#64337 - 02/27/07 10:15 AM
Re: Universal Remote MX-500 and 990
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Gunslinger
Registered: 07/25/03
Posts: 137
Loc: Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849
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I also have the MX700. I'm very glad I went with it over the MX500. Basic programming is very simple with the software. More advanced stuff requires a bit of trial-and-error (or asking those of us who have done it already), but it doesn't require writing any code.
The sheer convenience of being able to type in the label names instead of keying them in was enough for me. Add in the fact that you can download ready-made codes, discrete on/off codes and save lots of configurations (good for practicing playing with new functionality), it was a no-brainer for me.
What still amazes me about the 700 (and I haven't used the 500 to compare) is the IR strength. I'm only on my second set of batteries in about 3 years, and I can point it literally anywhere in the room to control my Outlaw. At the couch, the wall, the cat. It's insane. Usually I don't even have to pick the remote up. Wherever it's lying, I can just mash the buttons I want and it works.
-Joe
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#64339 - 02/27/07 12:49 PM
Re: Universal Remote MX-500 and 990
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Gunslinger
Registered: 05/29/05
Posts: 56
Loc: South Florida
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Originally posted by Dr_JB:
mm_half3 and gonk,
thank you, both, for the response and information.
If, by programming, you mean computer programming, using computer language, I'd be lost. I have no experience with computer program language. Is this what's involved?
John As stated, you don't need computer programming background, but the software is not exactly something made for someone who is not comfortable with computers and or other technical devices. It has been rumored that part of the reason URC went with their current software policies was because they were getting too many end user support calls about basic software questions, and their Custom Installers were having trouble getting support for more complicated macro issues....don't know if I buy that one. The point I was trying to make was the software does take some time to learn, and any type of coding experience (computer or other universal remotes) would cut the learning time down...but even without any coding experience the software can be learned if you spend some time experimenting with how to use it.
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#64340 - 02/27/07 05:52 PM
Re: Universal Remote MX-500 and 990
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Gunslinger
Registered: 01/14/07
Posts: 215
Loc: Ontairo, Canada
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mm_half3,
thanks for the explanation. I shouldn't have any problem with learning a new software program. However, as all this technology is in a continual state of flux, I think I may wait and make this, a universal remote, more of a final purchase, after the essentials are in place, which are months, yet, down the road.
I love my new 990, however and the power of my new system; it’s like an addiction!
Again, thanks for the explanation.
John
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#64341 - 02/27/07 07:03 PM
Re: Universal Remote MX-500 and 990
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Gunslinger
Registered: 05/29/05
Posts: 56
Loc: South Florida
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No problem...sounds like a good plan John. Once you get all your gear settled, and you have to futz around with three, four, or five remotes, you will really be ready for a good Universal to pare it down to one.
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#64342 - 02/27/07 07:29 PM
Re: Universal Remote MX-500 and 990
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Gunslinger
Registered: 01/14/07
Posts: 215
Loc: Ontairo, Canada
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mm_half3, I'm futzing around now, with four of them! lol It's a royal pain! I can put up with it for a little while, however.
Again, thanks.
John
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#64343 - 03/02/07 08:37 PM
Re: Universal Remote MX-500 and 990
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Gunslinger
Registered: 10/05/06
Posts: 28
Loc: Camano Island, WA
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Okay, I got my new MX-500 today and I already love it. I had it learn the commands from all of my remotes so that I could customize what buttons did everything. It works just great with the 990 as much as I've done anything so far. It's very easy to program.
I do however have one problem with the MX-500 that I cannot rectify with my Microsoft MCE remote. This has to do with the four navigation arrow buttons that surround the "OK" button. On the MCE remote you use them to navigate menus, and this often requires depressing the same key multiple times to move in the same direction. When I try to do this with the MX-500, it only works the first time I press the key. Any further presses of the same key fail to do anything. The channel up/down button has the same problem. Can someone help me with this issue?
