I'm lookin for input prior to purchasing. Good/bad/ugly?

Comparison to 890, 850, 900?

Mark

I have the 810.

Pros:

- Screen is very nice. Sharper/clearer then the harmony one's screen.

- Display is very customizable. Button Icons and backgrounds can be modified.

- Custom channel favorite icons can be added. (Same as harmony.)

- Buttons have a great feel when press. Feels better then the hard click of the
Harmony One.

- When fully configured it’s a great feeling and looking remote.

Cons:

- The software sucks. It’s not intuitive, there is little to no documentation, and it is full of bugs. Previous versions of the Universal software for their other remotes was much better. In fact the harmony online software is much better.

- URC's database is poor. This database does not appear to have been updated in years. I only found 1 device out of seven that was directly in the database. For the most part you have to get the codes for similar devices. For my Pioneer receiver I had to use the codes for a receiver that hasn’t been made in 3 years! That was the newest version they had. Do the codes work? Yes, but it seems bad that URC can not have some sit down for a couple hours once a year and add the latest models to their database even if they use the previous year's codes.

Additionally, there are a lot of devices that are not in the database and the database has no equivalent code for. (Example: Media streamers, TVIX, Popcorn hour.)

- Remote has issues learning repeating commands. URC gives you the lame answer of fluttering the original remotes button during a capture. Which is a solution when it works but often it doesn’t. The software only allow capturing a signal for roughly 1 second so it is hard to get a good sample in that time. Harmony gets around this issue by allowing you to adjust the inter-key delay, but URC does not provide this option.

- Software Support. URC is aware of numerous bugs in the software and there has not been a software update is over 3 months. What is up with that?

- Remote has to be plugged directly into the wall for recharging. Does not come with a cradle and there is no option for a cradle.

Conclusion:

I have this remote in my HT and I have a harmony one on my 2nd TV. While I like the looks and feel of this remote I'm not sure if I would recommend it. More then once, I have considered selling it, and buying another Harmony One remote. I keep hoping that an update will fix the several issues I have. If could get this remote to work as well as my harmony one then I recomend it and probably by a second one.

But in the end it keeps coming back to the fact that while the 810 has the potential of being a fantastic remote it is currently crippled by bad software and an out of date device database.

Nitemages assessment is accurate. In my case I need to change configuration fairly often som my 810 is sitting on a shelf and I use a Harmony One which I love

Thanks guys. Your information has given me much to think about.

The reason I was looking at the MX-810 was for the narrow band RF and the "supposedly" better ability to customize over the Harmony 880/890. The Harmony One is out due to no RF... what a poor design decision in this day and age. My HT is Projector, lens sled, receiver, DVD, HDDVD, BRDVD, game system x2 so I am concerned about being able to control in depth with the Harmony. I have a 880 in my living room and it does well but the system is very simple.

Any other insights and other options would be most welcome.

Mark

The 810 does work reliably with RF. The real issue is how well the 810 would support your equipment and whether you are willing to take the time to work around the issues in the software.

If you do not change equipment/configuration often and you don't mind spending a bunch of time finding your way around the software, you still might want to consider the 810.

My estimate is that it will take you 2 to 3 times longer to configure the 810 then a harmony remote. I will also mention that it takes 2 to 3 time longer programming it then with previous URC models.

If you can list your equipment I can check the URC database tonight and see if they directly support your hardware.

Mike

I bought the MX-810 a couple of months ago and I mostly agree with Nitemage. However I think the Harmony product line is worse. I almost bought the MX-900. It doesn't look as cool but I think I would have been happier. Hopefully URC will get their act together and improve the software for the MX-810.


Jay

I had an MX-850 before the MX-810. The MX-850 was a great remote for its time. The software was good and reliable. The only complaint I had with the MX-850 was this issue of URC not updating their device database. I never saw a change to their database in the 3 years I owned the MX-850.

I ended up going to the 810 because the channel up button on my 850 was no longer working reliably. I considered buying another MX-850 or a MX-900 at the time but both remotes looked pretty old and clunky compared to the newer remotes. I also really liked the idea of a color LCD.

