A Discussion On Programmable Remote Controls

**rbinck** · 03-18-2006, 02:17 PM

Click here for: A Discussion On Programmable Remote Controls

This discussion goes into the subject of how to set up a MX-850 programmable remote control. Plenty of example pictures and discussion on what to think about in setting up your programmable remote control. Applies to just about any brand and model remote control.

2nd. in a series.

dels28 · 03-18-2006, 02:34 PM

You were correct in the last thread, it is exactly like the 880. I may not have looked in the right place, but does this remote allow you to download backscreens or screensavers. The 880, allows for a different picure for each device? Not necessary for most, but adds a nice touch to any home theater system. I did not notice any difference in the buttons on the remote. Didn't notice if the remote came with a charging dock. This is a nice feature of the 880. One charge will generally last one week. One last thing, is the MX-850 carried by the Best Buys and Circuit City's? My local best buy has all of the Harmony brands displayed prominently in the big screen area.

**rbinck** · 03-18-2006, 11:35 PM

I don't think they carry the Home Theater Master remotes. They are generally only available through home theater dealers that will program them as well as sell them. If you are going to tackle the remote yourself, the Harmony's are probably the better choice. We sell the Logitech also, but prefer the MX-850 because internet is not required.

Murietajim · 08-02-2006, 03:40 PM

I bought the Aeros MX-850 remote and the manufacturer will not provide me with access to the editor software. They tell me I have to pay a professional installer to program it for me. Does anyone know where I can get the software? Thanks

maicaw · 08-02-2006, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murietajim

I bought the Aeros MX-850 remote and the manufacturer will not provide me with access to the editor software. They tell me I have to pay a professional installer to program it for me. Does anyone know where I can get the software? Thanks

The editor and help files and much other useful information is posted here as shown in post #1http://www.highdefinitionblog.com/Pa...teControls.htm - but I notice the download area of http://www.universalremote.com/ seems to have disabled the download links - here is the old URL - if you can't find the files by googling the filenames -send me a pm - I may be able to uplaod you versions I have- I have a MX-850 -it's a beautiful remote

Quote:

...The MX-850 style remotes can be either, but are much more powerful if programmed to do both. The following is a sample programming session for a MX-850. The software for using a personal computer to program a MX-850 can be downloaded from the www.universalremote.com site or using these links:
MX-850
Owner's Manual - PDF Format - 304K
Editor Software - Version 1.12.255 - 7.18MB
Programming Manual - PDF Format - 691k
MX Editor Tutorial Video - 10.7MB
After you have installed MX Editor, please use the "Live Update" feature to ensure you have the latest version.
You can download the software and make a configuration without having to buy a MX-850 to see if it is something you feel comfortable with. The software will operate as an emulator as far as changing from page to page. Also if you want to download the sample configuration used in this essay click: Sample Configuration...

they've changed the download page content If you are a consumer and do not qualify for access to the dealer only site, please contact your place of purchase to obtain programming support, software and manuals.

maicaw · 08-02-2006, 04:39 PM

check around on the web for more info - here a thread about the new policy http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin...hread.cgi?9563
If you want to google for the file the download filename is mx850editor.zip the executable is mx850editor.exe
here's an interesting comment on that thread

Quote:

I'm not an attorney but I would suspect there is one out there that is much smarter than URC's which will bite hard on this one. In the meantime, when my builder calls back I will be telling him to take the remotes back and replace them with ones made by a company that sells a functioning product. I am POed!!!

maicaw · 08-02-2006, 05:27 PM

more info on URC 8-1-06 policy http://www.remotecentral.com/wn060801.htm
also here is an older thread here about the editor http://www.highdefforum.com/showthre...650#post133650
note my posts - if you bought it from an authorized dealer - my guy sez he was in an email - he should be able to get you access to the files
Echoing the lame marketing and support - the manual for the editor contains at least one derogatory statement about the end users - speaking about them as if the were stupid and unworthy to use the whole gamut of the MX850 features -or even that the programmer seller should hide a few pages (of channels) if they weren't nice to him - and the latest PR (see link) seems to echo that attitude -nice remote- baad corporate karma -

**rbinck** · 08-03-2006, 04:48 PM

The last seminar I went to for URC products they implied something like this was going to happen. URC makes just about everybodys remote controls, so this home theater product line is as close to a retail product as they ever made. They do not want to be in the retail business period. They don't have the support staff for it and rely on the training of dealers so they don't have to provide end user support.