thank you,
Craigo
_________________________
Eclectic Gear:
HTPC
Outlaw 990 preamp/processor
NEC XG110LC CRT projector
Hafler SE240 pwr amp(2)
Hafler DH220 pwr amp(2)
Magnepan 1.6QR mains
Snell Acoustics EII surrounds
Magnepan SMGc rear surrounds
Velodyne CT150 sub
Panamax 5510 ACRegenerator
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#64344 - 03/02/07 10:27 PM
Re: Universal Remote MX-500 and 990
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Desperado
Registered: 03/21/01
Posts: 14054
Loc: Memphis, TN USA
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I don't know if this will help, but it's worth a try - the following is something that I wrote back when I was using an MX-500: When I originally learned all of my remotes' commands into the MX-500, there were a few buttons whose behavior changed, most notably the volume control – buttons that would work continuously when pressed down on the original remote sent only a single brief signal when depressed on the MX-500, requiring the button to be pressed repeatedly to achieve the same effect as holding it down. This initially only affected volume control for the Model 950, and rather than find a solution I simply adapted my behavior to the quirk. When I got the Yamaha DVD-S1500 DVD player more than a year after getting the MX-500, however, I needed to find a way to fast forward and rewind with the MX-500 – the S1500's fast forward and rewind controls were tied in with the track forward/back buttons and required those buttons to be held down for a few seconds. This led me to a discovery: when learning a function to a button, hold down the button being taught until the MX-500 is done. This will allow the MX-500 to send a continuous signal when the button is held down, which is very handy for large scale volume adjustments and is essential for making the S1500 fast forward and rewind. On some previous learning remotes I've found that this technique would make fine control (like slight volume control changes) nearly impossible, but the MX-500 is much better behaved and has not exhibited any control problems on buttons learned in this manner. That had more to do with buttons sending continuous data, but it may also help with the ussie you are running into.
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#64345 - 03/05/07 12:54 AM
Re: Universal Remote MX-500 and 990
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Gunslinger
Registered: 10/05/06
Posts: 28
Loc: Camano Island, WA
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I tried learning the MCE functions as you suggested gonk, by holding the key longer on it while the MX-500 learned. It didn't take long for it to indicate good. However, it still only works on first press. Very frustrating. I may try some other things, but not holding much hope.  It seems like it has more to do with MCE than MX-500. I noticed that the MCE remote will send a continual signal as long as you have the key pressed causing menus to scroll on screen. Likewise, you can raise and lower the volume in the same way with the MCE remote. thanks, Craigo
_________________________
Eclectic Gear:
HTPC
Outlaw 990 preamp/processor
NEC XG110LC CRT projector
Hafler SE240 pwr amp(2)
Hafler DH220 pwr amp(2)
Magnepan 1.6QR mains
Snell Acoustics EII surrounds
Magnepan SMGc rear surrounds
Velodyne CT150 sub
Panamax 5510 ACRegenerator
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#64346 - 03/05/07 09:17 AM
Re: Universal Remote MX-500 and 990
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Gunslinger
Registered: 01/29/07
Posts: 56
Loc: near Chicago
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Dr_JB,
I received my MX-850 last week and quickly 'programmed' it Sunday morning. Except for the Oppo, I learned each necessary button on all the remotes to the MX-850. A couple of buttons had to be re-learned but the entire setup took no more than a couple of hours. I haven't created any macros as yet, but I will. (for the Oppo 981 I used the 970 code which seems to work okay so far)
I've tried to refrain from using the word 'program' because I don't want to use a word that will possibly scare someone away from using a universal remote like the MX. There is no real programming involved. You simply use the software that's already been created. Programming created the software. There's little more involved than plugging values in an Excel sheet. If your remote is not in the database it becomes a simple button pushing exercise. The manual supplied by my vendor was easy to follow and supplied plenty of examples.
There's a vendor on ebay that will sell you a MX-850 and give you access to the software. For $200 you can rid yourself of all that remote clutter. No doubt you'll soon be creating macros. It's easy and it's fun.
_________________________
Outlaw 990; Carver TFM45 (mains); Carver TFM35 (surrounds); Carver TFM24 (bridged for center); Carver TFM15CB (rears); Acoustic Research AR9 mains; Polk CS400I center; Polk FX500I surrounds; Polk FX300I rears; Sony KDS-60A2000; Oppo DV-981HD; MX-850
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