Programming Questions - MX-810

1. How can you change the function of a hard button (i.e. move one of the functions from a soft button to a hard button)? The only thing I have been able to do is learn it to a hard button. Is this the only way?


If you save your file then go into brower you can import the code from a soft button to a hard button. The bowser is also useful for importing existing URC files and pronto hex codes.


You can also use tuneup > copy command.


2. How can you set/edit the function of the ON button? The is a place in the Tune-Up screen to edit the OFF button, but I can find no equivilent for the ON button. What I would like to do is have the ON button (when not in any specific activity or device) turn on the TV and AV receiver. This would be like a master ON function after which you could choose an activity. It appears that the activity in the upper left is the "default" because if you press the ON button from the main activities page it goes to the activity on the upper left. Is it supposed to work that way?


Again you need to use the browser. With it you can add multiple macros behind any button.


3. How do you re-arrange the devices or activities page (not re-arrange buttons within a device or activity)?


?? Not sure what you mean here. Can you give an example?


4. How do you re-name an activity without deleting and recreating from scratch?


Under browser select the activities button, select the image of the activity, change the name in the "Button Caption".


5. How can you setup a new device that has input management like a TV or AV receiver? I have a Shinybow 4x2 matrix component switch that I have set up and created the inputs but not matter what I try the software will never allow you to select an input for that device. The only workaround I have found is to add a macro step for the soft key that switches the input.


Under Tune Up> Solve Automated Activity Problem > Change Input Management method..


6. Is there any documentation available for the ProWizard software and/or the Browser?

None that I can find. I would love for the help button on the brower page to actually do something!


7. Is there a way to "brute force" program the actvities so that everything is a button macro and that the software won't try to keep track of the state of devices. All my devices have discrete codes and in the past it has been very easy for me to program macros with a pronto and OFA/JP1 remotes. This software just seems to get in my way by trying to keep track of everything. I guess if the software was more full featured and had less bugs things would be OK, but as it stands now, it's a challenge programming this thing


I don't know.

First of all thanks alot for the detailed response.

Quote:
1. How can you change the function of a hard button (i.e. move one of the functions from a soft button to a hard button)? The only thing I have been able to do is learn it to a hard button. Is this the only way?

If you save your file then go into brower you can import the code from a soft button to a hard button. The bowser is also useful for importing existing URC files and pronto hex codes.


You can also use tuneup > copy command.

Click to expand...

Thanks. The tuneup> copy works great. I guess I was taking the full menu title "Copy a command for one device and paste it into another deveice or activity" a little too literally.

Quote:
2. How can you set/edit the function of the ON button? The is a place in the Tune-Up screen to edit the OFF button, but I can find no equivilent for the ON button. What I would like to do is have the ON button (when not in any specific activity or device) turn on the TV and AV receiver. This would be like a master ON function after which you could choose an activity. It appears that the activity in the upper left is the "default" because if you press the ON button from the main activities page it goes to the activity on the upper left. Is it supposed to work that way?

Again you need to use the browser. With it you can add multiple macros behind any button.

Click to expand...

I tried that and it doesn't work for me. In the right side of the browser window I click the activities button. I then click on the "Power ON" entry under the hard button heading. Then in the action list box there is one step called "Execute button: Watch Tivo1 (Acivities)" which happens to be the activity in the upper left button. I can delete that step and add steps to power on the devices I want. But it wont keep the changes. After saving the file and sending to the remote, I go back and look and my macro steps are gone and it's back what is was before I changed it. Do you have any sugestions? I want to be able to press the hard "power on" button when in the main activity screen and have it do my macro and stay in the main activity screen (not in a specific activity).

Quote:
3. How do you re-arrange the devices or activities page (not re-arrange buttons within a device or activity)?

?? Not sure what you mean here. Can you give an example?

Click to expand...

For example I want to change the position of the activities either on the same page or move one activity from page 1 to page 2. Same for devices.

Quote:
4. How do you re-name an activity without deleting and recreating from scratch?

Under browser select the activities button, select the image of the activity, change the name in the "Button Caption".

Click to expand...

Works like a charm. Thanks!