They have had a lot of internet sales that has cause a lot of end user telephone calls and they don't like them. Hell, they don't like calls from dealers even. They seem to want us to learn at the training courses and then figgure it out for yourself. Great if you are experenced with the product, a bitch if you are an end user.

Bottom line: If you are an end user get a Harmony remote. The URC products are great for us dealers, but not so great for an end user.

maicaw · 10-15-2006, 05:18 PM

A HDF member provided this link in a PM today http://www.universalremote.com/pro/registration.php
I was able to download - MX-850.zip --- 11.0 MB (11,570,684 bytes)
after filling out the registration form using my serial numbers under the right side battery and the dealer info from my purchase invoice -
which unzips to :
the August 8,2006 version of the MX-850 editor
MX-850SetupCS.exe ver 1.00.0000 --- 7.46 MB (7,823,813 bytes)
and the August 08, 2006, version of the programming manual
MX850ProgrammingManual.pdf --- 3.95 MB (4,148,968 bytes)
- and the IR codes for the XA1 downloaded just fine

notice those dates are after any of the previous posts in this thread

dale53 · 11-10-2006, 11:14 AM

Maicaw, Can you check in the August 2006 version of the URC software if there is an IR code for the Sony KDS-R60XBR2 under TV?

Thanks.

protechav · 12-05-2007, 01:27 PM

anyone with an update on mx850editor software, so far I have been told by Universal Remote that they do not allow you to download the software simply by entering the serial number anymore, does anyone have a working software download?

clwhitlock · 07-20-2009, 02:56 PM

I have acquired MX-900. I understand most of the programming actions, but cannot figure out how to program a few pages of my Dish Network TV favorites after I have created a TV FAV device in the watch listing. Can anyone help me with this or refer me to some publication that will help?

**rbinck** · 07-20-2009, 04:57 PM

You have to use a macro that uses the Dish receiver channel number buttons. Do you know how to enter a macro for a button?

clwhitlock · 07-21-2009, 07:22 AM

Thanks for your reply. I guess I don't clearly understand how to enter the Dish channel numbers into a button macro so that I end up with a few pages of favorites. I had a Mx-500 before and they had a specific procedure for creating a list of favorites but I cannot find equal instructions for the MX-900. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

**rbinck** · 07-21-2009, 11:14 AM

Unfortunately Universal Remote is set up for dealers to program their units and not consumers, so they expect you to have attended a training program of theirs to program their remotes.

To have a series of pages you go to from the watch pages for your Dish favorites, you create a device I'll call DSHFAV. Then on the pages for that device you can program the 6 buttons to the right of the display with the macros. You will need a Dish device already programed that controls the Dish receiver I'll call DISH. The best way to create the DSHFAV device is going to be to assign it to be a second Dish receiver device. That will have all of the buttons below the display still programmed for the Dish receiver. You then delete the button contents for the buttons to the right of the display and reprogram them with macros as well as re-label them.

Go to the first page of the DSHFAV and select a button to be programed. If it is programed, delete the IR code and Button and enter the new lable. Then click the "M" icon on the toolbar. This will set the macro programming for the button. Alternately you can click the "record" icon on the macro tool bar. Select the first channel number button. That will store the button in the macro list to the right.

Generally a time delay will be required between buttons in a macro and that can be inserted by clicking the "insert time delay" icon on the macro tool bar, it is directly to the right of the "save" icon that looks like a floppy disk. Normally the default value of 0.2 sec will be good.

