Picked up an 810 today, and spent about 4 hours programming it using the wizard and I am still not done. The 810 is a vastly superior remote to any of the harmonies, but the software is just terrible to work with. Great graphic design but the ergonomics, and flow of the wizard need to be more logical, as well as links for changing codes, global/punch though aspects, and customizeable macros, and if possible a programmers software suite to give us the control and flexibility we are accustomed to.

some of the problems were that it took 10 times to get the initial programing to load to the remote, in addition to one failed attempt that wiped out the remotes firmware. followed by 5 miscellaneous error codes and the need to restart my computer. The software has some major glitches in regards to adjusting macro's and importing codes, so beware before you sell this to your customers. Practice 1st, or stick to the better remotes or the MX650's. I will try to report back in a week or so once I've got a few more hours of programming and familiarity with the remote and software under my belt.

If anyone else has any feed back yet, I'd love to hear it as I think this could be a decent entry level or step up/sideways remote (from a mx650), it is not yet ready for "prime time"

Bryan:

Have you reported these problems to technical support? I haven't ever experienced a failed download with the 810, even when I was using the beta software. And although I've set up several complex home theaters with ProWizard, I haven't ever had a configuration take longer that about half an hour.

But that doesn't mean you're doing something wrong—we'd love to get your feedback through "official" channels to help us understand where we hit the mark correctly and where the flow of ProWizard needs improvement. This is our first wizard-based remote, so your feedback helps us to refine the remote, the wizard, and future products that use parts or all of the wizard logic flow.

Best regards,
Dale

Hank sent me an email to send my next usage update to Joe Spinelli as well. I believe there is a ton of potential for this package, and will update as I spend more time learning the in's and outs.

As far as the ability to do complex systems quickly that is not my concern. The initial set up is rather swift (about 30 minutes), but the tweaking is where the issues are, much of which will be able to be fixed in future software updates I'm sure. I feel at this point the remote is an awesome opportunity, but the software is about 5/6, but with the potential to be a 10+.

At the same time though the perceived target customer I feel is cookie cutter systems which is fine once the templates have been designed, and DIY'ers with random gear who only need to do a single install, and don't understand how much easier the remote is to operate when you custom configure the home page for each device/activity, and instead leave it at oem spec for the 'pages'.

In my world and I believe many others here and in the field, a great deal of use for this remote will be in clean up/retro situations where templates don't work so well as there are rarely similiar devices between households. Very similar to the niche that is currently filled by the mx650, but with nicer packaging/wow factor.

There is a thread in the URC Control Room to post issues as well. Many were reported by myself and others during beta testing and are being worked on.

Mike

List of possible improvements:

Regular Menu:

Double wide button option which automatically codes IR to both left and righ button(s)

Learn IR Straight to Activities button

Short Cut Keys: Control C, Control V, etc.



Universal Browser:

IR Data base accessible in universal browser (move Universal Browser and RF setup to an Advanced Menu tab)

Enable 'Help' feature

Improved Universal Browser documentation,

Ability to relable/rename buttons/IR codes upon importing from Database/other remote files



Advanced Menu:

with ON and OFF macro viewing and configuration,

custom slideshow/graphic/Rotating Hourglass/etc. during macro wait times

Jump to Page in macro configurations


I would also say having an option to have both time and date available at the top of the remote screen, or a custom caption would be nice, as opposed to time or date. The other thing that would be nice would to have the discrete inputs for devices that have them show up in the main code set list for that device.

These thoughts have been sent into URC and some or all will hopefully make it into future versions of the software package

Can you gentlemen provide a little more feedback on the actual usability of the remote itself? I'm still trying to decide between this and the MX-900. I really like the color screen and early reports of firm buttons (as opposed to the reported squishy buttons on the 900, I HATE squishy buttons), but would like more comparative input if you can spare the time.

Thanks.

The MX900 is the much better choice unless you just have to have a color screen. That is the only reason, color screen... and a record button.

As a sidenote to all those jerks who emailed me, see, the wizard has issues. I was not lying and slandering.
That does not mean that over time they won't iron out the issues, but all my other complaints are still valid.

