URC MX-880 Unbelievable!!! - Page 3

I just got the 810, and it is indeed a hassle to program (I had never used mx editor either), but I was able to get it working. Fixing activity problems is annoying, you have to tweak in the "universal browser" for some things, and use the wizard for others.

Page jumps mean you add a step in a macro to show a specific page on the LCD screen. It is not a huge deal to not have them for me, but who knows for others.

Overall though, if it is the only remote youll buy, i think 880 might be a worthwhile upgrade. For example, I would like to have a "shutdown everything" button on the activities page. However, without page jumps, this leaves you on a screen with buttons. On 880 you could say "jump to home..." at the end.

Hope that helps.

PS Be extra careful about where you buy the 880, the 810 software can be downloaded from urc's site with a serial # but the 880s cannot.

Thanks capitolm94.

Would you happen to have more specifics on the amount of Favorite pages each can hold, and frankly, what that means as the 880 jumps pages? Also can all the pages have graphic icons. I heard that was a limitation of the MX-880.

The MX-810 has 8 favorites pages available and the MX-880 has 16. They both can have graphics icons on any page. The MX-810 has the graphics built in the program, while the MX-880 has them available via an expansion pack.

The MX-810 allows multiple Favorite Activities with 8 pages all with graphics icons on any page.

This is my Directv Activity.


This is my old XM Activity you can set up more if you like. Now it has the curve look too.

Mike,
So are the graphic icons in the MX-880 expansion pak limited to say TV channel icons or can custom graphic icons be put on any page as EHUPP01 has done.

Plus the expansion pak icons can be used on the Watch/Listen pages, or also on the individual Device pages list like EHUPP01 post?

Its my understanding that on the 880 you can only use the icons for your device buttons and in your single "Favorites" activity.

Okay. I read up on the Favorites "hack" of the MX-810. Quite nice. I wouldn't mind having those nice colorful icons for all my Activity subpages.

I wonder if a software upgrade will give the MX-880 that ability?
Thanks EHUPP01!

Hey guys, just got my 880 (and MRF-350 to go with it) and I concur with the rest of the tread, it is great. It's the first universal (small 'u') remote I've actually liked. Programming seems to be a breeze (can't see how the 810 would be easier though I can see how it would be more frustrating ), I've got power on macros for each device with the requisite delays, and a few activity macros to power up the right stuff and switch inputs. Took me a few minutes to realize that "device" doesn't necessarilly mean a device but can be used to make an activity.

I am having one rather odd problem. I created a "Shutdown" device with a button on the Watch 1 page, that button takes you to the Shutdown device page with Yes and No buttons. The No button macro does Navigate -, and the Yes button macro fires all the Power Off macros before doing a Navigate -.

The problem is, for some reason those macros don't fire. I suppose I should note that I never associated a device config with the Shutdown "device". This ring any bells for anyone?

Thanks

-never mind, stupid user error, had the button jump the wrong page (I made one, then changed my mind and made a different one, they looked the same but I jumped to the one without the macros )

The MX-880 editor is not listed as a model in the download section.

Since URC seems to think that it's OK to sell a product and not the software to use the product, I would really appreciate it if any of you authorized distributors would find it acceptable to allow me to program my own remote. Please contact me if you have either the MX-880 editor or the CCP. Please!

go back to the dealer you bought it from and ask him/her for the software...

I am calling my dealer in the morning. They should have know when I told them I want to download it, that I couldnt. Instead I got home and learned the hard way, good thing they are local and it shouldnt cost me much in the way of time.

URC professional products are not directly available to end users. URC has a software policy that puts the decision in the dealers hands. Your gripe is with the dealer who sold you the remote not with URC.

Why are you asking for authorized dealers here at the forum to give you software? Why aren't you contacting the authorized dealer you purchased the remote from?

I don't have a gripe with the dealer, it was a gift and already had some programming in it. If URC will allow dealers to give the software to the end user, I just don't see what the big deal is about handing it out. I mean it's required for the use of the product and I'm perfectly capable of programming a remote myself. I've programmed a number of proprietary computer systems for the entertainment industry including Soundweb, Crestron/AMX, Martin Light Jockey, Media Matrix, Show Control, etc,.

How would you feel if an auto manufacturer didn't allow you to change the oil or work on your vehicle yourself and all work was mandated to be done by the manufacturer? How much more would that cost you? Would you buy a car that had that stipulation? I mean closed source is one thing but even Apple is less constrictive than this. Furthermore, what kind of precedent does this set? Will it become acceptable to purchase a router and then have to pay for the firmware to make it work? Didn't courts rule that computers had to be sold with an operating system of some kind? I feel that applies here in some regard.

How does URC plan to keep selling controllers when this policy generates pages of complaints about their product? How do the resellers plan to make money selling a product who's demand will weaken when people find that the competition offers better end-user support and has fewer complaints online? In fact I've never even heard of a situation where a product is offered less support by it's manufacturer. In all, I question the legality of their policy and can only imagine that the only loophole allowing it to be legal is that they place the burden of responsibility upon the dealers, who being individually responsible for the decision to distribute the software (based on who knows what qualifications), actually remove the liability of the policy from URC who could site end users who did in fact receive support. Making the real question "To what degree is the end-user/owner entitled support?"

You programmers should be confident that the reason someone will purchase your service is because of the quality of work that you do, and for the user's convenience if they decide not to delve into it. Not because you are the only person with the tool to do it....

It's as if I wanted to cut a piece of wood but didn't have a saw, and when I went to the hardware store to buy a saw, I was told by the salesperson that he would gladly cut my wood, but only for more than the cost of the saw and that in fact, they would not sell me a saw (in any store), despite the fact that they have one in inventory. I'm pretty sure that's an accurate analogy for what is going on here.

