With the new 980 around the corner I have a software related question. Is the new 980 software going to be like the Harmony remote control software. Basically, the software asks you what type of gear you are using, model numbers, what inputs, etc. If so, I currently have the 950 and my main question is, will URC redesign the 950 software to perform like the 980 software. I may be totally off on this topic but I was just curious. I absolutely love my 950 but I think it would be so much easier when installing a new peice of gear just to answer a few questions, download into the remote, and go about your business. Once again, I may be way off about the software but this is roughly the way I took it after seeing the add in the new Sound & Vision magazine.

No, the software will be alot like the standard mx programming software, but with more programming options

Yep, the 980 uses an OpenArchitecture MX-Editor editor, just like the 950 or 3000. So far, the 810 is the only product we've built that uses a wizard-based editor. They're just aimed at different installers.

Cool, I do like the ability to have better control with the delays, what powers on first, etc. but maybe I just don't know enough and the MX-Editor. The main reason I like the Harmony software is if a component doesn't have discret powers on and off, the Harmony software seems to know if the gear is on and off. What should I be looking for in the MX-Editor software that I could program my 950 to do such a thing.
Thanks again.

Yes, the 980 can accomplish everything the Harmony (or our own MX-810) can, and much, much more. The extra capability comes at the cost of increased learning curve for the software. Generally, we expect that installers who use MX-Editor will attend live training or use our online training at URC Control Room. With the MX-810, we expect most installers to be able to get broad functionality without a significant investment in training time. The trade-off is that the final architecture of the MX-810 isn't as flexible as what you can do with MX-Editor.

You should be looking for variables on your MX-950. You can manually set it up like the Harmony through the use of if-then-else statements.

I've tried setting up the variables with no results. Maybe I'm just not sure exactly what a variable is or maybe I didn't set it up correctly. Is there anyway to get someone to tell me how to set up a variable? Many thanks.

Guess I could better explain what I'm trying to do. All me gear except for my Toshiba XA2 have discrete ON and OFF commands. After powering on my system, if everything is up and running and someone accidentally hits the power button again, all stays on except the XA2 and we all know how long these players take to re-boot. I'd love to be able to set a variable so if the power on button is pressed again, the unit knows to stay on. Thanks.

There are several options available to handle this situation, as it's probably the most common pain-in-the-ass to deal with when programming remotes. I'm an amateur, not a professional, and most of what I know has been learned by reading reviews and postings on this web site. And, of course, a lot of time spent fiddling with the software itself.

As for those options I mentioned, well, the use of variables is one, but that has its problems, too. Also, if you read the latest review on this website's main page, you can learn about a really slick way to handle this problem. But you'll need your checkbook. There are less expensive ways, like using a current-sensing switch to basically unplug the unit but that causes problems, too.

One option is to just leave the unit on at all times.

But I think I have a solution you'll like. If your Toshiba AX3 is off, and you push "Play" it comes on? If so, the play button is a discrete on. And therefore the sequence "play" followed by "power" is a discrete off (you may need to program a delay in between). And if you want the unit to come on but not play the disc, use the sequence "play" followed by "stop".

You mentioned in another message that the harmony seems to "know" whether the unit is on or off. Maybe the Harmony knows and uses this trick.

Okay guys, last night I fooled around with the MX-950 software for atleast 3 hours trying to figure out how to create a Variable with no results. I think I have the general idea of how to do it, or maybe not, but for the life of me could not create a discrete power on or power off. Herman, I tried your idea of using play for the XA2 as a power on and regular power as off which worked great, Thanks. My problem know is this, say I'm watching a HD-DVD with the XA2, when I go to say, Watch Satellite, the XA2 will power down like it should, but when I'm ready to completely shut all gear off by pressing the power down button, the XA2 then powers back ON. Maybe I should have better explained it but this is the whole reason why I'm trying to create a discrete power on and power off. What would really be helpful is if someone could create a simple MX file for me using the Toshiba XA1 DVD player with a variable to kind of show me how Variables are created but I fully understand people have better things to do then to help poor old me out, LOL.

put in a play, 10 or so second delay and power, in the off macro and you should be fine. or use something to track the power state of the player (MSC 400 and video or power sensing module?).

That's because you sent it only the "power" command. You need to send it the "play" followed by "power" sequence, with possibly a delay in between. That sequence is your discrete off.


I think we understand you just fine. Go back and read my previous post and see if you understand me.


Sorry, but I've never programmed a remote that makes use of variables, I don't own one, and I've never used one. I've read about them, though, and as I told you before they come with their own set of problems. For example, if someone manually turns the unit on or off, or does same with another remote, your variable value gets misassigned and you're screwed until you undo it by manually pressing power again. This is my understanding of the situation, anyway. I'm just an amateur, and it sounds like you need the services of a pro.

I have a new Tosh Xa2 and am also trying this technique. I think it should work fine except that the delay needs to be more like 50secs. After hitting play to power on, the machine will not accept any additional commands until it boots up and this takes almost a minute. I take it thatthere are no on/off discretes for the xa2 ?

I wouldn't assume that. Check the original remote, check the IR databases. Check the forums and the configuration files on this website.

Put the XA2 on a switched outlet, the HD-DVD players delays are ridiculous. 'Play' can turn it on and it will go off with the rest of the system. It doesn't lose its settings. You can use variables to track it but can get out of 'sync' if someone manually turns it on or ejects a disc. I use variables to track if I need to display a "please wait" page on the remote. A video sensor is the perfect solution but require more $$$ for the MSC-400.

Bob