Repeat for the next channel number and delay until all channel numbers are programmed. Then click on the "save" icon. Repeat for all favorite buttons. Add as many pages as required.

You can also add pages to the DISH device for the favorites if desired rather than a separate devive for the favorites.

Hopefully this is not too confusing for you.

03-18-2006, 02:34 PM	#2
dels28 Hoosier Man Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 687	You were correct in the last thread, it is exactly like the 880. I may not have looked in the right place, but does this remote allow you to download backscreens or screensavers. The 880, allows for a different picure for each device? Not necessary for most, but adds a nice touch to any home theater system. I did not notice any difference in the buttons on the remote. Didn't notice if the remote came with a charging dock. This is a nice feature of the 880. One charge will generally last one week. One last thing, is the MX-850 carried by the Best Buys and Circuit City's? My local best buy has all of the Harmony brands displayed prominently in the big screen area. __________________ Sony WEGA KDL-52XBR4 Daddy's Room Onkyo TX-SR705 Klipsch Synergy Series Quintet 100-Watt 5-Piece Home Theater Speaker System Klipsch 12" 650W Powered Subwoofer Logitech Harmony 880 HR 20-600& HR 21-200, Direct TV PS3 60GB, PS3 80GB HD-A30 HD-A2 Nintiendo Wii Sony WEGA KDF-55WF655 retired to family living room Ready Nas Pro Duo 1.5 TB Media Server

03-18-2006, 11:35 PM	#3
rbinck Administrator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 12,337	I don't think they carry the Home Theater Master remotes. They are generally only available through home theater dealers that will program them as well as sell them. If you are going to tackle the remote yourself, the Harmony's are probably the better choice. We sell the Logitech also, but prefer the MX-850 because internet is not required. __________________ www.highdefinitionblog.com www.BlogOfHawaii.com

08-02-2006, 03:40 PM	#4
Murietajim My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 7	I bought the Aeros MX-850 remote and the manufacturer will not provide me with access to the editor software. They tell me I have to pay a professional installer to program it for me. Does anyone know where I can get the software? Thanks __________________ Murietajim Happily Retired

08-02-2006, 05:27 PM	#7
maicaw Crabtree's Bludgeon Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,001	more info on URC 8-1-06 policy http://www.remotecentral.com/wn060801.htm also here is an older thread here about the editor http://www.highdefforum.com/showthre...650#post133650 note my posts - if you bought it from an authorized dealer - my guy sez he was in an email - he should be able to get you access to the files Echoing the lame marketing and support - the manual for the editor contains at least one derogatory statement about the end users - speaking about them as if the were stupid and unworthy to use the whole gamut of the MX850 features -or even that the programmer seller should hide a few pages (of channels) if they weren't nice to him - and the latest PR (see link) seems to echo that attitude -nice remote- baad corporate karma - Last edited by maicaw; 08-02-2006 at 05:56 PM.

08-03-2006, 04:48 PM	#8
rbinck Administrator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 12,337	The last seminar I went to for URC products they implied something like this was going to happen. URC makes just about everybodys remote controls, so this home theater product line is as close to a retail product as they ever made. They do not want to be in the retail business period. They don't have the support staff for it and rely on the training of dealers so they don't have to provide end user support. They have had a lot of internet sales that has cause a lot of end user telephone calls and they don't like them. Hell, they don't like calls from dealers even. They seem to want us to learn at the training courses and then figgure it out for yourself. Great if you are experenced with the product, a bitch if you are an end user. Bottom line: If you are an end user get a Harmony remote. The URC products are great for us dealers, but not so great for an end user. __________________ www.highdefinitionblog.com www.BlogOfHawaii.com

03-18-2006, 02:17 PM	#1
rbinck Administrator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 12,337	A Discussion On Programmable Remote Controls Click here for: A Discussion On Programmable Remote Controls This discussion goes into the subject of how to set up a MX-850 programmable remote control. Plenty of example pictures and discussion on what to think about in setting up your programmable remote control. Applies to just about any brand and model remote control. 2nd. in a series. __________________ www.highdefinitionblog.com www.BlogOfHawaii.com

