTING UP ProntoEdit -- it takes about a day to learn, and you'll spend the rest of your life mastering it.

I spent about 3 days with ProntoEdit before I came up with my first design -- then I placed my order, and while waiting for the Pronto to arrive, I spent countless hours designing logic and macros, editing buttons, etc. The Pronto Emulator really makes it easy for you to test things out before you commit.

I ordered from smarthomeinc.com (great company) for $328. When the unit arrived, I fired up the computer and uploaded my brand new design. Then while the unit was still connected, I spent 30 minutes programming the IR commands on the new remote. The time I spent with ProntoEdit really paid off here, because I could use my Pronto 30 minutes after I received it. If I had not designed and thought out my remote prior to receiving it, I would still be sitting on my hands, rushing and trying to figure it all out.

So, to quickly conclude this saga, the remote works, it works beautifully, and it is truely a worthy replacement for my RC-2000. I do miss having more "Hard" buttons, and I can see that fingerprints are going to be an issue from here on. The only other problem I see from this device is that ProntoEdit encourages you to experiment with new designs and new logic -- and I will be spending a great deal of time designing the "perfect" interface, changing the way the remote works and confusing the woman in my life. :) I can hear it now, "stop changing the way the remote looks! i liked it the way it was!"

Just a few words on this product, as a lot has already been written. Perhaps a few people are still in doubt so I’ll offer my thoughts in hopes it may push them one way or the other.
I have a relatively expensive but fairly simple home theater setup (equipment below). Having used several universal remotes over the years I still found that my family would not use the equipment if I were not there to operate it. All claimed the complication level of powering on pre-amps, power amps, DVD, VCR, and overhead projector and then using at least two remotes and a flashlight for viewing was just not worth the effort. My recent return to separates (Sony ES9000 pre-amp and ATI amp) was the last straw. The universals helped a little but remembering that the button labeled “user-1” on the 10th row of buttons was really the power for the Zenith projector wasn’t cutting it with the wife. Enter the Pronto.

Actually I started out with the H K TC-1000 (Madrigal IRIQ) which worked fine but had a smaller screen and less resolution. Also quite a bit less flexible as it turned out. I ordered the Pronto from www.smarthomeinc.com in Monroe, WA. (price $328 with charger pack) and cannot say enough good things about those folks. Called Monday and the unit arrived on Wednesday. I upgraded the unit immediately with the current software version without any problems. I had also downloaded control codes for my Sony ES9000 from the excellent forums at www.remotecentral.com . Ready to program.

I used my PC and the Pronto Edit software for all programming. It’s kind of a learning experience as with any new software / hardware combination but I would guess my first simple configuration took about 90 minutes (basic buttons, no macros, no speial bitmaps, 4 devices). Although I have read a number of chat memos regarding lockups and failure to learn codes via the PC, I can honestly say that I encountered no such problems. The software does have a few shortcomings like not being able to copy entire screens but they are minor and only add time to the enjoyable effort of “creating” something unique. As mentioned, I did make a effort to keep things VERY simple since the whole point was to make watching a movie a simple experience for my family. I have redone (refined) the configuration twice in past week to incorporated suggestions from my wife and am now to the point where she has only to hit an ALL POWER button and a DVD button to get a movie playing. Nice that it lights up automatically in the dark.

I am continuing to tweak so that she has her simple screens and I can get to the more complicated stuff I need. I still plan on using my factory remotes for monthly system tune-ups although not technically necessary. If the Pronto becomes too complicated then I haven’t really accomplished anything.

After a week I must say that I’m impressed. A $300 remote isn’t cheap but it does solve a lot of problems, and make the viewing / listening experience much more pleasant. So far it has done everything advertised which in itself is a rarity today. The various support forums and software upgrade capabilities are huge pluses. My wish list would include a database of IR codes, a slightly larger screen area, and the ability to copy whole panels. Even without additional features, it is the absolute best remote on the market at any price.

Partial Equipment List
Sony ES9000 Pre-Amp (DD/DTS)
ATI 1505 Amplifier (150W X 5)
Zenith Pro851 Front Projector
Toshiba 2109 DVD
Samsung 8805 HiFi VCR
All NHT Speakers
(1A,1C,1A,Dipole Surrounds)
Velodyne VX-1012 Subwoofer
Monster & Esoteric Cables

You buy a "universal" remote for convenience.Right? Ask yourself if you ever "enjoyed" using one of these things...you'll answer YES! if you try this one.It allows you to create a touchscreen that resembles the original remote. Cost?
$400...but you'll use it for years!

I just picked up this unit and it is great. It is well worth the price and I haven't even used all its features. My biggest problem is that I have never been able to enter all the things I want now you can... very easily too. If you want to create the ulitmate home theater try this out.

I love this unit and it works great. If you own this unit you need to check out the web page at www.prontoedit.com - this unit is awesome its the first remote I have owned that actually operates every gadget I own with a remote. The ability to connect this unit to your computer makes it even better to make changes and customize.... You won't go wrong the price is a little high but well worth it.