Sonos and Prontos

[Output Flange]

Anyone using Sonos devices controlled by Pronto remotes?

If so, is the Pronto control any good?

Last info Google shows on it is from 2010 where the issue was that the Search function takes circa 20 secs to complete. Still the case?

[NorthDave]

Output Flange said:

Anyone using Sonos devices controlled by Pronto remotes?

If so, is the Pronto control any good?

Last info Google shows on it is from 2010 where the issue was that the Search function takes circa 20 secs to complete. Still the case?

I"m struggling to think why you would? Use an iPhone, iPad or android device instead - it will be quicker, have a better picture and have a better battery life.

[Output Flange]

I already have the Prontos, and will have to use them for turning on the amp for each zone anyway. Plus, it's more convenient to have it all on one device.

[VEX]

Your biggest problem is going to be finding someone who can and still wants to program them.

Not been an available product for over 5 years now.

V.

[Output Flange]

I can program it.

So with the why and how out of the way, does anyone have any real feedback from using the Sonos module on Pronto remotes?

[Troubleatmill]

Looked at Sonos.. ( might buy )


Have used Pronto's ever since they came out... Love them!!!


Pronto's have been made redundant with Sonos front end. iPad, etc as mentioned above.

[Output Flange]

Troubleatmill said:

Pronto's have been made redundant with Sonos front end. iPad, etc as mentioned above.

See post 3 in this thread for why this isn't true.

Any chance someone might, even accidentally, answer the original question?!

[foliedouce]

There was an 'app' you could buy for the pronto to control Sonos, I had it and it was ok (slow but not 20 secs slow).

As others have said, I wouldn't bother

If you want a spare pronto for spares I have one going, not been switched on for at least 4 years

[Output Flange]

With respect, the only person who has answered the question is foliedouce.

Using an iPad ISN'T an infinity better solution. It won't control any of the other kit I need it to, means that I have to have another control device and is a less user-friendly solution for the O/H.

So, the Pronto Sonos app being a little slow is a trade-off I'd make. The comparison is between using the Pronto to control Squeezeboxes vs using it to control Sonos, not Pronto controlling Sonos vs Sonos controlling Sonos.

[NorthDave]

Output Flange said:

....

There are a whole load of options which will control your other kit via an iPad. If you want to install newer sources I would recommend upgrading the Pronto solution to something else. It will be quicker, easier to use and take less time than trying to get the Pronto to work well with Sonos.

Things have moved on a lot in the last five years or so.

[Troubleatmill]

NorthDave said:

There are a whole load of options which will control your other kit via an iPad. If you want to install newer sources I would recommend upgrading the Pronto solution to something else. It will be quicker, easier to use and take less time than trying to get the Pronto to work well with Sonos.

Things have moved on a lot in the last five years or so.

Exactly this.
Sometimes. I don't know why I bother.

[foliedouce]

Output Flange said:

With respect, the only person who has answered the question is foliedouce.

Using an iPad ISN'T an infinity better solution. It won't control any of the other kit I need it to, means that I have to have another control device and is a less user-friendly solution for the O/H.

So, the Pronto Sonos app being a little slow is a trade-off I'd make. The comparison is between using the Pronto to control Squeezeboxes vs using it to control Sonos, not Pronto controlling Sonos vs Sonos controlling Sonos.

I've been looking through my PC to find the download for you but I must have deleted it. The app was from a French company, something like Pilote Films from a distant memory.

ETA - this old thread of mine might be useful to you

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing//topic.asp?h=0&...

The Pilote Film link doesn't appear to be working but they still have a website, maybe worth a call.

Edited by foliedouce on Friday 21st August 09:53

[VEX]

I'll call The ex Pronto specialist at their old distribute to see if he still has the files for it. What version of pronto programmer are you using?

If it can't be done, (and I know against were you want to go with this thread) the harmony ultimate and possibly smart hub can see and give basic contol of sonos hardware now.

I'll check Mal later today.

V.