My previous post was part of a correspondance with URC as far as issues with the 810 software wizard, below are a few more issues which I have sent to the appropriate channels, and the continuation of getting the system working-this is now being tested by my parents now that the remote is functioning.

Here is a follow up to the programming side, and issues with the current version of the software. (spent another 2 hours getting the remote to work at about 99%, the only thing not working is the system 'on' and 'off' buttons/macros as there is no way to rewrite the macro's at this time-supposedly a bug)


Took the remote to my parents house to begin testing with the equipment; and I ran into the following issues:

The IR database codes, and learned codes for the devices (pages) did not propagate to the activity corresponding to that device (ie the cable box codes worked while using the remote in device -then cablebox, but the codes did not transfer to the activity watch cablebox), and had to be individually copy and pasted from device to activity button for button, or transferred via the universal browser feature using the active remote file and selecting the button and dragging it to corresponding area for that button in the activities section.

Other issues, using the wizard's off macro, all that happend was the JVC (HD61FH97) went into twin picture mode; and nothing happened with the other devices (Yamaha RXV800, Toshiba HD-A2, and Comcast Motorola Cable box with DVR).

The wizard's on macro did nothing.

The activities macro's also did nothing and I had to redo the macro's from scatch with the proper codes (for the TV and Receiver) once I learned them into the programming file, as none of the preselected/wizard codes for the buttons for the Receiver, Radio, or TV worked (the codes for the HD-DVD player, and Cable box worked except for the power command). I also had to create a System Off 'Activity' as the system 'Off' macro is not accessible when programming and viewing through the universal browser (a supposed bug).

I believe these are the remainder of my issues. The remote now works satisfactorily, but had to be programmed almost 100% in a manual fashion like an MX650, with each individual button being learned labeled, and double checked for accuracy, and macro's created from scratch for each activity.

I will begin a second go at the wizard with a different system and see if I run into the same issues, as well as seeing how efficiently the remote can be properly programmed now that I am fairly familiar with what the software does/does not do, and how to work around those issues.



Please feel free to contact me with any questions, and or information on how patches/fixes are coming along, as you may have many unhappy installers if they are unaware of these issues up front. Take care, and have a great day.

The remote is much nicer in many regards when compared to the 900, however the 900 is a much more robust/customizable solution without as much fighting with the software programming. If you really want to fight with, and take the time to get the 810 working properly you should be able to do just about everything the 900 can do. However if you need a remote right now, and don't have the 5-10 hours of time (and a fairly in depth knowledge of programming URC remotes specificlly the MX650) to play (fight with the wizard), and a direct person at URC to work through bugs with then stay away at least until URC adds some of the above fixes to the software suite.

Eastside I have had exactly the same problems. I am guessing that this product is aimed at the consumer who knows very little about programming. I personally will not use this unit till these bugs are worked out. I really wish the programming remained the same as the previous remotes cause I do really like the layout and look.

I was told that this remote is not designed for the consumer to program at all, only custom installers. The remote is designed for installers that do not have alot of programming under there belt. They need to know how the electronic are hooked up.

Well that seems strange. I have heard very little in the way of complaints about the way the old program worked. Why the need to change the software. The original software was not that hard to learn and this new program just seems like programming for dummies. Unfortunately it has too many issues to work smoothly for dummies.

Can't say I've had any issues with the On/Off macros, but they definitely should be accessible for editing. I do find you need to check/edit the activity macros to get them to work properly.

Mike

Hmm...I guess I'll stay in a holding pattern for a little while and see if they sort out the software. If things don't improve on the software end, I guess I'll just go with the 900.

Like a sucker I went out and picked up 3 MX810 @ AVAD and was excited to get programming and selling the remotes.
Boy, what a dissapointment...Now I can program an mx850, 900, 950 in no time at all..
I took me an hour just to sort this remote out and even then I thought who the hell designed this software? Someone they recruited from Harmony?
I too had the same problems with the macros and not being able to use the correct and edited devices..ie, cable, sat...in the activities pages...I had nothing but trouble downloading into the remote the first few times.
Im really disappointed in not being able to completely customize this remote...it really seemed to be a winner from the outside..

I'm afraid I'll have to return 2 remotes and keep the one for my own testing and tell the customer that was getting excited about it to wait till VISTA 2 version comes out.

primo