[zr123]

Back again with yet another question!

Our sales rep/installer has recommended the RTI TC-2 (with extender) to us for the following system setup:


Projector: Epson 7500UB

A/V Processor: Anthem AVM50

Blu-ray: Panasonic BD55K

HD DVD: Toshiba XA2

Motorola HD PVR

Draper Screen/Masking System

Panamorph Lens with motorized track

Lutron lights switches


We basically want the remote to be able to fully automate everything from the lens to the masking to the actual A/V system, etc.


Someone else on this forum had recommended the Philips Pronto TSU9600, however our installer tells us that the Philips Pronto would require 8 hours of programming VS. the RTI that would only require 3-4 hours or programming.


Three questions:

1. Can I buy RTI remotes online at a discount price? If so, where?

2. Does anyone have any experience with the Philips remote? Does it really take that long to program?

3. What's the going rate for remote programming?


Again... thanks a bunch for all your help!

 

[William]

I have a Pronto and it didn't take that long to program (though I have spent extra time customizing). You can download the program here and read through the help file (what I did) prior to buying and get an understanding of what is involved.

 

[zr123]

thanks for the input

Bump... anyone else?

 

[pkeegan]

I have used a Pronto TSU 1000 (Phillips first generation of Pronto remotes) for 9 years or so. I programmed it myself. I do have a technical background and am familiar with programming concepts. I just received a TSU 9600 for Christmas. I know its going to take a few hours just to come up to speed on their latest programming software. Your installers estimate is probably in the ballpark if they haven't programmed a pronto recently. The beauty about the Pronto has always been it's customization and that involves software challenges and time. I haven't used an RTI remote. I wanted the TSU 9600 more as a challenge than actually requiring a new remote as the TSU 1000 just plain works.

 

[fletch999]

AN installer that uses RTI remotes consitently can program it a fairly quick manner. If you request that your installer use a remote he is not familiar with, you will be paying him for the time he is getting familiar.


That said, I would go RTI all the way. The RF communication is rock solid. The programming can be rock solid. It will flat work. The Pronto uses wifi to communicate with its base station, it is a bulky, two handed remote. The RTI on the other hand is a one handed remote that blends a very good touchscreen with a full complement of hard buttons. Plus, it can do pretty much anything you can throw at it. It is fully customizable (as is the pronto I beleive) The only thing it lacks is 2-way communication with devices that support it, and tht may change in the future.

 

[fletch999]

BTW. The RTI does not use a simple extender like other remote systems. The base station is actually a processor that stores all the macros on board. The handheld only fires a trigger code to the processor which then runs all the steps of the macro. SO, only one code flies through the air rather than a sequence of codes. This eliminates missed codes in a sequence, which is very important. This works with all three RTI processors, the RP1, RP6 and XP8. The RP1 is the basic processor and it doesn't have IR routing, or support RS232. The RP6 supports IR routing, RS232 control and other things. The XP8 has all ov the above, plus much more and future 2 way communication.


Anyway, good luck.

 

[William]



Quote:
Originally Posted by fletch999 /forum/post/15519108


...The Pronto..., it is a bulky, two handed remote. The RTI on the other hand is a one handed remote that blends a very good touchscreen with a full complement of hard buttons. Plus, it can do pretty much anything you can throw at it. It is fully customizable (as is the pronto I beleive)...

I have a 9400 and it is a one hand unit and NOT bulky at all.

Have a friend who has a T-3V (comparable model) and they are about he same size. Also the Pronto has 17 programable hard buttons plus the arrows and scroll wheel.

 

[fletch999]



Quote:
Originally Posted by William /forum/post/15519871


I have a 9400 and it is a one hand unit and NOT bulky at all.

Have a friend who has a T-3V (comparable model) and they are about he same size. Also the Pronto has 17 programable hard buttons plus the arrows and scroll wheel.

The OP talked about the 9600.

 

[William]



Quote:
Originally Posted by fletch999 /forum/post/15521482


The OP talked about the 9600.

True but the OP also said the RTI TC-2. Comparing the RTI TC-2 to the Pronto 9600 is apples and oranges. The 9600 should be compared to the RTI T-4.

 

[Jack D]

I recently purchased a TSU 9800 which has the same programming requirements and software as the 9600. It is an awsome remote but it definitely takes some time to program. I had a couple of Harmonys before that so I was at least familiar with universal remotes. Still it probably took me 40 hours to get everything set up the way I wanted it. And it took some kind help from the experts over at Remote Central. It is well worth it. The thing is fully customizable and once you get it set up it works flawlessly--something that was not the case with my Harmony 880 and 890.


The programming software is not bad but still you should know that it will take time to learn and get it set up. It is mostly drag and drop and there is a database with codes for a lot of equipment. In the end, however, I mostly put in the discrete codes for my equipment as the data base has generic codes for most types of equipment.


If you want to do two way control you will have to write your own scripts using the pronto programming language which is based on java script.

 

[smokinghot]



Quote:
Originally Posted by fletch999 /forum/post/15519108


AN installer that uses RTI remotes consitently can program it a fairly quick manner. If you request that your installer use a remote he is not familiar with, you will be paying him for the time he is getting familiar.

Can't agree more.

Quote:
RTI... The RF communication is rock solid. The programming can be rock solid. It will flat work. The Pronto uses wifi to communicate with its base station, it is a bulky, two handed remote.

I've heard mixed reviews about RTI commuincation from time to time, and WiFi is RF just 2-way communication.


Programming for the RTI piece is a moot point seeing as the OP will not be touching that SW.

Quote:
The RTI on the other hand is a one handed remote that blends a very good touchscreen with a full complement of hard buttons. Plus, it can do pretty much anything you can throw at it. It is fully customizable...

...other than...

Quote:
....it lacks is 2-way communication with devices that support it,

The T2c will not be up gradable to 2-way, so don't factor that into it abilities.

 

[smokinghot]



Quote:
Originally Posted by fletch999 /forum/post/15519137


BTW. The RTI does not use a simple extender like other remote systems. The base station is actually a processor that stores all the macros on board. The handheld only fires a trigger code to the processor which then runs all the steps of the macro. SO, only one code flies through the air rather than a sequence of codes. This eliminates missed codes in a sequence, which is very important.

and easily the number one feature of a true control system. This is really the only thing Philips has missed with the latest ProntoPro series.

Quote:
The XP8 ...future 2 way communication.

In 2 weeks apparently

, but it still won't help you with the T2c if you go that route.

 

[smokinghot]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack D /forum/post/15524439


If you want to do two way control you will have to write your own scripts using the pronto programming language which is based on java script.

I thought the guys over RC were making some of their creations available...?

 

[Jack D]



Quote:
Originally Posted by smokinghot /forum/post/15525771


I thought the guys over RC were making some of their creations available...?

Yes they are but you have to be lucky enough to need a script that is already written. In my case, I have not encountered anyone who has written scripts for most of the equipment in my set up. There is a very nice script to control Escient music servers and I was able to get that over at RC.


There are nice and knowledgable people over there who will help but in the end you have invest in learning prontoscript code if you really want to do two-way control of your equipment. They will help but you have to show that you have made an effort to figure out a problem. Even if they are willing to write script for you, they have to have the equipment on hand so they can test it.

 

[smokinghot]

Ya that makes sense...


Unfortunately I don't have any working knowlegde about the Prontoscript. My pay grade has saved me the need to learn the SW :/