Regarding the database, I agree that it could be improved, but it is updated 2-3 times a year. The last update was in September. Here's a list of the MX-850 updates. Other URC remotes are the same. If you have updateable software you should be getting all of these updates.

http://universalremote.com/complete_control/updatehistory/

Regarding the database, I agree that it could be improved, but it is updated 2-3 times a year. The last update was in September. Here's a list of the MX-850 updates. Other URC remotes are the same. If you have updateable software you should be getting all of these updates.

http://universalremote.com/complete_control/updatehistory/

I have updatable software and while the database is listed as being updated, like I noted above, the database does not directly contain 5 out of 7 pieces of my equipment. While I can find equivalent codes the database seem pretty far behind. A prime example is my Pioneer receiver which is 1 year old and I still had to go back 2 prior models for codes. :rolleyes: The codes work but having current model would be nice. :D

Buy the MX900..

Thanks all for the input.

After much thought I guess I will purchase a Harmony One and use I/R with Xantech distribution in my equipment room from a remote I/R Sensor.

Mark

Awesome remote if you can get it programmed properly, but the software/support blows.

This remote was highly regarded on remote central forum. I dont change equipment often, maybe 1 or 2 devices a year at most.

Can anyone tell me where I can view a list of devices it has in the database? OR could someone tell me if the following is in there

Mitsubishi HC3000 projector
Bell Express Vu 9200 (this is also a Dish model not sure which one)
Toshiba A2
Xbox 360
Yamaha RX-V661 Receiver
PS3

Im going to assume my scaler is not in there nor would my monoprice matrix swith.

This remote was highly regarded on remote central forum. I dont change equipment often, maybe 1 or 2 devices a year at most.

Can anyone tell me where I can view a list of devices it has in the database? OR could someone tell me if the following is in there

Mitsubishi HC3000 projector
Bell Express Vu 9200 (this is also a Dish model not sure which one)
Toshiba A2
Xbox 360
Yamaha RX-V661 Receiver
PS3

Im going to assume my scaler is not in there nor would my monoprice matrix swith.


I will take a look at the rest when I get home.

Toshiba A2 - If I remember correctly they don't have the A2, but they do have the A1. Both use same codes.

PS3 - What IR are you using for it? It didn't have any support last time I checked. I have programming in the NYKO codes and can provide them your interested.

This remote was highly regarded on remote central forum. I dont change equipment often, maybe 1 or 2 devices a year at most.

Can anyone tell me where I can view a list of devices it has in the database? OR could someone tell me if the following is in there

Mitsubishi HC3000 projector
Bell Express Vu 9200 (this is also a Dish model not sure which one)
Toshiba A2
Xbox 360
Yamaha RX-V661 Receiver
PS3

Im going to assume my scaler is not in there nor would my monoprice matrix swith.

HC3000 - No, but they have the HC4900 and 5000 which are likely the same.
VU 9200 - There is one listing for ExpressVu and it will probably work as all Dish receivers use the same codes
Toshiba A2 - Yes
Xbox 360 - Yes
Yamaha V661 - Yes, including zones and Ipod
PS3 - Not IR controlled, so no. You can get one of the IR solutions mentioned on this forum though.

Remember that you can always learn commands from any remote and use files from other URC remotes, Pronto remotes and hex codes via the Universal Browser.

I considered the MX-810 because it was one of the newest URC remotes and it had a color screen. I have an MX-800 and was happy with the software. Because I have a complex system and did not want to make an expensive mistake, I bought the MX-900.

This remote is awesome!!!

It fits better in my hand than the 810

The buttons have a feel of quality over the 810

The back of the remote is rubberized

The Narrow Band RF is almost flawless in operation. On average I miss one command out of 50 commands.

The software is intuitive and logical.

The Harmony one felt even nicer and was cheaper however, it did not have RF. URC is a true player in this respect.

The color screen would have been cool but the MX-900 has no other downsides.

+1 for the 900.

I considered the MX-810 because it was one of the newest URC remotes and it had a color screen. I have an MX-800 and was happy with the software. Because I have a complex system and did not want to make an expensive mistake, I bought the MX-900.

This remote is awesome!!!

It fits better in my hand than the 810

The buttons have a feel of quality over the 810

The back of the remote is rubberized

The Narrow Band RF is almost flawless in operation. On average I miss one command out of 50 commands.

