Touch Screen Remote -from and older post of Johns/RSB

Richersounds.ie: Ashley

Hi Folks

Just thought I'd dig this up as its a bl**dy fantastic piece of kit!
I nabbed one from John the other week so he should have a couple left for two very lucky folk.

This replaces a 6yr old Philips Pront remote - which is now in retirement in the bedroom.

As a lot of you have pretty full on systems you NEED this remote - you'll never out grow it - mine is programmed up to control many, many devices from LD players + HD-DVD (yep, I just love buying into formats that will fail....) BR players, CD, DVD, Amp, TV, NTL (great for one touch channels - just turn their station logos into buttons) , ipods dock and even an old DV Camcorder and I still have over 85% of the memory free, even after customising the buttons and layout on my pc.


• Marantz RC9500 (Pronto) – Remote controls
o Now just £149.95
o Graded – direct from Marantz
o See details here: http://tinyurl.com/nx4e76
o Full colour Pronto remote including dock
o About 3 available

This will be the best £149.95 you've spent and make you the envy of all your mates - Just think how cool you'll be when your friends see a sexy colour touchscreen remote on your coffee table rather than the usual cluster of boring button festooned remotes (shallow I know but still...)

Prehaps the best thing I've bought this year:)

Snap 'em up guys as they are worth far, far more than John is selling 'em for.

atb
Ash

Richersounds.ie: John

Yeah,

Ash bought one of these from Richersounds last week and I'm amazed he is posting here as his missus does not know he has it yet! (as is normal with Ash the sneak - 'Oh darling I've had that for ages')

ATB,

John Mc

Richersounds.ie: Ashley

John
firstly I'm a coward and havent told her (you know that as you helpd disguise it for me) - luckily she doesnt read Boards!
secondly SHE hasn't bought anything this month for herself that I can use to justify my toy.
Thirdly I only play with it at night, When she goes to bed and I'm on my own...the rest of the time it's stored (hidden) under the coffee table.....

But dont let my cowardice put fellow Boardies off buying one

Ash

byte

Free delivery, yeah?

How would this compare to the equivalent touch-screen Logitech Harmony?

vestanpance

byte wrote: »

Free delivery, yeah?

How would this compare to the equivalent touch-screen Logitech Harmony?

It looks like it'd blow it out of the water, I'm very interested.

byte

Aye, probably, though it was released about four years ago.

As these are graded, what kind of warranty is offered with these?

Richersounds.ie: Ashley

Hi guys
The harmony isn't in the same league as these. Devote some time to setting it up on a pc - download the Wizz.it software from Marantz site and it will be the simplest and most versatile remote you'll ever own. I will take abit, well a lot of time to really go to town with it programming wise but as I said before you won't grow out of it or find it restictive. It will change the way you control your system for good. Multiple commands at the touch of a button,no more juggling several remotes etc. Ive split mine in two -a more indepth side to access setup menus for all components and a slicker simpler interface for everyday usage.

Yes they are graded and have been discontinued but are no less functional because of it - I've been lusting after one for many years to rsplace my old mono pronto touch screen back when they cost £999 just no way I could justify one at that price so when I saw John clearing them out for £150 I had to have one!

I can pretty much guarantee this remote will out last all my AV components in my system for the next 5 years (my old pronto has up to now) they will be replaced as time goes by but I'll just teach the marantz the new codes and use the system as normal and add the supplied remote to the draw the houses all the unused ones.

I can't praise these things highly enough.

As far as warranty is concerned I'll have to ask John about that - never thought to ask him!

Guys treat yourselves

Atb
Ash

hick

AshMiller wrote: »

John

Thirdly I only play with it at night, When she goes to bed and I'm on my own...

Ash

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

hick

I'll provisionally take one if you can tell me if it will controll my (pride and joy) archos 5

And Ash sorry about the above, but it needed to be done, you left it wide open :P

Richersounds.ie: Ashley

Hi Hick

Mind. In. Gutter!
Now that I've re-read what I posted I guess I did set myself up for that eh?

As far as your archos is concerned if its IR controlable then yep no worries. It just wont control it if its uses a Blue Tooth remote.

I'll ask John to set one aside for you.

Cheers
Ash

PETERDGRIFFIN

Is that £ or EUR. Will you set one aside for me pending that!

P

vestanpance

Hi Ash,

Can you put me down for one subject to pm from you on the full deal tomorrow.

Cheers.

Richersounds.ie: Ashley

Hi Vestanpance

No worries your first on my reserve list.
Will talk tomorrow

Ash

Richersounds.ie: Ashley

Hi Guys

It looks like I should be able to get my hands on 3 of these - to be confirmed.

That is a £ Sterling price on the unit - still an absolute steal at the price...

My reserve list (subject to a couple of questions being answered) is as follows

1) Vestanpance
2) Hick
3) PETERDGRIFFIN

We can set up a Marantz RC9500 fanboy club (or maybe not as that would be sad )

Cheers all
Ash

hick

AshMiller wrote: »

Hi Guys
We can set up a Marantz RC9500 fanboy club ....

