Touch Screen Remote...?

[Warpdrv]

I really want a good quality remote, that will last me a long time....

I was narrowing it down to something like a URC MX-3000 or Pronto Pro...

Does anyone have any experience with the Pronto TSU9600, or the 7500..?

I would like to use RF so I don't have to point at the screen....
I don't mind spending the extra money... Are there any to be released remotes that look really promising coming up..?

Plus's or minuses with these brands..?

Thanks....

Warp

 

[CraigA]

I work for a major custom AV retailer as a project manager. I have to say that I am not the gear head that some people might be. My job is to make sure that was is sold works and is installed correctly and on time.

Anyway...We are a big URC dealer and sell an awful lot of MX900s and MX950s...but I will tell you that most of our senior techs and engineers don't care for the MX3000s.

One line you might want to take a closer look at is RTI. Our top guys really seem to like it alot. Check out the T3.

Please let me know what you wind up doing.

 

[Haoleb]

Where I work we also mainly install MX900's, and the occasional TX1000. The tx-1000, while it looks cool. is kinda cumbersome to operate. You need two hands. Of course if your looking for a touchpanel remote they are pretty much all that way. Maybe you want to look into getting AMX or crestron control if your considering spending this much money. ive found the AMX touchpanels we use are much more user friendly than say a TX-1000

 

[Warpdrv]

Well that is not the first time someone has told me, installers don't care for the MX-3000, so I guess I will knock it off the list then...

I wanted something easy to use, as well as cool, but not so difficult to program.
I'll take a look at that RTI T3.
Seems I missed that one while I was looking around...

I think best to stay away from those cumbersome large remotes...

 

[j_garcia]

Touch screen remotes suck, period, end. No matter how good they are, you will always end up pushing the wrong button or have to scroll through too many pages to get to the right command, and you HAVE to look at it to get the right function...

 

[BMXTRIX]

Of course I use Crestron so I'm allowed to disagree... To many pages means your remote is to small. To many functions means that the damn thing FULLY emulates your remote instead of just properly giving you the commands you need to do what it is you are supposed to do...

All that said: Don't get a touch screen remote unless you really want it to be stupid easy for someone else in your home to use.

The MX-850 from URC is top flight and gives you exactly what you want. You pick it up, a HARD button says "CABLE" or "SAT" and you press it. Your TV comes on, switches to the correct input, and you are watching cable TV with 30+ buttons that are properly laid out and easy to hit if the lights are off.

Want RF? Then drop in the MRF-100/200 base stations and get your RF on!

I personally use the Crestron branded MX-850 in my home as well as a true MX-850 programmed in Crestron and absolutely love it. No confusion at all!

 

[riceaterslc]

Touch screen remotes suck, period, end. No matter how good they are, you will always end up pushing the wrong button or have to scroll through too many pages to get to the right command, and you HAVE to look at it to get the right function...

which touchscreens have you used on a regular basis to come to this decision?

 

[MDS]

If you've used at least one touchscreen for a couple of minutes you can at least see the basis for the opinion that they can be, shall we say, 'problematic'. Almost all interaction is done via pressing an icon on the touchscreen (although many have a few of the most used buttons as hard buttons too). That is not so easy to get right every time when you are in the dark.

I wouldn't go so far as to say they suck, but I am definitely in the camp that prefers hard buttons plus a programmable LCD screen with hard buttons next to it - like the Home Theater Master MX series remotes. You quickly learn to navigate them totally by feel and have no need for the backlight.

But hey, to each his own. There are a lot of really good remotes available now.

 

[Nick250]

My Denon receiver came with a touch screen remote and I found I really prefer a remote that I can use by feel. I bought a Harmony for around $100 and I am much happier with it.

Nick

 

[Warpdrv]

Well it looks like I have touched upon a topic that has so many different opinions... Usually around here, people agree on things...

But remotes are an incredibly opinionated subject....

I have a PDA, and could try that, but I don't want to go through all the hassle, and am looking for a dedicated remote, with RF. I really think maybe I will try starting out with a Pronto 7500....
I really get conflicting reports about the URC MX lines. I guess we'll see what happens.. I can always send it back..

 

[ParadigmDawg]

You have too much money...

I really want a good quality remote, that will last me a long time....

I was narrowing it down to something like a URC MX-3000 or Pronto Pro...

Does anyone have any experience with the Pronto TSU9600, or the 7500..?

I would like to use RF so I don't have to point at the screen....
I don't mind spending the extra money... Are there any to be released remotes that look really promising coming up..?

Plus's or minuses with these brands..?

Thanks....

Warp

 

[Warpdrv]

Nice.... Well I have busted my @$$ all my life, and am really starting to be able to enjoy the fruits of my labors... I have always lusted over a nice HT layout at other peoples houses...

Just looking for something in a remote that I will be happy with...

And now Im really bored, just sitting on my @$$ at home, seeing as I Broke my Foot... so Im a bit laid up...

 

[j_garcia]

Marantz RC3200 (which is basically a Pronto TSU3000? I believe) that came with my receiver, but I have tried a number of others, including the larger Sonys with the same opinion. The 3200 has hard buttons for common functions and it is completely programmable via RS232 on my computer on which I have an emulator to create whatever interface I want and I STILL find it a pain to use for multiple devices. In my bedroom, there is only the SACD player and the integrated so I almost never have to change screens and it works perfectly for that.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

How did you break your foot? Who is going to finish the hottub?

I am going to add a extra day next time I am in WI and stop by and check out your set-up. How far from West Allis are you?

Nice.... Well I have busted my @$$ all my life, and am really starting to be able to enjoy the fruits of my labors... I have always lusted over a nice HT layout at other peoples houses...

Just looking for something in a remote that I will be happy with...

And now Im really bored, just sitting on my @$$ at home, seeing as I Broke my Foot... so Im a bit laid up...

 

[Warpdrv]

Im just on the north side of Milwaukee... Depending on where you are in West Allis you are... Its about 10-15 mins to go east to milwaukee, and then 15 mins north to my house, not too bad depending on traffic... Your welcome here anytime buddy... give me a bit of advanced notice so I can get more time off work. When Babel came up, I felt we didn't have enough time...

Nothing exciting in the breaking of my foot... was coming down the stairs at work, and something rolled under the inside of my foot, so it rolled to the inside and crack.


The Hot tub adventure will not begin until fall this year, so that will not be an issue, that is the way the plan has been laid out from the beginning. But this is such a pain in the butt, as I had alot of plans to get things done outside like planting trees, and
building a fire pit in the woods. grrrrrr

Thanks j_garcia, I appreciate your input... I don't have alot of items here to run, so there won't be too many pages that I would have to worry about...

Pioneer Elite receiver
Xbox Media Center
Dish Sat
Yamaha DVD player
Panny Plasma

My buddy just called and got me a price of on the Pronto TSU-7500 $525-$550

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Ok...I always stay downtown Milwaukee so it looks like I am good. I just got back from there on another short trip so I am hoping I dont have to go back for awhile but I will let you know.

 

[riceaterslc]

Marantz RC3200 (which is basically a Pronto TSU3000? I believe)

hmm interesting. i've read a couple reviews on your model and it seems people either love or hate it. thanks for the post

 

[Warpdrv]

Well I took the Plunge and ordered a Pronto TSU9600 & RFX9400 wireless extender which integrates and communicates over WiFi...
I got them both for less then $1K, Thanks to my buddy.. Authorized retailer
I would imagine that I will have my hands full, no pun intended...

Found a couple of good reviews, can't wait to play...
http://www.ecoustics.com/sv/2301
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_14_2/philips-pronto-9600-remote-4-2007-part-1.html