On June 8, 2013 at 16:40, Jptasznik said...
My local dealer told me the other day that he used to distribute the software DVDs, but was told at some point that he would no longer be an authorized dealer if he distributed it anymore.
I understand the purpose of their policy, but at the same time URC has been exceptionally slow to adapt to new technology. I am baffled that just recently they created a solution where an installer could connect to a customers devices over the internet to make updates. The sad part is it is only for small fraction of their line.
[Link: universalremote.com] The biggest annoyance with having a device that needs to be programmed by a specialist is not the cost, but the inconvenience. If I could call or email my installer that I got a new cable box with the model number and he could connect in minutes and have the new device added and all the activities updated I would be happy to pay a service fee and have a device that is maintained by someone else.
There is a company on the internet that sells hearing aids and they provide a usb device to connect to the hearing aid and an audiologist can work with the
customer online to make adjustments to their hearing aids right at home, no trip to the hearing specialist. As someone who has hearing aids I can tell you that the level interaction with the end user is much higher than what would be required to understand a customers needs when programming a remote.
The Philips Pronto Professional line, the editor ProntoEdit Professional (PEP) offers a feature where you can create what they call a "PackAndGo" file, a stand-alone executable (*.exe) version of a given configuration file which when run will download the configuration file to the remote. That's all it does. Takes the editor completely out of the loop. The installer simply provides the executable file to the customer. I generally just post the file to my FTP and provide the customer a download link. Customer downloads the file, connects their remote to the computer and runs the file. Done deal. Use this feature all the time. Considering the fact that URC doesn't make their software openly available for anyone to download I'm quite surprised they don't offer a similar feature as without such a feature the only options for the "AV professional" when needing to update a customers remote is to either pay them a house call or have the editor software installed on their computer, so that any needed update can be done so remotely.