Ash

TOO....MUCH......AMMO......

Thanks for the above answer plus reserve and thanks again for the 37PFL9604!!!! Spent the weekend playing with it, although I do have to ask a couple of questions, prob best on a PM?

byte

Woops! I thought I had written myself in as a contender for one, but it seems I didn't type that part into my previous post.

Anyway, put me down, should one of the other three pull out (pending price for postage).

M00lers

You snooze you lose.....I snoozed.
Stick my name down for one if somebody drops out. Serious bit of kit that.

Richersounds.ie: Ashley

Hi guys

I'll keep you in mind incase some withdraws.
Just sorry we/RSB don't have have anymore - John turned them when he was having a pre stocktake route about in Richer

Cheers
Ash

Darcy Dougal

If any of the above 3 decide against this, I'm next in line please!

byte

Any update on these? Are they sold?

vestanpance

Can't say anything about the other two but I bought one.

Richersounds.ie: Ashley

Hi Guys

I should see these next week - John will be collecting them from RSB today.
So far Vestanpance has bought one and the others are yet to confirm.

I'll keep the following Boardies - Byte, Moolers2000, Darcy Dougal in mind should either of the other guys drop out.

Might even start a bidding war......

Cheers
Ash

hick

Ash

if I decide to do my TV upg I'll pull out as funds will be diverted to that:D

Cheers

Richersounds.ie: John

Guys,

The Belfast Richerites are sending those Touch Screens tomorrow, Monday, Via courier so they should be in Tuesday/Wednesday latest - sorry for the delay!

ATB,

John Mc

Richersounds.ie: Ashley

Cheers John

Guys I'll post up here when I get 'em in store.
Hope you all will get as much fun out of them as I am.
Oh go onto marantz web site and down load the wizz.it9 software this will let you customize it via your pc - you can spend days fiddling with it! (ammo for Hick there!)

Talk to you all soon
Ash

taqies

Can I be next in line please, totally forgot to say about it when ordered some stuff days ago.

Richersounds.ie: Ashley

Taqies sure I'll put you on the list.
Sure wish John was able to scrounge up more of these for you guys..........
Any chance there John of that?????

Atb
Ash

chris_ie

Hmmm, I bought a Harmony One there round the start of the year. One of my girlfriends mates sat on it recently and cracked the screen :mad: It still works, just that you can only see half of the touchscreen! Was going to just replace it with another Harmony One (how much do you guys do them for?) but this one looks quite interesting too. One issue I found with the Harmony was the delay in the signal being sent.

Oh and while I'm at it, I was meant to contact you guys before about the warranty thing you offer with purchases, I bought my receiver+surround setup off you a while ago, is it too late?

vestanpance

Any update on these Ash, do you have them in your possession yet?

Richersounds.ie: Ashley

Hi Guys

Just to let you know that the RC9500 have just landed into me.

I'll contact those on the 1st reserve batch when I get back to the shop.

Cheers
Ash

scollie2005

Hi Ash.

Can you put me on the reserve list as well, just in case the other 6 or 7 ahead of me all decide to pull out (not likely, but you never know...)

Richersounds.ie: Ashley

Hey Scollie2005

I'll add you to the list but dont get your hopes up eh!!

cheers
Ash

M00lers

I have to laugh. In johnmc's original post there was no takers as far as I'm aware. Then along comes Ash, he gives it some sales speal (spelling?) and everyone wants one.
Maybe ash should post the RS special offers from now on!!!! He'd sell snow to da eskimos!!:)

hick

Right one lucky boardie is gonna prosper from my splurging

Ash, due to my most recent upgrade, I will have to withdraw from the Marantz RC9500.

Might have a goo at a prestigo when funds come back on, but for the time being the universal remote with the TV is doing the job, ta and best of luck to whoever gets it!

Psygnosis

I'll take it

Richersounds.ie: Ashley

Haha!
Maybe John should just give me a few toys to play with!
Actually that's one of the reasons I'd find it hard to work in Richer way way to many temptations. You can only squeeze in so many (big) TVS into a house but CD and DVD players AV amps, power amps, processors,DACs and remotes well you can fit LOTS of these into your home!

Ah temptation
Atb
Ash

Richersounds.ie: Ashley

Hi guys

As Hick has withdrawn (busy setting up his new TV I hope!) I'll offer it up to Byte as he was next boardie on the reserve list.

I'll roll on down the list from there

Cheers for the withdrawl notice Hick any question re your TV just give me a shout but I'm sure you've got it sorted after playing with your last one.

Cheers lads
Ash

byte

AshMiller wrote: »

Hi guys

As Hick has withdrawn (busy setting up his new TV I hope!) I'll offer it up to Byte as he was next boardie on the reserve list.

I'll roll on down the list from there

Cheers for the withdrawl notice Hick any question re your TV just give me a shout but I'm sure you've got it sorted after playing with your last one.

Cheers lads
Ash

I'll take it, pending cost of postage.

