Yeah, you can start building the file from the database and from other people's files even without the remote. You can even experiment with layouts for the LCD display's buttons and such.

My wife has often said that the MX-500 was the single best upgrade we ever made to the system, and the MX-700 has been even better (more macros, more pages of buttons).

Gonk,

In you mx-700 system file, some devices have 1 page, others have 2-4 pages..How do you control # of pages? there is no insert page menu???

Thanks Vince

There are a number of tasks that can only be done by right-clicking. Adding pages to a device is one of those - right-click on the device and select "Insert page."

The guys at Surf Remotes are really good people to work with. They provide a lot of support over at RemoteCentral.com.

You can also control pages by dropping down the "program" tab at the top, selecting "LCD Button Editor", and then unchecking the "Hide" boxes. then just add in control options and learn them in.


Justin

I had my whole initial layout and macros all programmed a couple days before I even had my MX-700 in hand. Remote Central is a great resource for codes on items not in the URC database.

Another big tip not to overlook is the ability to import commands from the Pronto files via the Universal Browser. For example, my dvd player isn't in the database and isn't in the library on Remote Central. A similar model in the URC list had most of the commands, but lacked discrete on/off. I was able to import them from one of the Pronto files for yet another model I found on Remote Central. Have fun programming!

I will play around with mx-700 editor

Thanks for the tips, especially insert page..

Vince

Anyone want to buy an MX 850? I've had the thing for a year and I still can't figure it out. I've spent way too many hours trying to program the damn thing. Worst thing I've ever bought.
Don't they make one where you don't have to hook the damn thing up to a computer? I just want to be able to point the two remotes at each other and learn/assign the codes to buttons, just like I could with the remote that came with my Adcom pre'pro I bought back in 1995.
I'm so frustrated with the damn thing, I'm tempted to go outside and slam it onto the cement. I think it would be more satisfying than getting some money for it on EBay.

The MX-600 (successor to the MX-500) does not require a computer to program, and the programming interface is pretty friendly. My MX-500 review and the MX-600 manual could give you a good feel for the setup of the MX-600.

I think you can learn remote codes without hooking it up to a computer, buy you wouldn't be able to add any labels to the buttons in LCD section.

If you didn't want the flexibility of programming via the PC, you were oversold on the 850. The MX-500 would have done everything you needed (unless you require RF capability).

You can get the 500 for under $100, and you should be able to get more than that for the 850 on eBay.

The controls for the 850 are so much more powerful than the 500 though, have you given any thought to try programming it again? There's any easy to follow tutorial at the Universal Remote Website that walks you through each of the steps.

Scott

Thanks for the info guys. Sorry to be such a grump, but I just had it today trying to get the thing programmed. Now it's giving me some communication error, wherein I can't upload the file from the remote to my laptop. But, the connection works insofar as when I use the 'test" button in the program on the laptop (to see if the signal works) the remote gets the command thru the USB-serial-miniplug cable and tranmits. So, I don't know what the deal is. My patience rapidly reaches its limit with stuff like this. I flew the F-16 for 14 years and it didn't frustrate me like this thing does. You'd think if I could handle that, I could figure this thing out. LOL.