The software is intuitive and logical.

The Harmony one felt even nicer and was cheaper however, it did not have RF. URC is a true player in this respect.

The color screen would have been cool but the MX-900 has no other downsides.

I'm checking on MX products instead of harmony and I'm wondering if the MX-980 is better than the MX-810?
Can we say that the 980 is a color version of the previous 900-950?
I'm not sure wich one should I get (810 or 980) but I really want one with a LCD color screen.

thanks
Gui.

The MX980 is a direct replacement for the MX950. If the MX980 is within your budget, that's the one to go with as the programming uses URC's Open Architecture, as opposed to the Wizard program in the MX810. The MX980 can be programmed for whole house, whereas the MX810 wasn't designed as such.

I have the monoprice matrix switch, I was just going to learn the codes myself from the remote pad they gave me.

Once I learn the codes into the remote, can I use the wizard to work those into macro chains.

Thanks all for the input.

After much thought I guess I will purchase a Harmony One and use I/R with Xantech distribution in my equipment room from a remote I/R Sensor.

Mark

Mark I think you made the right choice. I was dead set not getting the harmony ONE b/c of no RF, but threw in the towel to give it a try after much hype.

I was worried the IR would not power up/off the electronic every time as with my past IR remotes. Fact is everywhere I aim this thing its working fine it must have a pretty strong IR transmitter and the online software is a breeze to update/change settings. I have all new equipment (58pz700u, 3808ci, and BD30) and the settings were automatically transferred over from my factory remotes by the harmony software.

One item not tested yet is how the ONE will hold up if dropped on the floor (only a matter of time) b/c it does have that fragile "feel' to it.

I agree with most of the posts. The MX-810 is a great remote but it's big drawback to me is the software. Granted this is URC's first attempt at wizard based software which the Harmony's have down pat.

Pros for me:
1. Great look and feel.
2. Good placement of hard buttons.
3. Great looking screen.
4. Nice templates included.
5. Yes, it's more flexible than the Harmonys.

Cons for me:
1. Software is still limited to how I want to set the remote up. This may not be the case for all users, but it is for me. Still more flexible than Harmony.
2. Lack of a docking cradle. For me, this is one of the nicest features of my Harmony 720. I can't see how URC missed this one.
3. As stated above, the software is more flexible, but not in the areas I would like. I don't like the fact that I have to set up two activities, "Watch Cable" and "Watch Favorites," which do exactly the same thing. One takes you to the cable control features and the other to your favorites page.

You should only have to hit "Watch Cable" and then hit the favorites button to see your favorites. This is how the Harmony is set up. I would like to do the same for the MX-810.

Over time I'm sure the software will evolve and improve with user feedback.

I have the monoprice matrix switch, I was just going to learn the codes myself from the remote pad they gave me.

Once I learn the codes into the remote, can I use the wizard to work those into macro chains.

Anyone?

Edit

I have the monoprice matrix switch, I was just going to learn the codes myself from the remote pad they gave me.

Once I learn the codes into the remote, can I use the wizard to work those into macro chains.Yes. Once the codes are learned they can be used just like any predefined ones.

Jay

I don't like the fact that I have to set up two activities, "Watch Cable" and "Watch Favorites," which do exactly the same thing. One takes you to the cable control features and the other to your favorites page.

You should only have to hit "Watch Cable" and then hit the favorites button to see your favorites. This is how the Harmony is set up. I would like to do the same for the MX-810.


It's pretty easy to set up the 810 so that the first favorites screen gives you the necessary soft buttons for your DVR or STB, then you page through to 5 pages of favorites. I use a DTV HR-20 DVR. My "Sat Favorites" activity is re-labeled "watch TV" and the first page shows graphic versions of the red, green and yellow buttons plus "List" and "Back" The 6th button toggles the aspect ratio of my plasma. The next 5 pages are favorite channels, and I have been able to eliminate the "Watch DVR" activity completely and only need to use the DRV device page when I'm doing something weird.

There's a detailed tutorial over in the URC forum at RemoteCentral that spells out both how to do the custom buttons and how to program this setup.

I have the 900 and love it. I have programmed every remote URC makes and I agree with the statement that the 810 software is less than great!

My 2 Cents