Richersounds.ie: Ashley

Hi Byte

pm sent with postage rates.
Have a looksee and let me know what you'd like to do

cheers
Ash

byte

Mine arrived this morning. Thanks Ash for the quick delivery.

Now to figure out how to set up this baby! Doesn't seem easy!

Richersounds.ie: John

byte wrote: »

Mine arrived this morning. Thanks Ash for the quick delivery.

Now to figure out how to set up this baby! Doesn't seem easy!

Thanks for the business and it's no problem if you are having difficulties just hassle Ash :D he is a complete Pronto anorak (of worrying proportions!)

Enjoy,

ATB,

John Mc

Richersounds.ie: Ashley

Hi Byte

No Worries glad it arrived safe and sound.

As far as set up goes yeah no worries I'll be happy to help where I can.

I've spent hours on photoshop modifing buttons etc
Once you get your head around the Wizz.it9 software the sky is the limit.

Make sure you check out www.remotecentral.com lots of different screen/button styles there for it.

enjoy

atb
ash

byte

remotecentral.com seems like it might be the best resource, though I donwloaded a few PCF files, and Wizzit9 rejects them.

Anyway, I'll struggle onwards. Might have dedicate some time to RTFM also

Thanks again.

Richersounds.ie: Ashley

Hi Byte

That's interesting I'll take my USB stick to work tomorrow (no Internet at home yet) and download a few pcf from them and play about at the weekend and report back. I never had issues with my old pronto & setup/templates from remotecental before.
Have you uploaded the latest firmware for the remote (and the latest wizz.it software?)
Can't say I have read the instructions for this but I've had years of practice with my old pronto. I'd did take a little while to get my head around pronto edit but once you Master the software they sky (and your skill level) is the limit.
My experience first time around was to replicate every button from every remote onto the pronto but using it has helped my refine its layout. That's one of the things I love about it you can constantly refine it as you live with it.

Dedicate time to it's setup and you'll be rewarded with a slick and easy to us system.

Yep I love mine it's my baby!!
John grab some more from Marantz and help me spread word!!

Cheers
Ash

vestanpance

Ash,

I've been away for the last few weeks and I'm only getting into this now, unfortunately I have the same problem as Byte, did you have the same problem when you tried it?

Richersounds.ie: Ashley

Hi
No, I've downloaded station logos from remote central and modified a few via photoshop and they worked ok. I'll have another crack at downloading a complete template and let you know how I get on.
Ash

byte

vestanpance wrote: »

Ash,

I've been away for the last few weeks and I'm only getting into this now, unfortunately I have the same problem as Byte, did you have the same problem when you tried it?

RemoteCentral.com wrote:

B2-06 I’m receiving the message “this file type cannot be opened by this editor”. What can I do?
Although multiple remote controls make use of Philips’ PCF file format, not all editors can open all file versions. For instance, Marantz Wizz.it cannot open a Pronto NG PCF, and ProntoEdit NG similarly cannot open color ProntoProEdit NG files.

However, there is a workaround:

Open the PCF file as an archive, either in WinZip or WINRAR. To do this you may need to change the file’s extension from “.pcf” to “.zip”. When you do so correctly you should see a “Bitmaps” directory and a “ConfigEdit.xml” file.

Now, edit the file’s comment by selecting Actions > Comments in WinZip, or clicking the Comment button in WinRAR.

To open a PENG PCF file in Wizz.it (B&W), change the lines that currently show as:

Type:005
Version:003.000

to read the proper Wizz.it value of:

Type:009
Version:001.000

To open a PPENG PCF file in Wizz.it, change the lines that currently show as:

Type:007
Version:003.000

to read the proper Wizz.it value of:

Type:009
Version:001.000

To open a PPENG PCF file in PENG, change the lines that currently show as:

Type:007
Version:003.000

to read the proper PENG value of:

Type:005
Version:003.000

To open a PENG PCF file in Wizz.it9 (color), change the lines that currently show as:

Type:005
Version:003.000

to read the proper Wizz.it9 value of:

Type:010
Version:003.000

To open a PPENG PCF file in Wizz.it9, change the lines that currently show as:

Type:007
Version:003.000

to read the proper Wizz.it9 value of:

Type:010
Version:003.000

Save your changes to the file.

You should now be able to load the files into the software of your choice. Note that the conversion may not work perfectly – for example, PENG does not support many of PPENG’s advanced graphical capabilities such as alpha transparencies, meaning that complex layouts will look rather poor with undesired effects around buttons.

http://www.remotecentral.com/tsu3000/pngfaq-b2.htm

That's what I did and it worked.

I'm still suffering tbh. I'm working on Wizzit atm, making my templates to put on my remote, however, it's come to my realisation after hours of cursing, that the remote itself will under no circumstances work with Vista 64-bit (no drivers).

Luckily, I've XP on the laptop, so will transfer my PCF there when finished messing about with it...

It's a shame most of the templates on RC are towards US usage. I've not come across many for this neck of the woods with stuff for Sky, etc.