10-15-2006, 05:18 PM	#9
maicaw Crabtree's Bludgeon Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,001	http://www.universalremote.com/pro/registration.php A HDF member provided this link in a PM today http://www.universalremote.com/pro/registration.php I was able to download - MX-850.zip --- 11.0 MB (11,570,684 bytes) after filling out the registration form using my serial numbers under the right side battery and the dealer info from my purchase invoice - which unzips to : the August 8,2006 version of the MX-850 editor MX-850SetupCS.exe ver 1.00.0000 --- 7.46 MB (7,823,813 bytes) and the August 08, 2006, version of the programming manual MX850ProgrammingManual.pdf --- 3.95 MB (4,148,968 bytes) - and the IR codes for the XA1 downloaded just fine notice those dates are after any of the previous posts in this thread Last edited by maicaw; 10-15-2006 at 05:32 PM.

11-10-2006, 11:14 AM	#10
dale53 What is HD? Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2	Maicaw, Can you check in the August 2006 version of the URC software if there is an IR code for the Sony KDS-R60XBR2 under TV? Thanks.

12-05-2007, 01:27 PM	#11
protechav What is HD? Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1	anyone with an update on mx850editor software, so far I have been told by Universal Remote that they do not allow you to download the software simply by entering the serial number anymore, does anyone have a working software download?

07-20-2009, 02:56 PM	#12
clwhitlock What is HD? Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2	Programming a URC MX-900 I have acquired MX-900. I understand most of the programming actions, but cannot figure out how to program a few pages of my Dish Network TV favorites after I have created a TV FAV device in the watch listing. Can anyone help me with this or refer me to some publication that will help?

07-20-2009, 04:57 PM	#13
rbinck Administrator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 12,337	You have to use a macro that uses the Dish receiver channel number buttons. Do you know how to enter a macro for a button? __________________ www.highdefinitionblog.com www.BlogOfHawaii.com

07-21-2009, 07:22 AM	#14
clwhitlock What is HD? Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2	Programming a MX-900 Thanks for your reply. I guess I don't clearly understand how to enter the Dish channel numbers into a button macro so that I end up with a few pages of favorites. I had a Mx-500 before and they had a specific procedure for creating a list of favorites but I cannot find equal instructions for the MX-900. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

07-21-2009, 11:14 AM	#15
rbinck Administrator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 12,337	Unfortunately Universal Remote is set up for dealers to program their units and not consumers, so they expect you to have attended a training program of theirs to program their remotes. To have a series of pages you go to from the watch pages for your Dish favorites, you create a device I'll call DSHFAV. Then on the pages for that device you can program the 6 buttons to the right of the display with the macros. You will need a Dish device already programed that controls the Dish receiver I'll call DISH. The best way to create the DSHFAV device is going to be to assign it to be a second Dish receiver device. That will have all of the buttons below the display still programmed for the Dish receiver. You then delete the button contents for the buttons to the right of the display and reprogram them with macros as well as re-label them. Go to the first page of the DSHFAV and select a button to be programed. If it is programed, delete the IR code and Button and enter the new lable. Then click the "M" icon on the toolbar. This will set the macro programming for the button. Alternately you can click the "record" icon on the macro tool bar. Select the first channel number button. That will store the button in the macro list to the right. Generally a time delay will be required between buttons in a macro and that can be inserted by clicking the "insert time delay" icon on the macro tool bar, it is directly to the right of the "save" icon that looks like a floppy disk. Normally the default value of 0.2 sec will be good. Repeat for the next channel number and delay until all channel numbers are programmed. Then click on the "save" icon. Repeat for all favorite buttons. Add as many pages as required. You can also add pages to the DISH device for the favorites if desired rather than a separate devive for the favorites. Hopefully this is not too confusing for you. __________________ www.highdefinitionblog.com www.BlogOfHawaii.com