I'm in need of finding a replacement for an MX-500 that met an untimely demise. Had it fully customized with a JP1 controlling an array of components including HD DVRs, and a HTPC.

I was about to order an MX-900 as the replacement, but read the info about MX-810 on here and URC site. Is this a product worth considering as an alternative to the 900?

Totally different remotes. MX-810 is wizard based, MX-900 is programmable with an editor. The MX-810 does have a color screen, but a very different layout too.

Plus the MX-810 isn't on the market yet.

Since you were currently using the MX500, are you looking for RF? And/or computer programming?

The MX350-N probably more capable of what the MX500 was, includes RF, but isn't computer programmable.

If you like the form factor of the MX500 and devide based programming, you could go with the MX650 (non-computer programmable but has RF), or the MX850 (computer programmable w/RF).

Best bet is the MX900.

Before you decide on the MX810, work thru the software first once it's released before dropping your $$'s.

Definatly the 900 over the 810.

The MX900 is clearly the better choice.
We would have all liked the MX910 w/ a color screen and variables, but that would have just hurt the balance of their line which currently will have a hump w/ the 980 release.

Thanks for the recommendation, it was the last minute sanity checking before putting the order in. I went with the 900 and while waiting for it to get here, I have been playing with the editor program. I saw about 4-5 mx-900 config files in the files section of this site that showed some interesting approaches to programing this remote, are there any other sites where I can find more?

I'm looking to primarily go with a activity based approach, with device based programing accessible via deeper pages. Pretty similar to how I had configured the MX-500, but without all the acrobatics with that remote's limitations and any need for a JP-1 rig.

Joe:

I'm curious about your last post. You say that you would have liked an MX-910 with a color screen. Given the MX-900 as your model, how do you envision adding a color screen without radically altering how the remote is programmed? Are you basically thinking of a 900 that still uses text labels and then lets you drop in some kind of icon for each button?

I ask because from my design sense, the MX-900 model makes for a difficult marriage with a color screen, complicating the programming process significantly for little benefit. This is just my opinion, of course, so I'm interested in what you are thinking so I can consider additional perspectives when designing for future products.

Thanks,
Dale

I think an MX900 with a color screen would be GREAT!! I mean the best part of a touchscreen remote is the "wow" and "kewl" factor by seeing great colorful icons. Using this in an MX900 would allow you to eliminate the most frustrating part of touchscreens by using hard buttons for control and not having to constantly wake up a remote and look for a button.

Speaking of which, why do you have to wake up an MX810 before you can press a button?

Well again... the idea of a color screen on a 900 is one thing, but actually programming it is another. As shown at CEDIA, the 980 won't just be a 950 with a color screen... adding graphics to the screen means you have to change how you program the remote. So I'm more interested in how you see the remote working and more importantly, what steps an installer would use to program it.

As for the 810 wake-up, I don't really have an answer. I'll poke around the office and see if I can locate the source of that design decision.

Like the above poster said the color lcd is gimmicky and not really functional, but it's what is in demand. Throw in some themes, but no custom backgrounds. More custom, better screen and sound would be the step to the 980.
Release it later when the 980 rush goes down. The 980 will still be a completely different product and significant step up.
Add in some premade icons for devices and activities and improve the contrast ratio. Each button does not need an icon. Even the favorites may not be necessary as color icons, but you could use your Alpha icons for the 810. It can;t be that much memory. It would be functionally the same w/ a touchup on the screen.
This w/ a slight difference in the button layout would result in a remote which is still far apart from the 980 yet gives consumers what they want. Remotes need to be designed for DVR's.
I also like the tiered glow feature vs. the on off version of it. It's just smoother.
You should probably better promote the durability of the remote as well on your site.

Why would you need to wake up the 810 to press a button?
It's not a touchscreen, just a color screen with hard buttons on the side.
I'm just thrilled it has a pickup sensor to backlight on movement.

I'll second joe's request for Fade Up/Fade Out on the backlight. It would be a nice, classy touch.

I was thinking the same thing, 900 or 810... I am adding a new system in a new house. I have used the mx500, harmony 880, and marantz 5200 in previous setups. The 500 is the only one I liked to use (and still use) over the long term.

I have never used URC software before, but figured I could learn either one since I was able to figure out marantz/pronto programming on my own (and with the help of remote central.

I am planning to put my equipment in a cabinet, so I need the RF. Want to keep it simple for my wife and kids to use too. I like the wizard concept from the Harmony, but loved the flexibility the MX500 provided.

I will have a Sharp Aquos LCD, Denon 3808, Tivo S3, DVD (to be determined), and BlueRay or HD DVD player. I may add light and shade control in the future. Any advice?

Mike, When will you have the 810 available on Surf?

If you have never used the URC software, you need to get the 810.
I believe the Wizard would be much easier for first time users.

There's no problem with being a first time user with the MX editor. You just need to give yourself time to learn it. Start by reading the entire manual, then making programs, tweaking them, etc. I started straight with an MX-850, and had no problems, but it did take me about six hours to get it right.

What in the hell would you tell a kid, about to be a first timer with his girlfriend? Go for the handjob?

Hell no! Get a 900, stuggle for an hour or 2 and reap the reward of having a superior remote that can be easily reconfigured.

JB, that is just bad advice:)