Philips pulls the plug on Pronto
- Thread starter Neurorad
- Start date
You could try sending an e-mail to Surf Remote, if any dealer can give you the software they should know about.
kurtisdigital
New Member
Can anyone help me?? - about 2 months ago I bought a Pronto 9400 and a 9800 on Ebay. Before I bought them - I made sure I could access the software from Philips and was registered on their site.
I have pronto edit and I can make it work but what I REALLY NEED is the HAI libraries / files for pronto so that I can integrate it into my HAI system.
Now, I have no hope of getting this file now that Philips has locked me out of their website.
The files I am looking for are:
HAI_9800_Pronto_Link_2_0.xcf
HAI_9400_Pronto_Link_2_0.xcf
Can anyone be so kind as to post these files or email them to me? I have no file size limit on my email
Thank you all in advance!
Kurt
I have pronto edit and I can make it work but what I REALLY NEED is the HAI libraries / files for pronto so that I can integrate it into my HAI system.
Now, I have no hope of getting this file now that Philips has locked me out of their website.
The files I am looking for are:
HAI_9800_Pronto_Link_2_0.xcf
HAI_9400_Pronto_Link_2_0.xcf
Can anyone be so kind as to post these files or email them to me? I have no file size limit on my email
Thank you all in advance!
Kurt
drvnbysound
Senior Member
So I found an avenue that I can get purchase a couple of different models of the Pronto remotes along with the serial extender (RFX9600) at good pricing, but am now hesitant to do so since Philips has pulled the plug. I wanted to get some thoughts and opinions from some of you here... Should I pull the trigger and get them or wait and go with something that will continue to be supported (e.g. URC or Nevo)??
Here is the background and future use scenario:
As I plan out my automation system, my vision includes a HAI OmniPro II panel, CQC, UPB lighting, the Kwikset Zwave Deadbolts (so probably some other Zwave hardware in there too), SageTV, a NuVo whole home setup, LG TV's (which have RS-232 interface), a Pioneer AVR (which also has a RS-232 port) and likely other parts/pieces such as Rain8net, etc.
I havent started purchasing / assembling everything yet (but do have some of the above already), and really don't know where I want to begin to tackle integration of everything and tying it all together. I have purchased a CQC license, and know CQC can do it from a software standpoint, as others have certainly done. My problem with integration lies in the fact that HAI has some control capabilities as well... direct with many of the products above, such as UPB, NuVo, and Rain8. Which is partly where I get mixed up with what to let CQC handle, and what to let the OmniPro II handle. Unfortunately, that is an entirely different discussion all together.
Do you see any reason for me to make the purchase of the Pronto remote(s)? I really don't care for the idea of having to use a tablet or other 2-handed remote for control in my living room or bedroom, which are the locations that I had thought about purchasing the Pronto remotes for. Note, that the remotes do have WiFi capability, so I could essentially pull up CQC web-pages natively on the remotes (similar to what is being done on iPhone, iTouch, etc).
Here is the background and future use scenario:
As I plan out my automation system, my vision includes a HAI OmniPro II panel, CQC, UPB lighting, the Kwikset Zwave Deadbolts (so probably some other Zwave hardware in there too), SageTV, a NuVo whole home setup, LG TV's (which have RS-232 interface), a Pioneer AVR (which also has a RS-232 port) and likely other parts/pieces such as Rain8net, etc.
I havent started purchasing / assembling everything yet (but do have some of the above already), and really don't know where I want to begin to tackle integration of everything and tying it all together. I have purchased a CQC license, and know CQC can do it from a software standpoint, as others have certainly done. My problem with integration lies in the fact that HAI has some control capabilities as well... direct with many of the products above, such as UPB, NuVo, and Rain8. Which is partly where I get mixed up with what to let CQC handle, and what to let the OmniPro II handle. Unfortunately, that is an entirely different discussion all together.
Do you see any reason for me to make the purchase of the Pronto remote(s)? I really don't care for the idea of having to use a tablet or other 2-handed remote for control in my living room or bedroom, which are the locations that I had thought about purchasing the Pronto remotes for. Note, that the remotes do have WiFi capability, so I could essentially pull up CQC web-pages natively on the remotes (similar to what is being done on iPhone, iTouch, etc).
