On October 23, 2014 at 11:55, bobli said...
Hadn't heard anything like this, certainly not from the dealer. I was focused on the MX-1200, or MX-890, concluding the touch screen on the 1200 would serve me better (especially since I've had an MX-3000) than the four colored hard buttons on the MX-890.
I then switched my thinking to the MX-5000 in order to get some control beyond IR. Also, I'm hoping to eliminate the placement of emitters on my equipment and thought either serial, or IP options would accomplish this, in addition to their other benefits. While my A/V receiver has a direct IR input, as well as RS-232, and I'm going to purchase a blu-ray player with the same two inputs, the TV I'm looking at only has RS-232. I know of no way to get serial control via a Complete Control remote without the now discontinued MSC-400. Finally, I have a Dish Hopper so that would require an emitter without IP control. If I had serial control, I could switch to a DirecTV Genie which I understand can be controlled via it's USB port. Still, unless there's some way to get serial control that I don't know about, I would need to place emitters on both the TV and the DVR. I can certainly do that, but if there's a way to avoid it, I'd like to do so.
The 5 hour battery life-are you saying the remote will have power for only 5 hours while utilizing the system or 5 continuous hours? If it's only 5 hours of usage, that is picking it up and putting it down over a five hour period, then that sounds like a deal breaker. I charge my MX-3000 overnight and then use it quite a bit during the day. The battery gets fairly low, but has never run out over the course of a day.
Slower remote-how does this manifest itself? Components respond slowly? Remote is slow to wake up? Something else?
I'm replacing my MX-3000 because the select key is broken. I would really like to continue programming my own remote, however, the Complete Control line no longer seems to offer much beyond IR solutions. The MX-5000 seemed like a good, albeit expensive, solution. Based on your input, I need to rethink it (thanks for the heads up).
I have considered hiring a Pro because that would give me the option of going to RTI where I could then get a T2x which would probably be my first choice for a remote, if I could program it myself. Add an XP-6, or possibly an XP-3, and I'd probably be better off than with any of the URC remotes. Maybe I should reconsider this option?
RTI software is locked down. If you are looking to program yourself, you are better off sticking with CCP. I have had horrible luck with RTI equipment, and even have a T2X sitting on my desk that I have to send in, just got an RMA. It's completely non-responsive. By that I mean it does nothing, screen shows nothing, its black.
I understand your desire to go with IP or Serial control. Unless you are looking for two-way communication, I think you are gaining nothing. An emitter is a small price to pay for a reliable remote. The MX5000 is just not a great remote. I disagree on the point of issues with the MX1200 in the previous post. That is just in my experience though. I'd like to hear about the issues with the MX1200 as I have not had any. They have been very solid remotes.
BTW, I typically get a week out of the battery on the MX890 (which I don't use in my house anymore since switching to Total Control). The TRC-1080 has been just as good.