Quote:
5. How can you setup a new device that has input management like a TV or AV receiver? I have a Shinybow 4x2 matrix component switch that I have set up and created the inputs but not matter what I try the software will never allow you to select an input for that device. The only workaround I have found is to add a macro step for the soft key that switches the input.

Under Tune Up> Solve Automated Activity Problem > Change Input Management method..

Click to expand...

I found the problem. Since my switcher does not have discrete on/off I set the on/off automation to "left alone". I leave the switcher on all the time. When a device is set to "left alone" the software will not allow you to specify an input for that device. When I changed the on/off automation for the switcher to ON, now it gives you the choice to select and input. I guess I can just setup a dummy power on command.

Quote:
6. Is there any documentation available for the ProWizard software and/or the Browser?

None that I can find. I would love for the help button on the brower page to actually do something!

Click to expand...

Me too!

Quote:
7. Is there a way to "brute force" program the actvities so that everything is a button macro and that the software won't try to keep track of the state of devices. All my devices have discrete codes and in the past it has been very easy for me to program macros with a pronto and OFA/JP1 remotes. This software just seems to get in my way by trying to keep track of everything. I guess if the software was more full featured and had less bugs things would be OK, but as it stands now, it's a challenge programming this thing

I don't know.

Click to expand...

Hopefully the need for this is going away. I am learning some of the quirks of the software. I am still finding that some things just don't work consistently, but am I am able find a work around.


One last question. Is there any way to get to the "Test and Tune" screen for a device that was previously added. Using this screen with a laptop computer in the same room as the equipment is a big help.


After spending several hours with the software, I think that a good portion of the problems I was having are a result of poor/incomplete entries in the device database. For example the HK AVR 240 receiver (and at least a few other HK receivers) were missing all inputs even though there were soft buttons for discrete selection. My Samsung HL-R4677W is not even in the database and I tried at least 5 or 6 similar models and they all had major problems (i.e. no inputs defined, missing inputs, no discrete power). This combined with the fact that I don't know how to go back and edit a device with the Test and Tune screen makes for alot of extra work. Thanks again for the help. Hopefully I will be able to help others now that I am getting the hang of it.


Jay

Great thread. Learning the MX-810 has been a long and hard process. I like to quickly figure out what a remote can or can't do, but with the 810 that is really difficult. It still seems that certain things need to be done in the right sequence or they don't work. For example, it seems that you really need to nail the behavior of the devices before you start creating activities. Things just don't seem to work as they should. I still have a hard time learning certain IR sequences. I've even had to prrogam them to soft button, save the file and then use the browser to import the command into a button. Lots of weird stuff like that.


It sure would be nice if somebody would create a wiki for the "Missing MX-810 Manual." Maybe even an AVS thread would be go a long ways -- one that lists out the most important tricks for using the MX-810.

"Again you need to use the browser. With it you can add multiple macros behind any button. "


"I must have missed something. When I use the browser to add steps to a device button, the same steps seem to show up on all devices! any thoughts?


Did I misunderstand or miss a setting. I am trying to assign a 4 step macro consisting of learned commands to a single button of a single device - not to all devices."


Out of desperation I called tech support at URC and the solution was very simple. (The help button does not work in the browser and I have yet to find any documentation on programming an 810)


On the right side of the browser you select your device or activity to receive a code or series of codes (macro). A single click to select the device or activity AND then a single click on the intended button will establish the change globally on ALL devices or activities (one or the other-if you want it on both, you must program each)


A double click on the device or activity makes the new instruction unique to that device or activity! It was that simple. In fact, after double clicking, you then have access to work with the soft buttons as well. WONDERFUL!


The browser turns out will do a lot of things: change the name of devices and activities, import the setups from other Universal remotes that have been created with the Editor-even the Prontos setups can be opened and used in the browser. Have a hex code for something-just paste it in the hex editor and drag it to the button you would like to program.


For my use the MX-810 has the best button layout available now. With the features I wanted: rechargeable-although no cradle-motion sensor for backlighting and a very high degree of programming flexibility-once you figure out the browser. Some have pointed out that the 810 will not permit 2 macros or instructions on one button differentiated by the delay but I have not missed that at all.


