Hello,

After doing my research, I decided on the URC MX-950 for my home theater. I have a pretty simple setup so far:

Denon AVR 2807
Panny TH-50PX600U (50" plasma)
Panny RP91 DVD
Comcast HD DVR (DCT3412)

I have the updateable software, and I've gone through the steps to begin entering devices, etc. Initially, I want some simple macros for watching Cable or DVD that turn eveything on, switch inputs, stuff like that.

I'm an IT guy, so the programming part doesn't scare me. I'm just not sure I'm starting this all correctly. I've read a lot about activity based vs device based programming(still a bit confusing), and it sounds like if you get the initial set up right, it makes it easier down the road to add on, create your macros, and generally keep things more organized.

I guess I'm looking for some basic tips on starting out with this remote - what to do, what not to do - and any other advice you may be able to give a remote newbie!

Hello,
After doing my research, I decided on the URC MX-950 for my home theater. I have a pretty simple setup so far:
[snip]
I have the updateable software, and I've gone through the steps to begin entering devices, etc. Initially, I want some simple macros for watching Cable or DVD that turn eveything on, switch inputs, stuff like that.

I'm an IT guy, so the programming part doesn't scare me. I'm just not sure I'm starting this all correctly. I've read a lot about activity based vs device based programming(still a bit confusing), and it sounds like if you get the initial set up right, it makes it easier down the road to add on, create your macros, and generally keep things more organized.

I guess I'm looking for some basic tips on starting out with this remote - what to do, what not to do - and any other advice you may be able to give a remote newbie!

It's not even that complicated actually. Once you run the software, you'll see how easy it is. And you'll find yourself tweaking things for a few days until the WAF gets to be acceptable!

Basically, activity based macros are nothing more than a bunch of macros of different devices so you can do something like "Watch - TV' This will set your AVR to the right inputs, turn on the cable box, and your TV.

Device based macros may be something like changing the aspect ratio of your TV to 4:3 from 16:9.

Macros can be created with a simple drag and drop. Quite easy actually.

Thanks for the reply...

I've had a few days to play around with the 950, and I think I've got the jist of it. Tell me if I'm on the right path here:

On my "Watch" page, I have "Cable TV" and "DVD" (so far). Hitting those buttons runs a macro that powers everything on, switches inputs, etc. I'm lucky to have discrete power codes for everything. It then does a page jump to the device's specific page.

Also on the "Watch" page, I setup a device called "System Off" that runs a macro to power everything off. I'm trying to make this In-Law-Proof.

Here's what I'm not sure of...
Sometimes, I want to go to the device page of my Cable remote or my DVD remote, but don't want or need that whole macro to run. I was thinking off maybe a "Press and hold" on the main screen. A quick press would run the macro, holding the button would take me to the device page?

What do you think?

I usally keep my macros i.e. Watch TV, Watch DVD on the main page and then the individual devices on the next page of the remote. This adds an extra step (next page) before my wife, babysitter, etc. make it to the individual device pages and screw up my equipment ;-)

I wouldn't recommend the press & hold for this because I've found that the more intimidated a user is by the remote the more deliberate their actions become and they press each button as if it was going to launch a missile. If their slow on top of that it would definitely be interpreted as a hold action.

Thanks for the reply...

I've had a few days to play around with the 950, and I think I've got the jist of it. Tell me if I'm on the right path here:

On my "Watch" page, I have "Cable TV" and "DVD" (so far). Hitting those buttons runs a macro that powers everything on, switches inputs, etc. I'm lucky to have discrete power codes for everything. It then does a page jump to the device's specific page.

Also on the "Watch" page, I setup a device called "System Off" that runs a macro to power everything off. I'm trying to make this In-Law-Proof.

Here's what I'm not sure of...
Sometimes, I want to go to the device page of my Cable remote or my DVD remote, but don't want or need that whole macro to run. I was thinking off maybe a "Press and hold" on the main screen. A quick press would run the macro, holding the button would take me to the device page?

What do you think?

Here's what I do. I put CABLE, VCR, DVD, and GO2CBL, GO2VCR, CO2DVD on my WATCH page 1. I also add Page 2 that has "TV OFF, VCR OFF, CBL OFF" etc. This page exists in every WATCH mode (CABLE, VCR and DVD) and is for my use.

So my CABLE etc does what your does. It powers everything on and sets the right inputs. I also have at the end of the WATCH/CABLE, GOTO PAGE - CABLE P1.

So on PAGE 1 of CABLE section, I have the buttons that I like to use often (rewind 15 secs, LIVE, A, B ,C buttons. Then on the OFF button on PAGE 1, I use another macro to turn everything off.

So my wife hits "WATCH, CABLE" which turns on everything. Since I have GOTO PAGE 1, she's already in the cable device control mode (page 1 off of CABLE). When she hits the OFF button, it turns everything off.

Of course, the last thing in the OFF macro is GOTO WATCH - PAGE 1. So it'll be all ready for the next time she wants to turn something on.

Oh, why do I have GO2CBL? Because is she somehow jumps out of the menu, I don't want her turning off the SCI/ATL cable box. Since I don't have discrete ON/OFF for the stupid box, this is a real possibility. So I use the GO2XYZ as a way of getting back to PAGE 1 for the particular device. Since you have discrete codes, it's not really a big deal for you.

One, one other thing. I use PUNCH THROUGH so that MUTE, VOL+/VOL- will always control my Marantz Receiver. Works like a charm!