I have two TSU9600's and I personally would still buy them at this point in time knowing what is going on. I've been following this over at Remote Central for some time and evidently it should not be too long before the new "Pronto" company makes their announcement of the continuation of the remotes. Even if the new ownership didn't happen, Philips has pledged parts for years to come.
FYI - the Pronto's have WiFi and TCP connectivity, but they do not render web pages, so you can't run the CQC web-pages as you thought. You would need to do your own custom screens and use TCP for control and status updates. Even if you did that, you could get HAI functionality from day one using the HAI Pronto screens while you worked to create your own custom ones.
Most of your regular AV control can be handled by the hard buttons on the Pronto so you don't even need to look at the screen (for TV, DVD viewing type activities). If you go to an iTouch, iPhone, iPad or similar touchscreen, you will find that you need to spend a lot more time looking at the remote to figure out what you want to do.
FYI - the Pronto's have WiFi and TCP connectivity, but they do not render web pages, so you can't run the CQC web-pages as you thought. You would need to do your own custom screens and use TCP for control and status updates. Even if you did that, you could get HAI functionality from day one using the HAI Pronto screens while you worked to create your own custom ones.
Most of your regular AV control can be handled by the hard buttons on the Pronto so you don't even need to look at the screen (for TV, DVD viewing type activities). If you go to an iTouch, iPhone, iPad or similar touchscreen, you will find that you need to spend a lot more time looking at the remote to figure out what you want to do.
drvnbysound
Senior Member
I certainly didnt realize that regarding the web pages. What exactly is the purpose of "WiFi" if it cant render web pages?
I did know about HAI and their supported functionality, which is part of why I initially wanted to go with the Pronto remotes. I am trying to stay away from iDevices simply because their lack of hard buttons.
I really wanted to go with a TSU9400, but the vendor I contacted only has the 9300, 9600, and 9800. Since I dont care for the tablet styles of the 9600 and 9800, that really only leaves me with the option of the 9300 -_-
Anyhow, thanks for your input.
programmergeek
Active Member
+1 on an ipad or ipd touch. Low power consumption and you can do all sorts of stuff with it. I never really got the HAI to work well with the pronto though it was alwas slugish in bigger systems. At least web pages served off a server are fast.
drvnbysound
Senior Member
The problem I have with this is the lack of hard buttons. I dont want to have to look down at the device to do repetitive tasks such as channel, volume, guide, etc.
Is there a Pronto hard button remote that is similar to the URC MX-900 which has hard buttons and a few soft buttons beside a monochrome LCD? I'm looking for a hard button solution that offeres rs232 two way control that I can make custom drivers for...
The MSC-400 and MX-900 allow me to do this, but for only one way RS232 control.
The MSC-400 and MX-900 allow me to do this, but for only one way RS232 control.
drvnbysound
Senior Member
I dont know the specifics but it looks similar to the TSU9300, but I think the TSU9400 may also fit for you. I say that simply because the MX-900 is a single handed use remote, and both the 9300 and 9400 are as well. Here is the link to their remotes:
http://www.pronto.philips.com/Products/Control_Panels/
Thanks for the remote tip! The two remotes look nice; I looked on ebay for a used 9300 or 9400 and didn't find anything cheap enough 
I've integrated the URC MX-900 into my home automation system using the MSC-400 talking to Premise; I'd like to add another remote. I guess I'll keep an eye on Pronto prices for now...
Regarding URC software: If you go with URC, make sure you get an updatable version of the software; there are two versions... If you search for the right exe file on google you can find what you are looking for
For example compuplus has this link postedon their site: http://www.compuplus.com/fpage/MX900Setup.exe I bet it's the non updatable version, but you get the idea...
I've integrated the URC MX-900 into my home automation system using the MSC-400 talking to Premise; I'd like to add another remote. I guess I'll keep an eye on Pronto prices for now...Regarding URC software: If you go with URC, make sure you get an updatable version of the software; there are two versions... If you search for the right exe file on google you can find what you are looking for
For example compuplus has this link postedon their site: http://www.compuplus.com/fpage/MX900Setup.exe I bet it's the non updatable version, but you get the idea...