[Output Flange]

Troubleatmill said:

Exactly this.
Sometimes. I don't know why I bother.

I don't know why you're bothering either. You're determined to answer a question I'm not asking. So, feel free not to bother.

[Output Flange]

Thanks VEX and Foliedouce. At the moment I'm only after experiences from people who have used it. If it's not usable then I'll re-think it.

If it's comparable in performance to the Prontosqueeze setup then it could work. I'm looking for someone with experience of both, if they exist, to give a view before I spend money on Sonos kit.

I know Prontos are old kit now, but other than the failing Squeezeboxes it works fine, so perhaps people might understand why I'm not rushing out to buy four new iPads and all the other kit required to control everything if I can just add Sonos to the existing setup.

[foliedouce]

Output Flange said:

Thanks VEX and Foliedouce. At the moment I'm only after experiences from people who have used it. If it's not usable then I'll re-think it.

If it's comparable in performance to the Prontosqueeze setup then it could work. I'm looking for someone with experience of both, if they exist, to give a view before I spend money on Sonos kit.

I know Prontos are old kit now, but other than the failing Squeezeboxes it works fine, so perhaps people might understand why I'm not rushing out to buy four new iPads and all the other kit required to control everything if I can just add Sonos to the existing setup.

Fair enough, I only stopped using mine when it went u/s, whether I'd still be using it if it worked I'm not sure. I do remember it was the searching tracks that had a delay on it using one Sonos module but the Pilote Films module resolved that delay. Sorry it's all vague, it's been several years.

These days I have a £59 Android from Argos which I have dedicated to being a controller only by locking it down to specific apps. I connect it directly to Sonosnet for wider coverage. Works well.

[Troubleatmill]

Output Flange said:

Troubleatmill said:

Exactly this.
Sometimes. I don't know why I bother.

I don't know why you're bothering either. You're determined to answer a question I'm not asking. So, feel free not to bother.

What would help fella - is that you provide enough information to go on - on your original post - and try to understand that everyone ( even little old me ) - is trying to help you.
I'm not a mind reader. How on earth am I supposed to know you have FOUR Pronto's... FOUR?

Try this..

"Hello PH.
I have FOUR Pronto remotes, controlling all my AV in the different zones.
Clearly replacing 4 Pronto's for 4 Smartphone/ tablets etc is not going to be cost viable.
So.. this is clearly out.


I am looking at the Sonos - and would like to know if anyone has had any success with......"

Little things like this - actually help in getting the advice you want. I still believe the iPad is the best solution. But I now understand why you can't do it. I wouldn't either.


Anyway Pax... I'm going to open a bottle of red and have decided that maybe trying to help people a little less is probably a good thing.

And - I do hope the solution works out for you.

[Output Flange]

I don't expect you to be a mind reader, hence why the opening question was specific to using the Sonos plugin on a Pronto. I know there are other ways to do it, but I'm not interested in those at the moment, and that's why I didn't ask for advice on them. If the time comes, I will, and you'll be the first person I ask.

Enjoy the wine

[VEX]

Hi Output.

I have had a reply from the UK distributor of the Pronto while it existed, which said this.

'There were two options for Pronto control of Sonos. One was written by Philips themselves. It was free but it wasn’t great. Much faster was the paid version from a French company, Pilote Films. They still exist but they no longer show a link to the module on their site, so I suspect it no longer works. I would doubt that they have kept the module up to date with all Sonos software revisions, nor would I expect any other module to have been repeatedly updated in the last 5 years'

I know it doesn't help massively, but at lease it give you a manufacture and confirmation that the 3rd party one was faster and better than the official pronto one.

Sorry I can bring you better news. if you were at all interested I am confident the alternative remotes from the likes of RTI, URC and Harmony do now have Sonos apps, but the problem then is that they are dealer only so there is a cost to program as well

V.

[marctwo]

If you want an all-in-one solution you might consider NEEO which has full SONOS integration. The only downside is that it's not out yet.

https://neeo.com/