In closing I will say that I did report my issue to URC and quickly received a polite reply from Eric Johnson, VP of Technology who claimed that I would be put in touch with someone who should be able to provide the software, so hopefully that works out as promised but I must say this would make a lot more sense if end users could just download the software required to make it work. I'm not saying tech support should be free, but end users deserve at minimum, the opportunity to fail at programming a remote control and seek the help of someone to do it for them.

The same way RTI and other high end control system manufacturers do, by producing a high end product that works better than the "consumer" competition, and controlling distribution to their authorized dealers so a high level of support can be maintained.


99.9% of the people who buy an URC or RTI or the like remote/control system aren't buying a remote, they're getting the control system installed as part of a system by the integrator/installer. They won't even know or care about the issues as well first they'll probably never have a problem with the setup (that's why you go URC or RTI over Harmony), and if they do, they'll call their dealer, not search the internets.


URC doesn't try to support their Professional line to end users, they support their dealers. It's the dealers that are supposed to provide the end user support. That's the whole point, to maintain the product to it's not diluted by internet "wisdom" and unqualified end users making a mess of things.


The end user gets better support with a URC than with a Harmony, or at least should. The end user is supposed to get a system installed that just works and is bulletproof. The way they guarantee it is to restrict distribution to their resellers who are trained in how to use and troubleshoot the system.

And of course for those of us who have the skill to program one and don't want to pay/bother with having the reseller do it for us, It's not hard to get the software.


Actually it's more like building a house, most people just hire someone to do it, but a few people will buy all the stuff and do it themselves. You know a lot of things are like this, some places don't sell home improvement supplies (like higher end bath fixtures) to end users only to licensed installers.


So see, it appears you've overreacted. Even URC will give you the software.

I just wanted to update everyone and say that URC was indeed kind enough to give me the MX880 Editor software. And I don't think that I over reacted just because they actually gave me the software. My previous post is more of a natural reaction to my frustration of needing the software for days and being told that I wouldn't be able to attain it with out paying for someone to program my remote for me. I understand now that the company clearly has two product lines and that the MX-880 is intended for custom installs and not to be purchased at a typical retail store and I think that policy alone is enough to satisfy the needs of custom installers. I just think that URC should recognize the fact that people need the software and that it should be available for download if you can provide a valid serial number.

I personally think the approach is a little strange.

No matter who the end-user buys the product from the software should be bundled or at least accessible.
Sure URC shouldn't have to provide support or warranty (cept basic manufacturers warranty) unless it's bought from an authorised dealer...

But if someone pays top $ for one of URC's top-of-the-range remotes...
they should at least have access to the software most suited to that remote (CCP etc)

That's the thing, they're trying to stop people from buying remotes from questionable sellers off ebay (or other grey market sources) to protect their dealers.

Will the Mx-880 interfere with my URC-200 with MRF-100 base station? Any potential problems with the URC-200 interfering with the base station for the 880?

You can pick the channel the 880 uses (per device and base station). Actually the 880 should be able to control your current base station if you really wanted.

There will not be any interference. However, I do not think the mx-880 will be able to talk with your MRF-100 because the the newer URC remotes all use the narrow-band RF.

The MX-880 will work with the MRF-100. The newer narrow band remotes will work with the old base stations, but the older (and consumer series remotes like the URC-200) will not work well (if at all) with the new narrow-band base stations (MRF-260 or 350). The only issues you might have with interference is if you were sending a signal to the MRF-100 from both remotes at the same time.

Wild curiosity, I see there's a new Zigbee capable MX-880Z, I don't suppose there's some upgrade method/program from a standard MX-880 to the "Z" version?

Harmony One? Please!!!!

I am interested in the Mx-880 (or 980 if $$$ is good) and have read many of the online gripes and anger about URC's policy IT SEEMS that as long as you register you can download the software but I may be missing something.

What is the current scoop?

For the MX-880 owners out there that have had the control could you jump online right now and download any updates?

Amazon CLAIMS to be an authorized dealer otherwise a Co. called "Novidor & Firestone" handles AZ but I am sure I am well outside of the 200 mile limit that a previous poster wrote of.

How can I get the control AND the software. I'll spend the time to install it no matter how frustrating it is....believe me.

Thanks in advance for any help.

You need to find an authorized dealer who will provide you the software. You will have to either call them or walk into their physical store. There is no on-line sales allowed on the mx-880 or the mx-980.


If you have a copy of the updatable software you can can use the live update to function to update whenever you need to.


Amazon is only authorized to sell the mx-810, mx-450 and the mrf-260.


You just need to find a dealer that is willing to provide you the software. There are lots of dealers out there who are willing to provide the software.

The mx-880 and the mx-980 are both great remotes.

Thanks for the info Dalto...

I have emailed my nearest provider and I'll see what happens...

I just email URC asking for a list of dealers in Ontario Canada as they do not list them on their site. I am also in the market to purchase either the 880 or 980 with base station.

How does the software update? Do you require a username and password? Or do all versions of the software update with no issues?

You just hit the live update button and it downloads it. The one exception is the update from the MX-x80 editor to the CCP, I think for that you need to log in and download it, but your dealer should be able to get you a copy of CCP (actually I think at this point that should probably be what you get).

As far as I know every version of the software for the mx-880 and mx-980 is updatable. To update you just click the live update button. However, you will need to get the software from your dealer to begin with. Good luck, these are both excellent remotes.

Well, I found a local dealer but I could not convince him to give me the software with the remote! He told me that URC doesn't want the consumer to have their software and they they were told that they are not allowed to give it to their customers. I left that store empty handed.
What a pain in the butt. I couldn't find it anywhere else locally. I hope URC gets back to me soon with a list of their dealers in my area.