This ProntoPro NG layout is named 'blasenkammer' after an inspiring picture of bubble chamber experiments I found some times ago in the net. (Blasenkammer = bubble chamber auf deutch.) Parts of that picture, heavily edited, are used as background in this layout.

The usability model of my layout is action or mode based and it originates from my ProntoNEO layout that I have found practical among users of different ages (5 - 77). Use of the hard keys at the bottom of the screen (Firm1-Firm4) differs from almost all of the layouts that I have seen. The middle ones are used in all modes to power up, configure and switch down the whole system. I call these buttons green and red buttons (in fact I painted the hard buttons on my ProntoNEO green and red accordingly). Leftmost hard button is used to accees menu functions for main device in current mode. Righmost is used to go back to home page and to re-select the mode.

To start up the system select first from the home (mode) page what you want to do: watch TV (actually DVB or Digi TV), watch DVD, watch VCR or listen to CD. The selected button takes you to mode pages. Note that the system is not automatically turned on. In order to do... (more)

This design is straight forward and flexible and takes advantage of the advanced graphics capability of the TSU7000. The interface was designed to be user friendly for all who may use it. In most cases, each component has one screen containing the most used buttons that keeps ‘screen flipping’ to a minimum. Furthermore, the user can switch from any component to another from any screen in the interface. For example, if you are watching TV and want to switch to the DVD, all you need to do is tap the DVD icon on the top of the page and the TSU7000 will turn off the TV and switch on all components needed to watch a DVD.

What makes this design unique is the presence of the ‘splash’ screens. Splash screens are the ‘animated’ screens that appear while the TSU7000 is performing a lengthy macro. For example, when the TSU7000 is sending the commands to turn on a component, there are many steps it needs to perform. In the 5-7 seconds this takes to complete, this interface will flash through screens updating the user on the status of the task.

NOTE: All hard keys will be used to control VOL+/-, CH+/-,MUTE and DIRECTION PAD for each component interface.

The first screenshot is of the home... (more)

v1.02 Is your computer having trouble opening my PCF file? Here are three alternative smaller versions that might help. Includes a file with only the gallery, a file with everything but the gallery, and a stripped file with only the core system. Same description, devices and screenshots as the above file.

The result of my design: 134 custom-made buttons (not counting spacers & labels)! My favorite button is the volume toggle in the lower right page. Here's what's unique about my configuration:

Consistent frame-based GUI with three button groups in frame:
TOP: device selection with trinary button states - pressing a pressed button in the main page of a device executes a setup macro with auto-power-on, etc.
LEFT: device specific buttons, e.g. TiVo: Favorites, Thumbs Up/Down, Slo-Mo
BOTTOM: “orthogonal” (e.g. X-10 & Amplifier are always needed independent media devices), or common functions (Keypad)

Modifier buttons, when pressed once, lead to an extra screen – when pressed again they lead back to same device

Eye pleasing “soft” design with fairly correct lighting (shadows, etc.) and well balanced colors

Simplicity – one page operation with most common functions

No confusing clutter (I put in time, date & battery for completeness only... I actually prefer it without those items, but it's easier to erase them than to integrate them later)

The activity signal is still visible, though barely taking up any space now

Background is defined on the System page only,... (more)

If you're looking for animations and wild colors, then this PCF is not for you. It was designed with the older generation in mind, with nice big buttons, large text and a simple but effective layout. All buttons have a pressed and released state image. As on all of my PCFs, I have included the cursor buttons on the screen as well as the hard buttons. XaraX was used entirely for the design.

This time I was inspired by fellow Remote Central Pronto NG community member Lowpro and (in particular) by the way his movie library page functions. I eventually decided to convert my whole PCF to operate in this same manner because it allows me to have all 17 activities and control of my theatre readily at hand without making buttons or text too small. At over 700 PAGES and 300 DEVICES, this design is still simple to use and comes in under 7 megs and 69% free memory! The cosmetics reflect a snazzy PDA / Cell Phone. All of the artwork in the PCF is mine except for a couple of buttons borrowed from Daniel Tonks. PCF includes: complete control of 17 theatre activities; really cool (I think) customized loading pages for each activity; a DVD Library of 500 films (and growing); extensive interactive help screens; cable logo access buttons for Dallas area; an easy to use device teaching menu; X10 lighting control with active graphic of my theatre room and a slideshow area of theatre pictures and family photos. Special thanks and recognition to Lowpro, Lyndel McGee, and the great software upgrades from the Pronto Team. Needless to say, I would never have attempted this without the new shortcuts plus drag and drop provided in the new Pronto Edit software. As Lowpro says, "Enjoy"!

This is a new version of my PCF using some of Daniel's backgrounds and BMPs (most of the images and layouts are from my original PCF).

This layout is an evolution of my TSU3000 layout. It is activity-based and makes heavy use of macros to control my two zones of equipment and home automation. The layout of hard and soft buttons for each device follows a pattern, making it fairly simple to learn to use. It contains a fairly extensive help system. The look borrows from the plastic look of some of the Max OS X widgets.

I wanted to build a monochromatic theme with fairly large buttons, logical and simple approach, mostly symmetrical, and some fun on the way. Intro at start opens drapery and arrives at our home theatre…then you "launch" to Outer Space theme. Worlds “move” when pressed…adding depth to graphic. New SAT channel buttons designed to coordinate with overall “space” theme. I worked hard at making it “guest” proof but I’ve also included an extensive help menu with greatly improved text graphic throughout. All equipment buttons are “aliased” (pro 6000 term) or “linked” (7000 term) to Device Codes folder making it easy to change, upgrade, or compulsively buy something else in the future for the pronto to control! CD covers will be added when extra 16mb are released. Kudos to D. Tonks, Lyndel McGee, & Peter dewildt (just to name a few) for all the great help offered on the Remote Central site.

This layout is an evolution of my TSU3000 layout. It is activity-based and makes heavy use of macros to control my two zones of equipment and home automation. The layout of hard and soft buttons for each device follows a pattern, making it fairly simple to learn to use. There is a help screen for each device. The skin is based a concept of liquid metal.