And talk about value for the dollar-I bought mine on ebay for a little less than 2 c’s (I know I can’t quote prices here) and then downloaded the software from the universal remote site. I have heard that there is only 1 version of the 810 software unlike some others that have updates and no updates if you did not buy from an approved dealer. At any rate my software updated the first time I loaded it and again about a week later. I may or may not have a warranty but took my chances on a new unit.


Few have mentioned the coolest thing of all about the Wizard programming on the 810: The remote only turns on what is needed and then at the end of your viewing session, turns off only what has been turned on-even TOADS!

Right when I thought I was getting the hang of the MX-810 and it's convoluted software I run into another problem. I've found that the remote regularly hangs now. Everything will be working fine for a while, and then nothing works for the source compnent. When I push on a button I see the IR blast symbol on the display for about 3 seconds per button push, but nothing happens. It does appear that if I switch activities the AVR and TV inputs are reset, but the source commands do not work. The only way to fix it is to reset the remote by pushing the reset button for 5 seconds.


I thought I could work around the goofy software, but now it appears that the remote itself is not even reliable. If I cannot find a solution to this problem, I'm afraid I will need to return the remote to Magnolia and get some Harmony unit. The MX-810 has just become unusable. I have all of my components inside a cabinet and use the MRF-260 base station, so I need something reliable. I can't just use the other remotes.

UPDATE: I was able to get the problem to go away by deleted the problem device and activity and starting over again. Seems to work now.

Hi


Is there a way to make the Up and Down button to repeat the IR signal for as long as the button is kept pressed?


Right now, only Volume+ and Volume- will continue to send a signal for as long as the button is pressed.


Another thing that has been annoying me for a while, I have a Panasonic PT-AE2000 projector. To turn it off you need to press Off on the original remote twice.


Using the browser and following the various instructions I have found (including from universal remote tech support) I now have the off button working properly in the Automated Off test screen. But this does not work on the remote itself. It always send the Off signal once only and I have to use the original remote to turn it off again ..

very annoying.

Any ideas on how to fix that problem?


The software that comes with the MX-810 is so poorly designed... Like setting an activity to use a specific button from a device requires A LOT of something like:

Select the device, click on the button, copy, select the activity, click on the button, paste

And start again..

Who in their right mind came with a concept like this ?


Thanks in advance for any help.

Cheers

Jean-Yves



Quote:
Originally Posted by banditt101 /forum/post/15455047


I have the MX-810. I just bought a Pioneer VSX-1018AH Receiver. The Pro-Wizard cannot find this model or anything similar. Can anyone please help me on how to create my AMP into this remote and learn commands. I've tried all kinds of things with no success. Any step by step would be appreciated.


Thanks!

Click to expand...

OK. Here is a high level step by step...


* Click "Devices" button from Main screen

- create new device of audio type.

- program device: You might want to try the previous generation VSX-94. Most of the codes will probably be the same. You may need to learn a few new commands from your VSX-1018AH remote.

- You then need to specify that the AVR it manages inputs


* Click "Activity Macros" button from Main screen

- create an activity like watch DVD

- specify that the AVR is powered on

- specify the TV input

- specify the AVR input


That should get you started. You may want to play with the customization and Tune buttons later. It is a good practice to save your file and create a new one when have things working well. That way you can go back to good state.



Quote:
Originally Posted by mbrown333 /forum/post/15412323


I still can't get a macro working on the Power On button. I've tried using the single-click method described here, I've set up the individual power on function for each device and mapped them as consecutive steps to form the macro on the "Power On" hard button, which...if I understand your post above...with the single click is supposed to apply to all devices and activities. But when I try it, it doesn't actually work. It still only powers on one of the devices. The macro itself is non-functional.


Has anyone been able to get a power-on sequence macro working on the "power on" hard button for all activities on the 810 (and if so, how)? Thanks in advance for any help...

Click to expand...

As far as I have been able to tell, the power on button, when you are on the activities page, will always run the macro in the top left position. For me this is the watch Tivo one, i.e. press activities -> on, watch Tivo happens.


Once you are in an activity's page there shouldnt be a function for power on, unless you program one in the browser. However, I am not convinced that you can actually program the on/off buttons.


Hope that helps