Execuse me? Here is the DVD review, not "remote control" review zone!!I can't even find a Philips DVD model named "Pronto" ??

To all who have ever had a $20 Maganavox "universal" remote, this is going to seem like something that is much more expensive than it really is. Seriously; I work at an A/V store in the midwest, and we sell this thing. We had it operating everything in the front showroom without touching a computer and, for the most part, not really even consulting the manual. Anyone who can get far enough into their computer to read this can program this thing. People who post messages that claim only Prontoedit will save you from not wanting this need to relax; this is the best remote for the dollar, period. For $400 or less this can be had (mail order at your peril) and nothing I've seen is more flexible. I have been eyeing this because eight remotes is too much. The fact that you can download icons and the like is (mainly) icing, but not really necessary. This unit has a much of a utilitarian value as much as toy value!

I LOVE THIS REMOTE!!!! As far as I'm concerned this thing is the Bee's Knees! It is VERY easy to program, looks cool and takes care of all my equipment (list below). It has unlimited macros and can be upgraded as new versions come available. I love it! Locally I saw it for $450 plus an additional $100 for the docking station. Well, I got mine from an internet company for $350 w/shipping and the docking station included. I AM VERY PLEASED! I love the setup and to think all I have to do is press one button to start my DVD, TV, receiver and cable box. Its great! Buy one, you will not regret it. I gotta go all the way with FIVE SPEAKERS!!!
EQUIPMENT
Denon AVR-3300
Pro Scan 36in TV
Digital cable box
Panasonic A120U
Panasonic Super VHS
Mirage AVS
And now a Philips Pronto

I love my Home Theater!

Great remote control, it can do everything you ever thought about and more. Very customizable if you download the software. It feels like writing your own home page :)
I happen two have two of them, one is brand new in the box and it is for sale. I am asking $299 (buyer pays shipping), the MSRP is $399. If interested please drop me email at dh_box@ugcs.caltech.edu

Far and away the best remote I have come across. I compared it with the HK Take Control and the Marantz RC2000 and neither could come close to the performance of the Pronto. These can be ordered for as low as $295 from Uncle's Stereo or The Stereo Trading Outlet. Overall, it's a steal at 300 bucks.

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

Steep learning curve (for a remote...)

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.

Similar Products Used:

Various Sony remotes

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

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

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.

Similar Products Used:

many

nice screen, huge 'coolness' factor.

bad contrast, bad software, bad price

I picked up one of these and although it's a really nice piece of technology, it still has it's flaws.
I'll used it for now, but i'll be waiting for a different remote.

Probably a tad under 5 Stars (I always like to leave some room for improvement).
Super remote (for the record, I owned the Original no blue Dot RC-2000 MK-I and would of given it 2 Stars).

If they allowed templates on the "Macro Groups" or Macros on the device templates you'd hardly
even need the PC software. IMHO you can't quite set it up completely for "Activities" with out
one or the other. You can get reasonable close.

Some of these Pros and Cons are with respect to comparing it with IRIQ.

Pros:

Works on all my devices (Pioneer DVL-700, Sony TV, Meridian 561, Rotel Tuner, Yamaha
VCR).
Great range on all my devices.
The software is very well done.
Nice screen size to unit size ratio.
Screen is easier to read.
Screen has better touch sensitivity (this may of been aggravated by the range problem on the
IRIQ).
Larger array of "Icons".
Larger Icons.
The two buttons are equally as good as the wheel (maybe even better)
I think it has a slightly larger screen.
Independent lights and timers for screen and buttons.
You can label the 2 general buttons.
Large range of button shapes for easier ID.

Cons:

Little hard to read in well lit room.
Buzzes when light is on.
Lacks a true "activity" mode (software will fix).

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

It took all weekend to program.

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.

Similar Products Used:

Sony RM-VL700, and some cheap universal