Urc mx980

[Rilands]

I have the older model. It is the 950. It works great except it will not shut off my mcd500 or mvp871 in the one step. Ie. Off (for everything)or when you switch to another source the remote will not turn off those two components, whichever your using at the time. Works great with mt ms300, and everything else listed in my signiture below. You have to take an extra step to shut those off. My programmer says this is because Mcintosh has not put in a code for those two units. Any thoughts on this? It makes it harder for everyone else to figure out how to work things correctly. Is it time for an upgrade?
Thanks,
Mike

[Masterlu]

Poof, you're all installers!

(just kidding)

[Rilands]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Poof, you're all installers!

(just kidding)

Ivan,
My programmer/installer is the one having the problem. Is he doing something wrong IYO?

Thanks,mike

[masanori]

I am considering buying mx-980. I called a local installer and he want $200 to program the remote. The remote will cost be around $800. It seems kind of steep. Is this remote worth the price?

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Dennis.......The marketing concept is to have the remote you purchased available only at select dealers with "qualified techs" to program it. By making the programming software only available to resellers and reseller techs, Universal claims they are insuring their customer's satisfaction, when what they are primarily concerned with is protecting their distribution chain. I'm sure part of the pitch wholesalers use to convince retail dealers and custom installers to sell Universal remotes is how they will be able to make additional income from customer remote control programming. Since Universal refuses to readily make available the software, there goal is to frustrate you into paying one of their retailer's "techs" to program the remote for you. It is a stupid concept that ultimately costs them sales. Their concept has cost them at least one sale that I know about.......me.

I learned of Universal's practice when I first began to research the better Universal remotes. I was looking to buy two remotes. Like you, I change gear, and move gear to another system, etc. I don't want some damn stranger in my home to program my remote, and bill me every time I decide to make an equipment change. In just the past six months I have reprogrammed my Philips TSU7500 three times in the home theater system due to gear changes. Once you've mastered the programming, changes are a snap. As long as Universal keeps it difficult for a customer to program their own remote, they believe they have another revenue stream. Oh, and the wholesaler tells the retailer how exclusive the Universal remote is because it has to be programmed by a tech for the end user. Wow!

George.......I quoted my earlier post because Universal Remotes policies are exactly as I outlined. That anyone who pays $800.00 for a "Universal" remote has to hire some schlock for another $200.00 just to get the remote to work with your gear is totally ridiculous. What is "Universal" about this remote if it doesn't work right out of the box with end user input?

I have considered buying two Universal Remotes, but their attitude about exclusivity is bull. Not to mention $800 is an absurd price for a remote that costs them $50.00 at best to manufacture, box and ship (from China would be my guess). My Philips TSU7500, manufactured in Belgium, works beautifully, programs easily, has learning capabilities, has a bright color LCD touch screen, and is easy to use. The heck with Universal and their attitude.

[masanori]

I will check out phillips remotes

[dirtbag]

I have a couple of Logitech remotes, Harmony One model.
They give you the software, very easy to program and easily changeable when you switch equipment. $199 Cdn. Am I missing something? Why does everyone seem to use more expensive, more difficult remotes?

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by dirtbag

I have a couple of Logitech remotes, Harmony One model.
They give you the software, very easy to program and easily changeable when you switch equipment. $199 Cdn. Am I missing something? Why does everyone seem to use more expensive, more difficult remotes?

Well, I for one need full RF control among other features.

[MyPal]

Originally Posted by dirtbag

I have a couple of Logitech remotes, Harmony One model.
They give you the software, very easy to program and easily changeable when you switch equipment. $199 Cdn. Am I missing something? Why does everyone seem to use more expensive, more difficult remotes?

+1. Logitech Harmony 900 is the way to go. It has RF blasting too, so you can assign devices to either RF or IR. you can even get a IR to Bluetooth adapter for your PS3.

You can create you own icons for your favorites or I recommend downloading from Http://www.iconharmony.com. Here you will find all of your pay tv icons which is just as easy to load into your remote as posting an image on AA.

Your configuration is always kept in the cloud on Logitech's servers. The equipment database is huge & it is unlikely that your model is not in there. Had no problem with McIntosh gear, even the MVP891 was already there. Even so, the unit will find the next best thing for you by association or by learning or sampling 3 codes.

Paying a stranger to come in to program some convoluted universal remote is a mug's game.

You can have a Logitech Harmony 900 sequenced in around 10min by doing it yourself.

[redm]

I was looking at these remotes, they are marked for professional installs hence why it does not include the software. This is one reason I'm going to avoid the URC branded controls.